I don't hate the matchup with Auburn for Iowa in the first but there's no way they'll be able to handle Houston.
I like Drake's chances against theny. Probably my favorite of the 5-12 matchups.
I think Iowa State probably is good enough to make the Sweet 16.
Nationally, I was really impressed by Marquette in the 2 games I watched this weekend. I think they come out of the East. It wouldn't shock me at all if either Memphis or FAU handled Purdue.
The West is loaded. Watch this be the year Gonzaga comes out of it even though it's a stacked division. I'll go (rock) chalk and pick KU there though.
Midwest I'm going Texas. I think the Big 12 was a meat grinder this year and I think there are some really good teams there. Indiana is my dark(ish)horse.
South I don't have much faith in either of the top 2 seeds, don't want to pick 3 Big 12 teams by going with Baylor (and I've seen ISU beat them twice in a week). Guess I'll go with Arizona.
Women's side: Iowa to go all the way, obviously, taking down Yokel in the Final 4 and Long Dick, FTT, Flush, kar, SDGuy, mj or They in the championship.
Every year but one since 2016 (2019 I think?) a 7 seed or lower has made the Final Four. Crazy.
NC State this year
On yesterday's PMT when they were discussing sleepers, PFT said "what's to stop me from picking NC State to go on a run?" and Titus and Big Cat just laughed.