So maybe we missed the boat on some bold predictions. I mean, I know a guy who actually had UMBC over UVA in his bracket. Now, he’s in last place in that contest … but he did get that one. Maybe a little too bold, even for us. But we did tell you some things that came to pass — two SEC teams made the Sweet 16, Xavier didn’t, Missouri and Auburn were awful, and the Big Ten didn’t impress us particularly.

But in the boldest NCAA Tournament in memory, we figured why not take a second shot? Here are 10 bold predictions for this week/weekend’s games.

1. Another No. 1 seed is going down

Much has been made of the success of top seeds in winning the NCAA Tournament. But after a first weekend where two of the four top seeds went up in flames, another one will go down this week. Kansas Jayhawks, take a bow. You’ve been lucky to slog through two ugly wins. Says here you won’t get to four.

2. Jarred Vanderilt will grab 20 rebounds this week/end

Kentucky is still hoping to get the backboard-cleaning forward back and at a great time. None of the trio of Kansas State, Loyola- Chicago, or Nevada is notable for great work on the backboard. Kentucky’s offense has already been humming, but with Vanderbilt doing his best Dennis Rodman imitation, UK is finding another level at the right time.

3. Grayson Allen will get into something … but Duke will roll anyway.

Chris Wright already called it. The Blue Devils and the Kentucky Wildcats feel like they’re on a collision course. The other thing is when has Grayson Allen NOT started something at a moment when the lights are brightest? Syracuse will get crushed and the Blue Devils will have an easy run into the Final Four.

4. West Virginia will give Villanova some trouble

If the other Wildcats end up winning the Tournament, as I predicted before the Dance began, this is their “survive-and-advance” matchup. West Virginia can get hot in a hurry, and will make ‘Nova legitimately uncomfortable. Don’t misunderstand — we’ll still take Jay Wright’s guys, but WVU will have the lead midway through the second half.

5. Sister Jean isn’t done yet

No, even a bold predictor can’t pick Loyola-Chicago to win their region. But there’s nothing crazy about thinking that Clayton Custer has some more March magic left. Give us Loyola over Nevada — as the Wolf Pack’s last minute hot-streak comes crashing down.

6. Florida State’s luck runs out in depressing fashion

It’s become an annual tradition. Somebody ruins a potent Xavier team’s season, and then immediately crawls to a sub-par conclusion thereafter. Florida State is a perfect example of that. Gonzaga would have been a mild favorite even over Xavier — take them by 20 over FSU.

7. Two SEC teams in the Elite Eight … why not?

Sure, most everybody missed on A&M in the Sweet 16. Honestly, the Aggies’ win over UNC was about 75 percent as shocking as the UMBC over UVA upset. But having athletic big men matters, and in a bracket full of very talented guards, nobody’s got the interior beef to pound with the Aggies. We’ll take them over Michigan.

8. Keenan Evans has a big game against Purdue

We’ll go mildly against the grain by projecting Texas Tech’s stud guard to carry the day against Purdue … which means …

9. The Big Ten is done

Yes, not only do we have two SEC teams in the Elite Eight, but zero Big Ten teams there. Any way you slice it, that’s an embarrassing end to a thoroughly mediocre season for what was once allegedly the power conference in college hoops.

10. Thad Matta will take a job that is less desirable than Georgia’s

Don’t ask me why things work out this way. Just seems like they do.