cbhsports
I don’t have enough time to type up a mock draft this year because of school but please enjoy the 2022 NFL Draft beginning at 8 PM ET on ESPN/ABC which will continue through Saturday.
Image Courtesy: Fox News
August 27
Northwestern vs. Nebraska (Dublin, Ireland)
Runner-Up: Vanderbilt at. Hawaii
The Northwestern-Nebraska game from Ireland should be the easy pick for College GameDay in week 0.
September 3
Notre Dame at. Ohio State
Runner-Up: Oregon vs. Georgia (Atlanta)
Originally I had Oregon-Georgia in my first edition of this post a few months ago, but Heisman favorite (Ohio State QB) CJ Stroud, star receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba taking on new Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman and his squad will be a monumental game, and GameDay should be there.
September 10
Alabama at. Texas
Runner-Up: Iowa State at. Iowa
A future SEC match up has a little more flair as second year Texas coach Steve Sarkisian was Alabama’s offensive coordinator during their 2020 championship run. Alabama may dominate this game but the eyes on it come the second Saturday in September will be why Rece and the guys head to Austin.
September 17
Miami at. Texas A&M
Runner-Up: Penn State at. Auburn
In the first edition of this post, I did not see the Miami-A&M game on the schedule. But, if the Aggies and Hurricanes, led by first year coach Mario Cristobal, are 3-0 up to this point, GameDay will choose it over returning to the Auburn-Penn State game for a second consecutive year.
September 24
Wisconsin at. Ohio State
Runner-Up: Arkansas vs. Texas A&M (Arlington)
While the most important game in the SEC West up to October will be played in Arlington, GameDay heads to Columbus for a huge Big Ten showdown between the Badgers and Buckeyes. Wisconsin will have to figure out its offense before facing what could be the best offense in the country in Ohio State.
October 1
Oklahoma State at. Baylor
Runner-Up: Kentucky at. Ole Miss
The rematch of the 2021 Big 12 Championship will be a phenomenal game, and if it is anything like the game in December, it should be a dandy.
October 8
Alabama at. Texas A&M
Runner-Up: Ohio State at. Michigan State
In what many people think will be the game of the year, Alabama will look to avenge its lone loss in the regular season a year ago. If A&M can get their QB situation figured out, they will be a top ten team in the country at least and will be able to beat Alabama for a consecutive years.
October 15
USC at. Utah
Runner-Up: Wisconsin at. Michigan State
Pac-12 favorite Utah’s biggest test will be against USC and new head coach Lincoln Riley, who has one of the best QBs in the country in Caleb Williams, who joined Riley at USC after coming from Oklahoma with him. This is a perfect Pac-12 game for GameDay to go to.
October 22
Iowa at. Ohio State
Runner-Up: UCLA at. Oregon
Not a ton of huge games to go to this week but a huge Big Ten clash in Columbus between Ohio State and Iowa could be a potential Big Ten Championship match.
October 29
Michigan State at. Michigan
Runner-Up: Georgia vs. Florida (Jacksonville)
After the incredible game between the Spartans and Wolverines last season, why should Rece and the guys not go to Ann Arbor for what should be a phenomenal game.
November 5
Clemson at. Notre Dame
Runner-Up: Alabama at. LSU
If Clemson figures out its QB and potentially starts freshman Cade Klubnik and Notre Dame shows that they have more offensive and defensive line depth, this game could be between two top five teams, a game that the show cannot miss.
November 12
Alabama at. Ole Miss
Runner-Up: Wisconsin at. Iowa
With the familiarity between coaching staffs (Lane Kiffin, the Ole Miss head coach used to be Alabama’s offensive coordinator), it should be a fun game. And, as the top SEC game of the weekend, it should be the pick for GameDay.
November 19
Oklahoma State at. Oklahoma
Runner-Up: USC at. UCLA
“Bedlam” is an easy pick for the show the Saturday before Thanksgiving.
November 26
Michigan at. Ohio State
Runner-Up: Auburn at. Alabama
“The Game” has been visited by College GameDay at least a few times the past few years and I expect it to be no different.
December 3
2022 SEC Championship (Atlanta)
Runner-Up: 2022 ACC Championship (Charlotte)
The SEC Championship is the pick here as the winner of this game usually appears in or wins the national championship.
December 10
Navy vs. Army (Philadelphia)
Runner-Up: N/A
The only pick for this week, Army-Navy.
Image Courtesy: Hoops Habit
The NBA Playoffs begin in just an hour. Here is who I have making it to the NBA Finals:
Conference Play-In Results
Eastern Conference
9.Atlanta Hawks (43-39) Advanced
10.Charlotte Hornets (43-39)
(Winner to play loser of 7./8. game for eight seed)
7.Brooklyn Nets (44-38) Advanced
8.Cleveland Cavaliers (44-38)
(Winner to be seven seed)
8.Cleveland Cavaliers (44-38)
9.Atlanta Hawks (43-39) Advanced
Western Conference
9.New Orleans Pelicans (36-46) Advanced
10.San Antonio Spurs (34-48)
(Winner to play loser of 7./8. game for eight seed)
7.Minnesota Timberwolves (46-36) Advanced
8.LA Clippers (42-40)
(Winner to be seven seed)
8.LA Clippers (46-36)
9.New Orleans Pelicans (36-46) Advanced
Conference Quarterfinals
Eastern Conference
Quarterfinals
1.Miami Heat (53-29) 4
8.Atlanta Hawks (43-39) 2
Miami was paced by Jimmy Butler and Victor Oladipo to land the East’s number one seed. But it will be their depth that advances them to round 2, past 2021 Eastern Conference Finals team Atlanta led by star guard Tar Young.
4.Philadelphia 76ers (51-31) 4
5.Toronto Raptors (48-34) 2
The James Harden and Joel Embiid’s goals for this team in these playoffs is to go much further than round 1. Despite not having defensive specialist Matisse Thybulle in away games due to the vaccine in Canada, Harden, Embiid, and Tobias Harris should lead Philadelphia to Round 2 over Scottie Barnes, Pascal Siakam, and the Raptors.
3.Milwaukee Bucks (51-31) 4
6.Chicago Bulls (46-36) 1
While DeMar DeRozan and Zach Lavine were very successful to begin the season, facing off against the Bucks, the defending NBA champions in round one will not be easy. DeRozan always struggled in the playoffs in Toronto and facing Giannis and the Bucks will not be easy.
2.Boston Celtics (51-31) 3
7.Brooklyn Nets (44-38) 4
Brooklyn may not have the depth it previously had before adding James Harden and then getting rid of him, but Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving will win a close, seven-game series over Irving’s old team. Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum will have something to say about it, though.
Western Conference
1.Phoenix Suns (64-18) 4
8.New Orleans Pelicans (36-46) 1
Led by back to back coach of the year Monty Williams and likely first team All-NBA guard Devin Booker and fellow guard Chris Paul and their young core, I expect the Suns to take down the young but gritty Pelicans in five games.
4.Dallas Mavericks (52-30) 3
5.Utah Jazz (49-33) 4
My second upset pick comes in the Dallas-Utah series. With Mavs star Luka Doncic hurt (but maybe playing; it is to be determined), Utah guard Donovan Mitchell and big man Rudy Gobert will take down Dallas in a close seven game series.
3.Golden State Warriors (53-29) 4
6.Denver Nuggets (48-34) 2
Potential NBA MVP Nikola Jokic will look to take down NBA Playoff mainstays Golden State. In Denver’s way will be former MVP Stephen Curry, guard Klay Thompson, guard Jordan Poole, and forward Draymond Green will look to get another championship back to the Bay Area.
2.Memphis Grizzlies (56-26) 4
7.Minnesota Timberwolves (46-36) 2
Memphis’ young core of star point guard Ja Morant, forward Jaren Jackson, and wing Desmond Bane will lead the Grizzlies to the second round over an exciting, also young Minnesota team led by guard Anthony Edwards and big man Karl Anthony-Towns.
Conference Semifinals
Eastern Conference
1.Miami Heat 3
4.Philadelphia 76ers 4
The play of James Harden and Joel Embiid will lead the Sixers to an upset over the Miami Heat.
3.Milwaukee Bucks 4
7.Brooklyn Nets 3
The Nets’ lack of depth is why I think Giannis and the Bucks eliminate Brooklyn for the second consecutive season. Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant will have to play 80 plus percent of the game at a high level to upset the Bucks.
Western Conference
1.Phoenix Suns 4
5.Utah Jazz 2
Phoenix’s bench led by Cam Johnson will help the Suns defeat Utah in six games.
2.Memphis Grizzlies 2
3.Golden State Warriors 4
Memphis hasn’t been here before. Golden State has gone to five of the last eight NBA Finals. Stephen Curry leads the Warriors back to the conference finals.
Conference Finals
Eastern Conference
3.Milwaukee Bucks 4
4.Philadelphia 76ers 3
A battle between Giannis Antetokounmpo and Joel Embiid inside will be won by the Bucks. They will look to repeat as champions.
Western Conference
1.Phoenix Suns 3
3.Golden State Warriors 4
Golden State has been here many times before. Stephen Curry and the Warriors will deny Phoenix a second shot at the Finals and head to it themselves.
Finals preview will come when we get there.
2022 Signees (per 247sports)
6.Nick Smith (#2CG) North Little Rock,AR (North Little Rock)
Nick Smith’s ability to run the point, score, and win is why he is the perfect fit for Eric Musselman’s team. Smith could develop his outside shot a bit but the likely top three pick in the 2023 NBA Draft will be Arkansas’ engine in the 2022-2023 season.
18.Jordan Walsh (#5SF) DeSoto,TX (Link Academy)
Jordan Walsh is a versatile forward who is an exceptional passer, defender, and a good scorer. Walsh will likely have to play out of position in Arkansas’ offense but his versatility will help him out.
22.Anthony Black (#3PG) Ducanville,TX (Duncanville)
The latest addition to Arkansas’ number two ranked class is 6’7 point guard Anthony Black. Black gives Arkansas the size that they have had on the ball during Coach Musselman’s tenure that has led them to back to back Elite 8 runs.
57.Derrian Ford (#11CG) Magnolia,AR (Magnolia)
Derrian Ford might be the most underrated player in the class. Ford is a strong guard who won multiple player of the year awards in Arkansas during his career and gives Arkansas a good defensive piece off the bench.
85.Barry Dunning (#21SF) Mobile,AL (McGill Toolen)
The Alabama Gatorade Player of the Year heads to Fayetteville as a multi-positional piece for Eric Musselman.
88.Joseph Pinion (#23SF) Morrilton,AR (Morrilton)
The sharpshooter may not get a ton of playing time in his first year in Fayetteville but with Arkansas’ lack of elite perimeter shooting threats you never know.
Image Courtesy: Foxnews
Here is my 2022 College Basketball National Championship Preview:
1.Kansas vs. 8.North Carolina
Caesar’s Superdome (New Orleans,LA)
April 4, 9:20 PM ET, TBS
Kansas defeated Villanova in the first Final Four semifinal of Saturday night by holding the lead throughout the entire game. First team All-American wing Ochai Agbaji (21 points, 2 rebounds) and forward David McCormack (25 points, 9 rebounds) propelled Kansas to the championship game. To beat North Carolina, more offensive production from guard Remy Martin, guard Christian Braun, wing Jalen Wilson, and forward Mitch Lightfoot to beat the Tar Heels. Kansas coach Bill Self will look to defeat first year North Carolina coach Hubert Davis and his Tar Heels. North Carolina defeated Duke 81-77, which was the first meeting between the two rivals in the tournament of all time and ended Mike Krzyewski’s historic career. In the 100th battle between Coach K’s Blue Devils and the Tar Heels, North Carolina evened the series at 50 in that span with guards Caleb Love scoring 28 points and RJ Davis scoring 16 points. Big man Armando Bacot scored 11 points and added 21 rebounds for the Tar Heels. He will need more offensive production if the Heels were to beat Kansas. The defensive match ups chosen by each coach are going to be key. Talented defensive wing North Carolina wing Leaky Black will likely be assigned Ochai Agbaji, Armando Bacot will likely be on David McCormack, and the rest will be up to the positional assignments. The other huge factor is the lack of North Carolina bench play. Kansas’ bench is definitely superior but the hot shooting of North Carolina forward Brady Manek has countered most opposing benches in the NCAA Tournament thus far.
This game will be huge for either program with a win. I guess it was the Roy Williams retirement party the entire time, not Coach K, as the two programs Coach Williams led will face off in the championship tomorrow night. Projected Score: North Carolina 76, Kansas 73
Image Courtesy: USA Today
Here is my 2022 Final Four Preview:
Final Four
1.Kansas vs. 2.Villanova
Caesars Superdome (New Orleans,LA)
April 2, 6:09 PM ET, TBS
Villanova’s Jay Wright has become one of, if not the best coach in college basketball. He has now appeared in the Final Four three times in the past six seasons. With thirty seconds left in their Elite 8 win over Houston, the Wildcats’ best player Justin Moore (15 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists per game) tore his achilles. Back to back Big East player of the year (guard) Collin Gillespie (16 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists per game), forward Jermaine Samuels (11 points, 7 rebounds, 47% from the field), and forward Brandon Slater (8 points and 4 rebounds per game) will have to play their “A” game if they want to upset Kansas’ run to winning another championship. Kansas had trouble with Miami in the first half but then turned it up defensively in the second half and used forced turnovers to defeat the Hurricanes. Star wing Ochai Agbaji (19 points and 5 rebounds per game) has been huge for the Jayhawks and if he is on, Kansas should defeat Villanova. Key minutes from guard Christian Braun (14 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists per game), guard Remy Martin (9 points and 3 assists per game), and forward David McCormack (10 points and 7 rebounds per game). If Villanova were to upset Kansas, the Wildcats would be in the consideration with Kentucky, North Carolina, Duke, and Kansas, as a true blue blood. It would be Villanova’s third championship since 2016 but Kansas’ scoring should lift them to a win. Projected Score: Kansas 80, Villanova 70
2.Duke vs. 8.North Carolina
Caesars Superdome (New Orleans,LA)
April 2, 8:49 PM ET, TBS
In Coach K’s last NCAA Tournament run, and wins over Cal State Fullerton, Michigan State, Texas Tech, and Arkansas, likely NBA number one pick (forward) Paolo Banchero (17 points and 8 rebounds per game) and fellow forward (and likely lottery pick) AJ Griffin (11 points and 4 rebounds) have led the Blue Devils to another Final Four. Duke guard Jeremy Roach has also been hot, and has played much better than his regular season average of nine points a game. Coach K’s team meets its biggest rival, North Carolina, for the first time in NCAA Tournament history. North Carolina’s Brady Manek has scored almost 22 points a game in the tournament, leading the Heels to another deep NCAA run. The Oklahoma transfer is joined by guard Caleb Love, who notched 30 points in the Heels’ Sweet 16 win over UCLA and guard RJ Davis also scored 30 points to knock off defending champion Baylor in overtime in the Round of 32. It would be a shame if North Carolina big man Armando Bacot (17 points and 13 rebounds per game) was not mentioned. He flexed his muscles in the Elite 8, scoring 18 points and 22 rebounds, giving him the most double-doubles in ACC history. If Duke’s offense continues to shoot between 45 and 60 percent in the Final Four and championship game, the Blue Devils should get their revenge on Carolina, make Monday’s championship game. If North Carolina continues its pestering defense it showed in its Elite 8 win on Sunday over Saint Peter’s, it can make the final. If Bacot can eliminate or at least keep Duke big man Mark Williams off the boards, the Tar Heels will have a better shot at winning. North Carolina has won the national championship in New Orleans once before (1982) but this is Coach K’s championship to lose. Projected Score: Duke 86, North Carolina 78