2020 NCAA Tournament Sim: Midwest Region, Sweet Sixteen
Who will make it to the Regional Final?
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Kansas, BYU, West Virginia, Virginia
The second round is in the books of our NCAA Tournament simulation and in the Midwest Region, we have our four teams playing for the right to make it to the Final Four in Atlanta.
These matchups feature a rivalry game with West Virginia vs. Virginia and a rematch from the Maui Invite between Kansas and BYU, which saw the Jayhawks top the Cougars way back in November.
As a reminder, we are simulating these games over at What If Sports and are doing just like the NCAA Tournament, one loss and you’re out.
Final Score: No. 1 Kansas 87, No. 5 BYU 72
Kansas had no issue in its rematch vs. BYU but it was not an easy victory for the Jayhawks. The game was tied at 42 at the half but Kansas went on a methodical run in the second half to win by 15 points for the victory.
It was the Jayhawk defense that came out on top as they held the Cougars to just 44.4 percent from the field, and that is compared to the Jayhawks hitting 50 percent from the field. Plus, the three extra three-pointers that Kansas made also was a key reason for their win.
Final score: No. 7 Virgina 70, No. 10 West Virginia 67
Virginia nearly blew this game as they held a nine-point lead at the half over West Virginia but the Cavs held onto the win to advance. The game was seemingly over when Kihei Clark hit a three-pointer with 1:23 left in the game to seal the win. West Virginia shooting 39 percent and still being in position to win was a feat but they did not have enough to move onto the Elite Eight.
