March Madness is the best time of year for college basketball. When the NCAA Tournament rolls around, it’s a rapid fire of chaos, dominance, stories, upsets and more. We can’t always see what we want, but that’s why it’s a wish list.
This year, there are 10 things we want to see from the crazy to the storybook type of ending things. Mike Krzyzewski comes to mind. We also want feel-good stories. That’s what March is all about.
One shining moment? Please, there needs to be 10. If all 10 of these moments or events happen in one tournament, it might be the greatest thing since sliced bread.
Here are the 10 best things we want to see in this year’s NCAA Tournament.
NO. 16 SEED UPSETS NO. 1 SEED, AGAIN
Remember when UMBC upset Virginia a few years ago and everyone’s March Madness brackets went out the window? A No. 16 seed pulling this off nearly happened on multiple occasions, but no one truly thought it was actually going to happen, until it did. UMBC set a new precedent that No. 16 seeds actually had a shot. Now that it happened once, we need it to happen again. Can a team like that advance with more than just one win? It’s possible. UMBC fell short to Kansas State in 2019 in the Round of 32, 50-43 and would’ve had a matchup with Kentucky in the Sweet 16. Whoever gets that dreaded No. 16 seed at least knows there’s a chance.
MEMPHIS MAKES A RUN WITH PENNY HARDAWAY, EMONI BATES
Memphis is the last team in the NCAA Tournament, according to ESPN’s Joe Lunardi. After struggling to start the year, Hardaway turned the team around and it would be perfect timing to get Bates back healthy for the tournament. Bates played just 13 games this season due to injury and averaged 10.4 points per game, 3.6 rebounds per game, 1.4 assists per game and shot 3.6% from the floor in 25.4 minutes per game. The former five-star prospect was one of the most hyped recruits in recent memory but it hasn’t paid off yet. If he’s able to round into form and get back to full strength, the Tigers could be an absolutely fascinating watch in March. At the moment, fellow freshman Jalen Duren is a great watch as he averages 11.9 points per game and 7.4 rebounds per game.