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For the first time in two years, March Madness will finally be happening. This season was very different from the others. For one, most arenas did not have fans in the stands for the season. For another, blue blood programs such as Duke and Kentucky missed the tournament, while teams who aren’t as successful in basketball such as Alabama and Baylor won their conference. The NCAA Tournament should be exciting as ever and looks to be as crazy as ever. Here are five predictions for March Madness.
5. Connecticut makes a deep run
The Huskies led by James Bouknight are one of the hottest teams going into the NCAA Tournament. Before a three-point loss to Creighton, the Huskies had won seven of their last eight games, including a sweep over the surprising Big East champion Georgetown. Before this can happen, the seventh seeded Huskies will face tenth seeded Maryland and if they advance, will likely face SEC Champion, Alabama. It will not be easy, but Connecticut has a history of winning as the underdog
4. The last three champions lose early
Villanova, North Carolina and Virginia have been the best programs in College Basketball for the past five years. These three teams were always in contention to win the title, but this year will be different. North Carolina has talent, but they are too young and will likely have to play Baylor, if they make it out of the first round. Virginia was a top ten team, before they got cold and went on pause due to positive COVID-19 tests. Villanova was also a top ten team, but lost Collin Gillespie for the rest of the season, due to a torn MCL. For the blue bloods, this is not the year.
3. Cade Cunningham cements his legacy
For the past nine years, one and done players have been a major draw to college basketball. From Anthony Davis to Zion Williamson, superstar freshmen have proven experience does not always make the best player. Cade Cunningham will be another freshman to make his name on the big stage. Cunningham averages 20.2 points and 6.3 rebounds, including a monster 25-point game against Baylor, to hand the Bears their second loss of the season. Don’t be surprised when Cunningham leads Oklahoma State to a deep run in March.
2. The weakness of the West Coast catches up to Gonzaga
For the past five years, Mark Few and his Gonzaga Bulldogs have been among the best teams in the country. With three one seeds in the past four tournaments, the Bulldogs have been elite, but a frequent criticism against them has been that they play in a weaker conference. Yes, Gonzaga has beaten top teams such as Kansas, West Virginia and Iowa, but looked weak against BYU in the WCC Title game. The Zags will make a solid run in the tournament, but will be caught off guard, ending their undefeated season.
1. Butler vs Garza
The National Title game has not happened in nearly two years, since Virginia won their first championship against Texas Tech. This time around Baylor will take on Iowa, Jared Butler vs Luka Garza, Big 12 vs Big 10. This will be an exciting matchup, but it will end up with Baylor winning their first ever National Title. Baylor has only lost two games all year in the toughest conference this season, and despite a rough showing after Covid pause, were able to get right back on track. Baylor will bring the state of Texas their first Division 1 Men’s College Basketball championship since UTEP won it in 1966.