Bilas picks Buffs to survive upset bid from Hoyas
Mar 18, 2021, 3:59 PM | Updated: 4:17 pm
The University of Colorado Buffaloes men’s basketball squad embarks on their NCAA Tournament adventure Saturday in the unenviable position of being a No. 5 seed taking on the No. 12 Georgetown Hoyas.
However, at least one top analyst believes the Buffs can survive an upset bid from the Hoyas to continue dancing into the second round.
In his “More than Five Minute” bracket posted this week, ESPN’s Jay Bilas said he believes “Colorado is the better team — and the more consistent team.”
“The Hoyas are on a nice run and are a hot team. Colorado is methodical, and methodical can win in tournament play,” Bilas said.
The pick flies a bit in the face of a long history of 12-5 upsets in NCAA Tournament history.
In 30 of the past 35 years, at least one 12 seed has won a first-round game. There have been 50 total 12-5 upsets since the field expanded in 1985 amounting to a 35.71 win percentage.
“Colorado does not have a stellar non-conference résumé, but this is a Top 25 team at both ends of the floor,” Bilas said. “Georgetown is a trendy upset pick. I like Colorado.”
Bilas, however, has CU faltering in the second round to Florida State, calling the Seminoles a “more talented” squad.
Among those following the trend, however, is former president Barack Obama, who had Georgetown victorious in his annual bracket.
Both Obama and Bilas have Gonzaga finishing a perfect 32-0 to win the national title.
