I’ll be the first to say that this years’ March Madness was as memorable as ever.
We’ve been able to see it all over the past three weeks. Game-winners, cinderella stories, No. 1 seeds dominating. The list goes on.
We’ve also seen the intertwining Women’s NCAA Tournament take off and become more viewed than the Men’s Tournament.
Women’s college basketball was at the peak of it’s powers this year. Obviously, Caitlin Clark is already a legend of the game. A once in a lifetime player. Probably.
But there’s been so many other stars in the women’s division that deserve the same type of recognition. Angel Reese, Juju Watkins, Paige Bueckers and Cameron Brink have all received a ton of national praise with Clark, but players like Dyaisha Fair, Kamilla Cardoso, Lauren Betts and so much more deserve credit in elevating Women’s college basketball, as well.
Clark’s Iowa Hawkeyes battled the reigning champion LSU Tigers in a 2023 National Championship rematch in this year’s Elite Eight. That game ended up being a spectacle as it outshined NBA games, MLB games, and other sporting events on that day.
Clark, of course, finished with 41 points on 45% from the field. Reese finished with 17 points and 20 rebounds, Aneesah Morrow had 14 points and 14 rebounds and Flau’Jae Johnson led the Tigers with 23 points.
Hailey Van Lith, senior transfer from Louisville, was chosen by LSU coach Kim Mulkey to guard Clark throughout the night. She didn’t have the best of times.
What seemed like right after the game, Van Lith decided to enter the transfer portal. You can’t help but feel for her. She gets an assignment to guard the literal 99 overall juggernaut in a year where she’s not as featured in the team’s offense. She should probably go somewhere where the team can play through her a little more.
Iowa will face off against UConn tonight, in another highly anticipated matchup featuring super-teams full of talent and stardom. On the other side, NC State will face off against the undefeated South Carolina. Let’s appreciate how special this year’s tournament has been by keeping a close eye on the last few games.
DJ Burns Jr. is straight up awesome. He’s an awesome player, an awesome personality and he’s been the most fun player to root for over the past few weeks.
NC State has easily become America’s favorite Cinderella story. An 11 seed making it to the Elite Eight is extraordinary in itself. Then they beat Duke. Who doesn’t love watching Duke lose every year? Duke fans, obviously, but everybody else around the country can appreciate them getting knocked out.
Burns Jr. isn’t your typical big man, he’s a giant man. Listed at 6’9”, 275 lbs, Burns Jr. actually has a lot of finesse to his game. He pulls guard-like floaters out of nowhere. When he gets the ball in the post he’s always willing to make a sweet pass to a cutting wing or guard through the lane for a layup.
Burns Jr. is averaging 18.3 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game in his four NCAA Tournament games this year. He’ll have his hands full with Zach Edey and the Purdue Boilermakers this weekend.
After watching Purdue on Easter Sunday, I’ve come to a long-suspected conclusion: They are the most boring and frustrating team to watch. The fact that they win games annoys me.
Every single play and game goes the same way.
Edey will post up on the block. Guards will do literally whatever they can to get him the ball. He gets the ball and gets one whole side of the court to himself. If the other team doubles, he’ll pass it out for an open three or open cut. If the other team doesn’t double, he’s going to do the slowest post hook or drop-step you will ever see.
Frustratingly enough, with Edey standing at 7’4”, I don’t think I would draw it up any other way.
He finished with 40 points vs. Tennessee. It wasn’t a fun 40 points, but it counts the same.
On the other side of the Men’s bracket, we got Alabama vs. UConn.
Alabama has been a pleasant surprise throughout the tourney this year. Led by Mark Spears, the Crimson Tide can play with anyone, but UConn has proven to be a different beast this year.
Mark Sears, senior, has been the engine of Alabama throughout the year and throughout the tourney. Averaging 24.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game in the tournament, he’s been spectacular. His shot making is pro-level, and he’s risen to every moment possible.
UConn has continued to dominate the field, though. Illinois gave UConn a run for their money in the first half of their Elite Eight matchup, but a 30-0 run put that to an end really quick. How ridiculous is a 30-0 run? Have mercy, Dan Hurley.
I think this is my fourth straight post where I’ll say UConn will not be beaten this year.
-Dom