March Madness is back, and it’s back with all its familiar sound and rage.
One year after participation was limited, the 2022 NCAA Basketball Tournament is a complete go for fans again. Arenas – including Dickies Arena in Fort Worth – will be packed from San Diego to Buffalo, paving the way for a title with the sounds we expected with all those buzz beaters and breakout performances.
Two years of wasted energy is about to be released and there will be noise.
Here are some things to watch as the fun begins:
THE FAVORITES
Gonzaga. The Zags went into the title game a year ago. They could be even better this season.
Arizona. Tommy Lloyd took what he helped create with Mark Few in Gonzaga and turned the Wildcats into a powerhouse.
Kansas. Ochai Agbaji and the Jayhawks have the type of team that can make a deep run. They may also have the easiest road to the Final Four.
Baylor. The Bears won the national championship last year, even though they did not win the Big 12 title. It could be a repeat performance.
POSSIBLE CINDERELLAS
South Dakota State. The Jackrabbits put the points in bounds and have not lost since mid-December.
Loyola Chicago. Never doubt a team with Sister Jean on his side.
Murray State. The racers have three players who can take over a game at any time and beat the tournament on a 20-game winning streak.
Chattanooga. The Mocs had a bit of a bite and a big goal in Malachi Smith.
STAR Player
Chet Holmgren, Gonzaga. Built like a center, plays like a guard, unlike anyone we’ve ever seen.
Paolo Banchero, Duke. Potential No. 1 NBA Draft Pick has taken Game Coach K on a deep run in his most recent NCAA tournament.
Oscar Tshiebwe, Kentucky. The Wildcats’ big man wants a rebound, he’ll get it. Has an offensive game to go with that toughness too.
Keegan Murray, Iowa. Electric and efficient. He could be the Bracket Breakout star this year.
Jaden Ivey, Purdue. His first step looks like a blur for flailing defenders. His graduation on the rim make the night highlight highlights.
Peter Kiss, Bryant. Love to talk shit. Got the game to back it up with a nation-leading 25.1 points per game.
MUST-WATCH GAME
No. 4 Arkansas vs. No. 13 Vermont, West Region, Thursday in Buffalo. Eric Musselman’s razorbacks had some difficulty with Colgate last year before moving on to the Elite Eight. Veteran catamounts will be tough with their efficient, five-out insults.
No. 6 Texas vs. No. 11 Virginia Tech, Eastern Region, Friday in Milwaukee. The Longhorns had a scrappy defense, but closed out the season with three straight losses. The hockey team warmed up at the right time, winning four games in four days to win the ACC tournament.
No. 7 Michigan State vs. No. 10 Davidson, West Region, Friday in Greenville, South Carolina. The Spartans are always dangerous in the bracket with Tom Izzo at the top. The Wildcats are known for their riots – remember Steph Curry’s run in 2008? – and have two guards who can fill it in Foster Loyer and Hyunjung Lee.
No. 7 Ohio State vs. No. 10 Loyola Chicago, Southern Region, Friday in Pittsburgh. The Ramblers had a knack for pulling Sister Jean into their corner, including the memorable run to the 2018 Final Four. The Buckeyes have high-volume scorer EJ Liddell on their side, but limped the track in build-up to the bracket.
ODDS
The favorites to win it all, according to FanDuel Sportsbook: Gonzaga plus-300, Arizona plus-600, Kentucky plus -850, Kansas plus-1,000.
Longest shots: 22 teams are plus-50,000, including Iowa State, TCUCreighton and Notre Dame.
Best bet to reach the title game: Gonzaga-Arizona plus-950, Gonzaga-Kansas plus-1,100, Gonzaga-Auburn plus-1,600.
Conference of National Champion: West Coast plus-290, SEC and Big 12 plus-370, Pac-12 Pus-500.
Largest spread, first round: Gonzaga Minus-23.5 vs. Georgia State; Baylor Minus-21.5 vs Norfolk State; Duke Minus 18.5 vs Cal State-Fullerton.
HOW TO COOK
Get your remote ready! Find the full TV schedule here, including typos and links to stream. And fast: First Four games are on Tuesday, March 15th and Wednesday, March 16th (truTV). First round games are Thursday, March 17th and Friday, March 18th (CBS, TNT, TBS and truTV). In second round games are Saturday 19th March and Sunday 20th March (CBS, TNT, TBS and truTV).
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