Tournament could top 2018’s Madness
The NCAA Tournament somehow seems to be getting better every year, almost as if each bracket is extending from the previous one.
Last year was one of the maddest of Marches, starting with Maryland, Baltimore County becoming the first No. 16 seed to beat a No. 1 — poor Virginia — and Loyola-Chicago taking Sister Jean all the way to the Final Four.
Surely it can’t get any better, right? Don’t bet against it.
Duke. With the No. 1 overall seed ■ knocking down threes, everyone else could be playing for second.
Virginia. Still plays great D, has ■ a guy named Guy who’s a star and redemption on its mind after last year’s early flame-out.
North Carolina. Ol’ Roy Williams ■ has the type of team that could win another national title.
Gonzaga. The Zags may have ■ more talent than the national title game team of two years ago. They also have Killian Tillie back.
Michigan State. Sparty won the ■ difficult Big Ten tournament and March is Tom Izzo time.
Zion Williamson, Duke. More ■ powerful than a locomotive, able to leap taller defenders with a single bound.
Markus Howard, Marquette. ■
Like points? He’s got a lot of ’em. Had 53 in one game this season.
Rui Hachimura, Gonzaga. ■
Watched the 2017 national title game from the bench. Could be cutting down the nets this year.
Ja Morant, Murray State. Yeah, ■
Ja is going to dunk on someone no matter how long the Racers are in the bracket. Book it.
Grant Williams, Tennessee. Was ■ the SEC player of the year in 2018, expanded his game this season.
Jarrett Culver, Texas Tech. A projected ■ top-10 NBA pick, he carries the offence for the defence-minded Red Raiders.
Buffalo. The Bulls pulled off an ■ upset after beating Arizona in the NCAA Tournament a year ago. Pretty much everyone is back.
Murray State. Any team with ■
Morant has a chance.
UC Irvine. The Anteaters not ■ only have the best nickname in the bracket, they play superb defence and have won 16 straight games.
Saint Mary’s. The Gaels knocked ■ off Gonzaga in the WCC title game.
Belmont. The Bruins (finally) ■ have one NCAA Tournament win under their belt. They have the tools to earn some more.