We are only SEVEN games away from crowning an NCAA Men’s Basketball Champion! Today will show the highs and the lows, the good and the bad, and the dreams that came true along with the broken ones. There’s no other time like this in sports. It’s March Madness!
The Elite Eight consists of these eight teams: #1 seeds Kansas, Oregon, Virginia, and North Carolina, #2 seeds Oklahoma and Villanova, #6-seeded Notre Dame, and last, but certainly not least, #10-seeded Syracuse.
#1 Oregon vs #2 Oklahoma
Our first match-up of the Elite 8 consists of two of the most athletic, exciting, and versatile teams in the country. Oregon is lead by Dillon Brooks, who averages 17 ppg while adding 3 apg. Oklahoma is led by NBA prospect, and Sunrise High School alumni, Buddy Hield who averages 25 ppg.
Make or break moment: Oregon has the ability to really pick up the pace in the last ten minutes of the second half, so for them to win, they need to lock down on defense and crash the boards late. Oklahoma on the other hand needs to get off to a hot start and consistently hit their shots if they want to advance to the Final Four. I think Oregon gets the nod, just for the fact that OU’s entire offense revolves around one player.
#1 Kansas vs #2 Villanova
This is the PREMIER match-up of the tournament so far. The overall number one ranked team in the tourney versus the hottest team in college basketball right now. It’s sure to be a classic
Make or break moment: Villanova has been on fire recently shooting 62% from the field along with 66% from the three point line (five of those three-pointers coming from star forward Kris Jenkins). If ‘Nova keeps this up, they have the best chance at winning the title this year. In the Jayhawks’ case, it’s all about tenacity and defense. The Hawks held Maryland, a team who shot almost 49% from the field during the regular season, to 40% shooting, including only 20% from deep. If Kansas guard Frank Mason can provide scoring along with some above-average defense, I see the Jayhawks coming out with the W.
#1 Virginia vs #10 Syracuse
The Cinderella Story of this year’s NCAA tournament has definitely been the Syracuse Orange, who, as a ten-seed, have been able to get very favorable matches up until this point. That stops here. The Cavaliers of Virginia are nothing to be played with. The Cavs play with a San Antonio Spur-like idea of sharing the ball, which will be a problem for Syracuse
Make or break moment: The Orange will have to play out of their minds if they want to be able to compete with Virginia, but their 2-3 defensive scheme certainly helps the case. For Virginia, it’s all about consistency. If they can consistently get the ball to the middle of Syracuse’s defense, they should have no problem in beating them. I think Virginia comes out on top in a not-so-close game
#1 North Carolina vs #6 Notre Dame
Notre Dame certainly comes into this game as the underdog, but that won’t phase them. This game could end up as the second-biggest upset in this year’s tournament (behind Michigan St. losing at the hands of Middle Tennessee). UNC has a very clever offensive scheme along with some great talent, so this game could end up close,
Make or break moment: If UNC can keep Notre Dame’s perimeter shooting down, then they should be able to win this game with ease, BUT Notre Dame will come at them with brutal physicality and heart, so this game might come down to the wire. At the end of the day, I have to give the nod to the Tar Heels. Too much size and talent.
Agree or disagree with any of these outcomes? Let us know down below!
Recent Comments