It’s that time of year again when basketball fans from all over the country come together to celebrate one of the most exciting events in sports: March Madness. This year’s tournament is sure to be even more thrilling than ever, as there are a number of young stars who are poised to make a big impact.
Some of the biggest names in college hoops will be on display, and everyone will be watching to see who can take their team all the way to the Final Four. Read on for more details on some of the top storylines to follow and just a few of the players you won’t want to miss.
It’s Time for March Madness
The NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Tournament, popularly known as March Madness, is one of the most exciting events in sports. Sixty-four teams battle it out on the hardwood in this college-wide tournament to see who will be crowned champion. This year’s tournament is sure to be thrilling, as it’s the first since COVID changed the world.
Top Storylines of 2022
This year, the talent is off the charts as we have a class of highly skilled basketball squads competing for the title. Here are some of the top storylines to follow throughout the tournament:
Which young star will take their team on a Cinderella run?
In recent years, we’ve seen a number of surprising teams led by young stars make deep runs in the tournament. Who will be this year’s breakout player or team? Will there be a major upset?
Will the West hold strong or will Eastern teams dominate?
The last Western school to win the national championship was the University of Arizona Wildcats who won in 1997—25 years ago. That’s also the last and only time a No. 4 seeded team has won the title. This year the tournament features the University of Arizona again—this time as a No. 1 seed- and the No. 4 seeded UCLA. Could one of them win it all?
Which players are considered the best draft prospects in this year’s tournament?
Which talented college athletes may be playing their final games in collegiate uniforms? Who should we watch as possible draft picks in this year’s NBA draft?
Cinderella Stories
The Colorado State Rams are ranked No. 6 this year, but that number may not fully reflect their ability to dominate. Their roster boasts two of the top young athletes to watch: forward David Roddy and point guard Isaiah Stevens. Between the former’s elite shooting and the latter’s impressive assist to turnover ratio, the Rams are an impressive force on the hardwood.
One lower-seeded team that could bust some brackets is No. 12 University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). The UAB Blazers are an experienced and athletic bunch, matching up well against most opponents. Following the leadership of point guard Jordan “Jelly” Walker, this team is poised for a fairytale run.
Finally, the sharp shooters of No. 10 seeded Davidson have a chance at an upset. This team isn’t headlined by a distinct star, but they’ve proven their ability to show up and win big games, such as in a nonconference win over Alabama earlier this season.
East Versus West
Eastern schools have dominated the NCAA men’s tournament for over two decades now. The three previous winners were Virginia, Villanova, and North Carolina. And while the last Western school to win was the University of Arizona Wildcats 25 years ago, there is some great talent coming out of the West this season.
For example, Western schools like Colorado State, San Diego State, and University of San Francisco are all considered possible bracket busters. Most prominently, of course, are the top-seeded University of Arizona Wildcats and the No. 4 UCLA Bruins. Could this be the year that a champion from the West is crowned?
Top Draft Prospects
This year’s tournament features three top-tier players expected to be high draft picks when the NBA selects new players in June. Those top players are Chet Holmgren from Gonzaga, Jabari Smith from Auburn, and Paolo Banchero from Duke. All three are freshman, and thus a leap to the NBA would make them members of the “one-and-done” club that the NCAA continues to grapple with.
Since Gonzaga is the overall top seed and both Auburn and Duke are seeded at number 2, we are likely to watch these players in several games as they lead their teams on deep tournament runs. Could a breakout performance shake up their potential draft order?
Takeaway
The biggest takeaway this year is that anything can happen. After two years without a tournament, the excitement is ratcheted up and the teams and young players are ready to shine under the bright lights.