1. Zion Williamson Goes to Clemson
We've seen a trend these past few years where a top recruit or draft pick doesn't go to a basketball powerhouse. In 2015 Ben Simmons went to LSU, 2016 saw Markelle Fultz head to Washington and Michael Porter Jr. ended up at Missouri this year. I think Zion Williamson will continue this movement by spurning Kentucky and signing with his hometown Clemson Tigers.
2. Texas A&M Wins the SEC
I know they just got rolled by Alabama in their conference opener, but I'm still really high on the Aggies to win the SEC. Maybe it's by default, as Kentucky and Florida aren't really wowing me as of now, but A&M actually has some solid pieces in Robert Williams and Tyler Davis. Throw in DJ Hogg, Duane Wilson and a healthy Admon Gilder, and you got yourself a ball club.
3. Oklahoma and Arizona State both lose before the Sweet 16
Of the 5 predictions presented here, this is the one I feel the strongest about. I feel like in most years we see teams like the Sooners and the Sun Devils light it up from 3 in every game, only to lay an egg in the NCAA Tournament. It comes in two different forms with these two teams.
With Oklahoma, Trae Young is pretty much their entire offense. They have some solid role players, but let's be real here: there's no way Oklahoma is a top-25 team without Young. If a team figures out how to shut down (or at least contain) Young, Oklahoma is in for a world of hurt. All they need is a team like Cincinnati to see them in the second round and BOOM. Adios Sooners.
Arizona State is different in that their entire team is capable of putting of 20 on any given night. While this can be considered a strong attribute, it's diminished in this case because all Arizona State does is shoot 3's. As we saw with Arizona on Saturday, the ability to consistently make shots throughout the course of a game isn't really there with this team. Not to mention the fact that they have found themselves down double digits (including twice against Arizona) multiple times this season already. They may be able to come back in November and December games, but March is a different animal.
4. The Big East Will Get 2 Final Four Teams
The Big East is the most competitive league in America outside the Big 12. With Villanova, Xavier, Seton Hall and Creighton at the top and solid middle-of-the-pack teams like Providence, Marquette, St. John's and Butler, anyone who wins the league is sure to be battle-tested. That's why I like Villanova and Xavier to get to the Final Four together. We saw Nova carry the torch for the new Big East in 2016, but I think this is the year that the country finds out that the Big East is more than just them.
5. Michigan State Wins the National Championship
I know I had Arizona winning the whole thing in the preseason, but I'm not as sold on them as I would've liked to be at this point in the season. Michigan State checks every box for me: great coach, solid guard play, a lottery pick(s), strong defense, experience and interior depth. The one weakness the Spartans have is that they turn it over too many times, but that can be easily fixed.
(6.) My last Final Four team is Duke. Happy New Year!
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