{"id":114,"date":"2024-03-21T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-03-21T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fredstories.com\/beyondthearc\/?p=114"},"modified":"2024-03-21T10:35:18","modified_gmt":"2024-03-21T14:35:18","slug":"the-madness-is-finally-here","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fredstories.com\/beyondthearc\/the-madness-is-finally-here\/","title":{"rendered":"The Madness Is Finally Here"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Christmas, step aside. This is the best time of the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s time for March Madness. The greatest tournament in the history of sports has arrived for another installment of heartbreak, cinderella stories, and thrilling endings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The NCAA Tournament has proven time and time again to be the best postseason in all of sports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The iconic nature of the next few weeks means a lot to many people, mostly college students who have a horse in the race. This tournament is the most important thing in the lives of so many people and I don’t blame them for it. If I’m not skipping class to watch games, I’ll be watching or keeping up with games in<\/em> class.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anyways, my favorite March Madness tradition has to be my bracket being busted on day 1. It never fails. At the end of the day, it’s about having the best bracket in your group, not having a perfect bracket. Although, picking a perfect bracket would be so sick. One day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are a few teams I’m keeping my eye on throughout the big dance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3 Seed, Kentucky<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

This year’s Wildcats have been polarizing. Coach John Calipari is America’s coach, running a team that’s teaming with NBA talent and star-potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apparently, they play NBA defense, too. No, that’s not a good thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kentucky is ranked 334th in the nation in OPP PPG. Not ideal!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Part of that probably comes from their guard-heavy rotation of Antonio Reeves, Rob Dillingham, Reed Sheppard, and D.J. Wagner: all 6’4” and below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Being ranked 2nd in PPG somewhat makes up for their horrid defense, but I’m a proponent that defense wins playoff\/tournament games, so I have doubts that this team can take it to the Final Four.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether they make it far or not, this team is special. Sheppard, National Freshman Player of the Year, has improved in every game, displaying his ability to take over games and become a top-tier scorer at the next level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dillingham has been a high school phenom for some years now and is finally getting to flourish in a microwave-scoring role.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Justin Edwards, Tre Mitchell and Aaron Bradshaw have proven to be essential pieces to the team in the frontcourt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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From left to right: Reed Sheppard, Rob Dillingham, D.J. Wagner, Tre Mitchell and Adou Thiero.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

If nothing else, this team is deep, talented, and coached by the best coach in the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2 Seed, Marquette<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Shaka Smart is an awesome coach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marquette has disappointed in the big dance two years in a row now, but I think that changes this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Final Four is a reachable goal for the Golden Eagles. This will be the last run for Tyler Kolek, and Oso Ighodaro as both will be graduating in the Spring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yes, Tyler Kolek will be graduating and he, in fact, can read.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I just learned how to read \ud83e\udd72 https:\/\/t.co\/h3hJCtkg8R<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/bRxQZhbr1o<\/a><\/p>— Tyler Kolek (@KolekTyler) December 19, 2023<\/a><\/blockquote>