Tag: UNC

2022 National Championship Preview and Prediction

After 66 games of the NCAA Tournament, we have reached college basketball’s biggest night. Let’s preview Kansas vs. UNC, and predict who will be cutting down the nets as the national champions.

Cover photo taken from Sporting News.

Welcome to Monday Night. After 17 days, 66 games, countless incredible moments, the greatest Cinderella run in history, and perhaps the biggest college basketball game of all time, we have reached the National Championship. Tonight, the #1 Kansas Jayhawks take on the #8 North Carolina Tar Heels for the title.

I gave a detailed rundown of both teams in Saturday’s Final Four preview, so I’ll spare you all of the nitty gritty stuff here. Still, let’s take a look at each of tonight’s contestants before picking the game itself:

#1 Kansas Jayhawks

The top seed out of the Midwest continued their dominance on Saturday night against a hobbled Villanova team. A wire-to-wire destruction of the Wildcats thanks to red-hot shooting and physical dominance propelled Kansas to its first title game since 2012, where they will try to win their first championship since 2008. The Jayhawks shot 54% from the field and 53% from downtown and simply made Nova look like they didn’t belong on the same floor, which is saying something. Guard Ochai Agbaji had his first great game of the tournament, going off for 21 points, including 6 threes. David McCormack was an unstoppable force down low, tallying 25 points and grabbing 9 rebounds. Kansas also got great performances from their key role players, like Jalen Wilson, Dajuan Harris Jr., and Christian Braun, who hit a couple of late threes to seal the deal. The usual spark-plug Remy Martin only scored 3 points and yet the Jayhawks still won by 16. Their dominance cannot be overstated. If they play at that level again tonight, then it’ll be another blowout victory, and Kansas will be back on top of the college basketball world.

#8 North Carolina Tar Heels

All UNC did on Saturday night was win what was billed as the greatest, biggest college basketball game of all time, defeating their bitter rival Duke in their first ever NCAA Tournament meeting to end Mike Krzyzewski’s coaching career and reach the national championship game as an 8 seed. So yeah, nothing major. The first instance of the Tobacco Road Rivalry in March Madness lived up to the hype, with a back-and-forth affair from tip to finish in a heart-stopper. It was college basketball at its finest on the biggest stage. All of Carolina’s stars shined bright, especially Caleb Love, who once again proved to be the key to victory for the Tar Heels. 28 points on 55% shooting, including the game-icing 3 with just over 30 seconds left in the game helped put UNC over the top. Armando Bacot was awesome once again, fighting through injury to put up 11 points and an insane 21 rebounds, 8 of those being offensive. Brady Manek continued his scoring ways with 14 points, R.J. Davis was as hot as ever with 18, and even Leaky Black proved to be an incredibly important piece with 8 points and 9 boards. The Heels have proven themselves as the most impossible-to-stop team when they are at their ceiling. Their offense continues to be blisteringly hot, and their athleticism continues to put them over the top in the clutch. They’ll have their hands full with the physicality of Kansas, but if they keep up their level of play from the previous five rounds of this tournament, it could very well be a fairytale finish to Hubert Davis’ first season as head coach in Chapel Hill.

Key Matchups

My biggest observation and the most indelible image from Saturday night’s Final Four games was Kansas simply being bigger, faster, and stronger than Villanova. I haven’t seen a team this physically dominant since, ironically enough, North Carolina back in 2017. So, in my opinion, tonight’s title game comes down to physicality in both the backcourt and the frontcourt. Behind the arc, the matchup to watch is Ochai Agbaji vs. Caleb Love. Agbaji is bigger and more athletic than Love, but nobody has been more explosive in this tournament than #2 in Carolina blue. If it comes down to shotmaking in the clutch, then it’s hard to pick against Caleb Love. However, if Ochai Agbaji and the Jayhawks are able to physically dominate the backcourt throughout the game, then this one shouldn’t be close late. However, perhaps even more important than the guards in this game are the guys in the paint, namely David McCormack and Armando Bacot. Both of these players have had their way with everyone they have faced so far in the tournament. Now, the two unstoppable forces collide down low. You can easily bank on both guys getting their points, but the key here isn’t scoring. It’s rebounding. Second chance points could prove to be a huge part of this game, seeing as though both teams grab a significant amount of offensive boards. Bacot has been the biggest monster on the glass I have ever seen, but his ankle injury could limit his dominance. If he can play up to his usual par, and the Heels turn those offensive rebounds into points, then I really like Carolina’s chances. However, if his injury holds him back and allows McCormack to be the more dominant force in the paint, then there will be no stopping the Jayhawks from cutting down the nets.

My Pick

I can’t remember the last title game that felt this blue bloody. Perhaps it was Kansas’ last trip to Game 67 back in 2012, where they lost to Kentucky. The Jayhawks are hoping for a better result this time around. Luckily for them, I think they’ll get just what they want.

Kansas 75-69 North Carolina

Monday, 9:20 PM EST, TBS

As I said before, this game comes down to physicality, and nobody is more physically imposing than Kansas. I was blown away by their performance on Saturday night, and while I think it will be hard to replicate, especially against a team as great as UNC, I know this team has what it takes. It feels like this is the Jayhawks team to make up for the lost tournament in 2020, where they would have been the title favorite. This team feels like it is destined to cut down the nets. I do believe Carolina will do their thing in this game, but I just don’t know if they have it in them to win. I wouldn’t put it past them considering the teams they had to beat to get to this point and how awesome Caleb Love has been in this tournament. It would be pretty incredible if they were to win. I just have to trust what my eyes have been telling me about Kansas and roll with them to win their first championship since 2008.

We should be in for a great one tonight in New Orleans. While this hasn’t been the best tournament ever, I’m hoping that it ends on a high note. Regardless, there truly isn’t anything in the world like March Madness, and I’m glad we got to experience it in full this year after three years of craziness. It was a pleasure, and an honor.

All stats taken from ESPN.

2022 Final Four Preview and Predictions

The 2022 NCAA Tournament has produced perhaps the most decorated, blue bloodiest Final Four of all time. Let’s break it down and predict how things will go down this weekend in New Orleans.

Cover photo taken from Sports Illustrated.

We started with 68 teams in the world’s most famous bracket, each with their own hopes and dreams of cutting down the nets in New Orleans. 64 games later, only four teams remain with those dreams still alive. Duke, North Carolina, Villanova, and Kansas have reached the Bayou to compose arguably the single most anticipated Final Four in the long, decorated history of the NCAA Tournament.

It’s rare to see a Final Four with each team having such a rich, deep history. We are in rarified air with three bonafide blue bloods in Duke, UNC, and Kansas, and Villanova has been one of the premier programs of this century, winning 2 of the previous 4 tournaments. It was a wild ride for each of these squads to get to the end of the road. Let’s see how these teams have reached the Final Four.

How Duke Got Here

This being Mike Krzyzewski’s final NCAA Tournament has kept all the eyes on the Blue Devils from the moment they arrived at the First Round. After making light work of CSU Fullerton, they once again ran into the Michigan State Spartans. Sparty gave them a run, but that’s when Duke established a theme that would continue throughout the rest of this run: impeccable late-game execution. Their best players simply went to work in the clutch to help the Devils emerge victorious. This was on display in the Sweet 16 against Texas Tech, where Duke shot 71% in the second half and didn’t miss a shot in the final 7 minutes to escape with a victory in one of the more hard fought, back-and-forth games of this tournament. The Regional Final against Arkansas was simply domination, as the stars shined bright once again to help get Duke to their first Final Four since 2015, where they won it all, and Coach K’s 13th overall (most all time). Those stars include forward Paolo Banchero, guards A.J. Griffin and Jeremy Roach, and center Mark Williams, all of which have had incredible individual moments and are proving themselves as potential first round picks in the NBA. When this team is playing their best ball, you can only pray you can stop them. It truly feels like Coach K is destined to go out on top, and only he is only two wins away from doing just that.

How North Carolina Got Here

The Tar Heels may be an 8 seed, but they sure don’t feel like one. Part of that could be that they are UNC, one of the most decorated and historic programs in the sport. But, it could also be that they are playing like anything but an 8 seed in this tournament. After a subpar regular season and a blowout loss to Virginia Tech in the ACC Tournament, not many people gave the Heels a shot to do much in March. However, the formula was clear. The star-studded lineup had to play up to their potential, something that hadn’t been done much in the regular season. But, if they were able to play their best ball, they’d be damn near impossible to stop. That is just what happened in this tournament. After absolutely thrashing Marquette in the First Round, UNC knocked off the 1 seed in the East, the defending champion Baylor Bears, in an OT thriller to reach the Regionals. In the Sweet 16, they outlasted UCLA in a scintillating game that saw star guard Caleb Love take over in the second half. The last opponent standing between them and New Orleans was the Cinderella of all Cinderellas, the Saint Peter’s Peacocks, who they easily disposed of to reach their first Final Four since 2017, where the Heels cut down the nets. Love was a massive part of this run, but he’s not the only guy in Carolina blue making an impact. Fellow guard R.J. Davis has been an incredible complement in the backcourt, forward Brady Manek has been one of the premier scorers in this tournament, and forward Armando Bacot has been a machine, averaging 16.5 points and 15.8 rebounds per game in the tournament. The potential of this roster is finally being realized, and they are at their hottest at the perfect time. That has gotten them to New Orleans, and could potentially put them at the top of a ladder on Monday night.

How Villanova Got Here

Villanova has been the most successful college basketball program of the past 6 years. Without question. The Wildcats are 20-3 in the past six NCAA Tournaments, and this is their third trip to the Final Four in the past five tournaments (and their fourth in the last 13). They have won two of the last four national championships (2016 and 2018), and are more than capable of notching another. After a couple of “down” years, they are back to their standard, and it has been incredible to watch. Nova made light work of each of their first three opponents: Delaware, Ohio State, and Michigan. The Regional Final against Houston was the definition of a war, with both teams playing incredible defense and struggling mightily with shooting. In the end, Villanova made more shots, and that punched their ticket to New Orleans. Unfortunately, it came at a cost. Star forward Justin Moore tore his achilles in that game, and will obviously be out in the Final Four. It’s a massive loss, but that doesn’t mean this team is completely doomed. They are still one of the best teams in the country, led by guard Collin Gillespie, who has been one of the best players in the country all year long, and has continued that level of play in this tournament. Forward Jermaine Samuels has also been huge in this run, and he’ll need to step it up big time if Villanova is to advance to the title game. I think this team has what it takes, but they have a very steep mountain to climb with their opponent, who just so happens to be quite a familiar one.

How Kansas Got Here

The lone 1 seed in New Orleans is no stranger to Final Fours. The Jayhawks are here for the 16th time in their 50th tournament appearance. Going this far in 32% of tournaments you play in is absolutely staggering. This is Kansas’ first trip to the Final Four since 2018, where they lost to the same team they play tonight. But, this is a seemingly better team than that one, and this squad has a great chance to bring a title home to Lawrence for the first time in 14 years. It started with your run-of-the-mill destruction of a 16 seed against Texas Southern in the First Round. The Jayhawks were challenged a bit by Creighton in the Second Round, but toughed it out in the end. They then held off Providence in the Sweet 16, and used a volcanic eruption of a second half to get past Miami in the Regional Final to get to NOLA. Kansas has played like a true 1 seed, and have erased any and all doubt that may have lingered. Thanks to a star-studded lineup with guys like guards Ochai Agbaji, Remy Martin, Christian Braun and a frontcourt with David McCormack and Jalen Wilson, the Jayhawks look like one of the most unstoppable teams in basketball. They are primed to win another title, and I think they have what it takes to do just that.

Saturday night features two matchups that feel larger than life. It’s going to be quite the spectacle. It’s going to be amazing basketball. Let’s pick the 2022 Final Four.

Kansas over Villanova

Saturday, 6:09 PM EST, TBS

The last time both Kansas and Villanova made the Final Four was 2018, where they played each other. The Wildcats dominated that game, winning 95-79, and would go on to win the title two nights later. Now, they’re both here again. But things feel a bit different this time. As I said before, this is a better Kansas team than 2018, and it feels like the best one in a very long time. They have the talent and the experience from top to bottom, and they have executed their winning formula to perfection throughout this tournament. While Villanova is still as strong as ever, the injury to Justin Moore makes it nearly impossible to pick them in this game. If he was playing, then I very well could have picked the Wildcats in this game. He is one of the key cogs in their machine, and without him, I don’t know if they can beat a team as great as the Jayhawks are. Collin Gillespie and Jermaine Samuels will have to step up in a big way, and while I think they are both capable of putting up huge numbers, it will just be too much to overcome. This will be a close game for a while, but the depth and pure excellence of Kansas on both sides of the floor will put them over the top. Look for Ochai Agbaji to have a huge game en route to the Jayhawks’ first title game appearance since 2008.

Duke over North Carolina

Saturday, 8:49 PM EST, TBS

Duke and North Carolina make up arguably the greatest rivalry on Earth. The two schools have met 256 times over the last 102 years, creating history by giving us countless memories and fielding some of the greatest players of all time. On Saturday night in New Orleans, they will meet for the first time ever in the NCAA Tournament. At the Final Four. In Mike Krzyzewski’s final season. Not to mention that this is a rubber match after Duke dominated the first matchup in Chapel Hill on February 5th, then Carolina spoiled Coach K’s final game at Cameron Indoor stadium on March 5th. I know you guys have heard the storylines a billion times, but they’re so seismic that they must be repeated. To have a matchup like this in a spot like this just seems cosmic. It is divine intervention. It’s honestly overshadowing the fact that this is a phenomenal basketball game on paper. Both of the first two games were sizable wins for each team, so it only makes sense that this rubber match is a close game. Both of these teams have been playing their best basketball in this tournament, but one of them has to go home. And matchups like Mark Williams vs. Armando Bacot or Jeremy Roach vs. Caleb Love make this must-see TV, even if you disregard the two teams playing. I’d be better off leaving this pick to a coin flip, but I’m picking Duke for two reasons. The first of which has some merit, whereas the second really doesn’t. My first reason for picking the Devils is the fact that I think they are the more talented team (just barely), and that can put them over the top when the going gets tough, as it has all tournament long. I do love Carolina’s roster, and they are arguably even hotter than Duke is right now, but I think they can get a bit erratic in the clutch (see: the Baylor game), and it’s just a bit hard to put my faith in them for that reason. The second reason is just that it feels written in the stars that Coach K is going to end his career with winning his sixth national championship. Sometimes, you’ve got to throw your hands in the air and surrender to destiny, and I’ve done that with this Duke team. I’d be elated if I am proven wrong. Regardless, this is arguably the biggest game in the history of the Final Four, and I cannot wait to watch history unfold on Saturday night in New Orleans.

So, I think it’ll be Duke vs. Kansas for the National Championship on Monday night. In terms of picking that game, I’d probably roll with destiny and Duke, but we’ll cross that bridge when we get there. I can’t wait to watch this historic Final Four, and I hope you all enjoy it as much as I know I will.

All stats taken from ESPN.

2022 NCAA Tournament Bracket Breakdown: East Region

The East Region of the 2022 NCAA Tournament features incredible potential with some of basketball’s biggest brands. Let’s break it down and preview how the East will play out.

Cover photo taken from The Sun.

Welcome to the Madness. The NCAA Tournament is finally back in its full glory in 2022, and if you’re not more excited than ever, you’re just lying. Last year was certainly fun, but the tournament was a shell of its usual self, with virtually no fans and a bubble in Indianapolis from start till finish. Now, March Madness is back to full strength with a plethora of different locations, and fans filling the stands all across the country. This promises to be a glorious few weeks in college basketball. To preview the tournament, I’ll be breaking down the 2022 bracket region by region. This is the preview of the East: a region with some of the biggest brands in the sport, with potential late-round games that can captivate the country.

Meet the 1 Seed: Baylor Bears

The defending champions are back with a vengeance and geared up for a potential repeat. Head coach Scott Drew continues to work miracles in Waco, further establishing Baylor as a perennial power in college basketball. It was a bit of a bumpy season, with injuries running rampant during the conference schedule and derailing the Bears for a few weeks. But, by season’s end, Baylor proved themselves as a team more than deserving of a 1 seed. This year’s squad is similar to last year’s title-winning team in the sense that they pride themselves on elite defense on the perimeter and inside alongside impeccable guard play. Jared Butler and Davion Mitchell may be gone, but James Akinjo, a transfer from Arizona, and 2021 champ Adam Flagler headline a more than capable backcourt. LJ Cryer is another key piece of the backcourt, but he has been dealing with a foot injury since January that could keep him on the sidelines for this tournament. The frontcourt is still dominant as well, led by forward Flo Thamba, but a season-ending injury to Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua has seriously hurt Baylor on that part of the floor. This has led to some rough losses, most recently in the Big 12 Tournament quarterfinal against Oklahoma, who didn’t even make the NCAA Tournament. Still, this team paints one of basketball’s most gorgeous paintings when their guards are clicking on offense, and they’re just as suffocating defensively as last year’s championship team. They certainly have what it takes to run it back and cut down the nets once again.

Meet the Sleeper: #4 UCLA Bruins

Honorable Mentions: #8 North Carolina Tar Heels, #11 Virginia Tech Hokies

I know what you’re thinking. How can UCLA, the most successful program in the history of the sport, and a team that went to the Final Four last year be a sleeper? Well, everyone sort of just… stopped talking about them. The Bruins had all the hype in the world coming into this season after last year’s Cinderella run to the Final Four as an 11 seed and First Four team. But between some losses, injuries, and a COVID pause that lasted over a month, UCLA fell through the cracks of college basketball, especially with the emergence of Arizona in the PAC-12. But this is a team that can do real damage in this tournament, and I know this because I’ve seen it. UCLA returned all five starters from last year’s team, and although injuries have shaken them up all season long, they are healthy and hot right now, which is a winning combination in March. Guard Johnny Juzang still gets all the hype and the love, as he should, but other guards like Tyger Campbell, Jules Bernard, and Jaime Jaquez have been lights out to help UCLA reach this point. This team has the experience and the star power to make a deep run, and I truly believe that they’ll do just that. Between that and their favorable draw, UCLA seems geared up to wrap up some unfinished business.

Upset Waiting to Happen: #11 Virginia Tech over #6 Texas

Honorable Mentions: #12 Indiana over #5 Saint Mary’s, #10 San Francisco over #7 Murray State

In case you haven’t been paying attention, perhaps the hottest team in college basketball resides in Blacksburg, Virginia. The Hokies were a fringe bubble team heading into last week’s ACC Tournament, and all they did was run the table with vastly impressive wins over fellow NCAA Tournament teams in UNC, Notre Dame, and Duke to win the tournament title. Mike Young’s team of scrappy transfers features one of the hottest offenses you’ll see that can shoot from the perimeter and have their way inside. Players like Justyn Mutts, Hunter Cattoor, Darius Maddox, and Keve Aluma are remarkably dangerous when they’re clicking, and the Hokies can beat anyone in that circumstance. They can especially beat a Texas team that has underachieved all season long. Chris Beard’s team entered this season as a national title contender, and they haven’t lived up to that hype for a second. They treaded water all season long in the Big 12 and were bounced out of the conference tournament early. This immensely talented team simply refuses to live up to their potential, and I can think of no more poetic way for this disappointing season to end than with a first round exit.

Best Potential Games: #1 Baylor vs. #4 UCLA, #2 Kentucky vs. #3 Purdue

Honorable Mentions: #1 Baylor vs. #2 Kentucky, #2 Kentucky vs. #4 UCLA

Let’s just say that the second weekend in this region is going to be an absolute blast. Just look at the names! Baylor, the defending champs and 1 seed. Kentucky and UCLA are two blue bloods and some of the most successful programs in history. Purdue boasts one of the nation’s most talented rosters and always seems to make noise in March. Let’s have some fun.

A potential Baylor-UCLA Sweet 16 game would be a delight. It easily could have been last year’s title game matchup, if it weren’t for a certain Jalen Suggs shot. Both of these teams thrive off their guard play, and with some of the biggest names in the sport at those positions, this could be one of the most star-studded matchups of the tournament. I’d have to roll with UCLA in this one, simply because my gut tells me to. I love what they have with their experience, and I really want to see this team make a deep run after last year.

Kentucky-Purdue would be a different story. Instead of a clash of guards, the primary focus in this game would be on the frontcourt, with Oscar Tshiebwe of Kentucky going up against Trevion Williams and Zach Edey of Purdue. That’s not to say the little guys won’t get some spotlight as well, namely Purdue’s Jaden Ivey and Kentucky’s TyTy Washington. Simply put, this is a matchup with superstars all over the floor that would be a treat for us all to watch. I’d pick Kentucky in this game due to their dominance down low with Tshiebwe, and I have the utmost faith in them to go much further than just the Elite 8.

My Pick for New Orleans: #2 Kentucky Wildcats

Honorable Mentions: #3 Purdue Boilermakers, #4 UCLA Bruins

It’s no surprise that Kentucky is back in the spotlight at the NCAA Tournament. After missing last year’s dance entirely, the Wildcats are back with a furious vengeance. Head coach John Calipari is no stranger to insanely-talented rosters, and this is his best in several years. It all starts with forward Oscar Tshiebwe, a transfer from West Virginia who is perhaps the best player in college basketball. Tshiebwe averages 17 PPG and an unbelievable 15 RPG to go along with 2 SPG and 2 BPG. He is the heart of this team, and the single most dominant force in the sport. The Cats boast four other players who average double digits in scoring in TyTy Washington (13), Kellan Grady (12), Keion Brooks (11), and Sahvir Wheeler (10). Kentucky might just be college basketball’s most talented team with one of the best offenses in the nation, and I think that will carry them all the way to the Final Four. I just don’t think any other team in the East has what it takes to stop them. I like the Wildcats to beat UCLA in the Regional Final and get to New Orleans.

Full Round of 64 Picks:

#1 Baylor over #16 Norfolk State: A nice, easy way to start a title defense.

#8 North Carolina over #9 Marquette: The Tar Heels are honestly a spooky 8 seed. They have underachieved all season long, but if they get hot, then you’d better watch out. But when it comes to underachieving, look no further than Shaka Smart. Sorry, Golden Eagles.

#5 Saint Mary’s over #12 Indiana: The Hoosiers have had a hell of a run to get to this point. Led by star big man Trayce Jackson-Davis, their old-school basketball is immensely tough to beat. I think I’d pick Indiana against a more favorable opponent, but Saint Mary’s seemingly does what they do even better. Their elite defense should be enough to get them over the hump against a very good Indiana squad.

#4 UCLA over #13 Akron: Last year’s Final Four team from Westwood is ready to run it back with another deep run in 2022. They certainly have what it takes, and it starts here with what should be an easy win against a Zips team that admittedly made a nice run in the MAC Tournament to make the dance.

#11 Virginia Tech over #6 Texas: Against all odds, the hottest team in the nation in the last week might have been the Hokies. Mike Young and his group of transfers who followed him to Blacksburg ran the table in the ACC Tournament to leave no doubt and get to the dance. Now, they face a fledgling Texas team that has underachieved all season long. March seems to reward those who overachieve, and that’s all VT has been doing.

#3 Purdue over #14 Yale: The Boilermakers are the true wild card of this region. Boasting one of the nation’s most talented lineups, this team has what it takes to get to New Orleans. It just remains to be seen if they can live up to their potential. In any case, this matchup won’t be too much trouble for them.

#7 Murray State over #10 San Francisco: This is one of the more intriguing matchups of the first round between two of the best Mid-Majors all season long. The Racers boast a whopping 30 wins (tied for second-most in the nation), and the Dons have been a super fun team that proved their worth out of the WCC. This will be a fun one, but Murray State has simply been too dominant throughout the course of this season for me to pick against them.

#2 Kentucky over #15 Saint Peter’s: The Wildcats will get to the Final Four. It all starts here, in a game that might have the biggest point differential in the entire first round.

All stats taken from ESPN.