March Madness is BACK, ladies and gentlemen. As we head into the 2022 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, two big questions loom per usual: Who takes the crown, and who falls to Cinderella? Well, to begin…
If you are looking for a double-digit seed to make a Sweet 16 run, look no further than either San Francisco or Loyola-Chicago. San Fran is up against an immensely overrated Murray State team that many are picking simply due to an inflated record and the memory of Ja Morant’s tournament heroics. San Fran boasts one of the best perimeter defenses in college basketball, which will stifle the Racers offense. Give me the Dons by double digits. Loyola-Chicago may not be your average Cinderella candidate, having made a Final Four in 2018, but as a 10-seed they qualify. The Ramblers were an 11 seed in 2018, and this year they’re arguably even better. Boasting a 25-7 record, Loyola is one of the most efficient shooting teams in the country. They go up against an overrated, streaky Ohio State team ripe for an upset. But enough underdog talk- who wins the championship?
The writing is on the wall, and this is John Calipari and the Kentucky Wildcats’ year. Led by the best player in the country, Oscar Tshiebwe, and superstar guard TyTy Washington, the Cats are more experienced than any squad Coach Cal has had during his illustrious career in Lexington. Expect mostly chalk in the Final Four, With Gonzaga, Kansas and Arizona joining Big Blue in New Orleans. While I expect Gonzaga to make a run to the final, Kentucky’s combo of star power and experience is the recipe to knock off the Zags yet again on the biggest stage. Unfortunately, another championship L for Mark Few’s and his squad is looming.
Photo Credit: Sporting News
