This is the round we need after last week.
That’s not to say we didn’t have moments, we did.
But with the lack of upsets and complete mayhem means monster 2nd weekend games.
In theory that means we should have those games we lacked for the most part last week.
Don’t get me wrong Colorado/Florida, Colorado/Marquette, Houston/A&M were awesome.
The ending of Yale/Auburn was the mayhem that we look for.
But now every game feels like it should come down to the last 2 minutes.
That’s what we should want and need.
Schedule
Bracket
Can I say something honest?
The one thing the bizarre 2021 NCAA Tournament had right was the 4 standalone games for the Sweet 16.
I wish we still had that.
I know people have ‘real’ jobs, but I’m selfish.
I want to focus on each game by itself.
Plus instead of two games starting at 9:45 or later, we’d only have one.
What if we had tip times of 2:30, 5:30, 8:15 and 10?
I wouldn’t hate that.
Move them up earlier if you really want to too.
Either way, that was perfect.
Order of the best games today
1.
UConn/San Diego State
Five Most Entertaining Players Today
This isn’t about the best.
Every March someone takes over and you’ve got the option to’t look away from the screen.
Sure, they might be stars, some might be March legends.
Either way we always get them and you never know where it’s coming from.
Mark Sears (Alabama)
2.
Tristen Newton (UConn)
3.
Caleb Love (Arizona)
4.
Marcus Domask (Illinois)
5.
Jaedon LeDee (San Diego State)
Storylines/Preview for each game today
1.
UConn vs SDSU rematch from last year’s title game.
Both fairly different with big time guys returning.
Yeah UConn lost Sanogo, Hawkins and Jackson but they look even better this year.
SDSU still has Trammell, Butler and LeDee.
I just don’t really know the path for SDSU here.
What style wins out
Iowa State/Illinois couldn’t be more opposite.
Illinois is predicated on booty ball, fast tempo and offense.
Honestly if we had an all-time offense vs all-time defense situation here I wouldn’t mind it.
I’d watch the hell out of you.
This is the most intriguing game of the day for me strictly because of this.
Crazy to say that about a 6 seed, but none of us can really figure them out.
But they are here and that’s all that matters.
This should be a home game for Arizona in LA.
The fans should travel, they should be familiar with LA, etc.
This game is going to come down to the 3rd option it feels like.
Keshad Johnson is that good of a defender for Arizona.
You have Ballo in the paint.
Who helps out for Clemson with PJ Hall potentially limited?
Speed race and Alabama’s defense
It’s no secret that Alabama’s defense is, well, bad.
They are still outside the top-100 defensively.
Now you’re going up against a UNC team that can beat you any which way.
Davis was the All-American, Bacot is the dude who has been there for 9 years inside the paint.
But Harrison Ingram is the difference maker.
He’s the perfect 4 in this offense.
He’ll stretch the defense or go inside on the mismatch.
At the same time you gotta respect Ryan’s ability to shoot.
Thisshouldbe a track meet.
Up and down, the game we want to see in terms of scoring.
