The nation’s college basketball commentators have apparently decided that the University of Virginia’s men’s basketball team – despite being seeded No. 1 in its region – won’t still be dancing when the Final Four arrives.
The UVA sports fansite Streaking the Lawn compiled the NCAA Tournament forecasts of 64 “experts” from CBS, ESPN, NBC, Sports Illustrated and USA Today. Sixty-two of them selected Michigan State, seeded second the Midwest Region, to defeat the top-seeded Cavaliers in the regional championship game.
But don’t tell that to U.S. Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, Katie Couric, Tim McGraw and a host of other tourney prognosticators who have substantially more confidence in Tony Bennett’s team to live up to its seeding.
The Cavaliers took the first step Friday, blowing out 16th-seeded Hampton University, 81-45, in Raleigh in a game marked by concern after head coach Tony Bennett’s near-collapse just before halftime. (He returned to coach the second half; the team reported he’d been dehydrated.) UVA will face ninth-seeded Butler University on Saturday with a berth to the “Sweet 16” on the line.
Here’s a look at how some notable alums and others assess UVA’s chances.
Katie Couric ’79, Yahoo News Global Anchor
Pick: UVA, National Champions
.@UVA all the way!! Challenge my #MarchMadness bracket method in my @YahooSports Tourney challenge! https://t.co/qBC3rvSqpJ #methodtomarch
— Katie Couric (@katiecouric) March 16, 2016
Tim McGraw, Country Music Singer
Pick: Final Four
Here’s my picks for #MarchMadness. https://t.co/zmpM1lt63F pic.twitter.com/wdffywEqdC
— Tim McGraw (@TheTimMcGraw) March 17, 2016
Tim Kaine, U.S. Senator from Virginia
Pick: UVA, National Champions
Here are my picks for @marchmadness this year. #FinalFour: @KUnews, @UVA, @VCU, and @XavierUniv. Winner? #GoHoos! pic.twitter.com/h5zOvs3v7M
— Senator Tim Kaine (@timkaine) March 16, 2016
Holly Morris, Fox 5 News DC Anchor (and Duke Alum)
Pick: UVA, National Champions
Talking #MarchMadness w/@PopsMBonsu & @daldridgetnt both pick @michiganstateu I'm going @UVA #LetTheMadnessBegin pic.twitter.com/XBysB5JOem
— Holly Morris (@HollyLiveFox5DC) March 17, 2016
Chuck Robbins, Cisco CEO
Pick: Final Four
.@ChuckRobbins’ pick is NC & John’s got KU. RT if you’re cheering on Chuck & like if you’re with John! #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/Rb9VmdPAwM
— Cisco (@Cisco) March 15, 2016
Terry McAuliffe, Virginia Governor
Pick: UVA, National Champions
Hoos winning the @NCAA Tournament this year? See Hoo @GovernorVA picked. GL to #Wahoowa,#LetsGoVCU & #HamptonNation! pic.twitter.com/1dDwC19Rk6
— Terry McAuliffe (@GovernorVA) March 16, 2016
Mark Warner, U.S. Senator from Virginia
Pick: UVA, National Champions
Think @VCURamNation will have a good run, but went w/ the @UVAMensHoops to be the #MarchMadness champs. Go #Hoos! pic.twitter.com/MJp85iaZPp
— Mark Warner (@MarkWarner) March 17, 2016
Dianna Marie Russini, SportsCenter Anchor
Pick: UVA, National Champions
Happy #MarchMadness and of course Happy. I have UVA winning it all #Wahoos #Cavaliers
— Dianna Marie Russini (@diannaESPN) March 17, 2016
Ed Gillespie, Former White House Aide
Pick: National Championship Game
My #NCAATournament bracket is ready – let’s go @VCU_Hoops @Hampton_MBB @UVAMensHoops #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/8PCxPkJBXt
— Ed Gillespie (@EdWGillespie) March 17, 2016
Luke Bowanko ’14, Jacksonville Jaguars Center
Pick: UVA, National Champions
Hold on to your butts! pic.twitter.com/IUqL2QEzpJ
— Luke Bowanko (@Lbow70) March 17, 2016
Alexis Ohanian ’05, Reddit Co-Founder
Pick: UVA, National Champions
Mark Cockerton ’14, Professional lacrosse player for Ohio Machine
Pick: UVA, National Champions
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March 17, 2016
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