By Erich R Pilcher

We are a little over 24 hours from the start of March Madness. Today I will make my Final Four selections and pick my National Champion. Without further ado, let’s get started.

WEST REGION WINNER VS EAST REGION WINNER

The Match-up: I predicted that the Gonzaga Bulldogs (West Region one seed) would take on the Kentucky Wildcats (East Region two seed).

 Game Analysis: Kentucky Head Basketball Coach John Calipari has been one of the most successful coaches using the “one and done” philosophy. However this season he has experience on his side. This has led to Kentucky having the most efficient offense in the SEC. The problem has been injuries and the team not meshing well throughout the season. Those issues appear to be resolved (their semi-final loss to Tennessee in the SEC Tournament Semi-fInal non-withstanding). Oscar Tshiebwe is the driving force in their efficient offense. He gathers 40% of the Wildcat’s missed shots when he is in the game. Couple in three starters averaging over double digits, this team can spread the ball around and score. Issues have been defensive lapses and turnovers. Also if Tshiebwe is off the floor, they do not have a major interior presence. 

What can I say about the Gonzaga Bulldogs that has not already been said? The answer is not much. They have been the most consistent team throughout this roller-coaster season. They are also well-rounded they rank in the top 10 for both defensive and offensive efficiency. This coupled with two excellent shooting bigs, Chet Holmgren and Drew Timme, creates matchup nightmares for many teams in the country. These two can shoot and make it from anywhere. On the other end, they pressure teams with a frantic defense that forces bad shots. If they get on a roll they are nearly unstoppable. 

The Prediction: Unlike many college basketball pundits, I’m a John Calipari fan. I truly believe he gets the most out of his players while he has them and then moves them to the NBA. Because of this, him having an experienced team will be a benefit here. The problem I see is Tshiebwe will have to be a perimeter defender at key points because of Holmgren and Timme, that has not been a recipe for success for Kentucky. The longer the Wildcats can keep him in the paint, the better off they will be. Sadly, I do not think they can do it long enough to win this game. I look for the ‘Zags to go on a late run to put this game away and move onto the National Championship game.

Gonzaga:78 Kentucky: 65 

SOUTH REGION WINNER VS MIDWEST REGION WINNER

The Match-up: I predicted that the Arizona Wildcats (South Region one seed) would take on the Kansas Jayhawks (Midwest Region one seed). 

Game Analysis: The Arizona Wildcats were not a pick to be in this position when the season started. You would have been remiss to find anyone picking them to make any postseason tournament at all. Led by a first-year head coach, NCAA Infractions hanging over them. However, coach Tommy Lloyd has the Wildcats primed for a major run. They shoot the ball exceptionally well (shooting 49% from the field) and have a three-headed monster of future NBA talent Azoulas Tubelis, Christian Koloko, and Bennedict Mathurin. They also defend well ranking in the top 15 of defensive efficiency. 

The Kansas Jayhawks are just as experienced as they are talented. NBA Prospects Ochai Agbaji and Christian Braun led the way for the Jayhawks. They also have a great supporting cast around them. They make 56% of their shots from the field. But they do have a fatal flaw, they only regularly play 6 guys. This and coming out of the toughest region in this year’s tournament could be a problem come Final Four time. If Remy Martin can play consistently (something that has plagued him following his transfer from Arizona State this season) that will help with the depth issue and take the focus off of Agbaji and Braun. 

The Prediction: This is going to be a battle of attrition. Neither team has a deep bench so early fouls will be something to watch out for. The team that avoids this trouble will have a major edge in the game late. I do like this Kansas squad. They have been resilient and played well against top competition. What I do not like is after Braun and Agbaji, they miss someone who can step up and take the load off of them. I think Arizona will be more well-rounded in this game and cause problems with their three talented players. This will be a nail bitter, but I take Arizona late. 

Arizona: 68 Kansas: 63

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME:

The Match-up: I predicted the Gonzaga Bulldogs (West Region one seed) would take on the Arizona Wildcats (South Region one seed). 

The Prediction: I’m skipping the analysis here because I feel that both of these teams have been well covered throughout this three-part preview. The key is going to be, can Arizona find a way to combat the size of Timme and Holmgren. Also, experience is monumental in this situation. Gonzaga has been here two out of the past four years. They have been knocking on this door for quite some time. I would be remiss to not add Arizona Head Coach Tommy Lloyd was hired away from Gonzaga, so he has experience in these situations. But that does not translate to team experience. I just do not see any way the ‘zags do not cut down the nets this year. All season they have been the most consistent team and have been playing towards this moment after being destroyed by Baylor in last year’s title game. Arizona will hang around but Holmgren and Timme take over in the second half and end any suspense. Gonzaga will be your 2022 National Champions. 

Gonzaga: 78 Arizona: 71

I will be live-tweeting throughout the NCAA Tournament. Feel free to follow me at Erpilcher319 or access tweets on the right-hand side of this page (tweet feed on this blog is only available on laptop or desktop viewing). Also, feel free to comment on any of these posts when my bracket goes up in flames by the end of this weekend. Finally, please enjoy the madness.