(1) Indiana Hoosiers

We’ve seen a couple of one seeds get a scare so far on opening weekend, but the Hoosiers were not one of them. They took care of business, starting off what they hope is a run to the national championship with an 83-62 defeat of James Madison. The Hoosiers had six players score in double figures, with Christian Watford just missing the mark with nine. Yogi Ferrell’s 16 led the way for the Hoosiers; he actually flirted with a triple-double, grabbing eight rebounds and dishing out six assists. The Hoosiers won the battle of the boards by 11, and 17 of their 29 made field goals were assisted. In the Round of 32 against the Temple Owls, the Hoosiers have to look to take advantage of them on the glass and try to contain Khalif Wyatt, who is coming off of a 31-point outing in the Owls’ dismissal of the North Carolina State Wolfpack.

(9) Temple Owls

In their opening round game, the Owls went up against the North Carolian State Wolfpack, who never seemed to click this season but had as much talent as any team in the country. The Owls established a 38-22 lead at halftime and managed to survive a 50-point second half from the Wolfpack as they advanced 76-72. Wyatt was the best player on the floor, but he had plenty of help as every Owl who played scored. Jake O’Brien was team’s second-leading scorer with 18 and Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson chipped in 12. The Owls really got beat up on the boards by the Wolfpack and life in the interior won’t be any easier against the Hoosiers. If they can’t keep them off of the offensive glass and the free throw line, their season will be coming to an end.

HOOPSWORLD’s pick: Indiana. The Hoosiers will just be too big and strong for the Owls to upset.