Alabama State will Win the NCAA Tournament - Reasons Why By Shawn O'Neal

• Hornets are one of the hottest teams in the country, entering the tourney on a six-game winning streak and winners of 10 of 11 with the only loss since Feb. 8 being a two-point setback to Bethune-Cookman.

• Amarr Knox, CJ Hines and TJ Madlock -- the coach's kid -- form a three-guard lineup that has been potent and all can go for 20-plus on any given night.

• Best advice to give all your friends competing against you in selection pools: This is the third best Alabama team in the bracket. The other two are Final Four contenders. Anybody who knows anything about basketball will have the Hornets into the Sweet 16. 

• KenPom rated the Southwest Athletic Conference as America's worst and teams from the circuit rarely rate among the national leaders in anything, but the Hornets enter the tourney fifth nationally in turnover percentage offense, which means they won't beat themselves. 

• Coach Tony Madlock goes deep into his bench as Alabama State is 65th nationally in minutes played by non-starters.

Shawn O'Neal