It’s never too early to start thinking about March Madness! With the 2022-2023 college basketball season right around the corner, it’s time to take a look at the potential NCAA Tournament bracket for the South Region.
Some big names are expected to dominate the region, including powerhouse programs like Duke, North Carolina, and Kentucky. However, there’s always room for upsets and Cinderella stories that can completely change the course of the tournament.
Let’s take a closer look at the South Region and make some predictions for March Madness 2023.
Top Seeds and Predictions
As mentioned before, Duke, North Carolina, and Kentucky are all expected to be among the top seeds in the South Region. Led by top recruits and seasoned veterans, each of these teams has the talent and experience necessary to make a deep run in the tournament.
Duke is always a force to be reckoned with under the guidance of Coach K, and this year is no different. Look for standout forward Paolo Banchero to lead the charge and make a strong case for being named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player.
North Carolina, meanwhile, will rely heavily on their talented backcourt of Caleb Love and R.J. Davis. If they can get hot from beyond the arc, they could easily upset higher-ranked teams and make a deep run of their own.
Kentucky has had some struggles in recent years, but they always manage to reload with some of the top young talent in the country. Freshman guard Skyy Clark is set to make an immediate impact, and with their signature suffocating defense, the Wildcats could end up being a major headache for opponents.
Upset Picks
While the top seeds are always a safe bet, March Madness is known for its upsets, and the South Region is no exception.
One team to keep an eye on is the Texas Tech Red Raiders. Coach Mark Adams has instilled a gritty defensive mindset in his team, and their scrappy play has already earned them a reputation as a tough out. They’ll need to work on their offense to pull off an upset, but with the right game plan, they could easily shock a higher-ranked opponent.
Another potential spoiler is the Virginia Tech Hokies. Led by sharpshooter Jalen Cone, the Hokies have the ability to shoot the lights out and keep pace with some of the best offenses in the country. If Cone gets hot and the defense can hold their own, don’t be surprised if Virginia Tech turns some heads in March.
Players to Watch
In addition to the aforementioned stars for Duke, North Carolina, and Kentucky, there are plenty of other standout players to keep an eye on in the South Region.
For the Arkansas Razorbacks, the dynamic duo of guards JD Notae and Desi Sills will lead the way. Notae is a high-scoring guard who can light it up from anywhere on the court, while Sills is a lockdown defender who can also chip in on offense.
The Florida Gators will rely on the services of big man Colin Castleton, a dominant force in the paint who can put up double-doubles on any given night. He’ll be a handful for opposing defenses and could be a major key to Florida’s success in the tournament.
Finally, don’t sleep on the Auburn Tigers and their talented freshman Jabari Smith. He’s already drawing comparisons to Kevin Durant with his combination of size and skill, and if he can live up to the hype, he could easily lead his team to an upset or two in March.
Conclusion
The South Region of the NCAA Tournament is shaping up to be one of the most competitive and exciting regions in 2023. With top seeds Duke, North Carolina, and Kentucky leading the charge, there will be no shortage of talent and experience on display.
However, upsets can and will happen, and there are plenty of spoiler teams and standout players who could steal the show. March Madness is always unpredictable, but one thing is for sure: the South Region will be one to watch in 2023.
