Gigantea’s Sports Section March Madness Picks

Memebers of the Gigantea’s sports section explain who they think is going to win March Madness.

By: Lucas de Lima, Fabian Anguiano, Jake Villarreal, Cody Abney, Ryan Harris

Fabian’s Picks

Now, I am going to go straight to the point. I have the Florida Gators going all the way and beating Duke to win win the national championship. I feel like the Gators have been dominant all season, and with star Duke player Cooper Flag being injured I do not feel like Duke will be the same. I have UCSD stunning the world first round and beating Michigan. Michigan did not look great in their Big 10 tournament, they almost choked big time, and this is the first time UC San Diego has made it to March Madness in program history, so I feel that they will come very hungry. Although they will not make it past Texas A&M, I feel like it would feel great for the alumni.

I have Alabama making a suprising run making the Elite 8. They did not look the best during the season but I have a feeling that they will wake up when it matters and they will play their best basketball, even though it means no natty. So in simple terms, GATOR CHOMP!

Jake’s Picks

Auburn. Okay, that’s all I’m going to say right now because there’s other things to be discussed. I have all 1 seed teams to San Antonio in my bracket(Auburn, Houston, Florida, and Duke respectively.) I’ll state my sleeper team, overrated team, and WHY I chose my FF, into the natty and our eventual champion. First I’ll start with my sleeper which is going to be UCSD. This Triton team is looking better then ever with some pretty quality wins(UC Irvine, Utah St, SDSU.) on it’s belt, along with the fact this is their first ever MM tournament? I’m taking them over Michigan, but sadly falling the next round as the competition gets way tougher then anything they could dish out.

My overrated team is definitely going to be Kansas, there are people out there STILL saying this team is going to hit the elite eight, YOU ARE WRONG. This is one of the worst Kansas basketball seasons of all time and they are STILL in the dance. Do you expect them to revert to the glory days when they see St. Johns as the team to beat if they even beat ARKANSAS? No. You don’t. Now, on to the FF in San Antonio. Auburn, Duke, Houston, Florida.

Auburn wins over Florida, 83-75.

Houston over Duke, 78-76.

AUBURN. HOUSTON.

I said Auburn at the beginning?

Yes, I did, and it’s because they are not winning.

Houston are the national champions.

86-71, final score.

Lucas’s Picks

Striking the balance between practicality and bias is one of the most difficult parts for me when I fill out my March Madness bracket. This year, my beloved Florida Gators had their best season since 2013-2014, when the now legendary Billy Donavan was at the helm. Although it is tempting for me to pick them to win it all, due to their 30-4 overall record, them winning the SEC tournament right before the Big Dance, and their #1 seed, I can’t see it happening. The world would be too perfect if that were to happen.

Instead I am going to go a different route. I am picking another #1 seed to win it all, the Houston Cougars. I picked them last year to go all the way, and their run ended in the Sweet 16 to the powerful Duke Blue Devils. I’m running it back with them because of their experience (their leaders in points, rebounds, and assists are all upper classmen), them winning the Big 12 regular season and tournament titles, and because Lil Wayne is an alumni.

When it comes to my upset picks, my main Cinderella run is the #12 seed McNeese Cowboys getting past #5 seed Clemson Tigers in the first round and #4 seed Purdue Boilermakers in the second round, before they bow out to my eventual champion Houston Cougars in the Sweet 16. The Cowboys have lost one game since December 14th, and their head coach just got hired by the North Carolina State Wolfpack to lead their program.

These are my picks, and I rather be wrong than right.

Cody’s Picks

From a whole pack of badgers, I am going with the Badgers out of Wisconsin winning it all this year. Everyone is counting them out thinking they will lose to a nobody team. They are a #3 seed and they were a dark horse in the Big Ten conference and will be a dark horse in this tournament. This is a team that has been consistent and I can’t wait to watch them.

An overrated team in this tournament is 100% Purdue. I think that they will be going out first round to the underdog, High Point. Purdue is known for doing stuff like this when March arrives, everyone in the media hypes them up until they have yet another early exit.

My upset is none other then UC San Diego. I have them going into the Elite 8 and I think they will go far and make a statement in this 1st round against Michigan. Who doesn’t love a good underdog story?

Ryan’s Picks

From the heart of H-Town, I have the boys in red from the University of Houston to win the chip. Ranked as a #1 seed, they have to prove to the world why they are second to none. They finished their season winning the Big 12 with a 30-4 record and a 19-1 conference record.

A game that must been watched is the Lousivelle versus Creighton game. Both teams are well coached and match the pace of any team they play. Although, there is a name that can’t be missed and that is the man himself, Cooper Flagg. At the young age of 18 he is transforming college basketball before our eyes. He is called the “Main Event” for a reason. Make sure to keep your eye out for Flagg and the Blue Devils.

Tags: rangers, Redwood, redwood basketball, redwood boys basketball, redwood gigantea, redwood high school, redwood journalism, redwood rangers, redwood sports, rhs, rhs basketball, rhs boys basketball, rhs sports, visalia ca