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2021 March Madness: 5 “dream” potential First Weekend matchups

By Elliott Geller

JACKSONVILLE, FL - MARCH 20: The NCAA March Madness logo on the floor during the NCAA Basketball First round practice session at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena on March 20, 2019 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FL - MARCH 20: The NCAA March Madness logo on the floor during the NCAA Basketball First round practice session at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena on March 20, 2019 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /
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March Madness North Carolina Tar Heels Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
March Madness North Carolina Tar Heels Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

March is the best. The speculation and the ‘what if’ factor is why March Madness brings so much to the table. For the last month or so, all college basketball fanatics are checking brackets on the various websites that present them. Seeing all these future and potential matchups can make anyone excited for what next week holds.

With all games being held in Indiana with little fans, maybe the committee throws us a bone and gives the viewer better games than we’re probably accustomed to. I know that all teams will be seeded fairly and where they should be, but hey, why not think about games that’ll get the people going.

Here are five games that could happen next week. This was also written on Friday night/Saturday morning of Championship week, so if Georgetown or Western Kentucky were to fall in their Championship games, that point is moot.

North Carolina Tar Heels vs. Connecticut Huskies

About a month ago, it was uncertain that either of these powerhouse programs would make the NCAA Tournament. UNC was struggling in the ACC, meanwhile, UConn was hurting bad with James Bouknight sidelined with an elbow injury.

Look to the current day, both teams are playing much better basketball, reaching their potential, and are teams nobody wants to see. Especially those teams who are on the one and two-line for a second-round game. UNC and UConn will be anywhere from the 7-10 line, so maybe we can get a 7/10 or 8/9 matchup between these two bluebloods.

The Tar Heels are 18-10 and took care of rival Duke both times this season. However, UNC is very inconsistent at times, like losing to Marquette. We all know they’re driven by their frontcourt, but their guards have played much better basketball towards the stretch run. Caleb Love has taken some nice steps, scoring over double digits in five of his last six games. Kerwin Walton provides some necessary shooting for a team who struggles to shoot it behind the arc.

On the other hand, the Huskies have been fantastic since Bouknight has returned. He is as good as any guard in the country. With him out for that period of time, R.J. Cole has emerged as a great number two option. The transfer from Howard, Cole proved he belongs on a bigger stage with better competition. The Huskies have only lost to a fully healthy Villanova team and an inspired Creighton team since Bouknight has come back to the fold, thus Danny Hurley’s team is a major threat.

A UNC-UConn matchup would be a first-round game that probably warrants a Sweet Sixteen matchup based on how they’ve played the last month, but ultimately, a Final Four feel based on the history of each program with their rabid fanbases. Make it happen!

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