Sweet 16 likely to bring more drama
INDIANAPOLIS — Your bracket is shot. We know it. Ours is, too.
A year after the NCAA Tournament was canceled, the madness returned with an opening weekend full of upsets.
No. 1 seed Illinois, gone. So is Ohio State. High seeds Texas and Virginia also are out, replaced by upstarts and mid-major noisemakers.
And we have Sister Jean, the 101-year-old nun who serves as team chaplain for Chicago Loyola. So good to have her back.
It was a wild opening ride to be sure and the tournament is all but guaranteed to have a few more unexpected twists and turns.
Here’s what for:
THE REGULARS Gonzaga — The Zags are the only team to reach the Sweet 16 in six consecutive seasons. They’re also four wins from completing perfection, trying to become the first undefeated champion since Indiana 45 years ago.
Baylor — The big, bad ball-hawking Bears appear to have found the form they had before a second COVID-19 pause, so watch out.
Michigan — The Wolverines have looked like a No. 1 seed, even without Isaiah Livers.
Alabama — The Tide’s mauling of Maryland in the second round shows just how potent this team can be.
Houston — The Cougars to look
sport some of that same swagger as the Phi Slama Jama teams back in the ‘80s.
THE UPSTARTS
Chicago Loyola — Sister Jean and the lovable Ramblers are back in the Sweet 16 for the first time since that 2018 Final Four run. Seeing her on the sideline warms the heart. The Ramblers have some
heart of their own.
Oral Roberts — The Golden Eagles aren’t Dunk City, but they are the first No. 15 seed to reach the Sweet 16 since Florida Gulf Coast became the first eight years ago.
Oregon State — The Beavers were picked to finish 12th in a conference with 12 teams. After two wins as a No. 12
seed, you’d be wise not to pick against these underdogs.
UCLA — Hard to call the all-time leader in national championships an upstart, but the Bruins barely got into the bracket. With three wins and a trip to the Sweet 16, they quickly proved they belong.
Arkansas — The Muss Bus has the Razorbacks
Kansas worked out out well for the high-scoring guard. It wasn’t a bad deal for coach Kelvin Sampson and his Cou gars, either.
Corey Kispert, Gonzaga Chris Duarte, Oregon — All-American — Playing on the West playing like one to put Coast has limited his the Zags four games national visibility, but from the first perfect believe us, he was one of season since 1976. college basketball’s best
Evan Mobley, USC guards long before this — The freshman has the Ducks’ run. length of a big man, the Ethan Thompson, Or skills of a guard and the egon State — He scores ability to dominate both ends of the floor. dishes and rebounds
Jared Butler, Baylor — He’s a big reason the un The junior All-American derdog Beavers have got stands out, even on a ten this far. team oozing with talent.
Jahvon Quinerly, Alabama — There’s almost nothing he can’t do and nothing opponents can do when he gets it going.
Marcus Zegarowski,
Creighton — Forgot some of the shooting woes he had at times during the regular season. This is the junior sharpshooter’s time to shine, and he’s leaning into it.
chugging into their first Sweet 16 appearance since 1996. Quite a job by coach Eric Musselman in two short years.
STAR PLAYERS
Michigan vs. Florida State, East Region, Sun day — Has the makings of being the best game in the entire bracket. Defi nitely in must-watch ter ritory.
Gonzaga vs. Creigh ton, West Region, Sun day — The Zags’ bid for perfection goes through the Bluejays and sweet shooting Zegarowski. Max Abmas, Oral Alabama vs. UCLA Roberts — High-volume East Region, Sunday — scoring from this biomedical chemistry Alabama likes to play major has the Golden fast. UCLA likes to slow Eagles soaring into the things down. Some Sweet 16 for the first thing’s got to give. time since 1974. Oregon State vs
Cameron Krutwig, Loyola Chicago, Mid Chicago Loyola — Remember west Region, Saturday — that beefy, ag- The underdog branch of ile-footed, deft-passing the bracket features two big man during the 2018 scrappy teams and one Final Four run? Well, he’s back and he’s rockin’ lovable 101-year-old nun a wispy mustache. The Villanova vs. Baylor Krustache plays the harmonica, South Region, Saturday too. — Two powerhouse pro
Quentin grams expected to put Houston — on a show.
RISING STARS
Grimes, Leaving
MUST-WATCH GAMES