Who’s cutting down the nets?
As the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament gets underway, the hosts and producers at 104.5 ESPN and the writers at LouisianaSports.net are making their (way too early) picks for the team that will win it all.
Jacob Hester, Co-Host, Off the Bench: Florida Gators. In the NCAA Tournament all the legends say, “elite guard play is what wins you a championship.” Florida has that with Walter Clayton Jr. and Zyon Pullin. They also just went through a conference tournament in a league that had a record 14 teams make the Big Dance. They’re ready.
T-Bob Hebert, Co-Host, Off the Bench: Duke is going to win the national championship because Florida’s coach is a stalker and Auburn and Alabama cancel each other out. I should also point out that Houston and Florida (Gainesville) feature too much concrete in their city infrastructure to win a national championship.
Taylor Sharp, Video Producer, Off the Bench: Duke. Hate to go chalk here. All year long Duke and Auburn have seemed to be a step ahead. Love Houston, as well, but the tie goes to Cooper Flagg (if fully healthy). He’s that good.
Alondra Villareal, Audio Producer, Off the Bench: Auburn. They have been dominant in the SEC, which has arguably the best competition in the NCAA.
Charles Hanagriff, Co-Host, Live at Lunch: Houston. 19-1 in the 3rd best conference. Since Dec. 1, Houston has lost one game, in OT, by one point. This against a top 25 schedule. They have an experienced coach, a manageable bracket, and are the only team in the country that didn’t lose a true road game all season.
Jimmy Ott, Co-Host, Live at Lunch: Florida
Hunt Palmer, Host, Hunt Palmer Show: Duke. I’m assuming Cooper Flagg will be healthy-ish for the second weekend. Duke has the most talent.
Jacob Beck, Audio Producer, Hunt Palmer Show: St. John’s. The Johnnie’s were picked to finish 5th in the Big East in the preseason, and all they did was win 18 league games, going 6-0 against UConn, Marquette, and Creighton (all tournament teams). Say what you want about Rick Pitino, but he knows how to win in March, with the 3rd highest winning percentage in the NCAA Tournament among active coaches. I’ll take the Red Storm to win it all.
Matt Moscona, Host, After Further Review: Auburn. I’m not scared by their recent slide. They’re the best team in the country and will cut down the nets.
Matt Musso, Audio Producer, After Further Review: Florida. They have a Big 4. Really complete team and a dominant backcourt.
Paul O’Neill, Video Producer, After Further Review: Duke. If Cooper Flagg is healthy, I think they would be hard to beat. He is, by far, the best player in the tournament and the sure fire number one overall pick in the upcoming NBA draft.
Chris Marler, Social Media Manager/SEC Content Writer: Florida. The only other answer for me is Auburn, so I’m taking the team that beat them instead. Florida finished 5-1 against teams in the Top 6 of KenPom Rankings, and four of those five wins were away from home. It’s hard to get better than that.
Ross Jackson, New Orleans Saints Writer: Auburn Tigers. Best team in college basketball that kindly decided to let other teams catch up a bit at the end of the regular season. Now that March is here, their foot will be back on the gas. Also, it just means more in SEC, but not in Florida.
Rivers Hughey, Digital Media Manager: I think a lot of people will say Auburn, but they have a potential second round matchup with a good Louisville team. Also in that region? Michigan, Michigan State, Iowa State (who Auburn has seen before). So, I’m going Houston. Houston has the balance, the defense, and the shooters to get it done.
