My top four to win the NCAA Tournament...

     Given the collapse of the Big 10 in the post-season, it makes it more difficult to take Michigan seriously.  I've still got them in my top four to win the whole thing, but I'm not holding my breath on the Wolverines. For the record, here are my picks.

1. Gonzaga

2. Baylor

3. Michigan

4. Alabama.

        It's been a Gonzaga kind of year. The Zags are still undefeated and have had not close games.  They have three NBA future players in their starting line-up. Not many teams can say that. I'm picking Gonzaga to win the whole shooting match. They are balanced, all five starters can score, they are disciplined.  Often overlooked, they play together as a team. A great team is often greater than the sum of its parts, and when you have as many outstanding players as the Zags have, that puts them in the all-time best territory. All that being said, there is one team that might beat them. 

       That team is the Baylor Bears. The Big 12 team is a cohesive team whose ability to score can't be stopped. I'm not joking. They lost a game after a COVID pause, and it took some time to get going again.  When they did, they simply had no real competition. I think a Gonzaga-Baylor final might be the best final the NCAA Tournament has ever seen. 

 

       Michigan is a more traditional team. They have a tremendous post player.  They can out-rebound anyone they play, and they can shoot. Their weakness is they depend on their inside game to win.  Shut down the inside game, and you shut down Michigan.  LSU ran out of energy, or they would have beaten the Wolverines. M go Blue is the last chance to win a national championship for the Big 10.  No team from that league has won a national championship in over two decades.

      Alabama is on my list, and that is not being a homer.  For Alabama, the recipe for winning a national championship is simple.  Shoot the rock from downtown at 40% or above. The Tide's defense is solid and is rated d 3rd in the nation right now.  John Petty, Alex Reese, and Josh Primos showed some signs of being over their shooting slump. Another plus is the emergence of Juwan Gary inside.  

     This has been a special season to be a Tide fan.  Alabama has now won 26 games.  That is in one season and not two. Nate Oats has brought a new attitude and mindset to the Capstone.