Team Spotlight

Scotty Jenkins

Of all the interesting traditions Americans have, few are more difficult for a
foreign audience to understand than our obsession with college sports.

When comparing the amount of money, time, and resources that go into the funding
of amateur sports in America to other nations, few parallels can be found in any
foreign area... anywhere... period. In Ireland, for instance, many of that
country's most popular events include amateur athletes representing their home
counties. And Australia has a long tradition of developing Aussie-Rules Football
athletes at secondary schools.

But those events do not even come close to the organization, funding, and
revenue that helps make college sports exist. The NCAA, NAIA, and NJCAA help
thousands of schools and hundreds of thousands of athletes compete at a very
high level in dozens of sports. And more than of few of these teams,
specifically playing Division I college football has a budget of over $100
million.

If you look at the numbers, it’s easier to understand the bewilderment of
someone who grew up in a different sports culture.

So, what is the deal with college sports in America? Why do we revel in the
performance of amateur athletes with die-hard commitment?

Keep reading below for a few reasons why Americans love their college sports so
much.


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College Teams Represent Very Specific Communities
Most administrators of higher education won’t argue with the fact that their
athletic programs are the center of their educational community.  With the
variety of sporting events offered at major universities, it’s easy to not only
get behind your favorite sport, but to also rally behind the other sports that
represent your school. For this reason, loyalty is embedded in members of the
community and it runs deep.

Players, parents, extended family, and friends are committed to their
universities the moment they sign with them.  It’s a commitment that represents
their future, both in athletics and academics.  Players wear their team logo
like a badge of honor and Universities and coaching staff continue to uphold
high standards of their players who represent them as they compete around the
country.

Coaching of the sport is oftentimes only a fraction of the development that is
taking place in a Universities athletic programs.  These programs aim to create
contributing members of society by teaching life values such as leadership,
teamwork, sacrifice, and putting others before yourself.  Once players leave the
program, those life lessons are not forgotten and further ignite their loyalty
to their universities.

The communities that are put in place on university campuses don’t die out after
graduation.  They come back to support their favorite athletics teams with their
kids, grandkids, and even their great grandchildren.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Each College Team Has Loyalty, Legacy, and Tradition
Probably the most telling sign of community loyalty in college athletics in the
United States is the continued support of alumni far after they’ve left their
college athletic programs. Alumni become powerful ambassadors for their
universities brand and are committed to making sure their alma mater continues
to shine.  This is why college sports continue to grow in America as more and
more graduates come out of universities.

Penn State University is ranked #1 in Alumni networking in the United States.
 They boast 742,662 alumni worldwide.  One of the biggest recruiting points for
Penn State athletics is their alumni network.

Loyalty and tradition with alumni support leads to greater opportunities for
athletes and academics within the University when they begin their first job
search.  When graduates are applying for jobs and their interviewees have
attended the same university, it is likely they will go farther in the hiring
process simply because they are loyal to their alma mater.

Loyalty and tradition are the backbone of the most successful universities.
 Alumni donate large sums of money each year to different athletic programs to
support better facilities that will ultimately lead to better recruiting
prospects that build better athletic programs.

As time wears on, the alumni networks continue to grow, and ultimately the
popularity of college sports continues to grow.  Americans bleed the colors of
their alma maters far after they’ve left campus.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

College Sports Are The Purest Form Of Entertainment
The main reason college sports are so popular in America is pure entertainment.
 The history, the rivalries, the tournaments, the overtimes, sports betting, and
the excitement of the game all contribute to America's love of college sports.

There are countless rivalries in college sports across America:  Ohio State vs.
Michigan, Army vs. Navy, Oklahoma vs. Texas.  The list goes on and on!  Alumni
and current college students live for rivalry games and the hatred runs deep.
 It all comes back to the loyalty and history of college athletics in America.
 The fans carry these wins and losses with them to the next year when they await
their chance of redemption.

The peak of entertainment for college sports in America circles around the
chance at greatness, the tournaments.  March madness, the college world series,
the national championships are all highlights for each individual college sport.
 Fans travel hundreds of miles to attend these sporting events, and millions of
Americans tune in from their TV’s at home.  Americans love nothing more than
creating their sports brackets and tracking upsets!

One thing foreigners can agree on is that sports provide entertainment to the
spectators and nobody capitalizes on this more than America.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A Few Reasons Why Americans Are So Obsessed With College Sports

Bryan Armetta

The Pac-12 hasn't seen a team reach the College Football Playoff since
Washington in 2016. It's a streak that has plagued the conference for the better
part of a decade, and last season did little to ease concerns. Despite a strong
early-season showing from Oregon, the conference's CFP hopes went down in flames
weeks into November. 

Despite the poor recent effort from this once-powerful conference, the Pac may
(finally) be back. New coaches, recruits, and transfers have a trio of
contenders looking quite formidable. While the Pac-12's depth is still a bit of
a wildcard, this might finally be the year where the CFP curse is broken.

The Contenders: USC, Oregon, Utah
USC made major moves this offseason, kickstarted by the sudden arrival of head
coach Lincoln Riley, who convinced quarterback Caleb Williams and wide receiver
Mario Williams to leave Oklahoma as well. Accompanied by former Oregon running
back Travis Dye, and it's clear that the Trojans have the conference's most
dangerous offense on paper. The biggest questions facing USC in year one are the
team's chemistry and whether the defense can fix its major issues from 2021. If
all goes well, this could be a playoff team.

The Ducks had a more tumultuous spring, as Mario Cristobal departed for his alma
matter in Miami. However, new head coach Dan Lanning, who was the defensive
coordinator at Georgia last year, may be a better fit for the roster. Outside of
Noah Sewell, Oregon lacks many defensive playmakers; having Lanning scheming up
plays might be a great way to generate pressure. Auburn transfer Bo Nix is
inconsistent, but he's experienced and talented, two things the Ducks needed at
quarterback. A daunting week one matchup with Georgia awaits Lanning's team.

Lost in the shuffle of a frenetic Pac-12 offseason is Utah, the defending
conference champions. The Utes are a model of stability this year, bringing back
1,000-yard rusher Tavion Thomas and quarterback Cameron Rising, a steady
starter, albeit not a spectacular one. The defense has usually been a strength
of Kyle Whittingham's teams, and that should remain the case even without
linebacker Devin Lloyd. To become a CFP contender, Utah needs to see improvement
in the secondary, which got torched by Ohio State in the Rose Bowl.

The Challengers: UCLA, Washington State, Oregon State, Arizona State
Similarly to Utah, UCLA returns a dynamic QB-RB combo in Dorian
Thompson-Robinson and Zach Charbonnet. With Chip Kelly calling plays, there
should be plenty of juice for the Pac-12's highest-scoring offense last season.
Defense was a different story in 2021; the Bruins gave up the most passing yards
in the conference. Defensive coordinator Bill McGovern, as well as new additions
such as North Texas transfers Grayson and Gabriel Murphy
[https://www.si.com/college/ucla/football/north-texas-edge-rusher-transfers-gabriel-and-grayson-murphy-commit-to-ucla-football]
, will be crucial if UCLA wants to reach the championship game.

One of the best under-the-radar moves of the entire offseason was Washington
State bringing in Incarnate Word quarterback Cameron Ward. Ward, who accounted
for 47 touchdowns, was a second-team FCS All American, and he now reunites with
his former head coach Eric Morris, currently the Cougars' offensive coordinator.
The defense is still shaky, but there's enough firepower to make WSU a force to
be reckoned with.

Oregon State had their best season in eight years with a 7-6 record. The
Beavers' offense, one of the best in the conference, was carried by a dominant
offensive line that returns three of their five starters next season. Starting
running back B.J. Baylor left for the NFL, but there's enough talent on the
roster to ensure that the Beavers still have a solid running game. The real area
of concern is the secondary, which struggled mightily at times in 2021. With
nearly all of the team's defensive backs returning, a smarter, more experienced
unit should emerge in Corvallis.

Despite a solid 8-5 record in 2021, it's difficult to get too excited about
Arizona State. The transfer portal was not kind to Herm Edwards, as he saw his
starting quarterback (Jayden Daniels), best linebacker (Eric Gentry), and
multiple offensive line starters leave Tempe. Still, Florida's Emory Jones is a
decent replacement at QB, and Wyoming transfer Xazavian Valladay has a ton of
talent at running back. Defense might be the program's greatest concern, as just
four starters from last year's squad remain.

2022 College Football Conference Preview: Which Pac 12 Team Will End On Top

We hear about 'culture changes' in college football all the time; one-season
turnarounds ushered in by factors such as a new head coach or a star recruit.
However, in this sport, success is fleeting. A great year can be followed up by
a lackluster sophomore campaign, or even worse, a multi-year rebuild. Simply
put, early victories on the field or the recruiting trail don't guarantee
long-term contention.

With all that being said, Lincoln Riley's first few months at USC seem to have
the makings of something that will last. The former Oklahoma Sooner has brought
plenty of energy and excitement to Los Angeles, and with that often comes
premier talent. The influx of players and personnel flocking to So-Cal has fans
at their most excited since the Pete Carroll era, and rightfully so. However,
the past decade is littered with Trojan squads that have fallen painfully short
of lofty expectations. Can Riley build up this historic program to its former
glory, or is this just more California dreaming?

The Good: Transfer Talent & Experience
Aside from simply getting one of the best coaches in the game, USC's roster has
undergone a complete overhaul this spring. Following in the steps of Riley is
former Sooner quarterback Caleb Williams, who quickly emerged as one of the
nation's best passers in 2021. Although he played in just 11 games last season,
Williams worked his way into the Heisman conversation thanks to a stellar 21:4
touchdown to interception ratio. Since he's only a sophomore, Williams placed a
heavy emphasis on his development as an NFL Draft prospect
[https://sports.yahoo.com/caleb-williams-transfer-portal-entry-is-latest-and-loudest-example-of-free-agency-taking-flight-in-college-football-030744005.html] 
by reuniting with Riley, widely seen as the game's leading quarterback
whisperer. 

Williams' production at USC should be buoyed by fellow transfer Jordan Addison.
Addison, winner of the Fred Biletnikoff Award for the nation's best wide
receiver, is the kind of high-profile addition that can truly elevate an
offense. As a sophomore at Pittsburgh, Addison had 1,598 receiving yards in just
14 games. The impact he has on Williams' season could mirror that of Kenny
Pickett last year, who became a Heisman finalist and first-round pick in the
draft. Elsewhere, the Trojans made a massive in-conference move to land running
back Travis Dye, who transferred from rival Oregon. Dye, the fourth-leading
rusher in Ducks history, gives the offense plenty of big-play ability, ideally
shouldering some of the load off Williams and the passing game.

> Jordan Addison to USC is official.

USC's offense is loaded:
QB Caleb Williams
RB Travis Dye
WR Jordan Addison
WR Mario Williams 
WR Tahj Washington 
WR Terrell Bynum 

Good luck, Pac 12

— Unnecessary Roughness (@UnnecRoughness) May 19, 2022
[https://twitter.com/UnnecRoughness/status/1527418773426294792?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw]
The new faces aren't just on the field, but the sidelines as well. Riley's staff
is comprised of veteran head coaches from various programs across the country,
which should only amplify USC's brand nationally when pursuing high school
recruits. Offensive coordinator Josh Henson is a 23-year veteran of the Big 12
and SEC, spending the last three years as Texas A&M's offensive line coach.
Oklahoma defensive coordinator Alex Grinch followed Riley to reprise the same
role with the Trojans; since he was Washington State's DC from 2015 to 2017,
Grinch has plenty of familiarity with the Pac-12 recruiting landscape. 

The Bad: Questions Left Unanswered
In short, not much, but there's still plenty of questions that need to be
answered before USC can be considered a true title contender. While new talent
for a team that finished 4-8 in 2021 was needed, the sheer amount of players
coming in means chemistry will take some time. Unlike other top schools like
Alabama or Georgia, where schemes have been in place for years and most starters
have had a year to get accustomed to the playbook, the Trojans are hoping their
new additions can catch up to speed from day one. 

However, fans should feel fairly confident in the offense heading into next
season. Riley's play calling and the trio of Williams, Dye, and Addison are
enough to keep this group near or at the top of the Pac-12 all season long. What
will truly separate the Trojans is if their defense, which gave up an average of
31.8 points per game in 2021, improves. USC's linebackers should be a strength,
thanks to Alabama transfer Shane Lee and Arizona State transfer Nick Gentry.
However, the program is welcoming in five new starters to the secondary, a major
shakeup for a position group that relies heavily on communication and being in
sync. Up front, the defensive line is fairly thin after Tuli Tuipulotu, who has
earned rave reviews
[https://trojanswire.usatoday.com/2022/03/27/uscs-most-impressive-spring-practice-player-it-could-be-tuli-tuipulotu/] 
from the coaching staff this spring.

> We're talking about the USC offense because it's fun. We're not talking about
the USC defense, which is starting from the same place as the 2019 OU defense.

The 2019 OU defense gave up 27 points a game and 357 yards a game. 

That team went 12-2. It also got racked by LSU.

— RJ Young (@RJ_Young) May 19, 2022
[https://twitter.com/RJ_Young/status/1527428171745968140?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw]
Trojan fans have heard it all before; no amount of preseason polling and
recruiting class rankings can translate to wins. That doesn't mean the changes
Riley has brought to USC should be scoffed at. For far too long, the program has
felt stagnant, bland, and downright complacent with just winning the Pac-12,
which they've done only once since 2008. Regardless of how you feel about USC,
this is a national brand meant to compete for national championships. Grabbing
the biggest name on the coaching market and some of the biggest names in the
transfer portal is just step one. The Trojans have the pieces needed to make a
run at history. Now it's time to see what they're made of.

Is USC Football Finally Back? Recapping Lincoln Riley's First Spring As Trojans Head Coach

Prior to 2021, the thought of a non-Power 5 program reaching the College
Football Playoff was borderline blasphemous. That was before Luke Fickell and
Cincinnati had a perfect regular season, which included a statement win in South
Bend against Notre Dame.

What the Bearcats did last year was not only historic, but inspirational. Even
since the playoffs were introduced in 2014, non-power programs have had a
difficult time gaining the respect of the clandestine CFP committee. However,
Cincy's dominance couldn't go unnoticed, and should set the precedent for other
Group of 5 teams, including their own conference rivals.

Houston, who lost to Cincinnati in the American Athletic Conference title game,
enters 2022 with their most talented roster in years. However, is it good enough
to take down the defending conference champs? If they do, does that give them
enough credibility to make a playoff push? Whatever the answer may be, the
Cougars are must-watch TV this season.

Roster Overview

Houston returns plenty of production from last year's 12-win squad this summer.
Quarterback Clayton Tune is a fifth-year senior coming off an efficient
30-touchdown, 10-interception campaign. Another year of Tune paired with star
wideout Nathaniel Dell (1,329 yards & 12 touchdowns in 2021) can only help the
nation's 15th highest-scoring offense. Considering head coach Dana Holgerson's
affinity for pass-first play calling, it's fair to say the Tune-Dell duo could
be one of college football's best.

Unfortunately for the Cougars, running back Alton McCaskill suffered an ACL
injury during spring practice. McCaskill's production as a freshman last year,
which included over 1,000 yards from scrimmage and 16 touchdowns, will be hard
to replace. Luckily for Houston, former Texas Tech transfer Ta'Zhawn Henry is up
to the task at backup running back while USC transfer Brandon Campbell can take
some snaps as a backup. If McCaskill can return late in the season (perhaps for
the AAC title game?), then an already explosive group gets even more dangerous. 

There are still questions on offense, chiefly on an offensive line that returns
just two starters. However, continued growth amongst the returning players, as
well as the arrival of four-star freshman Matthew Golden
[https://247sports.com/player/matthew-golden-46093611/] at wide receiver, should
keep this unit amongst the game's best. 

Houston fans may have even more reason to get excited over the team's defense,
which surrendered the 19th-fewest points on average last season while garnering
the sixth-most sacks. While some talent has left for the NFL, including 2nd
round pick Logan Hall, the team has retained most of their dominant defensive
line. The pass-rushing duo of D'Anthony Jones and Derek Parish is arguably the
AAC's best, and an experienced back seven should give them plenty of time to get
to the quarterback. Considering no other team finished in the top four in both
passing yards and rushing yards allowed
[https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/conferences/american/2021-team-defense.html]
, it's fair to say Holgerson's Cougars have the best defense in the American.

The Next Cincinnati?

A veteran head coach, experience at quarterback, and a well-rounded roster. On
paper, Houston shares many characteristics with the 2021 Bearcats. However,
there's one big difference between the two: scheduling. This isn't to say the
Cougars are playing pushovers. Games against UTSA, SMU, Memphis, and Texas Tech
all have the potential to be looked at as quality wins, but opportunities to woo
the committee are scarce. 

Lost in the shadow of Cincinnati's playoff season is the fact that they went
undefeated in 2020 as well. The reason they were able to make the playoffs the
following season was their road win against #8 Notre Dame, arguably the most
impressive regular season win in the country. Victories against #17 Houston,
East Carolina and Tulsa made it impossible to deny that the Bearcats had faced
tough competition, even in a middling conference.

Houston has a fairly reasonable path to an undefeated season. Is it likely?
Probably not, but the same could have been said about Cincy. It will take some
other contenders in the AAC, as well as a good season for one of UTSA and Texas
Tech, to even move the radar towards postseason consideration. A matchup against
either Cincinnati or UCF in the championship game could present the opportunity
for a convincing win, but it requires one of the two being ranked firmly inside
the committee's top 25. 

The ingredients are all here for a deep Houston run, and it's hard not to look
at them as AAC co-favorites with Cincinnati (and possibly UCF). Is that good
enough for a playoff push? Unlike most Power 5 contenders, it's impossible to
say that Houston controls their own destiny. It will take competitive seasons
from the teams that are on their schedule to even move the radar, and even then,
finding a 'signature win' or two will be paramount. Dana Holgerson's Cougars are
ready to play with the best of the best, but is the rest of the AAC ready as
well?

College Football: Are the Houston Cougar's This Season's Cincinnati?

Anyone who enjoys college basketball understands this is the closest one can get
to sheer chaos in sports. The tournament's playoff structure is quite literally 
designed to be unpredictable
[https://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-men/bracketiq/2022-03-10/perfect-ncaa-bracket-absurd-odds-march-madness-dream]
. That doesn't make it any less surprising to see preseason favorites fall flat,
either due to one bad game during March Madness or a string of poor performances
during the regular season.

A quick look at the 2021 preseason AP Poll illustrates college basketball's
absurdity all too well. One-fifth of all top-25 squads
[https://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-men/article/2021-10-18/college-basketball-rankings-gonzaga-ucla-kansas-lead-mens-basketball-preseason] 
failed to make the postseason, all of whom had reached the big dance a season
prior. With over three hundred programs itching for a chance to make history,
some are bound to fall. Here are three NCAA Tournament teams that might be at
home next March.

Rutgers
You might have forgotten Rutgers even made the NCAA Tournament last season,
their second appearance in a row. However, there was no shame losing to Notre
Dame in a double-overtime classic, as the Scarlet Knights still showed they
belonged. That might not be the case in 2022; gone is leading scorer and two-way
player Ron Harper Jr., who also acted as the team's emotional leader. Ditto for
Geo Baker, the team's third-leading scorer, and potentially
[https://www.onthebanks.com/2022/3/28/23000795/caleb-mcconnell-declares-for-2022-nba-draft-return-for-final-year-still-possible-rutgers-basketball] 
Caleb McConnell, the reigning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year.

That's a whole lot of talent for Steve Pikiell to replace, even if McConnell
does decide to return. Incoming freshmen Derek Simpson
[https://247sports.com/player/derek-simpson-46117867/] and Antwone Willfork
[https://247sports.com/player/antwone-woolfolk-46125664/] should carve out solid
roles on the team, but neither should be expected to be difference-makers in
year one. Center Cliff Omoruyi and guard Paul Mulcahy are quality starters, but
finding other scoring options on the roster is tricky. This could be a
rebuilding year for Rutgers in the top-heavy Big Ten. 

Seton Hall
Sticking in the state of New Jersey, Seton Hall may be due for a bit of a
setback in year one of the Shaheen Holloway era. While fans should be excited
about their new head coach, building a program takes time. That's especially
true when a roster loses their three best players. Jared Rhoden, an All-Big East
Team selection, is headed for the NBA. Other departures include guards Myles
Cale and Bryce Aiken; combined with Rhoden, that's more than half of Seton
Hall's scoring production, although Aiken's concussion issues forced him to miss
half the season. 

Holloway has been active this offseason, bringing aboard three four-star
recruits and transfers Al-Amir Dawes (Clemson) and Dre Davis (Louisville). The
additions will keep the Pirates competitive, but is this a better team than last
season, especially with a coach going against Power 5 competition for the first
time ever? In addition, experienced guard play is essential to make a run in
college basketball. Losing three quality starters at the position immediately
puts the Pirates at a disadvantage compared to some of the more experienced
groups in the Big East. A solid foundation is being built, but is it enough to
make Seton Hall a true contender? It's hard to see happening next season.

Iowa
The Hawkeyes had a Hawkeyes-type season last year, winning a ton of games in the
regular season thanks to their offense, only to get eliminated in the first
weekend of the NCAA Tournament. All-American Keegan Murray, the nation's leading
scorer, is a future NBA lottery pick, while supporting players such as Jordan
Bohannon and Joe Toussaint are gone as well. Of the returning players on the
roster, only Patrick McCaffery, son of head coach Fran, is a former top-100
prospect. The team's incoming recruiting class is ranked just 53rd in the nation 
according to 247Sports
[https://247sports.com/Season/2022-Basketball/CompositeTeamRankings/], below
schools like New Mexico and BYU.

There's still some ability here for Iowa, but it's hard to hype up a Murray-less
team with no clear replacement to be found on the roster. Keegan's brother Kris
could be the answer, but his decision to go to the NBA is still up in the air.
The Hawkeyes have a lack of depth and senior experience, and have heavily relied
upon gargantuan solo efforts from Murray and Luka Garza over the past two
seasons. Is there an offensive dynamo that McCaffery can lean on in 2022? If the
answer is no, it's hard to view this team as anything more than average in the
Big Ten.

College Basketball: Three Top Programs That Could Miss the NCAA Tournament

Once upon a time, long before the transfer portal and NIL deals, college
basketball offseasons were fairly boring affairs. Most players stayed in school,
the most talented went pro, and coaches built up programs in an attempt to
create their own legacies. Those days, the ones your dad remembers fondly, are
over.

If players jumping from one school to the next was too much for the casual fan
to handle, just wait until they see what the coaches are doing. In a sport that
has historically prioritized patience and perseverance, fans now look to the
suits to turn around a team. While it doesn't always lead to immediate wins,
coaching hires can create a 'buzz' around campus that is hard to match. With
talented transfers and five-star recruits spending months looking for a new
home, a big name on the sidelines can attract major talent in a matter of days.
Here are three head coaching hires that could reshape the landscape of college
basketball.

Thad Matta - Butler Bulldogs
There's nothing quite as nice as coming home. That's exactly what Thad Matta did
when he decided to come out of retirement to coach his alma matter, Butler. It's
not often that a coach with two Final Four appearances and five conference Coach
of the Year awards takes a five-year hiatus from the game. Matta had suffered
from a medical condition known as drop foot, but has gotten himself "back into
fighting shape."
[https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/butler/2022/04/06/butler-basketball-thad-matta-says-health-not-concern-return-coaching/9489182002/] 
Matta returns to Butler as a head coach, having taken the school to the second
round of the NCAA Tournament in 2001 in his one season as head coach. 

> True story. I decided last week to write about Thad Matta's first month back at
Butler, and how impressive the early returns had been. I started writing it AND
THEN HE LANDED PURDUE'S ERIC HUNTER IN THE TRANSFER PORTAL. Right coach, right
time:https://t.co/oLYJHy9wuI

— Gregg Doyel (@GreggDoyelStar) May 10, 2022
[https://twitter.com/GreggDoyelStar/status/1524035027159420934?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw]
Almost overnight, Matta has revamped the Bulldogs, bringing in a slew of
experienced transfers to Indianapolis. Among the several players brought in,
sharpshooter Eric Hunter Jr. and shot-blocking big man Manny Bates stand out as
day-one difference makers. While they finished second-to-last in their
conference last season, the gap between the best of the Big East and the rest
has always been slim. With Jay Wright gone from Villanova, it's anyones guess as
to who the conference favorites should be. They might not be there yet, but
Matta's Bulldogs have the pieces to snap the team's five-year absence from the
NCAA Tournament.

Kenny Payne - Louisville Cardinals
It seems as though Louisville's program has been in shambles ever since the NCAA
stripped the team of its 2013 National Championship. Investigations, poor play,
and behind-the-scenes dysfunction carried over past the Rick Pitino era,
essentially dooming his replacement Chris Mack. Now, Cardinals faithful hopes
one of the worst stretches in men's basketball history is just that: history.
The climb back to respectability is what faces new head coach Kenny Payne, who
will look to transform Louisville's culture in addition to its roster. 

> STORY/VIDEO: After his first 60 days on the job, Kenny Payne says his plan is
"coming together" at Louisville. https://t.co/Z0bz0hnnOX

— Jody Demling (@jdemling) May 17, 2022
[https://twitter.com/jdemling/status/1526654801366368258?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw]
Payne, a former assistant at Oregon, Kentucky, and the New York Knicks, brings
instant credibility to the Cardinals' bench. He's already managed to convince 
six players to return
[https://www.si.com/college/louisville/basketball/payne-instrumental-role-curry-traynor]
, an impressive feat in year one of a 'rebuild.' Payne also brings aboard two
four-star prospects
[https://247sports.com/college/louisville/Season/2022-Basketball/Commits/],
Devin Rees and Kamari Lands, as well as former five-star Brandon
Huntley-Hadfield
[https://247sports.com/Player/Brandon-Huntley-Hatfield-46057877/], a sophomore
transfer from Tennessee. It's an intriguing mix of talent that could lead to a
tournament appearance, or a middling finish in the always-tough ACC. Regardless,
this struggling program appears to be back on track, although the on-court
results will tell us the most about Payne's future in Louisville.

Frank Martin - Massachusetts (UMass) Minutemen
While a rapid turnaround is possible next season for Butler and Louisville, it's
hard to say the same of UMass. Since former head coach John Calipari left in
1996, the once-powerful Minutemen have made the NCAA Tournament just three
times. Before they had even hired a head coach this offseason to replace Matt
McCall, it was safe to say that UMass wouldn't be an easy fix. That's why it was
nice to see the program go after one of the biggest names on the open market,
Frank Martin. 

> Former UConn guard, Rahsool Diggins will transfer to UMass #Flagship
[https://twitter.com/hashtag/Flagship?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw] 🚩

Diggins is a former 4⭐️ recruit with a lot potential, this is a huge get for
Frank Martin

🎨: @rtpgfx [https://twitter.com/rtpgfx?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw] 
pic.twitter.com/ALof9PghKO [https://t.co/ALof9PghKO]

— Tobias Bass (@tobias_bass) April 18, 2022
[https://twitter.com/tobias_bass/status/1516146150969065473?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw]
Martin, who took both Kansas State and South Carolina to the Elite Eight (SC to
the Final Four in 2017), is a proven winner with a power conference pedigree.
While his hiring was made with a long-term focus, Martin has already had a
significant impact on the makeup of the 2022 roster. Do-it-all guard Rashool
Diggins [https://247sports.com/player/rahsool-diggins-46056543/] transferred
from UConn, Matt Cross [https://247sports.com/player/matt-cross-46049900/] comes
over from Louisville, and Martin was also able to persuade forward Gianni
Thompson [https://247sports.com/player/gianni-thompson-46101613/] into leaving
rival Boston College. That's quite the haul for a program that has often
struggled to attract premium talent. While the Atlantic 10 conference has some
tough competition, Martin is the kind of coach that can bring a program back
from the dead. Is it time for Amherst to party like it's 1996? Only time will
tell.

College Basketball: Three Biggest Coaching Hires of the Offseason

It's not the flashiest conference, nor is it the most talented, but Big Ten
football offers consistent drama from top to bottom. Look no further than 5-7
Illinois' nine-overtime upset
[https://www.espn.com/college-football/game/_/gameId/401282717] of then-seventh
ranked Penn State, or plucky Purdue's takedown of then-fifth ranked Michigan
State [https://www.espn.com/college-football/game/_/gameId/401282787]. While it
tends to be one of Ohio State or Michigan getting the headlines, the Big Ten is
filled with rivals itching for a chance at the conference title. Here's what to
expect going into 2022:

The Favorites: Ohio State, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Michigan State 
Mortal enemies Ohio State and Michigan battled for the title last year, and
nothing should suggest a departure from contention next season. C.J. Stroud's
return makes the Buckeyes not only Big Ten favorites, but a good bet to make the
College Football Playoffs. While two of Stroud's top receivers in 2021 (Garrett
Wilson & Chris Olave) left for the NFL, the return of star wideout Jaxson
Smith-Njigba and 1,000-yard rusher TreVeyon Henderson should keep OSU's offense
churning. With new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles arriving in Columbus, fans
are hoping to see a dominant pass rush for the first time since Chase Young was
manhandling offensive linemen in 2019.

> C.J. Stroud's rapid improvement last year was impressive to see.
https://t.co/uszKEWYXTo

— Scarlet & Game (@ScarletAndGame) May 22, 2022
[https://twitter.com/ScarletAndGame/status/1528402747048992769?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw]
Aidan Hutchinson may have moved to Detroit, but the future is bright in Ann
Arbor. Jim Harbaugh finally took down Ohio State, a major psychological barrier
for Michigan's program over the past decade. While they followed that up with a
playoff blowout to Georgia, there's enough returning talent to give the
Wolverines hope that last season wasn't a fluke. The real intrigue for the
program comes at quarterback. Cade McNamara had a solid, albeit unspectacular,
junior campaign. Could his starting spot be threatened by former five-star
prospect J.J. McCarthy [https://247sports.com/player/j-j-mccarthy-46042742/]? A
soft out-of-conference schedule should give Harbaugh enough time to figure out
who will be the guy under center before conference play.

Wisconsin is another predictably good program, but the Badgers have typically
been stuck playing second fiddle to whoever wins the East division. Once again,
the defense will be solid. The real question, as it always is in Madison, will
be the passing game. Graham Mertz is the clear no. 1 quarterback on the depth
chart, and anyone who has watched a Badgers game can see the junior has talent.
Can he find consistency? New offensive coordinator Bobby Engram's scheme should
give Wisconsin more of a downfield attack; perhaps that plays into Mertz's
strengths as a pocket passer.

Michigan State was one of the biggest surprises in all of college football last
year, winning 11 games and the Peach Bowl. However, the engine that made the
Spartans go, running back Kenneth Walker III, is gone. MSU's offensive hopes now
rest on the shoulders of quarterback Payton Thorne. He had a good season in
2021, but wasn't asked to carry the load with Walker III around. Thorne's
development will likely determine whether Michigan State can keep pace with OSU
and Michigan. The secondary was porous at times last season, but Georgia
transfer Ameer Speed could make a difference at cornerback. Some new faces and
bigger roles for returnees makes Tucker's squad feel more 'boom-or-bust'
compared to other contenders.

> Payton Thorne is the No. 25 QB in the nation heading into 2022, according to 
@247Sports [https://twitter.com/247Sports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw].

He's also No. 4 in the Big Ten behind CJ Stroud, Aidan O'Connell, and Taulia
Tagovailoa. #GoGreen
[https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoGreen?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw] 
https://t.co/ibIVVNuPC3

— Spartan Avenue (@SpartanAvenueFS) May 23, 2022
[https://twitter.com/SpartanAvenueFS/status/1528795446612791296?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw]
The Contenders: Iowa, Penn State, Minnesota
Iowa had a real claim to best defense in the conference last season, and nothing
has drastically changed this offseason to suggest a drop-off. The offense is
more uncertain. One of Spencer Petras or Alex Padilla needs to prove that they
can be the team's week-to-week starting quarterback moving forward. Otherwise,
it's hard to envision Iowa in a New Year's Six bowl game come 2023.

Penn State started the season hovering around the top ten range in the AP Poll,
only to go 2-6 in their final eight games. Playmakers like Jahan Dotson and
Jaquan Brisker are gone, but quarterback Sean Clifford returns to Happy Valley
for his fifth season. On the other side of the ball, former Miami head coach
Manny Diaz steps in as defensive coordinator, which should only help an already
elite group. The Big 10 West is always a gauntlet, but the Nittany Lions have
the talent for a playoff push.

> The last time Manny Diaz was a full-time defensive coordinator (2018) his unit
gave up 19.5 points per game and was No. 18 in scoring defense. 

At Penn State, he takes over a unit ranked No. 7 in scoring defense (16.8 PPG)
against the fifth-toughest SOS in the sport.

— RJ Young (@RJ_Young) December 11, 2021
[https://twitter.com/RJ_Young/status/1469687287898415106?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw]
If you're looking for a program with real sleeper potential, Minnesota fits the
bill. P.J. Fleck nearly took the Gophers to the conference championship game,
and there's enough returning talent to improve on last season's 8-4 record.
Quarterback Tanner Morgan and running back Mohamed Ibrahim, recovering from an
Achilles injury, are one of the Big Ten's best offensive duos, and the return of
offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca, who held the same position in 2019, could
lead to something special. That year, Morgan threw for 30 touchdowns; could he
do even better as a fifth-year senior with Ciarrocca?

2022 College Football Conference Preview: Who's The Favorite In The Big Ten

S-E-C! S-E-C! S-E-C!

It's a chant embraced by the South and universally reviled everywhere else. The
pompous, downright braggadocious attitude many SEC supporters have seems to irk
other fans the wrong way, but can you blame them? The conference has won
thirteen national championships since 2000, easily ahead of the other Power 5
conferences combined. They have been home to five of the past ten Heisman trophy
winners and, if recruiting rankings tell us anything, should expect some more
in
the near future
[https://247sports.com/Season/2022-Football/CompositeTeamRankings/]. 

Objectively, the SEC is simply ahead of the rest of the country. That's quite
the achievement, but where do these football powerhouses rank amongst each
other? How do these ancient rivals match up for 2022? Which teams could make a
surprise push to the College Football Playoff? Let's take a look at what should
be another hard-hitting, high-flying season down South.

The Contenders: Alabama, Georgia, Texas A&M, Arkansas, & Kentucky
Not much has changed at the top of the conference; defending national champion
Georgia and title-game loser Alabama should be ranked as the best two teams in
the country, let alone the SEC. The Dawgs did lose quite a bit of firepower to
the NFL, as a record number of players
[https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/33824229/georgia-bulldogs-defense-breaks-nfl-draft-record-5-first-rounders] 
from last year's dominant defense
[https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/32520073/how-georgia-football-built-perfect-defense-kirby-smart] 
were drafted in April. Still, Kirby Smart is no stranger to reloading, and the
program does return top contributors like quarterback Stetson Bennett, tight end
Brock Bowers, and linebacker Nolan Smith. The defense might not be quite as good
as last season, but the offense is in a position to pick up more of the slack.

'Bama is in a similar boat as Georgia, but  Heisman-winning quarterback Bryce
Young's sophomore campaign could make the nation's seventh-best offense
[https://www.ncaa.com/stats/football/fbs/current/team/21] even more potent.
Despite the departure of notable talents on the offensive line and at wide
receiver, expect players previously buried on the depth chart, such as wideout
Traeshon Holden and defensive lineman Tim Smith, to become household names by
the end of the season. Nick Saban's recruiting prowess is well documented, but
the Tide develop future stars better than anyone else in the country.

If anyone can challenge last year's division winners, it's Texas A&M. The Aggies
welcome in the nation's top recruiting class
[https://247sports.com/college/texas-am/Season/2022-Football/Commits/] and
should enter the season as a top five team in the AP Poll. Jimbo Fisher has yet
to lead the program to the playoffs, but a healthy Haynes King at quarterback (
assuming he wins the job
[https://gmtm.com/articles/college-football-three-power-5-quarterback-competitions-spring]
) and a revamped offensive line gives him his best shot, even without star
running back Isaiah Spiller. A Week 3 showdown against Miami will tell us a lot
about A&M before they start conference play.

> What do markets think about the 2022 College football season? Here are implied
championship probabilities from @BetUS_Official
[https://twitter.com/BetUS_Official?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw]'s listed odds: 

Alabama: 33.3%
Georgia: 25.0%
Ohio State: 15.4%
Clemson: 9.1%
Texas A&M: 3.8%
Oklahoma, USC: 2.9%
Michigan, Wisconsin, LSU: 2.4% pic.twitter.com/XLV1WnleDS
[https://t.co/XLV1WnleDS]

— parker (@statsowar) May 3, 2022
[https://twitter.com/statsowar/status/1521592118979956737?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw]
Arkansas has opened the season as a darkhorse contender in the perennially
loaded SEC West. In the third year under head coach Sam Pittman and the fourth
with dual-threat quarterback K.J. Jefferson, the Hogs have the continuity and
talent to go toe-to-toe with the conference's best. If they can sneak out a win
over one of Alabama or Texas A&M, this is a legitimate playoff contender.

Kentucky is another program high off of momentum from last season. Mark Stoops
has always been one of the SEC's better head coaches, but he's never had a
quarterback as skilled as Will Levis, who formed a deadly combo with running
back Chris Rodriguez, a 1,379-yard rusher, in 2021. Replacing leading target
Wan'Dale Robinson and multiple offensive line starters will be difficult, but
the core in Lexington makes the Wildcats a threat to Georgia's SEC East
supremacy.

The Challengers: Ole Miss, Mississippi State, and LSU
Ole Miss has been pass-happy during Lane Kiffin's two years on campus. Things
might change a bit this year without star quarterback Matt Corral, who was
selected in the NFL Draft last month. Incoming USC transfer Jaxson Dart, a 
former top recruit [https://247sports.com/Player/Jaxson-Dart-46099432/], should
allow for Kiffin to push the ball down the field, but reliance on the Rebs'
running attack, now led by star TCU transfer Zach Evans
[https://www.redcuprebellion.com/2022/1/6/22870440/ole-miss-rebels-football-2022-commitment-tcu-horned-frogs-transfer-zach-evans-portal-kiffin-smith]
, should lead to more wins. With a loaded group of incoming talent, Ole Miss has
a great chance at making another New Year's Six bowl. 

> Ole Miss’s transfer class is insane. 🔥

5🌟 QB Jaxson Dart
4🌟 TE Michael Trigg
4🌟 RB Zach Evans
4🌟 TE J.J. Pegues
4🌟 OT Mason Brooks
4🌟 LB Troy Brown
4🌟 DB Ladarius Tennison
3🌟 DB Isheem Young
3🌟 WR Jordan Watkins
3🌟 OT Jordan Rhodes

— CFB Kings (@CFBKings) January 30, 2022
[https://twitter.com/CFBKings/status/1487599989509476352?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw]
Mississippi State is coming off a brutal end to the 2021 season, where they lost
to arch-rival Ole Miss in the Egg Bowl and got blown out to Texas Tech in the
Liberty Bowl. However, Mike Leach's crew was sidelined by an outbreak of Covid
and several opt-outs late in the season. This is a veteran offense led by a
top-flight junior quarterback in Will Rogers, who threw for nearly 5,000 yards
last season. While they aren't seen as elite, the Bulldogs have plenty of
surprise potential.

Figuring out where to place LSU in this article was a challenge, but they should
remain competitive this year under new head coach Brian Kelly to scare a top
program or two. In fact, it might not even be surprising to see the Tigers
amongst the conference's best by the end of the season, but there's simply too
much unpredictability right now. Returnee Myles Brennan is the favorite to start
at quarterback, but Arizona State transfer Jayden Daniels presents a major
challenge; whoever wins the battle will give LSU veteran experience at the
sport's most important position.

The Hopefuls: South Carolina, Tennessee, and Florida
It's hard to actually trust Tennessee; the Vols have been a preseason hype
machine for the past two decades. However, quarterback Hendon Hooker is
electric, and it really feels like Josh Heupel has changed the feel of a program
that needed a jolt of energy. A defense that surrendered nearly 30 points per
game will need to see some improvement, but it's hard not to like the foundation
Heupel has put into place for both the present and the near-future.

South Carolina was the SEC East's version of Arkansas in 2021, a surprise
program that showed it can hang with the big boys. Shane Beamer is quickly
ascending amongst the coaching ranks, and landing talents like Spencer Rattler
and Austin Stogner through the transfer portal is quite the coup for the
Gamecocks. Now, the challenge will be both bringing Rattler back to Heisman form
and maintaining what was a strong pass defense last season. If Beamer and his
staff can't keep SC balanced on offense and defense, this could be a difficult
season.

Florida had a disastrous 2021, with a mediocre 6-7 record that led to the firing
of head coach Dan Mullen before the end of the regular season. Last year's
starting quarterback Emory Jones has transferred to Arizona State, leaving
Anthony Richardson as the projected starter. If he can stay healthy, Richardson
can be a weapon for new head coach Billy Napier, but that's a big if; he's
suffered through a torn ligament and concussion issues since high school.
Additional questions linger across the offense, and it's unclear if there are
enough players on the roster ready to step up for next season. The future looks
good in Gainesville, but it's going to take some time before the Gators are a
true contender again.

> Hey!

Remember that 6-foot-4 QB who did a gymnastics-level backflip in warmups earlier
today? 

Yeah, this is the same guy. 

Florida’s got a live one in Anthony Richardson #CFB
[https://twitter.com/hashtag/CFB?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw]
pic.twitter.com/xeTauW3y9E [https://t.co/xeTauW3y9E]

— Trevor Sikkema (@TampaBayTre) September 11, 2021
[https://twitter.com/TampaBayTre/status/1436747586321494018?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw]
Typically one of the SEC's elite, Tigers fans may need more realistic
expectations for 2022. The defense remains one of the conference's best, and
should continue to play well with Derick Hall and Colby Wooden returning. Where
things get concerning are on offense, where a murky quarterback battle shouldn't
inspire much confidence that Auburn can get elite production at a position they
have struggled to find success with.

2022 College Football Conference Preview: Who The Favorites Are In The SEC

The end of the college football season is a bittersweet time for fans across the
nation. Despite an exciting year and a new national champion, Georgia's victory
over Alabama ensures a wait of over seven months before the next CFB campaign
begins. 

In the meantime, here are five tantalizing non-conference matchups worth waiting
for, ranked by team quality, history, and importance. The 2022-23 season can't
come soon enough!

Notre Dame at Ohio State - September 3rd
What could be better than two iconic brands battling at The Shoe to kick off the
season? In what could be a showdown between two top-5 ranked programs, Marcus
Freeman begins his tenure as Notre Dame's head coach (Fiesta Bowl debacle aside)
against Ryan Day's Buckeyes.

Both teams are expected to return a great deal of NFL-quality talent, giving
them two of the more experienced rosters in the nation. The Irish made major
strides down the stretch, and stability on the offensive and defensive lines
were a main reason why. The big question will be the fit of freshman Tyler
Buchner, the projected starter at quarterback next fall. Another point of
intrigue in this one is Marcus Freeman's hiring of former OSU coach Al
Washington as the Irish's new defensive line coach.

> Marcus Freeman is bolstering his staff with a hire from Ohio State.

Al Washington will be hired as Notre Dame's DL coach. Washington spent time with
Freeman when both were on Cincinnati's staff in 2017.https://t.co/1H2vKOlxO9

— The Athletic CFB (@TheAthleticCFB) January 16, 2022
[https://twitter.com/TheAthleticCFB/status/1482831274930757640?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw]
As for OSU, they'll welcome back Heisman finalist C.J. Stroud along with a
predictably loaded supporting cast following a slightly disappointing 11-2 year.
This game will likely come down to how a new-look Notre Dame secondary post-Kyle
Hamilton deals with the nation's best wide receiver trio in Chris Olave, Garrett
Wilson, and Jackson Smith-Njigba.

Utah at Florida - September 3rd
This battle of former Urban Meyer employers is also a contrast between two
programs in polar opposite positions. The Utah Utes have become a model of
consistency under head coach Kyle Whittingham, making the Pac-12 championship in
three of the past four seasons. In January, they nearly upset Ohio State in the
Rose Bowl en route to a #12th ranked 10-4 season.

> The state of Utah has more teams in the final AP rankings of the season than
Texas and Florida combined 😳🔥 pic.twitter.com/TafZFyDht6
[https://t.co/TafZFyDht6]

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) January 12, 2022
[https://twitter.com/CFBONFOX/status/1481407003356504082?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw]
The situation was much bleaker in Gainesville last year. Florida looked like an
SEC contender following a hard-fought 31-29 defeat against Alabama, but just
about everything fell apart from there. The Gators went 4-6 for the rest of the
year, capped off by the late season firing of head coach Dan Mullen and a loss
to UCF in the Gasparilla Bowl. Mullen's replacement, former Louisiana coach
Billy Napier, faces a tall task in rebuilding Florida to their former glory.
Taking out the reigning Pac-12 champions in front of a fanbase starving for some
success at The Swamp would be a great way to kickstart this rebuild. 

Georgia vs. Oregon - September 3rd
Sometimes, narratives write themselves. In his first game as a head coach,
former Georgia defensive coordinator Dan Lanning will head to Atlanta to face
his former boss Kirby Smart in a de-facto home game for the Bulldogs. Fresh off
a national title run carried largely by Georgia's dominant defense, it will be
fascinating to see what Lanning does to slow down Stetson Bennett and the rest
of UGA's dynamic offense.

> Watch the full video from Dan Lanning’s media Zoom today, talking about finally
settling into the Oregon job after Georgia’s national championship run, his
thoughts on the roster, his Ducks staff and much more.https://t.co/Xn5HYOFPub

— DuckSportsAuthority (@DSArivals) January 14, 2022
[https://twitter.com/DSArivals/status/1481788446129618947?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw]
As far as Oregon's roster, it's hard to tell what kind of team we'll see this
year in Eugene. Gone are head coach Mario Cristobal, who bolted for his alma
matter Miami, and defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux, a likely top-3 pick in this
year's NFL Draft. The Ducks also have one of the nation's most intriguing
quarterback rooms; Auburn transfer Bo Nix will compete this spring
[https://247sports.com/college/oregon/Article/Oregon-Football-Dan-Lanning-Bo-Nix-Ducks-Football-180567236/] 
with former four-star recruits Jay Butterfield and Ty Thompson for the starting
job. If Nix does win the starting job, his lack of success against the Dawgs is
slightly concerning; he's winless in three games vs. Georgia, tossing just one
touchdown to go along with two interceptions.

West Virginia at Pittsburgh - September 3rd
This one is pretty straightforward: for the first time in over a decade, the
Backyard Brawl is back. Pittsburgh and West Virginia, separated from each other
by a mere 75 miles, will renew their storied rivalry at Heinz Field this
September. With over one hundred meetings between the two
[http://www.winsipedia.com/pittsburgh/vs/west-virginia], fans on both sides will
be pleased to see a matchup with such tradition return to college football.

> 85 Days until Pitt Football

Darrelle Revis has one of the most spectacular punt returns you will ever see in
the Backyard Brawl and grabs the #1 spot on SportsCenter Top 10. Derek Kinder’s
block is absolutely electric. pic.twitter.com/4nww9L4LKC
[https://t.co/4nww9L4LKC]

— The Loyal Sons (@TheLoyalSons) June 12, 2020
[https://twitter.com/TheLoyalSons/status/1271488508386054147?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw]
As far as recent success, Pitt just completed one of the better seasons in
program history. Quarterback Kenny Pickett led the team to an ACC Championship
while being named a Heisman finalist, a major boost for a school that had gone
twelve years without double-digit wins. With his departure for the NFL, the team
will hope that USC transfer Kedon Slovis can unlock his high potential
[https://www.si.com/college/usc/football/report-reveals-kedon-slovis-is-a-high-ceiling-quarterback#:~:text=PFF%20released%20their%202021%20college,'high%2Dceiling%20quarterback'.]
. 

West Virginia went through a mediocre 6-7 campaign under third year head coach
Neal Brown, who has a subpar 17-18 record in Morgantown. It's fair to say next
season is make-or-break for Brown, and he'll be without Jarret Doege, last
year's starting quarterback. As it stands right now, Brown will be relying on a 
QB room with minimal experience
[https://www.si.com/college/westvirginia/football/the-future-of-wvu-football-greene-crowder-or-marchiol]
, which is never a great sign. A defense that ranked 45th in the nation in
points allowed per game will need to carry the Mountaineers in 2022. With two
teams that have major question marks at the sport's most important position,
picking a winner in this brawl is easier said than done.

Alabama at Texas - September 1oth
The only game on the list not to take place during opening week, Alabama-Texas
is a showdown between historic blue-bloods. Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian
will be tasked with taking down Nick Saban; Sarkisian served as 'Bama's
offensive coordinator in 2016 as well as 2019 and 2020. 

Unfortunately for Texas, the comparisons between these two programs stop there.
The Longhorns were an abject failure last season, going from ranked in the
preseason AP Poll to a 5-7 finish, including a demoralizing loss at home against
2-win Kansas. With that being said, there is plenty of buzz this season (when
isn't there for Texas?) over the arrival of Quinn Ewers, a former five-star
quarterback [https://247sports.com/Player/Quinn-Ewers-45572600/] who transferred
from Ohio State this year. Couple that with the return of running back Bijan
Robinson and the addition of former Alabama tight end Jahleel Billingsley
[https://247sports.com/college/texas/Article/Jahleel-Billingsley-commits-Texas-Longhorns-Football-Recruiting-2022-NCAA-Transfer-Portal-Alabama-Crimson-Tide-tight-end-180649084/]
, and it's easy to see this offense being one of the Big 12's best.

> Talented Alabama transfer Jahleel Billingsley will reunite with Steve Sarkisian
at Texas. https://t.co/0uGvwc5JiV

— Longhorns Wire (@LonghornsWire) January 16, 2022
[https://twitter.com/LonghornsWire/status/1482832819416182786?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw]
Alabama's story is straightforward; another run to the national title game ended
in heartbreak against Georgia, giving Tide fans a rare feeling of defeat heading
into the offseason. However, there are plenty of reasons to assume the
never-ending 'Bama dynasty will continue to find success in 2022. Bryce Young is
coming off a Heisman-winning year in his first season as a starter. While there
will be some notable departures, such as John Metchie, Slade Bolden, Jameson
Williams, and Billingsley, we've seen Saban restock this roster time and time
again. With the nation's second-best recruiting class
[https://247sports.com/Season/2022-Football/CompositeTeamRankings/], expect
another season at the top of the SEC.

In this pedigree vs. potential matchup, it will be up to Texas' mediocre defense
to keep Bryce Young in check. While that seems unlikely, at the very least fans
should be able to see Sarkisian, Ewers and the Longhorn offense put to the test
against one of the nation's most formidable front sevens. Even in defeat, a
solid effort against an elite opponent should have Texas feeling good about
their chances at contending in the Big 12 next season. 

Honorable Mentions: Penn St. at Auburn, Miami at Texas A&M, Oklahoma at
Nebraska, Cincinnati at Arkansas, Baylor at BYU

College Football: Five Best Non-Conference Games Of 2022

Saint Peter's historic run was full of dramatic moments and unexpected
surprises. All except one: head coach Shaheen Holloway was as good as gone once
the feisty Peacocks were defeated.

Holloway would stay in New Jersey to coach his old school, Seton Hall, a
not-so-secret rumor that had been all but finalized before the Peacocks even
lost in the Elite Eight. It's a significant step up in prestige, athletic
budget, and recruiting, but this no-brainer coaching move feels bittersweet. St.
Peter's is about to learn, as many have before them, that the small-school
struggle is real.

From Rags to Riches
Before the Peacocks even dreamed of dancing in March, they had some significant
early-season struggles. St. Peter's got off to a disappointing 2-5 start,
including out-of-conference losses to St. John's, VCU, and Providence. While
their defense was stellar, the offense couldn't get out of its own way, giving
away the ball at an average of 14.9 times per game over the team's first nine
contests. Anemic shooting (.421 field-goal percentage, .321 from three) and a
stagnant scoring output were major issues as well.

St. Peter's showed signs of life at the start of conference play, and it carried
over to the rest of the season. They went 16-5 over their next 21 games, reduced
their average turnovers to 12.2, shot the ball at a much higher rate (.435
field-goal percentage, .368 from three), and played phenomenal defense
(opponents averaged just under 60 points per game). The Peacocks' high-quality
play continued in the MAAC tournament, as they won three straight games to win
the conference title and secure an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament. In
just his fourth year as head coach, Shaheen Holloway had taken his team March
Madness.

This in-season turnaround, as remarkable as it was, did not prepare fans and
analysts alike for the magic that would soon follow. The Peacocks first shocked
America by taking down #2 Kentucky, a popular pick to win a national
championship. Stunning would be an understatement; St. Peter's had zero March
Madness wins in program history entering the game compared to Kentucky's 131, an
NCAA record. Their overtime victory carried over to the Round of 32, where they
handled #7 Murray State by a score of 70-60. Holloway and company weren't done
there; he and the Peacocks took down #3 Purdue 67-64, a 15-point drop-off from
the Boilermakers' season average. With the win, St. Peter's had gone farther
than any other #15 seed in tournament history.

> NO. 15 ST. PETER’S UPSETS NO. 3 PURDUE‼️ pic.twitter.com/fmvsgvEDb4
[https://t.co/fmvsgvEDb4]

— B/R Hoops (@brhoops) March 26, 2022
[https://twitter.com/brhoops/status/1507529853687328768?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw]
While the fun would come to a close against North Carolina the following week,
St. Peter's had plenty to be thankful for. Tournament titles, a financial
windfall
[https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/33604306/financial-jackpot-unlikely-cash-strapped-saint-peter-peacocks-generating-ncaa-tournament-revenue]
, and national recognition. So, why did their head coach leave a good thing
behind?

The Small-School Dilemma

Every mid-major in the country dreams of taking down a top seed in the NCAA
Tournament. There are few things in life quite as satisfying as bringing a
blue-blood to its knees; the thrill of victory combined with seeing one of
college basketball's 'cool kids' humiliated. However, everything comes with a
price.

Prior to 2022, Shaheen Holloway was not on the national radar as a Power 5 head
coaching candidate. Sure, he had brought St. Peter's back to respectability by
winning the MAAC, but plenty of teams have won an automatic bid only to get
slaughtered in March Madness. Holloway defied the odds the second the buzzer
sounded against Kentucky, giving all of Jersey City something to cherish. That 
gets noticed, especially by a fellow in-state university.

Let's be clear here: Holloway is not the first, and won't be the last, mid-major
coach to leave for greener pastures. Jim Larrañaga built a powerhouse at George
Mason, guiding the school to three NCAA Tournament appearances and a Final Four.
Since he left for Miami in 2011, GMU has yet to return to March Madness. In just
their sixth season as a Division I program in 2013, Andy Enfield brought #15
Florida Gulf Coast to the Sweet Sixteen. He left for USC that same year. 

It's hard to find an instance of a small-school becoming better once their head
coach leaves. This isn't to overstate their impact; ultimately, the game is won
and lost by the players on the court. It does mean that any positive momentum
from a Cinderella run is halted, if not derailed entirely. St. Peter's fans that
have just gotten their first taste of basketball glory will now have to hope and
pray that Bashir Mason
[https://www.northjersey.com/story/sports/2022/04/13/saint-peters-basketball-bashir-mason-head-coach-jersey-city/7297092001/#:~:text=JERSEY%20CITY%20%E2%80%93%20Bashir%20Mason%20returned,at%20Run%20Baby%20Run%20Arena.] 
can keep things running smoothly. Easier said than done.

> 𝙒𝙚𝙡𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚 (𝙗𝙖𝙘𝙠) 𝙩𝙤 𝙅𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙚𝙮 𝘾𝙞𝙩𝙮!

It's official! Bashir Mason has been named the next head coach of your
Peacocks!!

📰: https://t.co/hPpGgbqC1p#StrutUp
[https://twitter.com/hashtag/StrutUp?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw]🦚 
pic.twitter.com/NFhGTfbc64 [https://t.co/NFhGTfbc64]

— Saint Peter's Men's Basketball (@PeacocksMBB) April 12, 2022
[https://twitter.com/PeacocksMBB/status/1513971947536855043?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw]
Unlike the NBA, which is run by its superstars, college basketball has always
been defined by the suits, those who seek to build a program rather than chase a
ring. Men like Mike Krzyzewski, John Thompson, or Dean Smith have been shining
beacons of stability in a sport that, especially today, sees players come and
go. That's why Holloway's move hurts, even if it makes complete sense for him
and his family. Program builders, those who make something that lasts, leave a
behind a legacy. 

Perhaps that's how we'll come to see Holloway regardless of his time with the
Peacocks. Seton Hall is a school with a bigger athletic budget than St. Peters,
an athletic department fully committed to basketball, and they play in a
prestigious conference. The Pirates' new head coach has an engaging personality
that should pull in more recruits from the Tri-State area than his predecessor,
Kevin Willard. Yet, for all of Holloway's future success, his time at Seton Hall
won't be the same. 

The mystique of St. Peter's run won't fade any time soon. This is the kind of
fairy tale that resonates even with non-sports fans. Still, this team, as fun as
they were, will likely go down as a flash in the pan. It's hard to see them
winning the MAAC next season, let alone reaching the second weekend of March
Madness. These Peacocks may have left the ground for a bit, but we never got to
see them fly.

Men's Basketball: How Shaheen Holloway and St. Peter's Can Stay Relevant After March Madness

Moments after Arkansas took down top overall seed Gonzaga in the NCAA
Tournament, head coach Eric Musselman had some choice words for the team's
detractors.

"We believed. You know, nobody else did" Musselman told CBS's Tracy Wolfson
[https://twitter.com/MM_MBB_TV/status/1507168920503005188?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1507168920503005188%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.swtimes.com%2Fstory%2Fsports%2Fcollege%2F2022%2F03%2F24%2Feric-musselman-thanks-doubters-after-arkansas-basketball-beat-gonzaga%2F7147911001%2F]
. "We read everything. I'm telling you we put it up on our screen every single
meal. Thank you to everybody who said we had no chance."

If anyone wasn't paying attention to the Razorbacks prior the Gonzaga game, they
sure are now, despite their loss to Duke the following game. By making a second
straight appearance in the Elite Eight, Musselman's crew has proven they belong
amongst the sport's top programs. What comes next could be even bigger.

You Muss Get On This Bus

The Hogs weren't in a bad spot three years ago. Under Mike Anderson, the team
made three appearances in the tournament and were fairly competitive. However,
what Musselman has brought to the program is an unprecedented knack for
recruiting in a player-first era. From 2019, the last year of the Anderson era,
to 2020, Musselman's first, Arkansas jumped from the nation's 157th-ranked
recruiting class
[https://247sports.com/college/arkansas/Season/2019-Basketball/Commits/] to 
9th-best
[https://247sports.com/college/arkansas/Season/2020-Basketball/Commits/],
according to 247sports. 

While 2021 was a bit of a let-down (57th-best), this year's group of incoming
prospects is an unprecedented haul. With six top-100 players, it's hard to find
a better recruiting class in the country, even amongst perennially stacked
schools such as Duke and Gonzaga. 247sports had the Hogs ranked #2 prior to 
five-star Anthony Black's commitment to Arkansas
[https://theathletic.com/news/anthony-black-5-star-pg-commits-to-arkansas/1cA7kvG4AvXE/] 
three weeks ago. Black now joins freshmen Nick Smith (#6 nationally) and Jordan
Walsh (#18), along with others, to create what may be college basketball's best
young core. 

> Anthony Black with the awesome find to find his future teammate Nick Smith Jr.
Both players will be heading to Arkansas next year and will be competing for a
national championship. pic.twitter.com/8uXl7t0nFT [https://t.co/8uXl7t0nFT]

— Global Scouting (@GlobalScouting_) April 9, 2022
[https://twitter.com/GlobalScouting_/status/1512637269827592194?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw]
It seems that the only thing that can derail the Muss Bus is, well, Musselman.
His knack for drawing in top talent, whether it be on the recruiting trail or
via the transfer portal, has made an already deep Razorbacks roster downright
crowded
[https://www.si.com/college/arkansas/hogs-mens-basketball/anthony-black-eric-musselman-muss-bus-full-ncaa#gid=ci029d602710002613&pid=031222-eric-musselman-tamu-kim-klement]
. The pillars of this year's group, senior guard J.D. Notae and sophomore big
man Jaylin Williams, have yet to commit to going pro. Should one or both decide
to stay in school, there could be a serious roster logjam. It's a problem most
head coaches could only dream of, but it also has the potential to create
friction in the locker room. Musselman's talent as a recruiter and positive
presence is unquestioned, but it will be on him to guide Arkansas through any
in-season turbulence that comes with collecting so much star-power.

Catching Up to Calipari

For years, Kentucky has had a stranglehold on the SEC. Since John Calipari
became head coach in 2009, the Wildcats have won five SEC regular-season
championships to go with six conference tournament wins, the most for any school
during that timespan. When it comes to pulling in top talent, few of UK's rivals
have even come close; no SEC team has ever had a higher-ranked recruiting class
than Kentucky under Calipari. That was, until this year. The Wildcats,
consistently in the sport's top five classes annually, currently sit at 25th on
247's rankings
[https://247sports.com/Season/2022-Basketball/CompositeTeamRankings/]. While
there is still time to bring in more talent, it's an especially troubling number
for a program that has relied upon rosters filled with one-and-dones rather than
players staying on campus.

UK's loss could be Arkansas' gain. To be clear, this is not a two-team
conference; schools like Auburn and Alabama have become prominent programs,
while last year's SEC Tournament champions, Tennessee, are more than capable of
a repeat performance in 2023. However, prestige is powerful. A massive
basketball budget of over $18 million, combined with Calipari's reputation as a
coach who gets players to the NBA, makes Kentucky a difficult roadblock for any
SEC contender. That's why Musselman's elite recruiting is so crucial. The
Razorbacks may lose half their roster to the NBA, but it's the precedent of
becoming a premiere destination that matters in the long run. High schoolers
from the south and beyond no longer have to bleed Kentucky blue to win games or
get attention from NBA scouts; they can just join one of the sport's
'new-bloods' instead. 

Arkansas could become a national powerhouse in the near future (if it isn't
already), reminiscent of the program's peak in the 90's under Nolan Richardson.
They could also revert back to the middling program they were under Anderson if
this year's recruits simply don't mesh well together. What is indisputable is
that there's no better time than now to challenge Kentucky's long-standing SEC
supremacy. Backed by an immensely talented head coach and a roster hungry for a
Final Four appearance, it's difficult to doubt these Razorbacks. Strap in and
get ready college basketball fans: this bus isn't stopping anytime soon.

Men's Basketball: Eric Musselman and Arkansas Are Speeding Ahead of the SEC

Undefeated regular season. 12-1 record. First-ever non-Power 5 playoff
participant. Multiple first-round picks?

Cincinnati enjoyed a magical 2021 season, easily the best in program history.
However, the Bearcats aren't done just yet. In less than a week, they may see
not one, but two of their best players get selected in the first round, with
more soon to follow. Cincinnati, once a destination for players rejected by
college football's 'elite' programs, has become a legitimate talent pipeline to
the NFL.

Top Talent Taken Early

Amongst the confusion that is Round 1 of the NFL Draft, one thing feels certain:
Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner will hear his name called on Thursday night. The
playmaking cornerback went his entire three-year college career without
surrendering a touchdown. Gardner capped off his time at Cincy in style, 
blanketing Alabama's Jameson Williams
[https://www.si.com/college/cincinnati/football/ahmad-sauce-gardner-proves-he-belongs-among-elite-nfl-prospects]
, another first-round talent. In today's passing league, every team could use
secondary help, but the Giants, Falcons, and Seahawks all make sense within the
top ten.

Things get more interesting with quarterback Desmond Ridder, the face of
Cincinnati's program for the past four seasons. Ridder saved his best for last,
tossing 30 touchdowns to just eight interceptions in a Heisman-caliber senior
year
[https://gmtm.com/articles/why-desmond-ridder-should-win-the-heisman-trophy].
Mix in some scrambling ability and football smarts, and it's clear why some
front offices are high on Ridder. Although he didn't go up against many dominant
defenses in the American Conference, Ridder certainly wouldn't be the first
mid-major signal caller to find success at the next level. Figuring out a range
of scenarios is difficult, but any quarterback-needy teams with picks in the
middle or back of the first round (Houston, New Orleans, Pittsburgh, Detroit)
could make the move.

Hidden Gems

Wide receiver Alec Pierce projects as  a short-yardage safety blanket with a
solid floor at the NFL level, rather than a big-play threat like in college. A
big body at 6’3", Pierce shows advanced catching and blocking skills as well as
a tough, team-first attitude that should endear him to fans and coaches alike.
There's certainly room to improve, but no glaring weaknesses. Expect a contender
at the end of the second round to bank on Pierce's potential to be a day one
contributor on offense.

Myjai Sanders was one of the key pieces on a stout Bearcats defense in 2021,
even with reduced production compared to the year prior. Lining up primarily at
defensive end, Sanders makes great use of his speed and nearly 6'8" wingspan to
surprise offensive tackles. What holds him back is inconsistency, especially in
the run game. However, Sanders' talent something most front offices are willing
to gamble on; look for him to get selected as early as late Day 2, most likely
early in Day 3.

Jerome Ford was buried behind Alabama's depth chart before he transferred to
Cincinnati, where he became the clear-cut number one option at running back.

Can Cincinnati's Historic Season Continue in the NFL Draft?

In the span of just four days, "March Madness" has already lived up to its name.
We've had some wild endings, nail-biting upsets, and no perfect brackets
[https://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2022/03/21/no-more-perfect-march-madness-brackets-remain]
.
[https://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2022/03/21/no-more-perfect-march-madness-brackets-remain] 
 Here are some of the biggest storylines following the best weekend in all of
sports.

The Dogs Are Doing Well
Not counting the even 8/9 matchups, we've had thirteen games in the first two
rounds where a lower seed has won. While some weren't all too surprising, there
were plenty of unexpected results. #10 Miami snuck by #7 USC, thanks to a
controversial foul call
[https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/33540294/usc-coach-andy-enfield-says-wrong-call-cost-trojans-first-round-win-vs-miami-ncaa-tournament]
, before blowing out #2 Auburn, a team with legitimate Final Four hopes. Another
would-be contender, #5 Iowa, saw their Big 10-winning season crash and burn in
one game against #12 Richmond. #8 North Carolina continued its stellar play of
late by taking down the defending national champions, #1 Baylor, in the Round of
32. 

However, the most notable upset of the weekend came courtesy of #15 St. Peter's,
a small New Jersey school with a student body of just over 3,000
[https://www.saintpeters.edu/about/facts-stats/]. The Peacocks went toe-to-toe
with #2 Kentucky, a trendy National Title winner pick. While logic suggests that
favorites tend to triumph in overtime, it was the plucky Peacocks who got the
best of John Calipari's Wildcats, winning 85-79 in OT. In a matter of days, St.
Peters went from a relatively unknown school to the center of the college hoops
universe. That's the magic of March.

> HOLY UPSET!

St. Peters from Jersey City, NJ upsets Kentucky!!! Wow!!! 
pic.twitter.com/QuHp4DcqE1 [https://t.co/QuHp4DcqE1]

— Doug Rush (@TheDougRush) March 18, 2022
[https://twitter.com/TheDougRush/status/1504635374324363265?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw]
Arizona, Kansas, and Gonzaga Survive
While an entire regular season's worth of dominance leads many to believe #1
seeds aren't vulnerable until the Sweet 16, things don't always work out so
easily. Last year, we saw #1 Illinois get sent home early
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIjB81HkSvQ&ab_channel=MarchMadness] thanks to
a Loyola-Chicago team that knew how to attack the talented, but flawed, Illini.
This year was no different, as Hubert Davis' North Carolina Tar Heels used an
early lead to cling onto victory against #1 Baylor.

With all that said, the other three #1's are likely grateful to still be alive
and kicking. Kansas snuck by a scrappy Creighton crew
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbMCaH5GVc8&feature=onebox], Gonzaga turned a
four-point halftime deficit into a four-point win, and Arizona survived TCU in
an early pick for game of the year. While all of the top dogs had their
struggles in the Round of 32, 'Zona came the closest to disaster. The Wildcats
appeared to foul TCU guard Mike Miles on the game's final possession, but no
whistle was called
[https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2022/03/21/bonkers-tcu-arizona-finish/].
After a baffling dunk attempt a second after the game clock expired, they moved
past the Horned Frogs in overtime by a score of 85-80. Seen by many as the
second-best team in the tournament, Arizona will need to play much better if it
wants to survive #5 Houston this Friday. 

> WHAT THE WHAT?!?! THIS ENDING IS INSANE pic.twitter.com/eAm0Lc95Xv
[https://t.co/eAm0Lc95Xv]

— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) March 21, 2022
[https://twitter.com/CBSSports/status/1505760729676193793?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw]
Officiating Has Been A Game-Changer
Like it or not, this has been a fun but ugly weekend of games. Part of that
blame goes to NCAA officiating crews, who have had an inconsistent tournament.
Far too many headlines have revolved around not gameplay, but bad calls and even
worse no-calls. It even feels as if most of the games have come down to
free-throws rather than contested shots, which ultimately hurts college
basketball's watchability at a time when millions are tuning in for the first
time all season.

Individual instances of officials going extreme in both directions showcase the
issues plenty of fans have with the way tournament games have been called.
Illinois guard R.J. Melendez was given a technical for hanging on the rim
[https://www.si.com/college/2022/03/20/rj-melendez-illinois-techinal-foul-ncaa-tournament] 
in Sunday's game against Houston, a ticky-tack call that ended up shifting
momentum late in the game. Later that night, the previously mentioned Miles
no-call against Arizona may have cost TCU a chance at the Sweet 16. North
Carolina's Brady Manek was ejected for what appeared to be an unintentional
elbow
[https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/2022/03/19/north-carolinas-manek-ejected-for-throwing-elbow-vs-baylor/49958915/] 
in Saturday's game against Baylor, an extremely harsh call that left UNC without
one of its best players. 

> Horrendous tech pic.twitter.com/9FPXpfx0Dn [https://t.co/9FPXpfx0Dn]

— CJ Fogler AKA Perc70 #BlackLivesMatter (@cjzero) March 20, 2022
[https://twitter.com/cjzero/status/1505604291469320195?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw]
These are just a few of the eye-raising moments referees have given fans and
analysts to fume over. To be clear, officiating high-level college basketball is
a difficult task, and a thankless job. However, this is also the sport's biggest
stage, and for many players, the biggest moment of their careers. They, as well
as college basketball's die hard fans, deserve better.

March Madness: Reactions After a Wild Opening Weekend

When it comes to the Division-II [gmtm.com/articles/tag/division-ii] basketball
tournament, there are no breathers for anyone looking to win a national
championship. Before teams even get a chance to battle the best teams from
around the country, they first must escape from regions which are typically full
of familiar faces. What the Division II setup provides is a different look at 
March Madness [gmtm.com/articles/tag/march-madness].

The NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament will send schools and players to
different regional sites all around the country for their postseason games. The
Division II tournament, on the other hand, is much more personal for the first
few rounds.

> THE #D2MBB [https://twitter.com/hashtag/D2MBB?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw] 
BRACKET: https://t.co/FWhh11LjOR.#MakeItYours
[https://twitter.com/hashtag/MakeItYours?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw] 
pic.twitter.com/ZomWVvJuOK [https://t.co/ZomWVvJuOK]

— NCAA Division II (@NCAADII) March 8, 2021
[https://twitter.com/NCAADII/status/1368777212313411586?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw]
Teams are placed in regions usually based on location, forcing schools to battle
through their own conference to get to the Divison-II Sweet 16. That setup gives
the Division II postseason basketball a more intense, personal field.

Here’s a look at why this tournament is worth watching if you need more
basketball in your life between the Men's and Women's NCAA Tournaments
[gmtm.com/articles/tag/ncaa-tournament].


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

How are the Division-II Tournament regions divided?
The NCAA Division II field is split into eight regions: the Atlantic, Central,
East, Midwest, South, South Central, Southeast and West. There are at-most three
conferences placed into each region that receive automatic bids, while
independent teams within that coverage area are included as well. Independent
schools don’t earn automatic bids.

The South Central Region is made up of two conferences: the Lone Star Conference
and Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

How many teams reach the Division-II Men's Basketball tournament?
There are 64 teams chosen to compete in the tournament. Some of these teams
receive automatic bids for winning their respective conferences, similar to the
Division-I tournament, while some are chosen by a committee based on their
performance in the regular season and their strength of schedule.

> Miguel Arnold will never forget this moment.

The shot that sent @AugustaJags
[https://twitter.com/AugustaJags?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw] to the #D2MBB
[https://twitter.com/hashtag/D2MBB?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw] Elite Eight: 
https://t.co/vsrA0jbZU7. 🥳🥳🥳#MakeItYours
[https://twitter.com/hashtag/MakeItYours?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw] 
pic.twitter.com/S9KhXLTo1v [https://t.co/S9KhXLTo1v]

— NCAA Division II (@NCAADII) March 16, 2022
[https://twitter.com/NCAADII/status/1504126167032414214?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw]
There are 23 automatic bids handed out in the Division-II Men's Tournament and
41 teams that are invited as at-large bids.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

How are the at-large bids determined for the Division-II Men's Basketball
Tournament?
At the Division II level, all teams that qualify for the postseason tournament
have to win at least half of their games in the regular (or have a record of at
least .500 on the season). Also, Division II teams must have also competed
against at least 22 other Division II programs during the regular season to be
eligible.

The committee then looks at the following items:

 * Winning percentage in-region
 * Winning percentage against Division-II opponents
 * Head-to-head wins and losses against Division-II opponents
 * Results against common opponents
 * RPI ( or Ratings Power Index compiled from a team's winning percentage,
   average opponent's winning percentage and average opponent's opponent's
   winning percentage)
 * Performance indicator
 * Record vs. ranked teams


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What is the most exciting region in the 2022 Divison-II Men's Basketball
Tournament?
The Atlantic Region offers a sharp contrast in styles.

West Liberty (W.Va.) has been one of the top programs in the country. The
Hilltoppers have gone to nine of the last eleven Sweet Sixteens, made six trips
to the Elite Eight and played in the Final Four three times. West Liberty is
known for its up-tempo style of basketball and lead Division II in scoring for
the 2021-22 season by averaging 100 points per game.

Even with all of these accolades, the Hilltoppers are the second seed in their
region. Fellow regional power Indiana (Pa.) is the top seed and is among the
best defensive teams in the country, ranking sixth in scoring defense by
limiting opponents to 62.6 points per game. The Crimson Hawks are one of four
teams from the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference to be selected for the
regional.

Sixth-seeded Fairmont State, which is in the Mountain East conference with West
Liberty, is also a top-scoring team nationally, ranking 10th by scoring 87.4
points per game.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Can Northwest Missouri State repeat as Division-II basketball champions?
Northwest Missouri State is the No. 3 seed in the Central Region, but won’t be a
team anyone in that region takes lightly. The defending Division-II National
Champion Bearcats won their final five games of the season to win the Missouri
Intercollegiate Athletic Association title. Northwest Missouri State, which is
also a football powerhouse, has won the basketball championship in 2017, 2019
and 2021.

This year’s team is 28-5 heading into the tournament and will be a stiff
challenge for anyone who opposes them.

Is the Division II Men’s College Basketball Tournament worth watching?

March is a time of hope across college basketball. Between conference tournament
bid-stealers and NCAA Tournament Cinderellas, this is the month when underdogs
rule. However, the chaos we sports fans cherish comes at a price.

The dark side of March is for those teams that were expected to dominate. A
potential juggernaut that waited all year to make some noise in the big dance,
only to go home on the first weekend. Teams like top-seeded Illinois last year,
who got bounced by a plucky Loyola Chicago squad in the Round of 32. Want more
agony? Try Virginia in 2018; Tony Bennett's crew were the top overall seed
heading into the tournament, and had their eyes set on Virginia's first national
title. Instead, they made history for all the wrong reasons by becoming the
first ever #1 seed to lose to a #16 seed in a shocking defeat to UMBC. 

While an earth-shattering upset may not be in the cards this year (although it
is certainly possible), this has been as unpredictable a college basketball
season as any other in recent memory. With so many teams vying for a national
championship, plenty of so-called 'contenders' may turn into paper tigers within
a week. A bad matchup, a tough injury, or an untimely shooting slump is all that
it takes to tank a season. Here are three high seeds that should be concerned
about getting bounced early this March Madness.

Houston - 5 Seed, South Region
Few top-5 seeds have more questions than Houston. The Cougars have plowed
through their AAC competition this year, culminating in a 71-53 rout of Memphis
for the conference title. However, Kelvin Sampson's crew has had limited success
elsewhere. Houston has an 0-4 record against Quadrant 1 opponents
[https://www.ncaa.com/rankings/basketball-men/d1/ncaa-mens-basketball-net-rankings]
, including close losses to other top tournament teams like Wisconsin and
Alabama. Even tight wins over mid-majors like Hofstra, Tulsa, and Wichita State
could be seen as cause for concern, as well as the Cougars' abysmal 66% team
free-throw percentage. Need more reasons to avoid Houston? Their first matchup
of the bracket is against #12 UAB, an underdog more than capable of a Sweet 16
run.

Providence - 4 Seed, Midwest Region
The Providence Friars are the ultimate enigma. A 25-5 record, Big East regular
season championship, and roster filled with senior leadership points to this
being a contender. Take a deeper dive at the numbers, and it's clear that looks
can be deceiving. Providence has been widely derided for being the luckiest team
in America, according to KenPom [https://kenpom.com/index.php?s=RankLuck]. On
top of their good fortune, the Friars don't really excel at anything; both their
97th ranked offensive rating and 155th defensive rating are unexceptional. No
national champion has had such poor offensive and defensive ratings since those
statistics were first tracked in 2010. While Ed Cooley's team is one of the
feel-good stories of the season, winning a title may prove to be an unrealistic
goal for a very good, but flawed, group.

Wisconsin - 3 Seed, Midwest Region
There's a lot to like about Wisconsin. The Badgers play in the tough Big 10, can
win against top-tier opponents (9-3 in Quad. 1 games), and have one of the
nation's best players in Johnny Davis. However, the Badgers have been playing
some of their worst basketball of late, during a time where building momentum is
essential. A loss to unranked Michigan State in their first game of the Big 10
Tournament was preceded by a humiliating defeat at home to 11-21 Nebraska, who
also happened to be missing Bryce McGowens, their best player, to injury. Much
like Providence, Wisconsin also benefitted from some luck, ranking 9th in that
category [https://kenpom.com/index.php?s=RankLuck]. To top it all off, the
Badgers have seen Davis struggle as of late, scoring a combined 21 points in the
losses to Michigan State and Nebraska. If Wisconsin's star scorer goes cold in
the postseason, it's fair to wonder if a good-not-great supporting cast can pick
up the slack on offense.

March Madness: Three Teams Who Should Be On Upset Alert

Handball USA Opportunities

Who Won? 1 on 1 OL DL Reps

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Lead off Triple

Wando vs James Island
Robert E Hayes Field
Mount Pleasant, SC
August 12th 2022

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