This is March: Astros players give NCAA tournament predictions

This story was excerpted from Brian McTaggart’s Astros Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – There’s nothing like March Madness to grab the attention of a Major League clubhouse. The NCAA men’s basketball tournament, which tipped off on Tuesday night, leads to arguments over which school is going to cut down the nets at the Final Four in Glendale, Ariz., next month.

The Astros have a handful of players who wear their school colors with pride, especially during the NCAA Tournament. So we polled the clubhouse and asked players who attended a college with its team in the tournament what they thought about their school’s chances.

IF David Hensley (San Diego State): “If the boys play like they’re supposed to play, I could see us making a run for the Elite Eight this year.”

OF Joey Loperfido (Duke): “I think it’s a talented group. I don’t think they’ve played their best basketball lately. I think they’ve had a couple of days now to get organized for the tournament. I think they’ll make a nice little run. I’m going to say Elite Eight. It’s tough because I don’t think they have the momentum. It’s a fun group and a talented group and I think they’re going to make a little run.”

C César Salazar (Arizona): “I’m definitely going to be behind the Wildcats. I’m rooting for the school that I went to. I know how good and how prestigious the program has been for a while. I’m hoping this year we make it all the way through, because I know they’ve had some troubles getting past the Sweet 16 in years prior. Hopefully, this year, they’ll go all the way through.”

OF Corey Julks (Houston): “We’re going to take it all. I think them losing that last game [to Iowa State in the Big 12 tournament championship] was just a little reminder we’ve got to come ready, especially for March Madness. Get that monkey off our back and go do it. They’ve got it.”

LHP Parker Mushinski (Texas Tech): “We’re coming in against an N.C. State team that’s a little hot. I called [former Minor League teammate Jon Olczak], who is a huge N.C. State guy and was with us for a while and is one of my best friends. He thinks they’ll be tired. I think we’re always good for a couple of wins. I haven’t followed it as much as I wanted but being a Red Raider, I’m going to pull for my guys.”

OF Jake Meyers (Nebraska): “I think I like the first round [vs. Texas A&M]. We played really well all year, so I’m really excited for the first round and hopefully to get our first win ever [in NCAA Tournament]. … The Houston draw [possibly in second round], though, that’s a really good team. I think Houston’s strength is their defense so if Nebraska can come out and shoot the lights out of the gym, maybe they have a chance. Just want them to get one win. That’s all I care about.”

Manager Joe Espada (honorary Houston fan): "I think they're going to hold the trophy at the end of the season. I think their team is well-rounded, got all the skills, they can defend, they can shoot and they're well-coached."