Let's not be modest, we all wanted to watch Duke and North Carolina in the National Championship next Monday night. A fourth meeting between Duke's "Fab 4" and UNC's seasoned mix of veterans and freshman would have set records for television National Championships. Instead we'll be watching 4 teams that I'm sure no one outside of the fan bases of Michigan State, Texas Tech, Virginia, and Auburn believed would be here.
The days of the one-and-done seemed to be on their way out. The experiment that was forced upon talented teenagers in 2006 has dominated the story line of college basketball since the days of Mike Conley Jr., Greg Oden, and Kevin Durant.
This year was no different with superstars like Zion Williamson, R.J. Barrett, Naz Reid and Cam Reddish dominating the sport and headlines. But if you're like me, a week ago you probably never knew the names of Bryce Brown, Jared Harper and Cassius Winston, Kenny Goins, Jarret Culver, Kyle Guy and Ty Jerome before. What makes them different? With the exception of Culver (20), they can all legally go get a drink. All are guards for teams that will be making their way into the Final 4, and will be the reason why they'll teams will get a shot next Monday night for the National Championship.
Stars have always been a major draw and a huge attraction to the tournament, but this year is proving that the one and done theory needs to be done away. Of course Zion Williamson is going to be the number one pick, and of course with his size/talent combination Zion could average 15 and 10 right now in the NBA. Same thing could be said for Barrett, Reddish, Reid and many of the projected lottery freshman. But what this past weekend proved is that these players either need to go straight to the league from high school, whether it be the G League or straight to the NBA or need to spend at least three years in college.
Michigan State and Duke battled and went to war this past Saturday, but Cassius Winston was the best player on the floor. He managed his composure, and the game seemed to be in slow motion to him, rather than the rushed, frantic feel that I felt whenever Duke had the ball. Winston went to the paint at will and scored. You won't hear Cassius Winston's named get called in the first 30 of the NBA draft. Hell, you more than likely won't see his name in the top 100 prospects, but for this tournament, and for the sport, the more mature teams will always be here.
John Calipari's Kentucky team of 2012 and Coach K's 2015 are the only 2 major One and Done teams to win the National Championship. It was a fun experiment, but with only a 2 round draft, it's time for the NBA to handle their own minor league system.
Predictions
#1 Virginia vs. #5 Auburn
Virginia has always been a traditional styled, half-court oriented team. They like to control the pace of the game, and have been a standard of success over the last 3 seasons. Auburn on the other hand likes things to be frantic and wild and loose. Auburn has the deepest bench of all the remaining teams, so there players you assume would be the freshest.
#2 Texas Tech vs. #2 Michigan State
Seasoned versus the newbies. Michigan State and coach Tom Izzo are no visitors to this stage. Texas Tech is an up and coming program, but have proven their defense if for real. Winston vs. Culver. Let's go.
Key Matchup
Auburn's Bryce Brown and Jared Harper vs. Virginia's Kyle Guy and Ty Jerome.
All four of these competitors are 21 so there's no age difference or questions of maturity here. They all scored over 20 points in the Elite Eight, and they're all guards. That's where the similarities both start and finish for these players. Dynamic guard play versus great shooting in this matchup. Who will prevail?
Michigan State's Offense vs. Texas Tech's Defense
Surely we aren't talking about football or else this would be bad vs bad. Offensively things start with and end with All American Cassius Winston. Will Michigan State be able to get in and out of their offensive sets and will Kenny Goins lead the front line for Sparty. Texas Tech is long and they make their pay on defense. I expect for Culver to guard Winston win the games on the line which will be good television.
Score
Virginia 69 Auburn 60
To me the coach with the best game plan wins the first night and the team with the best players wins the second. Auburn and their style of play is better suited for the second night, and I believe Bruce Pearl will get outclassed in this match up against Tony Bennett.
Michigan State 73 Texas Tech 59
This has everything to do with names, and Tom Izzo is the biggest one going into this night. Winston reminds me a lot of Mateen Cleaves. Cleaves wasn't a great NBA players and neither will Winston be. But they both were outstanding leaders for Michigan State, who I think will lead their teams to a National Title.
The days of the one-and-done seemed to be on their way out. The experiment that was forced upon talented teenagers in 2006 has dominated the story line of college basketball since the days of Mike Conley Jr., Greg Oden, and Kevin Durant.
 |
| The first duo of One and Done - Greg Oden left, Mike Conley, right |
 |
| Jared Harper of Auburn |
Stars have always been a major draw and a huge attraction to the tournament, but this year is proving that the one and done theory needs to be done away. Of course Zion Williamson is going to be the number one pick, and of course with his size/talent combination Zion could average 15 and 10 right now in the NBA. Same thing could be said for Barrett, Reddish, Reid and many of the projected lottery freshman. But what this past weekend proved is that these players either need to go straight to the league from high school, whether it be the G League or straight to the NBA or need to spend at least three years in college.
Michigan State and Duke battled and went to war this past Saturday, but Cassius Winston was the best player on the floor. He managed his composure, and the game seemed to be in slow motion to him, rather than the rushed, frantic feel that I felt whenever Duke had the ball. Winston went to the paint at will and scored. You won't hear Cassius Winston's named get called in the first 30 of the NBA draft. Hell, you more than likely won't see his name in the top 100 prospects, but for this tournament, and for the sport, the more mature teams will always be here.
 |
| AP All American First Team Guard Cassius Winston |
John Calipari's Kentucky team of 2012 and Coach K's 2015 are the only 2 major One and Done teams to win the National Championship. It was a fun experiment, but with only a 2 round draft, it's time for the NBA to handle their own minor league system.
Predictions
#1 Virginia vs. #5 Auburn
Virginia has always been a traditional styled, half-court oriented team. They like to control the pace of the game, and have been a standard of success over the last 3 seasons. Auburn on the other hand likes things to be frantic and wild and loose. Auburn has the deepest bench of all the remaining teams, so there players you assume would be the freshest.
#2 Texas Tech vs. #2 Michigan State
Seasoned versus the newbies. Michigan State and coach Tom Izzo are no visitors to this stage. Texas Tech is an up and coming program, but have proven their defense if for real. Winston vs. Culver. Let's go.
Key Matchup
Auburn's Bryce Brown and Jared Harper vs. Virginia's Kyle Guy and Ty Jerome.
All four of these competitors are 21 so there's no age difference or questions of maturity here. They all scored over 20 points in the Elite Eight, and they're all guards. That's where the similarities both start and finish for these players. Dynamic guard play versus great shooting in this matchup. Who will prevail?
Michigan State's Offense vs. Texas Tech's Defense
Surely we aren't talking about football or else this would be bad vs bad. Offensively things start with and end with All American Cassius Winston. Will Michigan State be able to get in and out of their offensive sets and will Kenny Goins lead the front line for Sparty. Texas Tech is long and they make their pay on defense. I expect for Culver to guard Winston win the games on the line which will be good television.
Score
Virginia 69 Auburn 60
To me the coach with the best game plan wins the first night and the team with the best players wins the second. Auburn and their style of play is better suited for the second night, and I believe Bruce Pearl will get outclassed in this match up against Tony Bennett.
Michigan State 73 Texas Tech 59
This has everything to do with names, and Tom Izzo is the biggest one going into this night. Winston reminds me a lot of Mateen Cleaves. Cleaves wasn't a great NBA players and neither will Winston be. But they both were outstanding leaders for Michigan State, who I think will lead their teams to a National Title.
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