2024 bracket

Riley Minix is kind of interesting. He is an NAIA All-American up-transfer who has had a great year, and had a nice one against Illinois. I don’t think he moves quite well enough to be an NBA prospect, but has showed off the full Creighton-era Doug McDermott array. I feel as though he should have a nice run in the G-League next year.

Marcus Domask joins quite the list of players who have triple-doubles in NCAA Tournament games: Ja Morant, Draymond Green twice, Cole Aldrich, Dwyane Wade, Andre Miller, David Cain, Shaquille O’Neal, and Gary Grant. That is a nice list to join.

Jermaine Couisnard has put up an impressive 40 point game for Oregon to shock the higher seeded South Carolina. in the Midwest Region. Another 11th seed turned over 6th seed in East where Duquesne beat BYU.

Ryan Kalkbrenner also had a good game for Creighton and most have a chance of being a 2nd round pick if he declares. He has great size and has been looking to develop his 3 point range so will be on a few teams workout lists. Again like Edey he may lack speed for today’s NBA and isn’t the dominant scorer that Zach is.

The South Region looks loaded and could have some really tough games. North Carolina vs Arizona in Elite 8 in West Region looks a standout potential matchup.

ESPN have done a very good list of the best 50 draft prospects as they rate them in March Madness so that is a useful reference point for me. I’ll keep an eye out for prospects doing well but will mostly look to enjoy watching some of the big match ups.

Jack Gohlke probably just had the most remarkable individual performance in an upset in tournament history. Ali Farokhmanesh, Bryce Drew, Sherwood Brown, Jairus Lyles… none compare. Moments, sure, but not full game. The fact that he made only 4-8 from inside the arc while attempting more than 330 threes all season makes his story even better.

Also, the SEC is not a serious basketball league, and someone has to show the league results in the tournament to the selection committee.

How long does it take Kentucky to raise enough money to fire Calipari?

Still laughing about the used car salesman Cal having his team dumped out of the tournament. Bang does go the chance to see more of his draft friendly bench too.

Gohlke scoring all his open play points from beyond the 3 point line is not something I’ can remember ever happening for that volume of points. Let alone not even taking a shot in the paint.

Cal’s buyout would be $33.75 million I just checked up so if you add on the cost of hiring a new coach I don’t see him going anywhere soon.

Most bracket predictions will have been burnt too but who doesn’t love a shock. I do like UK but Cal was so much all about getting his one and done guys drafted I can laugh when he comes up short. This ranks with his 2015 Final 4 when Wisconsin became the one in 38-1.

The thing is they had Antonio Reeves and Tre Mitchell who were both covid 5th year players. They got less than they expected from Aaron Bradshaw and Justin Edwards, but more than they possibly could have expected from Reed Sheppard. It wasn’t about living and dying with one-and-dones. It was that they wanted to live and die by the three and not worry about guarding anyone. They didn’t have to play that way. While I never thought they were as talented as some people claimed, they were talented enough so that playing such a high variance style of basketball was foolish. Trey Townsend had a great game, but is listed at 6’6″. Chris Conway is listed at 6’9″. I saw enough Ivisic this year to know he wasn’t well conditioned enough to play big minutes, but he did did have a 22-13-3 game over 23 minutes in a professional league’s playoffs 10 months ago. Maybe after that glorious Georgia game where he became a mock draft wonder, they could have come up with some sets to take advantage of him being a skillsy 7-footer. They chose to play a style suited the strengths of Reeves, Sheppard, and Dillingham, but not everybody on that team. They sacrificed both balance and a Plan B for a hyped up 23-10 season where they went out in the first round of the tournament. Playing a game where you trade threes at Kentucky would be like Tyson Fury foregoing his jab and just trading uppercuts on the ropes. Maybe he wins, but that style gives his opponent a better chance. A school like Oakland can have Jack Gohlke have the same kind of hot shooting night they came to rely upon from Reed Sheppard.

Maybe some of those UK players need to return. As you say BTPH they had a couple of 5th year seniors and big defensive presence Soph. Surely you could play the freshmen around them aor even use the size advantage in the frontcourt and go more halfcourt.

Sheppard and Dillingham both seem a bit undersized for current NBA backcourters and I don’t think they are as good as other hohly touted Cal one and done guys. Isivic I think really needs to return to college and try and build a draft position like how Clingan at UConn has done.

UK hand Knox and Fland coming in next year if we assume Ivisic, Bradshaw and say at least one out of Edwards and Wagner return along with Oneyenso as the defensive anchor then that is a nice core. With UK’s budget and profile they can add a couple of transfers and they’d have a solid core for next year and beyond.

Could Jaedon LeDee of SDS Aztecs be a dark horse to be drafted in the 2nd round. He hadn’t really done much in his 4 years in college but has had a real breakout year as a 5th year senior and not having made a single 3 pointer in his first 4 years is now shooting 41% from behind the line. If he still has more upside to come he’ll at worse get some summer league and training camp invites IMO.

The Colorado and Florida game was probably the most exciting game of the tourney so far and a fairly rare game where an NCAA team will score 100 and lose.

Donovan Clingan continues to cement his place as best NCAA big likely to be in this year’s draft class. Stephon Castle I’m still not sure on, he isn’t a great 3 point shooter but has good length and size for a guard so has the ability to be a great potential defender and glue guy. He also has a huge amount of upside as regards scoring and being a ball carrier. I guess he’ll declare as he’s a first round lock but part of me would like to see him return to UConn and be the main man next year. If his upside is what was touted then he could be the next best in next year’s draft after Cooper Flagg and Ace Bailey.

Ivy League Yale have just dumped out East Region 4th seeds Auburn Tigers which is a shock.

As regards Stephon Castle there was a lot of hype he could go very high in the lottery picks so things like his shooting percentages I have to look at in today’s 3 point centric NBA. But even if he might not be that star player yet he still has an elite athletic skillset and size which teams will think they can develop. There is nothing wrong with being a very solid NBA starter and an elite defender on a good team which I see as his mid to downside draft risk. Plus if UConn does go deep and he is effective in the big games then this does his prospects no harm.

Zach Edey dominating in the Purdue game even if his FT’s aren’t really doing great.

The Crimson Tide seems to be engulfing Charleston.

I tend to agree about Mark Sears, he had a very good 21/22 season but didn’t declare then so maybe not quite NBA level. When he does finish his college career he’ll get summer league/training camp opportunities but I don’t see him being drafted. He might get onto a roster and stick but maybe more a G League or overseas pro.

Edey ended up with 30/21 so was 2nd highest scoring 7ft 4ins guy tonight after Wemby who is 31/16 tonight.

The Tar Heels led by Bacot and RJ Davis have looked very solid and have the tools and experience to go deep in the tournament.

Oakland and NC State game is going to the wire.

DaRon Holmes’ Dayton have been put out by Arizona but DaRon had a couple of good tournament games after a great season and I’d have him as a potential 2nd rounder. He may not be a superstar but he is a high energy big who can shoot 3’s, good rebounder and blocker so can be an NBA bench rotation guy IMO.

Gonzaga have totally blitzed the Jayhawks in what should have been a tight game on paper. The Jayhawks did have a tight turnaround so that was a factor plus McCullar has been out and he was a key senior for them. Bill Self has admitted he is already looking at next season and will likely add a few quality transfers.

Gonzaga have been runners up twice in recent years and are through to their 9th straight last 16 so know how to go deep in March Madness. HC Mark Few must be a Naismith HOF entry in the next few years surely?

Terence Shannon Jnr looks a likely first round pick despite being a 5th year senior as he has been on a role in recent games after a couple of very good seasons. He may turn 24 this year but has good size and is NBA ready so would be a lower risk solid pick for a play off team wanting extra rotation or even a rebuilding side not wanting another a project but a rookie who can contribute from day one.

I don’t see the draft differential between Shannon and Knecht at the moment. I’m happy to have Knecht as a lottery or even a top 10 contender but he doesn’t look a top 3 to 5 level player to me yet. But if the draft is lacking star potential maybe a safer less risky pick might be the way to go.

I’d forgotten about TS Jnr’s arrest and possible charges – he is directly implicated in the case not indirectly like Brandon Miller was. Plus didn’t he take his college to court so he could continue to play, that might not sit well well with some front offices?

I’ve got DaRon as a minimum 2nd rounder as I cannot really look where he might fit in until we know who picks where. But Denver 28 and Boston especially at 30 would be natural fits for him. I had him as a possible draftee and now on my big board in my head he’d he late first round to mid 2nd round so I’ve pegged him as a guy who should IMO get drafted. I don’t want to say first round lock and say he goes 40-45 for example.

DaRon I’d say his draft range is 20 to about 45. I think he is possibly more likely to be a 2nd rounder than a first rounder.

Kolek is one of Marquette’s go to guys and if he is fully fit then they have a very strong starting 5. If we do see them vs Duke or Houston in the last 8 then that could be a great match. Marquette will have a few guys drafted mainly in the 2nd round I’d say.

Jared McCain draining 8 out of 11 threes for Duke would have made some front offices sit up too I’d think. I had him as a late first/early 2nd rounder but might have to consider him as top 20/late lottery if he continues on this run.

Purdue overwhelmed Utah State with Edey dominated again and his support crew hitting 47% of 3’s. I never knew the wonderfully named Great Osobor was born in England either?

Purdue vs Gonzaga looks another must watch game. What can Mark Few do to stop Edey or can Edey lead his team to a deep run to cap off a great college career.

Clemson have dumped Baylor out which is a slight shock. UConn seem to be overwhelming Northwestern with Clingan dominating again on the boards.

Houston cannot give away that many FTs as the tournament goes on as they will be made to pay by one of the other powerhouse teams. Also they gave up 74 points in open play so will need to tighten their defence up.

Jaedon LeDee I’m now going to say will get drafted likely in the 2nd round but if he does well against UConn then I might put him as a possible first rounder like DaRon Holmes.

A few days to take stock until the last 16 starts. Out East I think UConn will be far too strong for San Diego and I fancy Ilinois over Iowa State. Then UConn to win in the last 8.

In the West I’ll take North Carolina over Alabama and Arizona over Clemson with NC to make Final 4.

I’ll take Creighton over Tennessee and Purdue over Gonzaga which could be the match of the tournament in the MidWest. I just think Creighton could upset Purdue and make Final 4.

Finally in the South I think Marquette will take out NC State and I think Duke’s braintrust will figure out a way to beat Houston. Then Duke gets past Marquette.

Creighton potentially have Ryan Kalkbrenner who they can put on Edey so that could be a huge match up.

NBA Draftroom have DaRon in late first round and Givony and co have him at 52 on thir latest mock on ESPN. Givony and Woo question his defence a bit but agrees he can be a good NBA scorer so he must be well in the mix. They also float the idea he returns for his senior year and can further refine his game.

Clingan varies from 5,16 and 42 on the 3 mock drafts I looked at so it shows the difference there.

I wouldn’t overly concern oneself with perception of draft ranges on a guy. DaRon Holmes is a projectable big man prospect. He has good length and athleticism, and took a step forward skills wise. He was a better passer and shooter. I think he and Coleman Hawkins, should they declare and stay in, are interesting developmental big men for teams. I think I would have them behind Kel’el Ware, though I am guessing others might feel differently. I think it is worth investing in big men who have showed versatility offensively.

Tyon Grant-Foster is hard to have a strong opinion on because ultimately his stock will be determined by team doctors. He missed two years after having multiple heart surgeries. You aren’t going to find consensus on him after such circumstances. I don’t think Blake Hinson’s issues were as serious, but he also missed two years with health issues. He was fantastic this year. While not stylistically the same, they have the physical makeup teams want. Are their doctors going to ok them? Technically, Bronny James would fit into that category if one was to believe the Lakers – or other teams- were interested in him independent of his father.

Kolek has the covid year if he wants to return. I think he is a wonderful point guard. He and Juan Nunez offer an organizing, distributive point guard who can make everyone else’s job easier is a great asset. The difference, other than Kolek being 22 and Nunez 19, is that Kolek can shoot it well enough to be effective off the ball as well. With Minnesota rapidly becoming an expensive roster, could he be an understudy/successor to Mike Conley? If San Antonio doesn’t go PG early, and doesn’t get aggressive in its build, wouldn’t he be the kind of organizer and distributor they would want long-term with their early 2nd rounder? Even if they only look upon Victor and Vassell as certain long-termers, and maybe add Risacher, you need a point.

Purdue benefited from the matchup with Utah State, who was not a good shooting team. Edey’s size in the middle minimized Great Osobor’s strength in the post, and got a bad perimeter shooting team to be reliant on taking threes. You have to be able to win in the mid-range and perimeter against them. Gonzaga took some time to figure themselves out post-Timme, but really found themselves as the season went on. Part of that was also shooting the ball well from three. They were 18-36 from deep in the opening weekend around 40 percent since the start of January. They have the multitude of big bodies to throw at Edey. I think Few will see that for some odd reason Purdue has taken to switching screens, which can certainly be exploited. I think they are a live dog. Similarly, Creighton can beat Purdue from the perimeter. For Tennessee, it would have to be an absurd Dalton Knecht game, outlier shooting performances from Zeigler and Vescovi, and the luck refs that don’t want to blow the whistle. I can see Purdue being in the bonus mid-way through each of the halves against them.

DJ Wagner probably has to return to some college, Kentucky or otherwise. I don’t think he would be a lock to get taken, and even if he is a 2nd rounder might only get a two-way offer (which is not a guaranteed contract as teams churn through them quickly come January). His size isn’t great, his shot wasn’t great, was mostly poor against better opposition, and was splitting point duties. I don’t think there is a ton for teams to get excited about. I think Bradshaw and Edwards would be more likely to find favorable feedback from the NBA, even if they are nowhere near ready to see the floor. The size and athleticism to go with their prep regard means they probably don’t risk falling too far, but certainly would benefit if they take the Ware approach following a poor freshman season.

I agree Kel’el Ware will be a clear first rounder possibly lottery and likely top 20. He’s 7ft, has an NBA ready build, is athletic,he can defend and can shoot 3’s.

With Kentucky I agree that Edwards and Bradshaw could well be first rounders on upside we could even make a case for Ivisic if we look at size and upside. But I cannot see how some sites have Onyenso in their mock drafts. In the 2000’s teams would have taken him for his defensive game but with no real scoring threat can he merit being considered if he declared.

I was thinking of a player with a similar skillset to Onyenso potentially being drafted high in the 2000’s as team’s loved high potential defensive shot blockers back then. Diop springs to mind when I see Onyenso play and even the likes of Thabeet put up double figure scoring in the NCAA.

I’d hope Onyenso returns to college as he can be a dominant rim protector there and develop his shooting as you say. A frontcourt of him and Ivisic would be a good twin towers pairing for Cal to develop his roster around.

I have seen enough of Ian Schieffelin this year to know that he is a really solid college player, but it is somewhat crazy when you can’t help but notice he is at best as tall as Pelle Larsson while playing the 4 or 5.

LeDee virtually tried to carry SDS but UConn were far too strong. Castle had a very good game and has shown potential at both ends of the court. His defensive potential guarding 1 to 3 is huge and if he can improve his shooting can do well in the NBA. I’ll say he is a likely rather than possible lottery pick now.

Watching on ESPN they said thar UConn are the first defending champions to make the last 8 since Florida in 2007!

Wondered why Dan Hurley told his players not to shoot with only 30 seconds left on the clock and the game won?

Clemson have their first last 8 appearance for 44 years and only their 2nd ever which is a great feat for a Gridiron centric college.

The second two games of the night were the pick as Norrin hinted. UConn vs Illinois will be a good game and TSJ is on fire but UConn has a lot of defensive options and could put Castle on him. Also does Illinois have the size to combat Clingan who could dominate the boards.

I think this game will be closer than some think but unless Shannon has a huge 30 plus point game I see UConn winning by about 10 points.

Alabama and Clemson both have a chance to make their first final 4 but are coming off hard won games so this game might not be the prettiest with so much at stake. Alabama I think will edge it as they have a huge amount of experience and a stronger roster.

Mark Sears has the chance to play himself into draft conversation and despite his lack of size the likes of Marcus Sasser was drafted last year so smaller guards can get a chance.

Some huge match ups tonight between some real powerhouse teams . I think Duke vs Houston could be the pick but also can Gonzaga stop Edey and Purdue. Creighton vs Knecht and co also has the potential to be close. Marquette could have the easiest night which could be vital come the weekend’s games.

But all these games are pitting the best teams against each other in knockout situation so it is almost like every game is a play off game 7 or play in game. WE can see who can step up, go clutch, make the right calls or changes. It might not flip the draft board upside down but its a great advert for college ball.

Great win for the Wolfpack vs the much more fancied Marquette. They played as a team and nailed some big 3 pointers when the game threatened to be close. I must admit I hadn’t realised how big DJ Burns Jnr was his 275lbs looks a bit like Shaq’s 325lbs.

Purdue have been too strong for Gonzaga. It was a tight game at HT but Edey had a bigger 2nd half and crucially Purdue outscored Gonzaga by 9 points on their 3’s which when combined with what Edey did meant that Purdue were never going to lose.

Braden Smith with 14 points, 15 assists and 8 rebounds also had a huge game. If Purdue carry on like this they look UConn’s biggest danger IMO.

It’s 2:30am in England so not staying up much longer as final two games have only just started. I was going to log off but Brunson is having a massive game vs Spurs and will go over 60 points plus Wemby might beat his best score so far as he has 35 points.

Brunson got 61 only one off franchise record but Wemby lead his team to victory with 40/20 and 7 assists!

Two very tight final two matches in the last 16 but Duke and Tennessee moved from sweet to elite. Duke vs Houston was always going to be tight but the Duke coaching trust and players ground out a win. The Wolfpack are on a roll but I just feel Duke will grind out a win and have that bit of extra class amongst their top players.

Scheierman had a mighty game for his last in a Creighton shirt but Knecht and co got the Volunteers through. I did think Creighton would match up better than Tennessee vs Purdue but Tennessee make a very interesting contrast. A lot of the starters from both teams played very heavy minutes yesterday so that could affect the game. It could come down to the bench depth and thoise look pretty equal.

So it comes down to can Tennessee keep Zach Edey to under 25 points and somehow stop him dominating the boards or can Purdue keep Knecht quiet and to no more points than Edey gets. Purdue have the size in their kingpin and score well around him whilst Tennessee will probably take more shots and it could depend whether Knecht outscores Edey and gets over 30.

Tennessee and Purdue are both good 3 point shooting teams so if Purdue match the Volunteers pretty much points wise in that stat category then Tennessee will need to really run and gun and get more shots in to try and get Edey out of his comfort zone or try to tire him out. Tennessee’s perfect scenario is to get ahead and make Purdue try to chase the game as that would speed up their normal rhythm whilst Tennessee could run the shot clock more. But I think Knecht needs to outside Edey by 10 to make it an even game.

I think UConn takes Illinois and I’d like Sears to make a Final 4.

Wemby did only have one block so that wasn’t so good but the one block he got he took the ball and went right up the other end and scored.

Illinois only shot 25% with their FG so no way a team can ever win a game with that stat line. Domask was the only one who had any sort of game but even if TS Jnr had hit 20 plus points they would still have lost. Clingan has cemented his place as best NBA game ready big man in the NCAA I’ll give Edey the respect as the best big man in the NCAA but I now have Clingan as a top 10 pick and 2nd big taken after Sarr more strongly enforced.

I’d be interested to know what Stephon Castle’s +/- are as despite not being a good shooter yet he always seems to chip in with rebounds, assists and has a good defensive game. He might not be a franchise changer but can be the glue guy around the stars and who can give a contending team great service in due course.

Crimson Tide into first ever Final 4 with Mark Sears having his 3 pointer shooting boots on.

If Castle can improve his shot then he can go right to the top. Just needs to get on the right team.

I don’t see Alabama beating UConn. My head still says a UConn and Purdue final, Duke still being in the tournament always has to be respected but its not Coach K still running the team and us thinking he can come up with some system to overturn the odds.

Jon Scheyer learnt under the great man and has had a hood start to his coaching career and if he gets to the final 4 will be a fine achievement in only his 2nd season in the top job.. Plus with a very elite recruiting class led by Cooper Flagg incoming he will have a great chance for next season with the core of his team getting great tournament experience.

Knecht is on fire 5 out of 7 from the 3 point line. Also Volunteers outscoring Purdue by 18 points on 3 point shots but are still behind. Smith and Loyer are both almost in double figures so Lurch is getting good support. James is providing some support scoring for Connect but Aidoo or Ziegler needs to get some points as that seems to be the difference.

Maybe Tennessee need to speed up the tempo a bit to try and get Edey out of his rhythm or running the court as he is dominating the boards and so getting his team the crucial balls.

Duke match up well against Purdue IMO and Filipowski’s shooting range could mean Edey has to move away from the basket. Also Edey’s supporting cast will need to be at their best as Duke have 5 double digit scorers on their team and don’t rely on one or two players.

Edey vs DJ Burns Jnr will be a physical match up and Burns’ strength make things difficult for Edey and with Diarra being a very good rebounder then Edey won’t have the boards to himself like he has in other games.

I’m still trying to find the perfect fit in the NBA for Edey.

I thought of Minny for Edey as he could be back up for Gobert and KAT but with one of their picks via other teams the Raps make sense.

DJ Burns is having a great game now does that big unit get drafted. Be worth seeing what his combine measurements are. But all joking apart he’ll get a nice pro contract somewhere as he can score in the paint and is a good ball handler for his size.

He was already a 5th year senior so he has to declare I’d think. A pity he couldn’t return as he’s such a likeable guy he’d do well via NIL pathway.

I noticed Jack Gohlke is now on Cameo. Rumours that Cal requested him to do a message for his used car lot are unconfirmed.

DJ could get a look from a few teams he’d be a very serviceable bench guy to use in short blasts or a big body to put in the post if needed. He seems to have a good basketball IQ so could do the job required of him and he is an above average passer for his size so could be a distribution outlook to get the ball to the creative players.

Wemby looks to be filling up the stats sheet again a possible 5×5 could be on.

DJ Burns with his scoring will get a nice deal in a decent overseas league at worse. He has the Edey match up, draft process, summer league, training camp to have a crack at the NBA so he’ll have options.

Talking of 5th years does Edey return if Purdue doesn’t win as the college could build a “win now” team around him with transfers. I know its a long shot as he should be a first round pick but just putting it out there.

With the portal it can also get incoming freshmen decommitting if suddenly there is a 4th/5th year guy in front of them. Didn’t UConn have someone do this last year?

With no current redshirting it can allow a college to always have a few experienced heads on the roster. Any of the top teams will be able to add players from less fashionable teams who want to raise their profile. I know this might not be great for less fashionable colleges but they will have roster places they can fill or players who aren’t getting playing time and want to be “the man” may move to less likely colleges.

With the likes of DJ Burns gaining a lot of attention I was drawn to the fact that Adama Sanogo who lead UConn to the title last year wasn’t drafted when he declared. Also Armando Bacot who has completed a fine college career is no certainty to be drafted this year and both those guys would be seen as a better athlete than Burns is.

But I am still looking forward to the Purdue vs NC State marth can Burns shoot over Edey or does he have the post game to get the ball to others to take an easier shot. How will Edet fair against Burns’ width and superior body strength or if he is double teamed by Burns and Diarra. The risk for the Wolfpack is that then one of Purdue’s supporting cast will have an open shot.

I’d love to see NC State in the final but my head says Purdue.

For the Crimson Tide to have a chance vs UConn I feel that Mark Sears would need a 25 to 30 point game or someone would have to really step up like Jarin Stevenson did in the Clemson match. Alabama won that by draining 16 three pointers compared to 8 for the Tigers, They will likely need something similar to keep in the game with UConn but whether they can get their shots off vs UConn and with Clingan in their as a shot changing presence is another matter.

Alabama aren’t a bg rebounding team so if Clingan dominates the boards before you factor in UConn’s strength in depth then I just cannot see Alabama winning unless someone has a really hot shooting night.

If the final is UConn vs Purdue then a lot comes down to Clingan vs Edey. If Clingan can match Edey around the boards and keep him under 30 points then I think UConn’s other key players are better than Purdue’s and will restrict their scoring and score enough themselves to win. So unless Edey goes for well over 30 or someone else from Purdue has a good scoring game I think UConn retain.

If Castle can be a lockdown NBA defender then his draft value will be pretty high. There are teams who are “win now” or contenders picking well inside top 20. They already have franchise level players in place who are prolific scorers so a lockdown defender with a good basketball IQ they don’t have to worry about his scoring or they figure they can improve his shooting in due course.

Edey dominating and getting great support from Braden Smith who is a really underrated player and fills those stats columns. DJ Burns has ordered a triple whopper for HT to inspire him in the 2nd half.

Purdue winning wasn’t a great shock. The Crimson Tide are hanging with UConn despite Stephon Castle having one of his best scoring games. If Castle can develop his shooting then he has NBA All Star potential with his already elite defensive game.

Yep Castle will shut down a lot of Purdue’s shooting so emphasis has to go back on Edey. With Castle I’ve not worked out his ideal NBA landing point or who if he gets drafted before Clingan.

Clingan often seems to come on strong in the 2nd half of recent games. Looking down the likely lottery teams in this years draft I can find more natural landing spaces for Castle than Clingan at first glance. Castle is now in my top 10 and if the Spurs don’t get a top 3 lottery pick I could see Pops and co loving Castle’s defensive game and the potentially of his offence.

Any way the NCAA final is what we thought it was likely to be from the Final 4 pairings. Unless Edey has a 30 point plus game and outscores Clingan by about 20 points I just cannot see Purdue beating UConn. If NC State could keep Purdue to 63 points I don’t see how they will score much more vs UConn and Purdue will need their greatest defensive game ever to keep UConn under 70 to 75 points IMO.

UConn have more scoring options in their starting 5 who all reached double figures last night so I think they edge it by about 10 points to retain their title.

I wonder whether UConn might look to try and run more plays via Clingan and try to get Edey into foul trouble for if Edey hasa to be careful and sit part of the game then UConn would be far too strong for Purdue. If Clingan and Edey both fouled out then it is a bigger advantage to UConn.

With Uconn what team they can put out next season will be of interest as Newton and Spencer have both used up their eligibility as 5th year seniors. Castle and Clingan are likely lottery picks and Karaban could be a first round option too. Last year they lost Jackson, Hawkins and Sanogo to the NBA but had Karaban and Newton returning as starters as well as Clingan who would have been a likely first round pick last year but decided to stay. Spencer came in via portal to fill one position and Castle as an elite recruit filled another.

This year all the current starting 5 or at least 4 of them will go so guys like Diarra and Johnson would really need to step up as the incoming HS class doesn’t have a Castle level player and Clingan will need to be replaced. But with an elite coach and being a powerhouse college UConn should be a top location target for a lot of players in the portal..

Cal leaving after so many years is a surprise. The NCAA Head Coaches have amazing contracts in their favour whereby they can move on without another team having to pay compensation.

Bradshaw is a good call for UConn.

Omar Ballo would be a good choice for UConn as he has entered the portal and he would be a 5th year senior giving the team a load of instant experience. Actually Ballo and Bradshaw as a frontcourt combo would work as Bradshaw has a decent 3 point range and could play as PF and would give the team a twin towers combo.

You called it perfectly Norrin – a tight 1st half and then UConn pulled away. Edey had a monster game and Brdaen Smith gave him good support but when the rest of the team only scores 11 points with just 2 from the bench they were never going to hold UConn to such a low points total.

Purdue only scored a single 3 pointer whilst UConn hit 6 so that is your winning margin. UConn have a rock solid starting 5 regardless of who gets drafted where. Newton had a superb final game for the Huskies, Castle has improved his scoring post season and boosted his draft potential. Clingan was outplasyed by Edey but made a contribution and helped limit the Purdue support crew from scoring at all. Cam Spencer another departing 5 year veteran reached double figures too. Karaban only got 5 points but did his glue guy job and ensured that UConn’s starting 5 outscored Purdue’s even with Edey’s huge effort.

Johnson and Diarra both provided the key extra points from the bench and will be crucial 4th and 5th year returning seniors for the Huskies next season if they want to try and make it 3 in a row. This would be an amazing and I would say currently unlikely feat unless they get some great portal transfers in or Waterboy Hurley Jnr steps up ( his mum is quite hot actually)

But well done Huskies and hard luck to Edey and Purdue.
l

He’s a good ball handler, has good PG size, solid rebounder, not an elite athlete but still a good one. Could easily be a role playing back up NBA guard on a contending team where they could give him minutes around the top guys knowing he’ll do a solid job.

UConn played in a really endearing way that Nova did during its run where you can talk yourself into their guys. It is far from certain that Tristen Newton or Cam Spencer will get drafted, but they don’t play like prospects. They play like guys teams can use. I want to see how Newton and Spencer measure out. Newton seems to have a similar frame and athleticism to Ayo Dosunmu, and there are stylistic similarities coming out of school. Newton is more of a natural point guard, but similar in that he is very quick getting down hill. Like Ayo, Newton’s three-point shooting will be a work-in-progress. Dosumnu’s measuring out at 6’5″ with a 6’10” wingspan gave him versatility to be useful while his shot came around. He is now a 40% three point shooter, and seems like a lock to be a valuable role player for the next five to ten years. Newton appears to have a big wingspan, and doesn’t seem to be one of those 6’5″ guys who stands nose-to-nose with 6’3″ guys. Still, we won’t know for sure until the combine. Spencer is one of those guys where you don’t know if he has the physical makeup for teams to want to take him. He can really shoot, really smart and competitive, and both him and Newton will dip in from the arc and crash the glass. That is a mentality guys either have or don’t. Stephon Castle had a spell early in the Big East season where his perimeter shot seemed to be coming around, but that turned out to be a blip. I think he will get drafted in the lottery as he is a ready and able defender, but his shot is going to be the thing that limits him early on. Last year’s lottery had a run of athletic guards/wings who could defend but not shoot (the Thompson twins, Anthony Black, and Bilal Coulibaly) and it was a chore for their coaches to play them prior to tank ball (which was like November for Detroit and Washington). Karaban’s decision to stay or go will be interesting. On one hand, a proven stretch four seems like someone a team will take. On the other hand, he could go the way of Matthew Hurt.

With elite defenders who play as guards or wings but may not have a great shot I always feel it depends on the players around them. If the team has scorers in place then these guys can be hidden on offence or rotated with pure scorers who may not be so good defensively. But in today’s NBA where everything seems to be about shooting range whereby it is even a metric for bigs to have an elite defender who doesn’t offer much offensively in positions 1 to 3 can be hard for a team to carry.

But they may be of most value on a rookie deal as this doesn’t impact on the salary cap so much.

With UConn I do think all 5 starters will declare I see Clingan and Castle being lottery picks. minimum. Karaban would be the guy most likely to return but if his draft stock is high and UConn not having such a strong team next year I think he’ll keep his name in. I’d love to see Castle return to UConn and be the ball handler and the focus of the team but with being a lottery pick I cannot see him not declaring.

Newton and Spencer I’d see as 2nd rounders but with contending teams at the end of the first round it wouldn’t surprise me if either were snapped up there as they’d have a guy who could play rotation minutes from day one and the guys would be on a powerhouse team.

Phoenix, Memphis, Philly, Bucks and Knicks all have picks between 31 and 40 so I don’t see either Newron or Spencer falling past these teams.

Newton can run an offence very well I agree and Spencer is an elite shooter so with their NCAA championship success I could make a strong case for both on a contending team.

Karaban is a good shooter if a little bit on the small side for a stretch 4 in the NBA although he is a good rebounder and probably Uconn’s 2nd best shooter after Spencer so would be a perfect fit in today’s NBA in that sense.

If he did return to UConn he could well be the focus of the offence but without Newton to create for him I don’t know what his scoring would be like. Could he be turned into a [point forward I wonder?

He could likely make a nice amount via NIL and like Clingan improve his draft status with another year in college.

Teams do draft on upside but I just don’t see every team passing on a guy like Spencer. He makes no sense to a team like Detroit with a lot of young backcourters but any contending team wanting minutes from an NBA ready guy who is an elite shooter I din’t see them passing on him given his NCAA title winning experience.

He’d not start demanding extra minutes but would play his required role and help spread the floor.