Jay Bilas tourney picks

[stever20]

USC/Providence:
Andy Enfield was last in the NCAA tournament with Florida Gulf Coast, and marched to the Sweet Sixteen as a No. 15 seed. The Trojans have six players who average double figures in scoring, one of two major conference teams with six players averaging at least 10 points, Iowa State being the other. Julian Jacobs assists on 30 percent of USC's made shots while he's on the floor. Only Oregon State's Gary Payton II assists more in the Pac-12. Providence is shooting 41.7 percent from the floor this season; only St. John's (40.1) is worse in the Big East. In at least 24 percent of possessions used, Ben Bentil's 113.5 offensive rating ranks first in the Big East. Kris Dunn is the best point guard in the country, and between Dunn and Bentil, Providence will find a way to win and advance to play against North Carolina.
Xavier/Weber St:
Xavier has not lost to a team outside the BPI top 100 this season. James Farr rebounds 15 percent of his teammates' missed shots when he is on the floor, the highest offensive rebounding percentage in the Big East. Guards Edmond Sumner and Trevon Bluiett are dynamic and explosive, and Xavier could very well be a Final Four team. Weber State has an absolute stud in Joel Bolomboy, who will be playing in the NBA. Xavier will beat Weber State and advance to the second round.
Villanova/UNC Asheville:
The Wildcats have a chip on their shoulders entering this tournament -- and they should. Villanova has been beaten up for some early-exit upsets after three years of incredible regular-season consistency. This year, Villanova ends all of the criticism and wins when it should win.
Texas Tech/Butler:
The Bulldogs are better on the offensive end, but Texas Tech does a really good job on the defensive end under Tubby Smith. Butler has two legit scorers in Kelan Martin and Kellen Dunham, and a tough-minded, versatile stud in Roosevelt Jones. The question is whether Butler can defend at a high level. I like Butler to move on.
Seton Hall/Gonzaga:
The Hall is legit. Isaiah Whitehead is a pro and can get wherever he wants on the floor. Watch for Desi Rodriguez. He plays with abandon, and is tough. I love watching him play. Gonzaga has a great shooter in Kyle Wiltjer and an NBA lottery pick in Domantas Sabonis, but the Zags guards are not quite as efficient as past Zags guards. That will be the difference, and Seton Hall will pull out the win.

2nd round:
UNC/Providence:
The Tar Heels will outrun and outrebound Providence. North Carolina will advance past Providence and reach the Sweet Sixteen.
Wisconsin/Xavier:
The Badgers struggled early, but figured it out; the Musketeers figured it out early but played tougher and tougher competition. Xavier has great balance, inside and out, and will advance to the Sweet Sixteen.
Iowa/Nova:
The Wildcats have good, tough guards. Josh Hart is a star and Jalen Brunson is a lefty with tremendous talent. If Daniel Ochefu is healthy, he and Kris Jenkins form a formidable tandem and Villanova will beat Iowa and move on.
Virginia/Butler:
The Bulldogs are good enough offensively to hang with Virginia, but not quite good enough defensively to beat the Wahoos. Virginia wins.
Seton Hall/Utah:
There is something compelling about Seton Hall. This team is talented and hungry, and very capable. The Hall wins.

Sweet 16:
West Virginia/Xavier
The Musketeers can handle pressure, and will have to, because Bob Huggins will not call off the pressure. Expect Xavier to move on, despite the relentless pressure of West Virginia and the turnovers it can produce.
Miami/Nova:
The safe play is to take the No. 2 seed Villanova Wildcats. But Miami is a tough team that can operate in pick-and-roll situations and really defend. Miami has older, bigger men. I think Miami wins this one and plays Kansas for a berth in the Final Four.
Seton Hall/Mich St:
These are two teams that I love heading into the tournament, but Michigan State has experience that Seton Hall does not have. Sparty will win this one and advance.

Elite 8:
UNC/Xavier:
North Carolina will not play a tougher or more disciplined group of players than Xavier. The Tar Heels have not been to the Final Four since 2009, but are going back this season.

[Jet915]

Wow, Bilas actually likes the Big East for most games...I hope he is right about the first round games.

[NovaBall]

I tried posting this in another thread but for some reason it can't get through the moderation here.

We don't have a single first round underdog. Seton Hall has a pick 'em is the closest one.

[BEX]

That would be a nice pile of NCAA units @ 1.67 million (probably closer to $2m this yr.) per game for our 10 team conference.