The East Area has an attention-grabbing look with a variety of expertise this yr. With the No. 1 total seeded UConn being the favourite, groups comparable to Iowa State, Auburn and Illinois shall be seeking to seek out the highest canine. The trail won’t be straightforward for anybody, nonetheless, with final yr’s Ultimate 4 group Florida Atlantic, Drake and UAB seeking to make some Cinderella magic.
Why No. 1 UConn Wins
It’s uncommon to see a defending nationwide champion have this a lot success within the following yr, however with a 31-3 report and the No. 1 total seed, the Huskies have exceeded 2022-23. With a high-scoring offense that averages 81.5 factors per sport and a stifling protection that ranks fifteenth within the nation, that is clearly UConn’s bracket to lose. Led by guard Tristen Newton and 7-foot-2 heart Donovan Clingan, who have been on final yr’s championship group, the Huskies are extraordinarily daunting to be overwhelmed of their first few video games. With a supporting solid of Cam Spencer, a 44.4 % shooter from deep, Alex Karaban and Stephon Fortress, UConn is a well-rounded and deep group led by an excellent coach in Dan Hurley. One of many keys to the Huskies success this yr has been their means to maneuver the ball. UConn ranks sixth within the nation in assists, averaging 18.5 per sport, serving to them grow to be a top-30 offensive group.
Why No. 1 Seed UConn Gained’t Win
Whereas UConn is about as well-rounded as they arrive on either side, one factor to notice is that it ranks within the backside half of the nation in opponent’s turnovers. The Huskies opponents solely common 10.7 turnovers per sport, which suggests they’ll possess the ball extra and probably get a turnover edge. Whereas it’s a favorable bracket, UConn shall be taking up some unfamiliar groups, which might assist them to catch the favourite off guard. UConn has the clear edge to make it to Phoenix as a 1 seed, however with groups like Illinois or Iowa state probably of their path within the Elite Eight, it received’t be a cake stroll. Illinois has an skilled star in Terrence Shannon and a supporting solid with toughness and focus. Iowa State has been one of many hotter groups within the nation having received the large 12 title and will trigger issues for UConn with the highest rated protection (effectivity) within the nation per KenPom.
Candy 16 Sleeper
Drake Bulldogs
The Missouri Valley convention champion Drake Bulldogs are again within the dance after being the No. 12 seed final yr and dropping within the first spherical. Drake has one other high-scoring offense which averages 80.5 factors per sport. Led by 21.8 factors per sport scorer Tucker DeVries, the Bulldogs may have a troublesome take a look at towards Washington State earlier than probably taking up two seed Iowa State. Drake might want to depend on its offense and rebounding to drag off back-to-back upsets, however the the trail is there. Drake might want to hunker down on protection towards a stable Washington State group if it needs an opportunity of constructing the Candy 16. The Bulldogs gave up 70.5 factors per sport and shouldn’t be seeking to get right into a scoring battle with the Cougars in a March Insanity setting. Washington State hasn’t allowed 80 factors since Feb. 3, so Drake’s offense will have to be on its finest sport on this one. For my part, both of these groups has the potential to take down Iowa State and dance their option to the Candy 16.
Ultimate 4 Sleeper
Auburn Tigers
The SEC champions are getting into the event as a No. 4 seed after going 27-7 on the yr. Auburn has one of many highest scoring offenses within the nation with 83.3 factors per sport, and it solely provides up 68. As I discussed earlier, the Tigers might have one of the best probability out of any group to beat UConn on this area. Whereas I wouldn’t be stunned at any early upset for Auburn, I might simply as simply see this proficient group led by Johni Broome make a run on the Ultimate 4. Coming into the event on a six-game profitable streak, Auburn is a group that no person needs to face on this event.
High 1st Spherical Matchup
No. 7 Washington State vs. No. 10 Drake
Washington State’s protection versus Drake’s excessive powered offense shall be one of the crucial attention-grabbing matchups in all the bracket in spherical one. Though the decrease seed, Drake comes into the matchup as a slight one-point favourite. Washington State permits simply 66.9 factors per sport and has revved up its protection as of late. The important thing to this sport shall be whether or not the Cougars can restrict the Bulldogs on protection and if not, whether or not they can rating sufficient to drag out the victory. If Drake can rating over 75 factors, it ought to have a good chance. Washington State has overwhelmed a troublesome Arizona group twice this yr, so it ought to be ready to deal with the Bulldogs, but when their capturing is on, this may very well be an intense sport with a basic March really feel to it to wrap up Thursday’s video games.
Finest Beneath the Radar Matchup
No. 8 FAU vs. No. 9 Northwestern
Final yr’s Cinderella Ultimate 4 group, FAU, is again within the event for a matchup towards the Large Ten’s Northwestern. This matchup ought to be an in depth and intriguing one, with FAU’s offense seeking to outmatch the Wildcats, who rank 192nd in factors per sport. If Northwestern can decelerate the Owls’ offense, it should make this an attention-grabbing sport. The rebounding class favors FAU, which shall be one other key space on this matchup as a result of struggles of the Wildcats in that space. The matchup of Boo Buie towards Johnell Davis might decide how this sport goes. Northwestern will want Buie to be even higher than he’s already been this yr if it needs an opportunity to advance to the following spherical.
High Potential Participant Matchup
Johnell Davis vs. Boo Buie
Boo Buie averages only one extra level than Johnell Davis this yr and the 2 will go head-to-head within the first spherical of the event with each of their groups needing them to step as much as the problem. Davis is a powerful guard that may get to the rim at will, or discover his stroke from outdoors to harm groups from everywhere in the court docket. On the opposite aspect, Buie is a pure scorer who can shoot it from deep, capturing 44.3 % from 3-point vary and also can make performs for his group.
High 5 NBA Draft Prospects
1. Stephon Fortress (UConn)
6-foot-6 freshman guard Stephon Fortress has been a piece in progress however making actual strides of late. Fortress has nice dimension and may defend properly and rating on the rim together with making performs for his teammates everywhere in the court docket. His versatility and potential makes him one of the crucial intriguing prospects to look at within the event.
2. Terrence Shannon (Illinois)
The Illini Senior guard was suspended after which introduced again and after struggling some at first has been on an absolute tear. He scored a mixed 74 factors over his final two video games and is taken into account one of many high wing prospects for this yr’s draft. A robust tourney efficiency would give him an excellent probability to be a lottery decide.
3. Jaxson Robinson (BYU)
Jaxson Robinson is a 6-foot-7 guard who has emerged as an NBA prospect this season. Robinson averaged 13.8 factors this season and has super dimension and ability for a guard of his stature. gaining confidence and consistency would be the key to unlocking his potential.
4. Donovan Clingan (UConn)
Donovan Clingan is a 7-foot-2 heart with nice dimension and toughness. Clingan, can defend the rim and rebound at a excessive stage, one thing many groups within the NBA are on the lookout for. His mobility and quickness might see some enchancment over time as bigs usually take the longest to fill into their our bodies. A robust tourney efficiency and UConn profitable all of it might assist vault him into the primary spherical of the draft,
5. Tristen Newton (UConn)
Making it three out of 5 for UConn is Tristen Newton. Newton is averaging a team-high 15.2 factors, seven rebounds and 6 assists this yr, bettering his inventory in his senior season. He’s received nice dimension for the lead guard place and edges out teammates Cam Spencer and Alex Karaban for the fifth spot.
