2022 NCAA Tournament Mixer: Favorites, Sleepers, NBA Prospects, and Picks

The band is back in town! And so is the Madness! In one of the most wide-open NCAA Tournaments in recent memory, no team really solidified themselves as the odds on favorite (as at least one team has in previous years). While every team in this field has a fatal flaw, the winner will be the team with enough firepower to overcome off-shooting nights and still squeak by to the next round.

Tournament Favorites

Kentucky

This is arguably Kentucky’s best squad since their one-loss team in 14-15. For stretches of the season, they have looked like the best team in the land, and there are many reasons to be optimistic. First and foremost, they have one of the greatest impact rebounders in major conference history. To put Oscar Tshiebwe’s 15.1 RPG into context, it is the highest average since 85-86. Lead guard Sahvir Wheeler has the ‘wheels’ to push pace and jump-start the high-paced Kentucky attack.

Freshman dynamo Tyty Washington continues to come into his own, and I expect him to continue his progression with a breakout NCAA tournament.  In order to advance to the Final Four and overcome the challenge of their loaded bracket, the Wildcats will need Kellan Grady to break out of his shooting slump or for Davion Mintz to keep them afloat from the outside.

Villanova

Never count out the Villanova Wildcats. While they would definitely be an underdog if they were to face the Arizona Wildcats, due to Arizona’s superior size inside and athleticism to exploit one on one matchups, Villanova has the grit of a title contender. After overcoming a 17-point second-half deficit against St. John’s, Villanova did just enough all tournament long to earn the Big East’s automatic bid. Their mental stamina is their recipe for success. Ohio St would present a unique challenge, due to their physicality inside and ability to stretch the floor.

Tennessee is a team Nova has defeated before, but earlier in the season before Kennedy Chandler really hit his stride. While the Volunteers would serve as the team’s toughest test early, Villanova has the experience and versatility to spread the floor and take teams out of their game. If Villanova can hit its stride from three, this team has a legitimate shot to win it all.

Wisconsin

While I normally would not have placed a team with a freshman point guard on this list, Chucky Hepburn plays well beyond his years. Johnny Davis is one of the most dynamic players in college basketball and he can get his own against anyone in the country. Tyler Wahl, Chucky Hepburn, Steven Crowl, and last year’s offensive savant, Brad Davison, are talented enough to challenge for a national championship. Davis will have to carry them there, but Davison comes to play in big games. While they are not nearly as talented from top to bottom, their “deliberate half-court” style contrast should serve as a legitimate foil to Auburn’s NCAA tournament hopes. The Tigers are arguably the most talented team in the country with the best NBA prospect in the nation, the Badgers are not completely overmatched because of Johnny Davis’ ability to get anywhere he wants on the floor. Slowing Auburn down could be their kryptonite.

Gonzaga

If there were a favorite, the Zags would be it. We have all seen Drew Timme run through the tournament with his elite post-game.  Andrew Nembhard is still chronically slept on as the floor general and defensive stalwart of this talented club. The most important player undoubtedly will be this year’s probable first overall pick Chet Holmgren, who is one of the more unique players to come through college basketball in the last 2 to 3 years. Sophomore Julian Strawther is also not talked about enough.

Memphis would present a unique challenge with their elite talent and athleticism (Jalen Duren in particular) if they were to advance passed a talented Boise St, Gonzaga is simply too experienced and would likely capitalize on any of the Tigers’ mistakes. If Uconn can advance to face the Zags, they are the only team in the early rounds with the requisite size and experience to potentially cause problems. While Duke certainly has the size and talent to counter anything the Zags will bring, the Bulldogs are quite simply a better defensive squad than they were early in the year when they lost to the Blue Devils.

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Sleeper Teams

Vermont

The Catamounts are one of the toughest mid-major opponents in this year’s tournament bracket. This could be the year that they finally get over the hump and secure their first win. This team plays under control with a ton of physicality and grit. Ryan Davis is a legitimate handful inside and his ability to stretch the floor is problematic for any major conference team. Ben Shungu embodies this squad’s toughness. If Vermont can control the pace against a very talented Arkansas squad led by one of the best tournament coaches in Eric Musselman, they have a chance.

South Dakota St.

The Jackrabbits are yet another elite mid-major squad with a very good chance to upset Big East powerhouse, Providence. They shoot 44.7% from 3 pt range as a team! If they space the floor and are able to run with the Friars, they have a very good chance of upsetting Ed Cooley’s bunch. SD St. will not be able to match up with Nate Watson inside, but if they push the ball in transition and then space for some open three-point looks, they could pull ahead and not look back. Providence will need A.J. Reeves to step up from three-point land when the defense inevitably doubles down on Watson.

Virginia Tech

The Hokies are probably not a “sleeper” by most definitions, after winning the ACC tournament. However, Mike Young’s squad is putting it all together at the right time. Keve Aluma is dynamic inside. Hunter Cattoor has been red hot from three-point range in recent games. Justyn Mutts is the most versatile glue guy in all of college basketball. Texas will have its hands full.

NBA Draft Sleeper Stock Watch

While most of college basketball’s top players are known commodities (or their role is fixed and this event won’t boast their draft stock, like Indiana’s Trayce Jackson-Davis), there are still a few guys who can improve their standing considerably if they flash in this year’s NCAA tournament.

Mike Miles, TCU

Miles faces off against a Bryce Aiken-less Seton Hall squad who has been reeling in recent games. If he can control the tempo and demonstrate an ability to keep defenses honest from the perimeter, Miles could vault up draft boards.  However, facing off against Myles Cale and/or Jared Rhoden won’t be an easy task.

Dalen Terry, Arizona

With Kerr’s Kriisa’s ankle injury, Terry has had to step up and carry more of the offensive load. The lengthy 6’7 guard has excellent vision, defensive grit, and tenacity driving the ball to the basket. Can he flash from beyond the arc?

Jamaree Bouyea, San Francisco

This name will come as no surprise for many who follow the WCC conference. The NCAA tournament will be an opportunity for this dynamic guard to get his name out there on the national stage. Can he create for his teammates and thrive in the halfcourt against bigger athletes?

JD Davison, Alabama

Davison is an outstanding freshman with the skills and requisite athleticism to play at the next level. Can Davison seamlessly operate as the lead guard of a successful tournament team, enabling Jahvon Quinerly to play off the ball? Can he run the show?

More Free March Madness Picks

NBA Prospects to Watch in the NCAA March Madness Tournament

Hammer The Over!

Kentucky-St Peters Over 132

Gonzaga-Georgia St Over 149

UCLA-Akron Over 128

Alabama-Notre Dame 153

Houston-UAB Over 136

Kansas-Texas Southern Over 144

Providence- SD St. Over 149

Thanks for reading follow me Jordan Maka @JTMBasketball. Enjoy the games!

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