Men’s Final Four picks, player of the year predictions
It’s back! At least, that’s what the upcoming 2021-22 men’s college basketball season, which tips off Tuesday, feels like. Amid the backdrop of continued COVID-19 protocols, new NIL rules and Mike Krzyzewski’s farewell tour at Duke, arenas will be packed with fans again to see teams battle it out before the men’s NCAA champion is crowned on April 4 in New Orleans.
Will preseason No. 1 Gonzaga stay at the top and finally win a national title? Will Emoni Bates and Jalen Duren move No. 12 Memphis into title contention? Who’s going to surprise us all? ESPN’s experts (Myron Medcalf, Jeff Borzello, John Gasaway and Joe Lunardi) discussed this, and more college basketball storylines, before the action gets going.
Jump to Final Four and Player of the Year predictions
1:31
Check out Chet Holmgren breaking down his defensive prowess and what makes him such a skilled offensive player.
What’s the most interesting thing about this version of the Gonzaga Bulldogs?
Medcalf: I think the Drew Timme-Chet Holmgren pairing is the most pivotal element for Gonzaga. It’s just rare to have two elite bigs on the floor together for a national title contender in the modern game. How will they handle the spacing on offense? How will they adjust if teams try to exploit their size and force Holmgren or Timme to defend a wing? That seems to be the thing that coach Mark Few will have to address early on. But those two will learn how to play next to each other throughout the season. That will matter in March and April, if Gonzaga reaches that stage.
In 2016-17, Few had success with Przemek Karnowski as his starter at center and Zach Collins coming off the bench. That was a rotation most opponents couldn’t handle, even though Gonzaga lost to North Carolina and its tremendous frontcourt in the national title. This season’s situation is a different challenge for Gonzaga. No team in the country is equipped to deal with both Holmgren and Timme on the floor at the same time. If it works, the Zags could…
Source : espn
