Celina (Texas) Top247 quarterback Bowe Bentley continues to rise in the rankings as more programs intensify their pursuit for him. Bentley is in the middle of a spring visit…
Celina (Texas) Top247 quarterback Bowe Bentley continues to rise in the rankings as more programs intensify their pursuit for him. Bentley is in the middle of a spring visit tour that took him to Oklahoma and LSU, and will continue on with several more schools.
At 6-foot-2, 200 pounds, Bentley is ranked as the No. 7 quarterback in the nation and No. 12 overall prospect in Texas, according to 247Sports.
Bentley’s first visit to LSU received high marks, and the Tigers made Bentley feel like he was a big part of their future plans.
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Iowa Men’s Basketball Head Coach 4.0 Hot Board: With Fran McCaffery out, who could be the next head coach?
Who are the top names in play to be the new head coach at Iowa?
Fran McCaffery is no longer the head coach of the Iowa men’s basketball program. Who are the top names to know to be Iowa’s next head coach? Here is the latest from David Eickholt and Sean Bock on what they are hearing and the top targets who are in play for the Hawkeyes.
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This article originates on HawkeyeInsider.com.
March Madness 2025: Betting odds for NCAA Tournament first-round games
The March Madness spreads are in, and there are a few eyebrow-raising numbers.
The upsets should be aplenty in the 2025 NCAA Tournament, but forecasting which underdogs make the biggest first-round splashes is never a straightforward task. The betting market likes Colorado State to notch a 12-5 upset, and even if that comes to fruition, it may not be the biggest surprise from Thursday’s and Friday’s slates. Many favorites will fall and longshots will rise if this year’s March Madness is anything like those of the past.
FanDuel set its odds for the First Four and each of the first-round games in the NCAA Tournament, and there are a few surprising numbers on the board. While top-seeded teams like Florida and Houston are massive favorites, others do not hold as much confidence from the public.
Four teams await the results that will unfold Tuesday and Wednesday before they receive their betting odds, but each of Auburn, Duke, Ole Miss and Illinois will likely be favorites when the First Four is complete.
RELATED (VIP): Predictions and intel on Indiana, Iowa, NC State, and all the high major openings in college basketball
Here are the betting odds for each first-round game in the 2025 NCAA Tournament:
No. 16 Alabama State (-3.5) vs. No. 16 Saint Francis
No. 16 American (-2.5) vs. No. 16 Mount St. Mary’s
No. 11 San Diego State vs. No. 11 North Carolina (-3.5)
No. 11 Texas vs. No. 11 Xavier (-2.5)
The selection committee sparked an uproar when it placed UNC in the field as the last at-large team to make the cut, but the betting market supports the idea of the Tar Heels winning their First Four game against San Diego State. Perhaps R.J. Davis will lead the bubble winners to a victory or multiple and silence the doubters. It would be vindication for the committee, which staunchly defended its controversial decision.
No. 1 Auburn (TBD) vs. No. 16 Alabama State / Saint Francis
No. 8 Louisville (-2.5) vs. No. 9 Creighton
No. 5 Michigan (-2.5) vs. No. 12 UC San Diego
No. 4 Texas A&M (-7.5) vs. No. 13 Yale
The market is not entirely sold on Michigan getting past Cinderella candidate UC San Diego in the opening round. It is a massively intriguing matchup between a Wolverines squad prone to turnovers and a Tritons unit that forces its opponents to cough up the ball at the highest rate in the country. Perhaps Michigan’s pair of seven-footers (Vlad Goldin and Danny Wolf) will be the deciding factor, as tournament newcomer UC San Diego greatly lacks size.
No. 6 Ole Miss (TBD) vs. No. 11 San Diego State / North Carolina
No. 3 Iowa State (-14.5) vs. No. 14 Lipscomb
No. 7 Marquette (-3.5) vs. No. 10 New Mexico
No. 2 Michigan State (-17.5) vs. No. 15 Bryant
Keshon Gilbert is done for the year, which is a critical blow to Iowa State. The All-Big 12 senior guard averaged 13.4 points and 4.1 assists for the Cyclones and battled a groin strain over the last three weeks, which will now keep him out of the lineup for the remainder of the season. That may not hurt Iowa State to a great extent in the first round, but assuming it gets past Lipscomb, the hole in the lineup could be a key factor later on.
No. 1 Duke (TBD) vs. No. 16 American / Mount St. Mary’s
No. 8 Mississippi State (-1.5) vs. No. 9 Baylor
No. 5 Oregon (-6.5) vs. No. 12 Liberty
No. 4 Arizona (-13.5) vs. No. 13 Akron
Duke awaits the winner of the First Four contest between American and Mount St. Mary’s, and it will be a massive favorite over either squad. Cooper Flagg and his availability will play a role in determining the line for the Blue Devils’ March Madness opener, though. The superstar freshman has his sights set on a first-round return after he missed the final two games of the ACC Tournament with an ankle injury.
No. 6 BYU (-2.5) vs. No. 11 VCU
No. 3 Wisconsin (-16.5) vs. No. 14 Montana
No. 7 Saint Mary’s (-3.5) vs. No. 10 Vanderbilt
No. 2 Alabama (-22.5) vs. No. 15 Robert Morris
Of all the No. 3 seeds in the bracket, Wisconsin is the biggest favorite to win its first-round matchup. The Badgers are a Final Four dark horse with a formidable backcourt tandem in John Tonje and John Blackwell, but their forwards are fantastic shooters, too, which makes them a balanced unit capable of advancing well beyond the opening weekend. This might be Greg Gard’s best roster to date.
No. 1 Houston (-28.5) vs. No. 16 SIUE
No. 8 Gonzaga (-6.5) vs. No. 9 Georgia
No. 5 Clemson (-7.5) vs. No. 12 McNeese
No. 4 Purdue (-8.5) vs. No. 13 High Point
Houston is an analytics darling capable of cutting nets, and it is tied for the largest first-round favorite in the field. Kelvin Sampson teams always lock things down on the defensive end, but what makes this Cougars team different is its offensive ability. LJ Cryer, Emanuel Sharp and Milos Uzan form a special trio beyond the arc, as each connects at a 42% clip from downtown.
No. 6 Illinois (TBD) vs. No. 11 Texas / Xavier
No. 3 Kentucky (-10.5) vs. No. 14 Troy
No. 7 UCLA (-5.5) vs. No. 10 Utah State
No. 2 Tennessee (-18.5) vs. No. 15 Wofford
If any team beyond the top seed line wins the NCAA Tournament, Tennessee could be that squad. Rick Barnes built another defensive juggernaut in Knoxville. Wofford will have a difficult time putting the ball in the basket this week, and any team that squares off against the Vols in the latter rounds had better come prepared for a physical battle. Chaz Lanier and Zakai Zeigler drive the bus on both ends of the floor.
No. 1 Florida (-28.5) vs. No. 16 Norfolk State
No. 8 UConn (-4.5) vs. No. 9 Oklahoma
No. 5 Memphis vs. No. 12 Colorado State (-2.5)
No. 4 Maryland (-10.5) vs. No. 13 Grand Canyon
Only one lower-seeded team embarks on tournament play as a betting favorite. Colorado State, which won the Mountain West Tournament to get into the field as a bid-stealer, is a one-possession favorite over Memphis in what could be another classic 12-5 upset. Memphis could be without Tyrese Hunter, which gives the Rams an even brighter outlook.
No. 6 Missouri (-6.5) vs. No. 11 Drake
No. 3 Texas Tech (-15.5) vs. No. 14 UNC Wilmington
No. 7 Kansas (-4.5) vs. No. 10 Arkansas
No. 2 St. John’s (-18.5) vs. No. 15 Omaha
Bill Self is a slight favorite over John Calipari, and the winner likely meets Rick Pitino in the second round. The selection committee knew exactly what it was doing when it built that section of the bracket. Pitino’s breakout St. John’s team and a stacked Texas Tech squad look like the best picks to reach the Elite Eight from this corner, but it is rarely wise to count out the other coaching legends.
March Madness 2025: Most common NCAA tournament upsets by seed line in first, second rounds
The numbers say to pick these upsets in the March Madness bracket.
Cody NagelPicking the correct upsets in the NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament is difficult. While some lower seeds generate March Madness buzz as potential bracket-busters after the field of 68 is announced, there are always surprise Cinderella runs that catch everyone off guard — just ask Florida Atlantic, NC State, Oral Roberts or Saint Peter’s. Every year, at least a few teams defy the odds, busting brackets and making history in the process.
Some of these upsets have become more predictable over time, with certain matchups historically favoring lower-seeded teams — like the No. 12 over No. 5 seed or No. 11 over No. 6. Others, however, remain complete shockers given their rarity. While trends emerge over the years, no tournament is the same, and past results do not always guarantee future outcomes. Still, history provides a blueprint for identifying which lower seeds have the best shot at advancing.
So, which upsets are the most common during the first two rounds of March Madness?
RELATED (VIP): Predictions and intel on Indiana, Iowa, NC State, and all the high major openings in college basketball
Below is a look at which first- and second-round upsets in the NCAA Tournament are most common:
NO. 9 OVER NO. 8 — 81-75 (.519)
The 8-9 matchup is as close to a toss-up as it gets. Historically, the No. 9 seed holds a slight edge over the No. 8 seed, winning eight of the 12 meetings in the past three NCAA tournaments. Those first-round matchups in the 2025 bracket are particularly intriguing, with two-time reigning national champion UConn facing Oklahoma in the West Region, conference runner-ups Creighton and Louisville going head-to-head in the South Region and Gonzaga looking to make a run in the Midwest Region with a matchup against Georgia. Mississippi State and Baylor square off in the East Region.
NO. 11 OVER NO. 6 — 61-95 (.391)
The odds suggest picking at least one No. 11 seed to upset a No. 6 seed in the first round. Historically, these upsets are slightly more common than No. 10 seeds beating No. 7 seeds, which may not always be viewed as an upset, depending on perspective. In the past three NCAA Tournaments, No. 11 seeds are a combined 7-5 against No. 6 seeds with two of those upsets being winners of the First Four. Drake and VCU are potential mid-major Cinderellas in 2025, while Texas, Xavier, North Carolina or San Diego State could make a surprise run from the First Four.
NO. 10 OVER NO. 7 — 60-96 (.385)
Only three times in the past three NCAA tournaments has a No. 10 seed beaten a No. 7 seed in the first round. So, while it is tempting to pick at least one, it is important not to get too carried away. Arkansas is the most notable No. 10 seed in the field, where John Calipari faces off against Kansas and Bill Self in the first round of the West Region. Those two played in a charity fundraising exhibition game in October.
NO. 12 OVER NO. 5 — 55-101 (.353)
The No. 12 over No. 5 upset continues to be popular in the NCAA Tournament, even though all four No. 5 seeds advanced to the second round in 2023. Four mid-major conference champions make up the dangerous group of No. 12 seeds in 2025: Liberty (Conference USA), Colorado State (Mountain West), McNeese (Southland), UC San Diego (Big West).
NO. 13 OVER NO. 4 — 33-123 (.212)
This is where some of the most-shocking first-round upsets begin to happen. At least one No. 13 seed has upset a No. 4 seed in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in five of the past six postseasons with 2022 being the lone outlier. Two teams that pulled off first-round upsets last year — Grand Canyon and Yale — find themselves back in position to cause more chaos in 2025.
NO. 14 OVER NO. 3 — 23-133 (.147)
Oakland became just the second No. 14 seed to upset a No. 3 seed in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in the past seven postseasons when it stunned Kentucky last year. Who could forget Jack Gohlke? The Wildcats, however, are back on the No. 3 seed line in 2025 and will face Troy in the first round of the Midwest Region.
NO. 15 OVER NO. 2 — 11-145 (.071)
In the 39 years since the NCAA Tournament field expanded in 1985, only 11 times has a No. 15 seed advanced to at least the second round. It happened twice during the 2012 tourney. Although all four No. 2 seeds survived in 2024, it ended a streak of three consecutive postseasons in which a No. 15 seed pulled a stunning upset. All four No. 2 seeds in the 2025 bracket — Alabama, Michigan State, St. John’s and Tennessee — are among the top 13 teams nationally, according to both KenPom and NET rankings.
NO. 16 OVER NO. 1 — 2-154 (.013)
It was not until 2018 that a No. 16 seed finally pulled off what felt like the impossible, taking down a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. UMBC shocked No. 1 overall seed Virginia in the opening round. Four years later, No. 16 Fairleigh Dickinson took down No. 1 seed Purdue. The first 33 years of the expanded 64-team, and eventually 68-team, bracket had never witnessed a No. 16 seed advance.
NO. 5 OVER NO. 4 — 36-44 (.450)
NO. 6 OVER NO. 3 — 31-48 (.392)
NO. 7 OVER NO. 2 — 27-63 (.300)
NO. 11 OVER NO. 3 — 20-34 (.370)
It would be smart to have at least one, if not two, No. 5 seeds advance to the Sweet 16 when filling out a bracket. While it is not really considered an upset for a No. 5 seed to beat a No. 4 seed given the close nature of their seeding, do not overlook the possibility of a tight matchup. In addition, a No. 11 seed has reached the Sweet 16 on 17 occasions, winning one out of three games against a No. 3 seed in the second round, historically.
NO. 10 OVER NO. 2 — 19-36 (.346)
NO. 8 OVER NO. 1 — 16-59 (.213)
NO. 12 OVER NO. 4 — 13-30 (.302)
NO. 9 OVER NO. 1 — 6-73 (.076)
No. 8 and No. 9 seeds making deep NCAA Tournament runs is far from uncommon. Since the field expanded in 1985, 24 teams have reached the Sweet 16, with eight advancing all the way to the Final Four — including the surprise run by UNC to the title game in 2022. While all four No. 1 seeds survived the first weekend in 2024, 11 different No. 8 or No. 9 seeds punched their ticket to the Sweet 16 in the previous 13 postseasons since 2010.
NO. 15 OVER NO. 7 — 4-2 (.667)
NO. 13 OVER NO. 5 — 3-18 (.143)
NO. 13 OVER NO. 12 — 3-9 (.250)
NO. 14 OVER NO. 6 — 2-14 (.125)
Only 12 times has a No. 13 seed, No. 14 seed or No. 15 seed advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament, but three of those instances have come in the past four postseasons. Saint Peter’s set the standard with its Cinderella run to the Elite Eight as a No. 15 seed in 2022, while Oral Roberts (2021) and Princeton (2023) also crashed the second weekend as No. 15 seeds. A No. 14 seed has not made it to the Sweet 16 since Chattanooga in 1997, while the last No. 13 seeds to break through were Ohio (2012) and La Salle (2013). Current Grand Canyon coach Bryce Drew already has an NCAA Tournament win under his belt and was the hero for Valparaiso in 1998 during its run to the Sweet 16.
NO. 14 OVER NO. 11 — 0-7 (.000)
NO. 15 OVER NO. 10 — 0-5 (.000)
NO. 16 OVER NO. 9 — 0-2 (.000)
NO. 16 OVER NO. 8 — Never (N/a)
A No. 16 seed has never advanced to the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament, going 0-2 with a chance to punch a ticket to the Sweet 16. Similarly, No. 14 seeds and No. 15 seeds that got a first-round upset but faced another higher seed in the second round also failed to advance. Could that streak come to an end in 2025 with a historic upset? Probably not.
NCAA Tournament 2025: Auburn, Duke highlight 10 March Madness contenders for national championship
The 2025 college basketball national champion is likely featured on this list.
Carter BahnsOnly one of the 68 teams in the 2025 March Madness bracket can cut down the nets in San Antonio. Will it be Auburn, the No. 1 overall seed who dominated quality competition all season, or will another squad uproot the Tigers from their pedestal atop the college basketball world? Three weeks of NCAA Tournament play will answer that question. The Tigers are far from the only national championship contender, so the run to the Final Four should deliver plenty of fireworks.
Duke was in lockstep with Auburn all season as the other national title frontrunner, but with Cooper Flagg battling an ankle injury in advance of the tournament, the Blue Devils have more questions now than they did just a week ago.
History suggests one of the four No. 1 seeds will likely stand atop the bracket at the end of the tournament, but 36% of champions since the field expanded to 64 teams came from lower seed lines.
RELATED (VIP): Predictions and intel on Indiana, Iowa, NC State, and all the high major openings in college basketball
Here are the top 10 national championship contenders in the NCAA Tournament:
Auburn was without a doubt the best team in college basketball for most of the season, but it hit a rough patch at the worst possible time. The Tigers inexplicably enter the NCAA Tournament losers of three of their last four games, and that occurred after they avoided back-to-back losses all season. Johni Broome can be trusted to make life miserable on every team Auburn faces, and his supporting cast is tremendous, so the last two weeks of struggles should not define the Tigers. They are the No. 1 overall seed for a reason and have a historically elite résumé to back it up.
Duke completed its run to the ACC Tournament crown without Flagg, but in order to win the championship that really matters, it likely needs its superstar freshman back in the lineup. Jon Scheyer said Flagg is eyeing a return for the first round after he sprained his ankle in the conference tournament quarterfinals. With the projected No. 1 NBA Draft pick in the starting five, the Blue Devils have perhaps the most talented team in the country — one that ripped the ACC to shreds en route to the second overall seed in the Big Dance.
Analytics love Houston, and for good reason. The Cougars pass the eye test, the résumé test and the statistical test as a top-flight national championship contender. They sustained just one loss since November, and it came by one point to a Texas Tech team that finished second in the Big 12, one spot behind the Cougars. This is the most well-rounded roster of the Kelvin Sampson era as it is more offensively gifted than teams of the past, without sacrificing the defensive identity for which Sampson’s teams are always known. Assuming J’Wan Roberts returns from injury in time for March Madness, Houston has the makings of a title team.
Todd Golden is a rising star in the coaching profession and could break through for his first national championship this postseason. Few teams enter March Madness as hot as Florida, which overcame the toughest conference in college basketball history to win the SEC Tournament. Strong backcourt play is paramount in the tournament, and the Gators feature perhaps the best guard trio in the sport with Walter Clayton Jr., Alijah Martin and Will Richard lighting up the scoreboard on a nightly basis. They are extremely balanced, though, with just as potent of a frontcourt presence. This complete team can win it all.
Rick Barnes is infamous for his well-documented March struggles, but if ever he had a Tennessee team capable of finally breaking through and reaching its first Final Four, that time is now. The Volunteers finished fourth in the regular season and as runners-up in the tournament in an absolutely loaded SEC, so not only are they highly accomplished but they are also battle-tested. Their defense can stifle anyone they match up against. The key will be to remain consistent on the offensive end, which has been their undoing at times this year.
The best offense in the nation could be without its second-leading scorer. Grant Nelson suffered a knee injury in the SEC Tournament, and his status for the Big Dance remains up in the air. He is also the top rim protector on the Alabama roster. If Nelson cannot go, the Crimson Tide still boasts a number of prolific scorers, starting with veteran star Mark Sears and including Aden Holloway, Labaron Philon and Chris Youngblood. They average 91.1 points per game, play with a blistering tempo and can hang a 100-piece on anyone.
Texas Tech was the only Big 12 team to beat eventual champion Houston. There are a couple of head-scratching losses on the Red Raiders’ ledger, but the upside is obvious. JT Toppin will be among the very best players in the bracket, as he averages a near double-double with 18.1 points and 9.2 rebounds per game, but Grant McCasland’s team is not just a one-man show. The backcourt drills 3s at an electric rate while the forward tandem is as ferocious as they come. That balance can take Texas Tech very deep, potentially to the Final Four.
Wisconsin has “dark-horse Final Four run” written all over it. Just ask Tom Izzo, who predicted a lengthy postseason stay for the Badgers after they defeated his team in the Big Ten Tournament. One would be hard-pressed to find a better one-two punch at the guard spots than John Tonje and John Blackwell. The former can take over a game at the snap of a finger, as evidenced by his 41-point explosion against Arizona in non-conference play and his five games with at least 30 points on the year. A couple of big games in March Madness is all it would take to punch a ticket to San Antonio.
March is where Izzo shines. And after Michigan State defeated six ranked opponents over its last eight games, counting the Hall of Famer out of the national championship race would be folly. Depth is the Spartans’ greatest strength, as they will deploy a 10-man rotation and rely on each and every one of those players for key contributions as scorers and rebounders. The top of the lineup does not lack firepower, though. Jase Richardson hit his stride at the ideal time and is a lethal shooter who can hit the big ones and keep the Spartans dancing all the way to the Final Four.
There exists some historical precedent that suggests St. John’s will fall out of the bracket at some point prior to cutting down the nets. The Johnnies would be the worst offensive team in the KenPom era to win the national championship. However, if any team is to buck that trend, Rick Pitino might just have it. His squad is as elite as they come on the defensive end of the floor, and it boasts a trio of stars in Kadary Richmond, Zuby Ejiofor and Big East Player of the Year RJ Luis. They are one of the best stories in college basketball.
March Madness 2025: 10 names to know heading into the women’s basketball NCAA Tournament
Selection Sunday helped introduce a handful of names that fans should keep in mind when filling out their women’s NCAA Tournament brackets.
Xavier Handy-Hamilton
The women’s NCAA Tournament Selection Sunday had no shortage of entertainment. Along with the slew of TikTok dances that accompanied program selections, there was also brewing drama surrounding the No. 1 overall seed. The UCLA Bruins finished the season strong by winning the Big Ten tournament. This afforded them the right to be crowned the tournament’s top-seeded team. However, it also left a bad taste in the mouths of programs like South Carolina and USC — which were both seeded at No. 1 teams in their respective regions.
RELATED: Women’s NCAA Tournament: Predicting 5 teams to shake up March Madness
Aside from the underlying tensions, Selection Sunday helped introduce a handful of names that fans should keep in mind when filling out their women’s NCAA Tournament brackets.
Ta’Niya Latson
Florida State phenom Ta’Niya Latson might not have the household recognition of a JuJu Watkins or Hannah Hidalgo, but she’s just as impactful on the offensive end. The junior guard averaged 25 points per game for the Seminole, finishing as the nation’s leader in that statistic. She’s not just jacking up shots, either. Latson shoots over 45% from the floor and close to 36% from three. This is more efficient than Watkins who sits directly behind Latson in the nation’s points per game category. Latson and her scoring are a big reason why Florida State is the No. 6 seed in this year’s Spokane Region. If she starts off the tournament hot, then the Seminoles could be an interesting team to watch this year.
Kenny Brooks and Georgia Amoore
Kenny Brooks and Georgia Amoore came to Kentucky this offseason from Virginia Tech as a two-for-one package. And, together, they’ve turned the Wildcats into a dark horse NCAA championship contender.
Prior to the star of the season, Kentucky was ranked as the nation’s No. 22 team in AP’s Preseason Top 25 poll. It was assumed that the Wildcats would have a solid, but not stellar, season under new head coach Kenny Brooks and finish as a respectable team in a tough SEC conference. But, what the media didn’t consider is the way Brooks navigated the transfer portal.
Brooks brought in Amoore and Clara Strack with him from the Hokies. He, then, paired them with great portal finds like Dazia Lawrence, Teonni Key and others. Amoore commands this retooled roster, averaging 19.1 points per game along with seven assists and a steal. It’ll take her being in control of the game for the Wildcats to navigate the Spokane Region.
Talaysia Cooper
Similar to Kentucky, Tennessee has a chance to make a run in this year’s NCAA Tournament. But, if they want to make it out of the Birmingham Region, they’ll need some big performances from Talaysia Cooper. Cooper’s definitely up for the task. The sophomore transfer guard from South Carolina leads the Volunteer in scoring with 16.7 points per game. She’s also a reliable rebounder and playmaker. On defense, she plays the passing lanes well, averaging over three steals per game. She has the potential to turn herself into a household name if she shines during this year’s tournament.
Dani Carnegie
Dani Carnegie is one of the multiple first-year players to make their mark on this year’s college basketball season. Throughout the year, the guard has proven to be the X-factor for a Yellow Jackets team that holds the No. 9 seed in the Spokane Region. Given their seeding, Georgia Tech would have to perform a few March miracles to get past UCLA in the Round of 32. But, that doesn’t mean that Carnegie’s game-changing scoring won’t be on display in the first and second rounds.
Mikayla Blakes
Speaking of prolific scoring, there’s no one in the country who can light it up the way Vanderbilt freshman Mikayla Blakes can. The guard averaged 23 points per game along with piling up two 50-plus-point performances this season. Blakes’ production is matched by sophomore Khamil Pierre who averages close to 21 points per game. After them, the scoring falls off a cliff. But if Blakes and Pierre find a third offensive option, then it’s going to be a long night of whoever has to guard the Commodores.
Chloe Kitts
Historically, the star of South Carolina has head coach Dawn Staley. She runs the show that thrives off her adjustments while production comes by committee. This year is not different. as no Gamecock averages over 14 points per game, despite the team scoring over 80 points per game. But, when South Carolina needs a tough paint bucket, Chloe Kitts is always on hand to deliver. This could prove to be valuable if the Gamecocks meet up with UCLA and Lauren Betts. This tournament run may prove to be the runway junior Kitts needs to get on the WNBA radar.
Sarah Strong
UConn freshman Sarah Strong is undoubtedly the future of this Huskies program. With Paige Bueckers primed to be a top pick in this year’s WNBA draft, coach Geno Auriemma has shown his trust in Strong, putting her in positions to close out games in an effort to build her confidence for life without Paige. This has effectively made the Huskies ambidextrous. Strong, who is the team’s second-leading score with 16 points per game and leads the team in rebounding with close to nine boards a night, can now control the game just like Bueckers. This should bode well for the No. 2-seeded Huskies in the tournament and help introduce the world to Strong.
Kaylene Smikle
Kaylene Smikle is the head of the snake for this Maryland Terrapins team. She’s averaging close to 18 points per game while shooting over 45% from the floor. She’s also solid on the defensive end, poking away about two steals a night. Trying to stop Smikle will open up the floor for a Maryland roster that has seven players (including Smikle) who average 8.5 or more points. Collectively, the Terrapins shoot 46% from the floor and 35.5% from three to average 80 points per game. This makes Smikle and Maryland a real threat at the No. 4 seed.
Harmoni Turner
It’s rare that you hear Harvard mentioned as a potential upset threat for a Big Ten team like Michigan State. But, Harmoni Turner and her efficient brand of basketball have the Crimson humming heading into the NCAA Tournament. Turner buzzed her way through the Ivy League tournament, scoring 44 points against Princeton in the semifinal and pouring in another 24 points in the finals to push Harvard past top-seeded Columbia. Turner, who averaged 22 points per game this season, now heads into the NCAA Tournament with a head of steam. This might not be enough to upset Michigan State, but the No. 10-seeded Crimson could make the match-up very interesting.
Raegan Beers
Raegan Beers was one of the top-rated transfers this off-season for a reason. The 6-foot-4 center is a dominant low-post scorer who averages close to 18 points per night. With her as the anchor, Oklahoma is able to get quality looks from the floor, resulting in more than 85 points averaged as a team. If things go according to seeding, then the eventual match-up between Beers and USC’s Kiki Iriafen will be must-see TV.
Indiana Basketball Head Coach Hot Board: Version 6.0
Peegs.com’s Hot Board 6.0 for the next Indiana basketball head coach.
Trevor Andershock
In Indiana’s prolonged head basketball coach search, the dominoes continue to fall. The Hoosiers and Mike Woodson announced in the first week of February the coach would retire after the season. Names have been swirling for more than two years. Agents have been pushing names behind the scenes. Scott Dolson and the Indiana athletic department are working through candidates to determine who is a serious contender to land the job. As we have mentioned multiple times, Indiana’s coaching search is not a draft, and matching the right prospect with the desire to be the next Hoosier head coach is not an easy task.
WATCH INDIANA COACHING SEARCH DISCUSSION
Many fans have decided their order of potential candidates, but when the rubber meets the road, some will not truly consider taking the Indiana job.
PEEGS: CRITERIA FOR NEXT IU COACH
Here is background on why and why not certain candidates would fit at Indiana as the next men’s basketball coach.
Jeff Rabjohns and Trevor Andershock collaborated on the hot board information.
The hot board organization is in tiers. The first tier is the group receiving the most buzz with perceived mutual interest.
The Hoop Scoop: Latest on Will Wade, NC State discussions | More targets emerging?
NC State is zeroing in on Will Wade as its next head coach and here’s the latest Pack Pride is hearing on the search.
However, more names have surfaced in the last 24 hours with other positions also potentially showing interest in Wade. So what’s the absolute latest when it comes to the NC State coaching search? Here’s what I’m hearing after digging all weekend with sources.
