Tourney Bracket Sim - Predicting the 2020 NCAA tournament that wasn't

Yahoo Sports' Krysten Peek and former UCLA & St. John's coach Steve Lavin reveal how we would've had this year's tournament field - and pick the winners of each region and the eventual national champions.

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KRYSTEN PEEK: I'm Krysten Peek here with former UCLA and St. John's head coach Steve Lavin. There may be no official NCAA tournament, but we still want to celebrate one of the greatest times of the year in college basketball. So we've built this year's bracket through the games that were actually played. Let's break down the Midwest region. Coach, what do you like here?

STEVE LAVIN: As you know Krysten, after musical chairs at the top of the polls, Kansas, once they locked in and played at an elevated level, had a good run at the top.

KRYSTEN PEEK: Yep.

STEVE LAVIN: There's a reason they are the number one of the four number one seeds. So I think Kansas pushes through in the Midwest region.

Wisconsin, they've been hot. Interestingly, Kobe King transfers from Wisconsin, and the Badgers get hot. They won their last eight games, shot 40% during that eight-game winning streak, got a piece of the Big Ten championship. Wisconsin can impose their preferred tempo, but I still think Kansas pushes out. This is a very tough bracket for the number one of the four number one seeds.

KRYSTEN PEEK: All right. Let's head to the west. What you like here? Gonzaga is the number one seed here. Maryland, San Diego State. What do you like?

STEVE LAVIN: Well, Gonzaga, offensively, the number one offense in the country. They put up lethal numbers, and they're balanced. Seven players, all season long, have been hovering around double figures. The next closest in the country is five players in double figures. So their depth is a big factor. Mark Few's been there before. An outstanding coach, has led the Zags to a Final Four.

But if there is a team, it's Maryland Jalen Smith is one of those unique talents, as you know.

KRYSTEN PEEK: Sticks. Yep.

STEVE LAVIN: And he's improved. His overall strength-- he's an outstanding offensive rebounder. His ball handling is improving with each passing practice and game. There's no one else in college basketball like him, and the Terps ultimately punch through.

KRYSTEN PEEK: Oh, I want to see that game so bad, Gonzaga-Maryland.

STEVE LAVIN: Let's make it happen.

[LAUGHTER]

KRYSTEN PEEK: Yeah. East region. We got Dayton, Dayton Flyers at the top.

STEVE LAVIN: Yeah. What a year for Obi Toppin, Player of the Year candidate, deservingly, and will definitely win at least one of those Player of the Year awards when it's all said and done. Led his team to a 29 and 2 record. So hard to argue with this historical season that Dayton has had with Obi Toppin being the leader.

But this region is so tough.

KRYSTEN PEEK: Yes.

STEVE LAVIN: I mean, Bob Huggins's West Virginia team could be a dark horse. I think Michigan State comes in--

KRYSTEN PEEK: Like this, right here, is really tough.

STEVE LAVIN: Yeah. I mean, Tom Izzo's team, in the preseason, ranked number one the country. Seton Hall. They played for a stretch as well as any team in the country. They're anchored well because of Romaro Gill. Myles Powell, a National Player of the Year candidate. Loves the big stage.

I think I'm going to go with Michigan State. A slight edge to Tom Izzo.

KRYSTEN PEEK: OK.

STEVE LAVIN: When it comes to Final Fours and navigating the postseason, he's as good as it gets. And they've been through so much, I feel they're galvanized. And the ruggedness of the Big Ten is great preparation or training for the NCAA tournament, because every game is a grinder, and that gives the Spartans a slight edge.

KRYSTEN PEEK: All right. Last, to the south. Baylor Bears at top. Florida State has the two seed.

STEVE LAVIN: Well, Baylor had an outstanding season, but I'm going to go elsewhere. Obviously, if Coach Calipari-- his Kentucky team peaking at the right time of the year. He works with young teams, shows just enough patience, but also puts enough fire under their fanny to really mold a winner. And so they're dangerous and could punch through to the Final Four.

But I'm going to go Villanova.

KRYSTEN PEEK: Villanova.

STEVE LAVIN: They've won seven of eight. Saddiq Bey is one of those players that can carry a team on his back. I think he would have been the Big East Player of the Year--

KRYSTEN PEEK: I agree.

STEVE LAVIN: --if we are looking at the back nine as a sample size. He caught fire. As a result, Villanova won seven of eight. So Jay Wright returns to another Final Four. I think that will be his fourth, if I'm not mistaken.

KRYSTEN PEEK: Man, all right. Let's check out the Final Four right here. Who you got winning in here, Coach?

STEVE LAVIN: I'm going to go with the Kansas Jayhawks.

KRYSTEN PEEK: OK. Over who?

STEVE LAVIN: With Azubuike.

KRYSTEN PEEK: Maryland or Michigan State?

STEVE LAVIN: Maryland.

KRYSTEN PEEK: I like that. We need a Udoka Azubuike-Jalen "Sticks" Smith match up.

STEVE LAVIN: Exactly. The heavyweights. But Azubuike and Dotson, add Bill Self's coaching into the mix, and I give the Jayhawks a slight edge to cut down the nets.

KRYSTEN PEEK: All right. Well, there you have it. Kansas finishing number one, national champs. How do you think this tournament would play out? Hit us up on Yahoo Sports on Twitter, and give us your take.

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