By JONATHAN FORTUNOFF and RYAN SANDERS
Filling brackets, nailbiter games and betting are all part of March Madness. Like most of the sports world, we have our brackets ready and predictions made. Here are our thoughts on the 2023 March Madness tournament.
Final Four
We chose Texas led by senior Timmy Allen. They are an all around team with great defense and everyone on the floor at all times can score the ball. Next we have UConn led by sophomore Jordan Hawkins. They transition very well, force many turnovers, get many offensive rebounds and can shoot the ball from three effectively. Next we chose Kansas State led by guard Marquis Nowell and forward Keyontae Johnson. The team’s chemistry is arguably the best in the tournament, and star players Marquis Nowell and Keyontae Johnson can shoot the ball from anywhere on the court. Lastly, Alabama led by star freshman Brandon Miller and senior guard Jahvon Quinerly can go places. They are a very good defensive team and have the offensive spark when they get hot.
National Champion
The Texas Longhorns are one of the most exciting teams in the tournament. The chemistry of this team we believe is unmatched and will lead them to a National Championship run. Led by seniors Marcus Carr and Timmy Allen, they are one of the most complete teams in the nation averaging 77.8 points per game and allowing approximately 67.4 points per game. The Longhorns ranked as high as No. 2 in the AP Top 25 poll this season, despite having faced stiff competition all year long in the Big 12 conference.
Cinderella Story
Princeton made March Madness by winning the championship in the Ivy League, beating Yale by a final score of 74-65. Princeton has shooters all over the court. To be effective in March Madness teams need to have good defense but better offense, and that’s exactly what Princeton has. Led by Forward Tosan Evbuomwan, this team could become a force to be rekoned with throughout this tournament.
Upset
Despite having one of the best records in the country and an amazing defensive scheme, the Houston Cougars will lose before the Final Four. Senior guard and star player Marcus Sasser is just coming off of a groin injury, and is one of the key players in the Cougars’ success. Sasser is a great ball handler and an amazing shooter, having him when he is less effective will hurt. In addition, the Cougars lack more guards, due to the injuries of Mylik Wilson and Ramon Walker Jr.
As one of the best players in college basketball, Johnson will have a major role in the tournament.
Courtesy of New York Times.
Individual Player Impact
Keyontae Johnson is going to be one to watch and defienitely a problem for the opposition in this March Madness. It was just last year that Johnson collapsed on the floor during a game due to a heart failure playing for the Florida Gators. Later that year he was offered a five million dollar insurance policy from the NCAA, but Johnson declined. He bet on himself, entered the transfer portal and is now on Kansas State, a top seed team in the East Region.
Excellent work!