Predicting the Winner of Every 1st-Round Unrivaled 1-on-1 Matchup, Overall Champ

Unrivaled is off to a riveting start, showcasing the talent and athleticism of WNBA athletes in a new and inventive offseason format. Adding even more intrigue to the affair, the new league will tip off a one-on-one Tournament starting Monday, with 30 athletes slated to participate.

The players were separated out into four pods to set up the bracket, then seeded out, with star guards Jewell Loyd and Arike Ogunbowale both receiving first-round byes.

How might the bracket play out and what makes each matchup enticing?

Jewell Loyd (1) BYE

Rae Burrell (4) vs. Natasha Cloud (5)

This is one of the biggest toss-ups for me, as it's a very fun clash of styles. Burrell can score in any which way, but Cloud is one of the very best defenders in the sport and a heady downhill guard who can use her size in the post. I lean toward Cloud's experience winning her this round.

Prediction: Cloud

Alyssa Thomas (3) vs. Azura Stevens (6)

Both Thomas and Stevens are two of the most versatile posts in the W and in the Unrivaled field, but this is Thomas' matchup to lose. She's finished top-five in WNBA MVP voting the past three seasons, and I expect her to showcase why in this format. However, Stevens could make things interesting with her shot-blocking and release point on her jumper.

Prediction: Thomas

Chelsea Gray (2) vs. Shakira Austin (7)

Part of what will be so fun in this tournament as a whole will be some of the size and style differences. I expect Chelsea Gray to win this matchup, one of the best ball-handlers and shot creators in the game, but Shakira Austin could really use her size in the post and defending to make this interesting.

Prediction: Gray

Bracket Prediction: Chelsea Gray over Jewell Loyd in the pod final

Napheesa Collier (1) vs. Katie Lou Samuelson (8)

Collier will take this one pretty decisively, but it's fun that we get a meeting of college teammates and long-time friends. Both part of UConn's 2016 national championship team and four straight Final Fours, they know one another's game inside out.

Prediction: Collier

Jackie Young (4) vs. Rickea Jackson (5)

This is probably my favorite first-round matchup, a meeting of two of the most talented wings in the game. Jackson has a notable size/height advantage and can get into her bag in the post, but Young has a decisive advantage with her quickness and handles. This could go either way, but I'll take Jackie Young.

Prediction: Young

Tiffany Hayes (3) vs. Courtney Williams (6)

I cannot wait for this one, which features two of the most creative guards in pro basketball. Hayes' size and shiftiness as a driver should win her a tight one, but Courtney Williams is one of the smoothest mid-range operators in the field. I lean toward Hayes due to the size difference, but Williams has the potential to win this side of the bracket.

Prediction: Hayes

Rhyne Howard (2) vs. Lexie Hull (7)

Howard and Hull had a hilarious viral moment this past season, making their matchup in Round 1 all the more fun to look at. Hull is a tremendous defender on the perimeter, and Howard is a silky, smooth player who can score from any spot with ease. Expect a fun back and forth, but a comfortable win for Howard due to her prowess as a scorer and defender herself.

Prediction: Howard

Bracket Prediction: Napheesa Collier over Rhyne Howard in the pod final

Breanna Stewart (1) vs. Aaliyah Edwards (8)

Another Husky tussle to open up a bracket! Aaliyah Edwards has one of the best motors and compete levels in basketball, is game for every opportunity and has an expanding skill set. But, she's facing a multi-time MVP winner, and one of the best players to ever grace the court in Breanna Stewart. I expect a competitive showing, but Stewart should win comfortably because that's what she does!

Prediction: Stewart

Marina Mabrey (4) vs. Kate Martin (5)

Kate Martin has shown increased confidence and ability to create during her time at Unrivaled, looking like a great get for the Golden State Valkyries. But, this is Marina Mabrey's wheelhouse, one of the best in the business at being comfortable playing one-on-one.

Prediction: Mabrey

Allisha Gray (3) vs. Jordin Canada (6)

I love that we get a pair of current W teammates facing off. Allisha Gray has a notable size advantage over Jordin Canada, but Canada might be the fastest player in the field. I expect Gray to win with her scoring versatility and defensive flexibility, but these two know one another's games in and out.

Prediction: Gray

Kahleah Copper (2) vs. Aliyah Boston (7)

This is one of the hardest matchups to predict. We have a 6'1" wing against a 6'5" true center. This is part of the intrigue of this tournament, with clashing styles and perspectives. Copper is the better isolation player, but Boston has shown another level of quickness in Unrivaled. If Boston can keep Copper away from the rim early and take her into the post, things could get interesting. I'll get spicy and pick Boston for the upset.

Prediction: Boston

Bracket Prediction: Breanna Stewart over Allisha Gray in the pod final

Arike Ogunbowale (1) Bye

Skylar Diggins-Smith (4) vs. Dearica Hamby (5)

Similarly to the Copper/Boston matchup, there's an interesting difference of size and style between Diggins-Smith and Hamby. However, Skylar has been arguably the most clutch player in league play, dominating late-game situations and when it matters most with a multitude of game-winners. I'm taking Diggins-Smith, Hootie-Hoo!!!

Prediction: Diggins-Smith

Satou Sabally (3) vs. Brittney Sykes (6)

Whoever put together the Nos. 3 vs. 6 seeds, you're a madman (or woman). Every single one presents a headache in thinking through matchups, and this is perhaps the most difficult. Sykes is a blur with the ball in her hands and a menacing defensive presence. But Sabally has a significant size advantage and can really work with her face-up game and in the post. Either player could win multiple rounds in this tournament, but my gut is telling me Sykes will pull off the upset.

Prediction: Sykes

Kayla McBride (2) vs. DiJonai Carrington (7)

We saw McBride and Carrington get after it in the second round of the WNBA playoffs, and I can't wait to watch their competitiveness play out in a one-on-one setting. McBride is second in scoring in Unrivaled, which is why she gets the edge, but man, it could be one of the best first-round matchups we see.

Prediction: McBride

Bracket Prediction: Arike Ogunbowale over Kayla McBride in the pod final

Overall Tournament Winner: Napheesa Collier