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Our 2022 NCAA event brackets are damaged. All of them. And the uncle who claims he had Saint Peter’s within the Elite Eight? He is mendacity for the ninth 12 months in a row. We have by no means seen his precise bracket.
Your sibling who mentioned they picked Miami to make the Elite Eight for the primary time? Positive. And yeah, each Duke fan knew Coach Okay would attain the Elite Eight in his remaining season. OK.
At this level within the season, nonetheless, nothing is sensible in a subject that options only one high seed (Kansas) among the many remaining eight.
That brings us to our reseeding of the Elite Eight. At this level, what does that even imply? Effectively, we hope it implies that we’re taking a tough take a look at the remaining groups and telling you the place we expect all of them stand proper now.
However everybody on this record is an efficient crew that ought to pat itself on the again for reaching the stage. And each crew on this record has achieved one thing to make you assume {that a} run to New Orleans is feasible.
This is the place we expect all of them stand.
1. Kansas Jayhawks
Unique seed: No. 1
Elite Eight seed: No. 1
2022 event report: Defeated No. 16 Texas Southern 83-56; defeated No. 9 Creighton 79-72; defeated No. Four Windfall 66-61
In 2020-21, Remy Martin recorded 4 video games with 30 factors or extra for Arizona State. With Ochai Agbaji and David McCormack coming back from the earlier season, Kansas did not want any further items. Nonetheless, Martin’s arrival by means of the switch portal over the summer time expanded the expertise pool for a squad that was already thought of a nationwide championship contender.
Then his season stalled, due to a lingering knee damage. Even when he was out there for lengthy stretches at the beginning of the season, Martin by no means appeared like the primary crew all-Pac-12 participant who had averaged 19.1 PPG in back-to-back seasons earlier than coming to Lawrence. As Kansas continued to excel, he had challenges discovering a task on a crew that had established gamers at each spot on the ground and dependable reserves.
However this, proper now, is the Remy Martin we thought we might see again in November. That is the Remy Martin who has given Invoice Self a major alternative to win his second nationwide title. Because the begin of the Huge 12 event, KU’s opponents have made simply 39.8% of their photographs contained in the arc. That protection is guiding this crew. And Martin has been constant, averaging 19.Three PPG and connecting on 64% of his photographs contained in the arc and 40% of his 3-point makes an attempt within the NCAA event.
5 months in the past, we questioned what Kansas’ ceiling was: “How good can Kansas be if Martin turns into the identical star he was within the Pac-12?” Now we’ve the reply.
Up subsequent: vs. Miami (Sunday, 2:20 p.m. ET, CBS)
2. Houston Cougars
Unique seed: No. 5
Elite Eight seed: No. 1
2022 event report: Defeated No. 12 UAB 82-68; defeated No. Four Illinois 68-53; defeated No. 1 Arizona 72-60
Kelvin Sampson continues to be taking his shirt off and celebrating together with his guys after main Houston to the Elite Eight for the second consecutive season. However 2022’s run is much more spectacular. After the Cougars bowed out of final 12 months’s Closing 4, they misplaced their No. 1 and three scorers, Quentin Grimes and DeJon Jarreau. Then, an damage in December ended the 2021-22 season for Marcus Sasser, who had taken over from Grimes because the No. 1 scorer for Houston. Tramon Mark, who averaged 7.Eight PPG final season, additionally suffered a year-ending damage in December. And identical to that, Sampson had a crew that, it appeared, may wrestle to win the American Athletic Convention title.
However this group has been tenacious. It’s 12-1 in its final 13 video games, 11 of which have been gained by 12 factors or extra. Since Feb. 17, the Cougars have made 55% of their photographs contained in the arc and grabbed 38% of their missed photographs, per Barttorvik.com. They’ve gained their three NCAA event video games by 41 factors mixed. Fabian White Jr. and Josh Carlton have supplied the toughness across the rim. And Kyler Edwards, who transferred from Texas Tech, has averaged 17.Four PPG and linked on 46% of his 3-point makes an attempt in his final 5 video games. Houston isn’t just an important story. Houston is a severe contender to win the nationwide championship.
Up subsequent: vs. Villanova (Saturday, 6:09 p.m. ET, TBS)
3. Duke Blue Devils
Unique seed: No. 2
Elite Eight seed: No. 1
2022 event report: Defeated No. 15 CSU Fullerton 78-61; defeated No. 7 Michigan State 85-76; defeated No. Three Texas Tech 78-73
Youth is usually a problem at this stage within the season, even when these younger gamers may quickly develop into millionaires with NBA contracts. When Duke misplaced to North Carolina in Mike Krzyzewski’s remaining recreation at Cameron Indoor Stadium, it appeared as if the stress was attending to a Duke crew that is anchored by younger expertise. Perhaps this highlight was all an excessive amount of for them. The defeat tempered expectations of Duke within the postseason. It was additionally a reminder that the majority younger groups have struggled to match the hype. The one packages within the one-and-done period (after 2005) which have nationwide championships both had Anthony Davis (Kentucky in 2012) or three first-round NBA draft picks (Duke in 2015).
On Thursday, nonetheless, all of us witnessed the promise of a crew stacked with younger stars. Duke had been locked in a wild recreation with Texas Tech, which boasted the highest protection in America. The sport featured 11 ties and 13 lead modifications. The crew that turned the nook within the final 10 minutes would win. That crew was Duke. Paolo Banchero (24 factors) hit a pair of essential 3s late within the recreation. Mark Williams (16 factors, eight rebounds, three blocks) saved taking part in excessive of an undersized Crimson Raiders squad. Jeremy Roach rumbled into the paint for clutch performs down the stretch. AJ Griffin (3-for-7 from 3) had been fearless. It was a reminder that, sure, this Duke crew is younger. However when the sport comes right down to the ultimate performs on this event, the Blue Devils can have the superior expertise. That actuality is why they’re nonetheless preventing and taking part in for a shot on the Closing 4 on Saturday. That actuality is why Coach Okay may win his sixth and remaining nationwide championship.
Up subsequent: vs. Arkansas (Saturday, 8:49 p.m. ET, TBS)
4. Villanova Wildcats
Unique seed: No. 2
Elite Eight seed: No. 1
2022 event report: Defeated No. 15 Delaware 80-60; defeated No. 7 Ohio State 71-61; defeated No. 11 Michigan 63-55
One of the painful photographs of 2020-21 unfolded when Collin Gillespie limped off the ground towards Creighton on March 3, after struggling a season-ending knee damage. He had not been recognized but with a torn MCL, however the silence within the constructing was palpable. Villanova followers knew it was dangerous. Gillespie would ultimately resolve to rehab and return for a fifth season, benefiting from the NCAA’s COVID guidelines that granted each participant one other 12 months of faculty eligibility. Now, the purpose guard has dedicated turnovers on simply 13.5% of his possessions and made 42% of his 3-point makes an attempt by means of the Wildcats’ three event wins, per Barttorvik.com.
Regular level guards (see: Ryan Arcidiacono and Jalen Brunson) have been vital items for Villanova’s 2015-16 and 2017-18 squads that gained nationwide titles. However there’s one other similarity between the three groups: their late-season dominance. The 2015-16 Wildcats completed 11-1 of their final 12 video games; solely three of these wins have been determined by single digits. The 2017-18 squad gained 13 of its remaining 14 video games, with solely a kind of determined by single digits. This 12 months? Villanova is 13-1 in its final 14. It has performed extra shut contests than the earlier title groups, however the Wildcats are trending in the identical course.
Up subsequent: vs. Houston (Saturday, 6:09 p.m. ET, TBS)
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Arkansas stuns Gonzaga within the Candy 16 because the 4-seed Razorbacks advance to the Elite Eight.
5. Arkansas Razorbacks
Unique seed: No. 4
Elite Eight seed: No. 2
2022 event report: Defeated No. 13 Vermont 75-71; defeated No. 12 New Mexico State 53-48; defeated No. 1 Gonzaga 74-68
Twenty years in the past, Eric Musselman was named head coach of the Golden State Warriors. He was in his late 30s, and he had secured his dream job. Two years later, he was fired after lacking the playoffs in consecutive seasons. Musselman talked about the arc of his storyline on Thursday after he led his Arkansas crew to a win over Gonzaga, the No. 1 general seed. He instructed ESPN it felt extra particular to attain the win within the Bay Space. However Arkansas isn’t just the crew that price followers an opportunity to see a heavyweight matchup between Gonzaga and Duke on Saturday. It is a program that continues to search out an edge in tight video games. All of its NCAA event video games have been determined by a median of 5 factors.
Though the postgame narrative has centered on what Gonzaga didn’t do, it has additionally minimized what the Razorbacks achieved: This will probably be their second consecutive Elite Eight look, and second Elite Eight journey since 1995. In opposition to a crew with projected top-three NBA draft choose Chet Holmgren and certain All-American Drew Timme on the court docket, 6-foot-10 NBA prospect Jaylin Williams held his personal. JD Notae was too fast for Gonzaga’s guards. Au’Diese Toney, Trey Wade and Stanley Umude have been too athletic. If the Razorbacks can beat essentially the most dominant crew in school basketball this season, then nothing is inconceivable for this group, which has dedicated turnovers on simply 11.7% of its possessions for the reason that begin of the NCAA event.
Up subsequent: vs. Duke (Saturday, 8:49 p.m. ET, TBS)
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North Carolina has a pair of back-to-back 3s from Caleb Love and a clutch tip from Armando Bacot down the stretch to advance to the Elite Eight.
6. North Carolina Tar Heels
Unique seed: No. 8
Elite Eight seed: No. 2
2022 event report: Defeated No. 9 Marquette 95-63; defeated No. 1 Baylor 93-86 (OT); defeated No. Four UCLA 73-66
There have been plenty of shifting components on this North Carolina roster at the beginning of the 2021-22 season. Head coach Hubert Davis had been an assistant for almost 9 years beneath Roy Williams in Chapel Hill, however the position nonetheless takes a while to get used to. There have been new faces, resembling Oklahoma switch Brady Manek, making an attempt to slot in with the returning gamers. Every little thing needed to come collectively for this crew to hit its stride.
“One thing that I like about our crew is that we are able to change, we are able to modify, we are able to pivot, to ensure that us to be higher on the market on the ground,” Davis mentioned earlier this season. “However I am additionally hopeful that there is a recreation the place we do not have to and we play nice your entire recreation.”
Getting into Friday’s 73-66 win over UCLA within the Candy 16, the Tar Heels had been one of the best crew in America, per Barttorvik.com, since March 5 — 21st in adjusted offensive effectivity, seventh in adjusted defensive effectivity — the evening they beat Duke in Coach Okay’s remaining dwelling recreation. This system had embraced the continuity Davis had craved.
That is additionally a bunch of gamers, nonetheless, who’ve bonded and settled into their respective roles. Caleb Love scored 27 of his 30 factors within the second half towards the Bruins. It was no secret that North Carolina would proceed to go to him down the stretch. However Love’s teammates made room for him to shine. Armando Bacot ‘s onerous screens. The Tar Heels’ rebounding to get second-chance alternatives. The spacing. The objective was clear: Let the teammate with the new arms go to work. That is the signal of a squad that has come collectively on the proper time.
Up subsequent: vs. Saint Peter’s (Sunday, 5:05 p.m. ET, CBS)
7. Saint Peter’s Peacocks
Unique seed: No. 15
Elite Eight seed: No. 2
2022 event report: Defeated No. 2 Kentucky 85-79 (OT); defeated No. 7 Murray State 70-60; defeated No. Three Purdue 67-64
In case you return and browse the outdated press clippings about Shaheen Holloway when he was at Seton Corridor, you will study that his crew often relied on him. Along with his squad set to face Oklahoma State within the Candy 16 in 2000, all eyes have been on the well being of Holloway, who had suffered an ankle damage within the spherical of 32.
“We have tried all the pieces we are able to,” a crew coach instructed the Washington Publish on the time. “He is gone from two crutches to at least one yesterday to none at the moment. It’s going to be as much as the physician and him.”
This concept that Holloway modifications packages is value addressing, after his Saint Peter’s squad turned the primary 15-seed in NCAA event historical past to achieve the Elite Eight with a 67-64 win over 3-seed Purdue on Friday.
This Peacocks crew has embodied the energy and tenacity that made Holloway an important participant for these Seton Corridor squads. It is one factor to hit a bunch of 3s and beat a high crew since you have been simply scorching that day. However that is not what occurred towards Purdue. That is not what has occurred all through this event. The Peacocks have been higher than Kentucky within the remaining minutes of a detailed first-round recreation. They outlasted a Murray State crew that hadn’t misplaced in a month. After which they beat a Purdue squad Friday led by projected lottery choose Jaden Ivey and two of the highest large males within the league, Zach Edey and Trevion Williams.
Their roster is filled with gamers who weren’t ranked out of highschool. However they have been aggressive and gained on the free throw line (19-for-21) and through defensive stress that refused to offer the Boilermakers something simple within the remaining minutes. KC Ndefo had fouled out. Did not matter. Down the stretch, level guard Matthew Lee (11 assists, two turnovers by means of three NCAA event video games) refused to let the Boilermakers change his crew’s id. And now Saint Peter’s has made historical past.
Up subsequent: vs. North Carolina (Sunday, 5:05 p.m. ET, CBS)
8. Miami Hurricanes
Unique seed: No. 10
Elite Eight seed: No. 2
2022 event report: Defeated No. 7 USC 68-66; defeated No. 2 Auburn 79-61; defeated No. 11 Iowa State 70-56
Miami had a number of alternatives through the common season to earn the next seed on Choice Sunday. The Hurricanes had been concerned in a handful of shut video games: They have been swept by Florida State in two one-point video games. There was a three-point loss to Virginia and a one-point loss to Virginia Tech. All video games the Hurricanes — who beat Duke and North Carolina — may have gained so as to add to a résumé that does not inform the complete story about their season. And that may be the distinction within the NCAA event. A crew, on paper, can look higher or worse than it truly is.
Miami clearly has the expertise to compete towards one of the best groups in America. Kameron McGusty (27 factors on Friday) has been a pacesetter for this group. Sixth-year standout Charlie Moore is a trusted veteran presence. Miami’s 6-foot-10 heart Sam Waardenburg has made 42% of his 3-point makes an attempt this season. And Miami has now defeated a very good Pac-12 crew (USC), the SEC champion (Auburn) and an Iowa State crew that had orchestrated one of many nation’s best turnarounds after profitable simply two video games final season. Jim Larrañaga has put all of it collectively to steer Miami to its first Elite Eight look at school historical past.
Up subsequent: vs. Kansas (Sunday, 2:20 p.m. ET, CBS)
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