(Photo Courtesy of CBS Sports)
March Madness has ended and once again college basketball fans will have to wait another 11 months for the wild collegiate tournaments to tip off. Here’s a look at some of the biggest storylines from this year’s March Madness.
1- The Growing Game
Not talking about the Men’s bracket here but rather the Women’s Tournament. Caitlin Clark captivated millions and South Carolina had a historic undefeated season while LSU littered the tabloids like a Kardashian scandal. You have to be kidding yourself if you think the Men’s Tournament was more entertaining this year. From a trash talking West Virginia that almost took down a giant in a one-seeded Clark led Iowa to new stars like JuJu Watson taking center stage it was entertainment for the masses. There were sold out arenas and million watching on television this year’s competition transformed Women’s basketball.
2- Back-to-Back Champs!
UConn Men’s basketball completed their season with confetti once again. And who was surprised?? No one really. The Huskies entered March as the favorite to win it all. They were the most picked team on any bracket site. It wasn’t easy but they sure made it look easy. A national championship rematch that they won by 30 then holding dangerous Illinois with star Terrence Shannon Jr. to 52 points and 8 points respectively. The Dan Hurley lead squad had no trouble passing by the Crimson Tide who shot 47% from three to no avail. The final test was a matchup with seemly unstoppable 7-foot 4-inch giant Zach Edey. Yet Donovan Clingan and company were up to task once again. Sure, Edey scored 37 points but the Huskies made it a one man show. Besides Edey the rest of the Purdue Boilermakers only scrounged up 23 points. UConn found themselves the kings of college basketball once again. Perhaps in the midst of a dynasty?
3- The best team in North Carolina?
North Carolina the storied Blue Blood basketball school and number one seed from Chapel Hill got shown up by little brother as NC State took off from 11th seed to final four. North Carolina and Duke may have lost their claims to the throne of North Carolina’s best team. The Wolfpack’s magical run started all the way back in the ACC tournament. They ran past Louisville and Syracuse pulling off a win vs Duke. A hard-fought overtime win to get by Virginia led to a matchup against North Carolina where NC State grabbed an 84 to 76 point victory. Then in the NCAA tournament Kevin Keatts’ boys were on fire. They grabbed a quick win over a very solid Texas Tech program before beating darling 14 seed Oakland. They then blew past 2 seeded Marquette which was followed by once again beating Duke. It took Zach Edey and Purdue to subdue the red-hot team who grabbed everyone’s attention. DJ Burns went viral and NFL teams are even rumored to be scouting the big man from NC State. DJ Horne made the most of his time on court, hitting big shots that had the entire nation cheering. It was a team of transfers and misfits making a Cinderella run that without fail reminded everyone of the magic that is March.
4- The G.O.A.T
Caitlin Clark was the superstar who broke the record books and had millions watching her every move. The All-time NCAA Division I men's and women's scoring leader has more accolades than a NASA Astronaut. She pioneered her own game. Hitting shots from all areas of the court she seemed unstoppable. The hero of young basketball players everywhere she’ll leave behind a legacy that will never be forgotten. The most stoppable shooting force since the Warriors Dynasty she already has the Steph Curry comparisons. No one will ever forget her revenge game against LSU where she dropped 41. The greatest college player ever. One of kind Caitlin Clark the Greatest Of All Time.
5- Talent Alone Loses in March
This year 14 seed Oakland knocked off juggernaut Kentucky shocking millions. Jack Gholke became a hero overnight after dropping ten total 3-point shots when facing UK. The Kentucky Wildcats have an impressive roster full of top-level talent with some players even slotted for the NBA. Yet Gholke a transfer from a division 2 school swept UK off the floor. It wasn’t just the Wildcats who were ousted by a less talented team. Ivy League winners Yale took down 4 seeded Auburn and an epic first round matchup. Once again Auburn had top level recruits while Yale barely made the tournament. It seems that teams in college basketball need more than a few 5-star players to win in March.