Who’s cutting down the nets?

Selection Sunday is finally upon us. After months of waiting, March Madness is here. Not to flex but I picked Uconn to win it all last year, and I’m looking to continue the streak. Here’s my top 3 picks to win it all this year. I hope to break the Chris Curse, but we’ll see. 

Starting off with the obvious, is Uconn. It’s hard to repeat, but if there’s a team to do it, it’s this Uconn team. They’re ranked #2, they are set to play in the Big East Tournament game tomorrow against Marquette. They’re bound to win again, sweeping Marquette this year. They spanked them by 30 at home, and won by 7 away. This Uconn team is dominant on both sides of the ball. Their offense flows through guard Tristan Newton, who leads the team in points, rebounds, and assists per game with 14.9, 7.1, and 5.8. They only have 3 losses on the year so far, and I don’t see a fourth coming anytime soon. With them being the clear cut number 1 and not slowing down, it feels illegal to not mention them. This team is a well oiled machine that is destined for a deep run. The floor is Elite 8 and the ceiling is cutting down the nets again. 

The next contender I absolutely love is North Carolina. This team is set up nicely for a deep run this year. Led by ACC player of the year in R.J. Davis, and 5 star freshman Elliot Cadeau. These two guards have dominated opposing defenses, and when they’re not Armando Bacot and Stanford transfer Harrison Ingram are. I’d feel bad not mentioning Cormac Ryan, who dropped a career-high 31 points against Duke to win the regular season ACC title. North Carolina always performs in March, and they’ll perform this year as well. R.J Davis is going to show the rest of college ball why he’s one of the best players in the game right now. I think my bracket is gonna either be Uconn beating UNC or UNC beating Uconn, but I can’t decide.

My final pick to win is Purdue. As much as it pains me, Purdue is actually good this year. Last year I hated Purdue. This year I hate Purdue. But game respects game, and they got game. Led by potential Naismith Player of the Year and Big 10 Player of the Year in Zach Edey, Purdue has been rolling teams. Edey is averaging 24.2 points per game, 11.7 rebounds per game, and 2.0 assists per game. He’s currently leading all of college in points per game, and for a good reason. His 7’4 frame dominates opposing bigs, and when he’s not Purdue’s guards are. Lance Jones and Braden Smith are absolutely electric, and can knock down 3’s and dish the ball with ease. As much as I hate Zach Edey and Purdue, they actually have potential this year. I was their biggest hater last year, and this team has made leaps and bounds from last year. This is a completely different team, and they know it. This team plays with a whole new swagger and confidence they lacked last year. 

This year should be absolutely bonkers, and honestly anyone could win it. Hopefully it’s someone I pick, but this year is wide open.