Author: Carter Huff

National Championship

1.Baylor vs. 1.Gonzaga
Lucas Oil Stadium (Indianapolis, IN)
April 5, 9:20 PM ET, CBS

Happy Easter everyone! Baylor and Gonzaga will square off for the 2021 NCAA College Basketball National Championship Game on Monday. Gonzaga and Baylor are clearly the best two teams in the country and for most of the season were on a collision course to meet on the last Monday of the season. Baylor’s rough patch at the end of the season after their COVID pause and Gonzaga’s competitive game versus UCLA shows that clearly these two teams are human and could go on cold spells offensively and defensively. Jalen Suggs’ (14.1 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 4.6 APG) game-winner sent the Bulldogs to just its second title game ever. Also for the Zags, is sharpshooting forward Corey Kispert (18.8 PPG, 5.0 RPG) and talented big man Drew Timme (19.2 PPG, 7.1 RPG) make up most of their scoring. Guards Joel Ayayi and Andrew Nembhard, who transferred from Florida, are key players for the Bulldogs that if they get going, can help the Zags finish the Bears on Monday night. Baylor’s perimeter is led by All-Americans Jared Butler (16.6 PPG, 4.7 APG), Davion Mitchell (14.0 PPG, 5.5 APG), and sharpshooting MaCio Teague (15.8 PPG, 4.0 RPG) are phenomenal on the perimeter. As you can see the perimeter is honestly a toss-up with the talent on the perimeter for both teams. But, Gonzaga clearly has the advantage inside as Drew Timme has been one of, if not the best tournament of any player, taking on talented defensive big man Mark Vital for the Bears. Projected Score: Baylor 80, Gonzaga 77

Happy Easter weekend everyone! A busy day of college basketball was headlined by major coaching changes and national player of the year award announcements continuing.

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Athletic Department announced Roy Williams’ retirement on Thursday. The hall of fame coach with 900+ wins retires after taking two programs (Kansas and North Carolina) to Final Fours as well as three national championships in Chapel Hill (2005, 2009, 2017). Williams spent time at Kansas (1989-2003) and North Carolina (2003-2021) going an overall 903-264 which is a .774 winning percentage.

The Texas Longhorns announced alum and Texas Tech head coach Chris Beard as their new head coach on Thursday. Because he was headed for another Big 12 school, Beard’s buyout dropped to just $4 million dollars. Despite the fact that Texas Tech was prepared to give him a life-long contract, “he was ready for a new challenge” according to an ESPN article.

Iowa big man Luka Garza was named the AP men’s college basketball player of the year, a year after finishing second to Dayton’s Obi Toppin. Garza averaged over 24 points per game and almost 9 rebounds per game. Illinois point guard Ayo Dosunmo, likely number one pick and Oklahoma State point guard Cade Cunningham, and Jared Butler finished behind Garza in voting. Juward Howard was named AP men’s college basketball coach of the year on Thursday, receiving 35 of 63 votes from the voters. Gonzaga’s Mark Few was second with 16 votes, and Baylor’s Scott Drew and Alabama’s Nate Oats each received five.

Yet another big announcement was made for the future of college basketball. The 2022 Maui Invitational field was announced on Thursday. Arkansas is the lone team to make it to the second weekend of the 2021 NCAA Tournament field that will be playing in Maui in 2022. The rest of the field includes Arizona, Cincinnati, Creighton, and Louisville, Ohio State, San Diego State, and Texas Tech.

Oklahoma State Freshman Guard Cade Cunningham announced his intentions to enter the NBA Draft on Thursday, as many others have today and in the past. Here is every other player that has announced his intentions to enter the 2021 NBA Draft.

West Region
1.Gonzaga over 6.USC
USC’s Evan Mobley and Isaiah Mobley are two big men that can counter Gonzaga’s Drew Timme. I can also see USC’s athletic wings being able to handle Jalen Suggs, Andrew Nembhard, and Corey Kispert for awhile. But at the end of the day, Gonzaga is the best team in the country and will find a way to win. Projected Score: Gonzaga 85, USC 76

East Region
1.Michigan over 11.UCLA
UCLA has become yet another team to go from the First Four to the Elite 8, one step away from the first weekend of April and the Final Four. Michigan has surprised a few people, being without leading scorer Isaiah Livers since the middle of March. The fans and media have to remember, this team won the regular season championship in the toughest conference during the regular season. Projected Score: Michigan 80, UCLA 74

South Region
1.Baylor over 3.Arkansas
Arkansas has gone down by 14, 10, and 12 in their three respective games. The Razorbacks cannot play the same way they on Saturday night in their win over Oral Roberts. Moses Moody, the 2021 SEC Player of the Year, has not had his best game of the tournament yet. If he gets going for the hogs, they have a chance to win this game. Baylor had to come back in their Sweet 16 game as well. One of the best three point shooting teams in the country did not shoot as well they could. Baylor star Jared Butler made just a single three, but, I can see Butler and the Bears shooting a lot better on Monday. Projected Score: Baylor 82, Arkansas 74

Midwest Region
2.Houston over 12.Oregon State
Oregon State won the Pac-12 tournament and three games in the tournament they were not favored in just to make it here. Former Kansas transfer Quentin Grimes has been excellent for Houston, leading the Cougars to their first Elite 8 appearance since the “Phi Slama Jama” era with wing Clyde Drexler and big man Akeem Olajuwon. I see Oregon State’s run coming to an end on Monday night. Projected Score: Houston 72, Oregon State 66

After another season that ended earlier than expected in Austin, Texas Head Coach Shaka Smart is expected to be Marquette’s next head coach. Smart, a Wisconsin native, has been the head coach at Texas for six seasons. He has led the Longhorns to three NCAA Tournament appearances but is yet to get a win. Smart has been on the hot seat for two years and if not for the pandemic he would’ve been fired most likely. Before taking over in Austin, Smart led VCU to five NCAA Tournament appearances including a Final Four run in 2011. The Longhorns are expected to pursue Texas alum Chris Beard, who has had a lot of success as Texas Tech’s head coach, among others.

Oklahoma men’s basketball coach Lon Kruger announced his retirement on Thursday following a 45-year career. Kruger, 68, has been in charge of the Sooners for the past decade, leading them to seven NCAA tournaments and a Final Four appearance in 2016. The Sooners finished 16-11 overall this season, going 9-8 in the tough Big 12 and advancing to the second round of the NCAA tournament before losing to Gonzaga. Before to taking over at Oklahoma, Kruger led UNLV to four NCAA tournament appearances in seven seasons, most notably a Sweet 16 run in 2007.

The 2021 Wooden Award Finalists were announced on Friday. Baylor guard Jared Butler, Oklahoma State guard Cade Cunningham, Illinois guard Ayo Dosunmo, Iowa forward Luka Garza, and Gonzaga forward Corey Kispert were among the finalists for the award for college basketball’s player of the year. Butler and Kispert are the only players on teams who are still in the 2021 NCAA Tournament. The others’ teams were all knocked out last weekend in the second round.

2021 Point Guard Hunter Sallis gave Mark Few and Gonzaga the biggest commitment in their program’s history according to 247sports. Sallis, the no. 6 ranked player in the class, committed to the Zags on his 18th birthday. The top combo guard in the class chose Gonzaga over Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, and home state Nebraska.

West Region

1.Gonzaga over 5.Creighton

Gonzaga has been too good.

6.USC over 7.Oregon

This will be a phenomenal game between two teams that have had impressive runs in the NCAA Tournament. I see Evan Mobley having another phenomenal game (and USC finding away to defend Oregon star Chris Duarte) to make the Elite 8.

East Region

1.Michigan over 4.Florida State

I don’t know why anyone is doubting Michigan. They have now won two games without leading scorer Isaiah Livers during their tournament run. Florida State struggles to score at times and Michigan will take advantage of that.

2.Alabama over 11.UCLA

UCLA and the rest of the Pac-12 is red hot but it is too bad they have to run into Alabama. The Tide made a record 15 threes in their round of 32 win over Maryland. The Tide should win by at least ten.

South Region

1.Baylor over 5.Villanova

Villanova has had one of if not the easiest road to the Sweet 16. Baylor will beat the Wildcats by 15.

3.Arkansas over 15.Oral Roberts

Arkansas beat Oral Roberts by 11 back in December. Oral Roberts became the second 15 seed to ever make the Sweet 16 following FGCU in 2013. Max Abmas, the leading scorer in the NCAA, and Kevin Obanor are the dynamic duo for Oral Roberts and have not been contained defensively in either the Round of 64 by Ohio State or Round of 32 by Florida. If anyone ends Oral Roberts run, its going to be Arkansas’ length and good defense led by guard Jalen Tate, Davonte “Devo” Davis, Moses Moody, Jaylin Williams and Justin Smith.

Midwest Region

8.Loyola Chicago over 12.Oregon State

Loyola-Chicago upset Illinois led by a huge double-double from Cameron Krutwig. Oregon State upset both five seed Tennessee and four seed Oklahoma State (with potential number one pick Cade Cunningham) in the Round of 32. I see Loyola and Oregon State going back and forth early but Loyola breaking away at the end of the first half for a win.

2.Houston over 11.Syracuse

Quentin Grimes versus Buddy Boeheim is going to be fun. Houston wins and makes the Elite 8 for the first time since the Akeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler days.

Despite the 2021 NCAA men’s and women’s college basketball tournaments still going on, many of the teams’ seasons are already over. So, there is already a lot of news to get into to begin the 2021 off-season.

On Tuesday, Missouri second leading scorer Xavier Pinson (13.6 PPG, 2.9 APG) announced his intentions to transfer from Missouri via Instagram. Pinson has a single year of eligibility but could also consider the NBA Draft waters, similar to what he did last year before returning to Columbia.

George Mason announced the hiring of Tennessee assistant Kim England as its next head coach. English played his college basketball at Missouri, leading the Tigers to two Big 12 tournament titles from 2008-2012. Ben Johnson as hired to replace Richard Pitino at Minnesota.

Archie Miller was fired after four seasons by Indiana. He finished with a 67-58 overall record and a 33-44 record in Big Ten play.

Pittsburgh Forward Justin Champagnie, Florida Guard Tre Mann, and North Carolina big man Day’Ron Sharpe have all announced they will test draft waters. Justin can return as he has not signed with an agent and Mann and Sharpe will sign with agents, meaning they can not return.

Here are my 2021 Round of 32 predictions.

West Region

1.Gonzaga over 8.Oklahoma

13.Ohio over 5.Creighton

3.Kansas over 6.USC

2.Iowa over 7.Oregon

East Region

8.LSU over 1.Michigan

4.Florida State over 5.Colorado

11.UCLA over 14.Abilene Christian

2.Alabama over 10.Maryland

South Region

1.Baylor over 9.Wisconsin

13.North Texas over 5.Villanova

6.Texas Tech over 3.Arkansas

15.Oral Roberts over 7.Florida

Midwest Region

1.Illinois over 8.Loyola-Chicago

4.Oklahoma State over 12.Oregon State

3.West Virginia over 11.Syracuse

2.Houston over 10.Rutgers

Things will look slightly different in this college basketball preview post. No different from usual, I will show the AP top ten entering the week. Then, I will preview each of the power 6 conference tournaments (ACC, Big 12, Big East, Big Ten, Pac-12, SEC, note also that mid major conference tournaments happened this past week). The preview will include a link to each of the conference tournament brackets, a link to my video preview of each that includes my predictions on my YouTube channel, and a few thoughts I have for each conference tournament.

Note: I will update the AP top ten in this post when a new one comes out tomorrow.

Note: I will add the hyperlink of every video preview when they come out in the next few days.

AP Top 10 entering week:

1.Gonzaga 24-0 Next: vs.Saint Mary’s (3/8-WCC Semifinal)

2.Baylor 21-1 Next: vs.TBD (3/11-Big 12 Quarterfinal)

3.Illinois 20-6 Next: vs.TBD (3/12-Big Ten Quarterfinal)

4.Michigan 19-3 Next: vs.TBD (3/12-Big Ten Quarterfinal)

5.Iowa 20-7 Next: vs.TBD (3/12-Big Ten Quarterfinal)

6.Alabama 21-6 Next: vs.TBD (3/12-SEC Quarterfinal)

7.Houston 21-3 Next: vs.TBD (3/12-AAC Quarterfinal)

8.Arkansas 21-5 Next: vs.TBD (3/12-SEC Quarterfinal)

9.Ohio State 18-8 Next: vs.TBD (3/11-Big Ten Second Round)

10.West Virginia 18-8 Next: vs.TBD (3/11-Big 12 Quarterfinal)

ACC

Bracket

Video Preview

Thoughts: The ACC is in uncommon ground. This will be the first year in awhile without a team from the conference as a one seed in the NCAA Tournament. Florida State, despite multiple losses the last few weeks, should be the favorite.

Big 12

Bracket

Video Preview

Thoughts: Behind the Big Ten, the Big 12 is the second best conference in the country. Regular season champion Baylor, West Virginia, Kansas, Texas, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, and Oklahoma are all teams that can make it to the second and third weekends of the NCAA Tournament and beyond. The key to winning in Kansas City this week is using defense to create opportunities offensively. Most of the Big 12 offenses are fantastic but its going to be up to terrific defensive backcourts like Baylor’s Jared Butler and MaCio Teague to win games. Baylor should be the favorite but watch out for any of the other teams I listed above.

Big East

Bracket

Video Preview

Thoughts: Both Villanova (losing veteran PG Collin Gillespie for the season) and Creighton (suspending head coach Greg McDermott) have their issues at the moment. But three seed Connecticut has been playing great lately, winning four of their last five games. They should be the favorite this week at Madison Square Garden without a doubt.

Big Ten

Bracket

Video Preview

Thoughts: The Big Ten is the best conference in the country without a doubt. Regular season champion Michigan, Illinois, Iowa, and Ohio State are all in the AP top ten and have chances to lock up number one seeds. Purdue is ahead of Ohio State in the Big Ten standings and are at number 23 in the polls. Michigan State, like many blue bloods this season, need a few wins to clinch an NCAA Tournament berth. But, Michigan should be seen as the favorite in Indianapolis this week.

Pac-12

Bracket

Video Preview

Thoughts:

Oregon has been terrific as of late with wins over second place USC and third place UCLA. USC swept the season series with UCLA yesterday with a buzzer-beater. Arizona State, a team that was in many pre-season polls has fallen to ninth in the conference. They will need to win in Las Vegas to reach the big dance. USC, though, should be considered the favorites with projected lottery pick Evan Mobley and his brother Isaiah Mobley as focal points for the Trojans.

SEC

Bracket

Video Preview

Thoughts: Arkansas comes in winners of their last 11 SEC games. Top seed Alabama lost to Arkansas on February 24 but have won every game since. Three seed LSU should not be counted out because of lethal shooting freshman Cam Thomas. Florida, Tennessee, and Missouri are other NCAA tournament locks that have a chance to win the SEC Tournament Championship next Sunday. Auburn will not participate in the SEC Tournament due to self imposed violations. For me, there is no clear favorite after Arkansas, clearly the hottest team in the league, struggled against Texas A&M, who was playing just their second game since they came off of their COVID-19 pause.

AP Top 10 entering weekend:

1.Gonzaga 24-0 Next: WCC Tournament

2.Michigan 18-2 Next: at.Michigan State (3/7)

3.Baylor 20-1 Next: 18.Texas Tech (3/7)

4. Illinois 17-5 Next: at.7.Ohio State (3/6)

5.Iowa 18-7 Next: 25.Wisconsin (3/7)

6.West Virginia 17-7 Next: 17.Oklahoma State (3/6)

7.Ohio State 18-7 Next: 4.Illinois (3/6)

8.Alabama 20-6 Next: at.Georgia (3/6)

9.Houston 20-3 Next: at.Memphis (3/7)

10.Villanova 16-4 Next: at.Providence (3/6)

Key games this weekend:

17.Oklahoma State at. 6.West Virginia (Saturday, 2 PM ET, TBD)

Oklahoma State has gone 2-1 its last three games with a sweep of rival Oklahoma and a tough loss to Big 12 champion Baylor. Point Guard Cade Cunningham is proving to be everything a number one pick needs to be, highlighted by a 40 point performance in a Saturday win over Oklahoma. West Virginia lost to Baylor on Monday night but got a win later in the week over bottom dweller TCU. With a win, the Mountaineers can lock up the two seed next week in Kansas City at the Big 12 Tournament but can too, even with a loss. But it will be no easy task with Cade Cunningham, Kalib Boone and the Cowboys coming to town. Projected Score: West Virginia 76, Oklahoma State 71

USC at. UCLA (Saturday, 4 PM ET, CBS)

USC and UCLA are both on cold streaks. The Trojans have fallen into second place in the Pac-12 (despite a win over top place Oregon a few weeks ago), going 2-2 in their last four games. The Bruins fell to third place in the conference, with back to back losses to Colorado and Oregon. UCLA needs a win at home in Westwood to earn a split in the regular season with their LA rivals on Saturday afternoon. Projected Score: USC 70, UCLA 62

4.Illinois at. 7.Ohio State (Saturday, 4 PM ET, ESPN)

Despite losing star point guard Ayo Dosunmo to a facial injury, Illinois has gone 3-1 in his absence, including its most recent win over Big Ten champion Michigan in Ann Arbor (to prevent them from winning it at the time). Ayo is “day to day” according to thespun.com, but has gone through some light team workouts today. So, Illinois fans should be optimistic. Ohio State was riding high even after a tough 92-87 loss to Michigan two weeks ago. Ohio State followed that loss with dropping games to Michigan State and top five ranked Iowa, now residing in fifth place in the Big Ten. Despite its placing in the conference (18-7, 12-7 Big Ten), most mock brackets still have the Buckeyes at a projected two seed. It’s incredible just how good both the Big Ten and Big 12 are this season. We will get to see a fun game on Saturday afternoon, the winner getting big momentum heading to Indianapolis at the Big Ten tournament next week. Projected Score: Ohio State 86, Illinois 83

Duke at. North Carolina (Saturday, 6 PM ET, ESPN)

The first time these two teams met, North Carolina got the better of Duke in Durham. According to Joe Lundari’s latest Bracketology, North Carolina is slated as a ten seed and Duke is a member of the first four out. A win for North Carolina would likely keep them where they are barring multiple teams losing this weekend ahead of them. A loss would move them closer to needing to win a few next week in Greensboro at the ACC Tournament. Even with a win for Duke, they would still need to make it a few rounds in the ACC Tournament, likely to the semifinals in Greensboro with a win in Chapel Hill on Saturday. Both would love a win in their last regular season game I am sure to build momentum headed into postseason play next week. Projected Score: North Carolina 79, Duke 71

25.Wisconsin at. 5.Iowa (Sunday, 12:30 PM ET, FOX)

Iowa has been dominant in their last few games with a win over then number four ranked Ohio State. Iowa lost to Big Ten champion Michigan a week ago which was just their second loss in eight games. Wisconsin is on the other end of the spectrum. The Badgers have losses to ranked Purdue, Illinois (twice), Iowa, and Michigan over their last eight games. National player of the year frontrunner (big man) Luka Garza (over 24 points per game) and awesome Iowa offense will be the difference in this game. Projected Score: Iowa 73, Wisconsin 61

18.Texas Tech at. 3.Baylor (Sunday, 4 PM ET, ESPN)

Texas Tech is riding high with wins over rival Texas and Big 12 bottom dweller Iowa State. Baylor had its first setback of the season last Saturday, losing to Kansas in 71-58 loss. But since, they have wins over West Virginia (who is second place in the Big 12), and wrapped up a Big 12 regular season championship. Surging Oklahoma State (fifth place in the Big 12) is led by star freshman guard Cade Cunningham. Baylor star junior guard Jared Butler has been phenomenal the last few games, averaging over 17 points. ESPN will broadcast an unusual Sunday men’s college basketball game for the network, but it will be a treat without a doubt. Projected Score: Baylor 77, Texas Tech 76

2.Michigan at. Michigan State (Sunday, 4:30 PM ET, CBS)

The two met on Thursday with Michigan clinching the Big Ten regular season championship. Michigan State needs a win here to strengthen their NCAA Tournament case despite having many chances next week in the Big Ten tournament, which is perceived to be the toughest conference in America. I see it going the same way it went on Thursday. Projected Score: Michigan 85, Michigan State 76

The National Invitational Tournament (NIT), is cutting its annual postseason tournament in half it announced Monday. The NIT is moving from its usual 32 team event down to 16 teams. It will all be played in the Dallas-Fort Worth area with games at Comerica Center in Frisco and at UNT Coliseum on North Texas’ campus in Denton.

According to ESPN, Florida State men’s basketball coach Leonard Hamilton agreed to a five-year extension on Monday. The contract is through the 2024-2025 season that will pay him $2.25 million annually plus bonuses, the school announced on March 1. Hamilton, 72, is the winningest coach in school history and has the Seminoles on the verge of winning back-to-back ACC regular-season titles. Florida State is currently 14-4 and in first place in the ACC, and is the highest-ranked team in the league at No. 11 in the latest AP poll.

The SEC announced on Tuesday their plans for limited attendance for their conference tournament, set for March 10-13. ESPN confirmed that “Health officials are allowing a seating capacity of 20% at Bridgestone Arena for approximately 3,400 fans because of COVID-19 restrictions at the tournament starting March 10. The SEC said Tuesday that fans over the age of 2 will have to wear masks or face coverings, with gaiters, bandanas and masks with valves or vents prohibited. A face shield also won’t be enough. Anyone seeking a medical exemption to the mask requirement must reach out to the arena at least 24 hours in advance or won’t be allowed inside the arena.”