Photo via fox23.com
My month by month prediction of how 2016 will go for college basketball
Since it is early in 2016, I decided to write down my predictions for some of the big games or big events in the rest of the 2016 college basketball season. I hope you have fun reading this because I loved writing it.
1/23/16, A showdown between the two big ten powers, the Spartans and the Terps ends in a victory for Maryland. Although Michigan State is a more physical team, the Terps take home the W behind near perfect play from Melo Trimble.
1/23/16, The 23rd is a good day for college basketball. It features a game between powerhouse Arizona and the up and coming Cal Bears. The nationally televised game will be the coming out party for highly touted freshman Jaylen Brown. Brown has not gotten the national recognition he deserves yet, but he will become a household name after the Golden Bears victory.
February
2/6/15, The underestimated Providence Friars have shocked the college basketball world after beating Butler, Xavier and Georgetown to start the Big East season. But the shock only continues when Providence draws a huge crowd for the rematch against Villanova. The Friars, led by soon to be top five pick Kris Dunn, get the win and leap into the top five of the AP poll.
2/17/15, The best rivalry in college basketball, the Blue Devils, who have slipped out of the top 10 vs the Tar Heels, who have climbed back into the top five after impressive wins over Louisville and Syracuse. Although the Tar Heels have been on a tear, they have no answer for freshman Luke Kennard and Brandon Ingram, therefore the Blue Devils walk out of Chapel Hill with the win.
March
3/13/16, None other than selection Sunday, after strong campaigns the number one seeds are…Kansas, Oklahoma, Arizona and Michigan state.
3/20/16, Sleepers Florida State (9 seed) and Wichita State (12 seed) move on to the Sweet 16. Florida State knocked off Arizona (1 seed) and Wichita State knocked off Iowa (4 seed) en route to the sweet 16.
April
4/2/16, National Semi final number one
Oklahoma vs. Wichita State
Yes the shockers strike again. Seniors Fred Van Vleet and Ron Baker don’t go down without another run. But, Oklahoma’s superstars propel them to the championship game with star player Buddy Hield’s shot…he is as hot as can be.
National semifinal number two
Duke vs. Kansas
The Blue Devils caught fire at the absolute right time and have just enough to get by Bill Self’s Jayhawks. With Grayson Allen and Brandon Ingram’s draft stock soaring, they are both leading the Blue Devils in all aspects.
4/4/16
National Championship
Duke vs. Oklahoma
For all the marbles, from the tip it is a battle for the ages. Buddy Hield and Grayson Allen are both guarding each other, but both are still scoring at will. But, when Allen starts to lock down Hield in the second half, Hield goes cold and it looks like Duke will pull away. But on a possession in the middle of the second half Grayson Allen takes flight, only to be called for a charge taken by OU’s Ryan Spangler, it is Allen’s fourth foul so he is forced to come out. Now Hield free of Allen, catches fire again and by the time Allen checks back in its too late. The Oklahoma Sooners are you’re National Champs!
I don’t know that I’d take my predictions to Vegas, but let’s see how close I was in April. Regardless, there’s nothing better than big college games.