2017 NCAA Tournament Predictions: First Round- Day 1

Here are my predictions for day one of the first round of the 2017 NCAA tournament.

3/16- (W12) Princeton (23-6) vs (W5) Notre Dame (25-9)- 12:15, CBS: This should be a high scoring affair. Bonzie Colson will be the difference here to push the Irish to the Round Of 32.
Prediction: Notre Dame

3/16- (E12) UNC Wilmington (29-5) vs (E5) Virginia (22-10)- 12:40, truTV: This should be an interesting 5/12 matchup. The Cavs have struggled down the stretch of the season so I'm feeling an upset here. The Seahawks came close to upsetting Duke last season and most of that team is back so give me the upset.
Prediction: UNC Wilmington

3/16- (S13) Winthrop (26-6) vs (S4) Butler (23-8)- 1:30, TNT: The Bulldogs have been unpredictable this season, but I see them getting by Keon Johnson and the Eagles.
Prediction: Butler

3/16- (W16) South Dakota State (18-16) vs (W1) Gonzaga (32-1)- 2:00, TBS: The Bulldogs should cruise here although Mike Baum will get his points for the Jackrabbits.
Prediction: Gonzaga

3/16- (W13) Bucknell (26-8) vs (W4) West Virginia (26-8)- 2:45, CBS: Press Virginia should cruise here and force the Bison into turnovers.
Prediction: West Virginia

3/16- (E13) East Tennessee State (27-7) vs (E4) Florida (24-8)- 3:10, truTV: Many people see this as an upset due to the Gators loss of John Egbunu due to a torn ACL. That won't catch up to them here as many people think as I believe they'll get by the Buccaneers in a close one.
Prediction: Florida

3/16- (S12) Middle Tennessee (30-4) vs (S5) Minnesota (24-9)- 4:00, TNT: Many people love the upset here, including me. This Blue Raiders team is better than the one that upset Michigan State last season and Giddy Potts will lead the way in a close game over Richard Pitino's Golden Gophers team.
Prediction: Middle Tennessee

3/16- (W9) Vanderbilt (19-15) vs (W8) Northwestern (23-11)- 4:30, TBS: This game is one of the most compelling games of the first round since you have the Commodores, who are overseeded and arguably shouldn't belong in the field and the Wildcats, who are in their first ever NCAA tournament. The Wildcats are the better team here and they play good defense and will advance.
Prediction: Northwestern

3/16- (W11) Xavier (21-13) vs (W6) Maryland (24-8)- 6:50, TNT: Both of these teams are banged up right now, the Musketeers in particular. Melo Trimble is someone who can carry a team on his back and he'll lead the Terps to the Round Of 32.
Prediction: Maryland

3/16- (E16) Mount St. Mary's (19-15) vs (E1) Villanova (31-3)- 7:10, CBS: The reigning national champions should have no problem here.
Prediction: Villanova

 3/16- (W10) VCU (26-8) vs (W7) Saint Mary's (28-4)- 7:20, TBS: This is an intriguing matchup that college basketball diehards would love. The Gaels have had a tremendous season, but I feel that the Rams are the better and more experienced team here.
Prediction: VCU

3/16- (MW13) Vermont (29-5) vs (MW4) Purdue (25-7)- 7:27, truTV: The Catamounts have the nations longest winning streak in men's college basketball right now, but that will come to an end against Caleb Swanigan and the Boilermakers.
Prediction: Purdue

3/16- (W14) Florida Gulf Coast (26-7) vs (W3) Florida State (25-8)- 9:20, TNT: This is a trendy upset pick for some folks, but I won't go there. The Seminoles are a talented team that plays well on both ends. I do expect Dunk City to hang around, though.
Prediction: Florida State

3/16- (E9) Virginia Tech (22-10) vs (E8) Wisconsin (25-9)- 9:40, CBS: This is such a fascinating matchup here. The Hokies are here for the first time under Buzz Williams and the Huskies were badly under seeded by the selection committee and should have been on the 6-line. That said, the Huskies have the experience with Nigel Hayes and Ethan Happ and that will put them over the top.
Prediction: Wisconsin

3/16- (W15) North Dakota (22-9) vs (W2) Arizona (30-4)- 9:50, TBS: The Wildcats should cruise here with ease.
Prediction: Arizona

3/16- (MW12) Nevada (28-6) vs (MW5) Iowa State (23-10)- 9:57, truTV: The Wolf Pack and the Cyclones are very similar teams, except the Cyclones are a better version of the Wolf Pack. Monte Morris might be the best point guard in the country right now and he'll lead the Cyclones in a close one.
Prediction: Iowa State