Nearing Selection Sunday, signs point to Zion, Duke in SC for NCAA Tournament
Less than two weeks from Selection Sunday (March 17), all signs point to Zion Williamson and Duke coming to Columbia, March 22-24, for the opening rounds of the NCAA Tournament.
Below are the latest bracket projections from ESPN’s Joe Lunardi and CBS Sports’ Jerry Palm.
The latest from Joe Lunardi
ESPN’s top bracketologist last updated his bracket Tuesday morning. He has the following games happening in Columbia:
South region
(1) Duke-(16) Campbell
(8) Iowa-(9) Florida
Midwest region
(7) Cincinnati-(10) Ole Miss
(2) North Carolina-(15) Colgate
Observations: This is the second straight week Lunardi has placed both the Blue Devils and Tar Heels in Columbia. The rival ACC schools last played at the same opening rounds location in 2017 (Greenville).
Duke and UNC conclude the regular season against one another Saturday night in Chapel Hill.
The latest from Jerry Palm
The top bracketologist from CBS Sports last updated his bracket Monday night. He has the following matchups happening in Columbia:
East region
(1) Virginia vs. (16) St. Francis (PA)-Norfolk State winner
(8) Auburn vs. (9) Central Florida
South region
(1) Duke vs. (16) Campbell
(8) Wofford vs. (9) Ole Miss
Observations: How would Mike Krzyzewski react to having to play in South Carolina against a South Carolina team for the second time in three years?
That could be the case with Wofford. Though, are the Terriers (26-4) better than a No. 8 seed? They entered the week with a NET ranking of 14.
The potential matchup would have the Spartanburg school face Spartanburg’s most famous product — IF Williamson has returned from injury.
This story was originally published March 5, 2019 at 11:19 AM.
