2021 March Madness: 8 biggest takeaways from Championship Week
6. Cade Cunningham might be the most exciting player in the country right now
Averaging 20pts a game and 45% from the field on the season, Freshman Cade Cunningham continued to look unstoppable this past week in the Big 12 tournament. In the last two games against Baylor and Texas, Cunningham shot over 40% from 3, scoring 29 points in the 91-86 loss to Texas in the finals and 25 points in the 83-74 win over Baylor in the semifinals.
It’s not just how much he scores but how he scores. Step back 3’s, deep range shots, and dime floaters. At times this week, he looked like he couldn’t miss if he tried. 12 assists and 19 boards in the Big 12 tournament shows he can do more than just shoot. Even some of his assists are highlight plays like setting up alley-oops.
Cunningham was hands down one of the if not the best and most valuable players of the Big 12 tournament. If he continues to play like he did last week he’ll be the most valuable player of the NCAA tournament.
7. Rick Pitino is back in the dance
In his first season back in college basketball after a couple of years in Greece, head coach Rick Pitino has brought the Iona Gaels to their 15th NCAA tournament after a 60-51 win over Fairfield in the MAAC Championship. The Gaels won the MAAC tournament as 9 seed following a 12-5 (6-3) year. This is the 5th school Pitino’s taken to the NCAA tournament.
It has been 38 years since I first went to the tournament with Boston University. Thinking of those players right now. Love you guys! pic.twitter.com/jg7l6heO4x
— Rick Pitino (@RealPitino) March 14, 2021
Like it’s 1983 again Rick Pitino’s taking a mid-major to the big dance. This time no one has any national championship expectations for Pitino’s Gaels but could they play spoiler and possibly be part of one of the biggest upsets in the tournament?
8. Trouble is ‘bruin’ for UCLA
After starting the season 8-0 the UCLA Bruins have lost four straight entering the dance including their elimination in the quarterfinal of the PAC12 tournament to Oregon State. The bruins opponents in the last four games have shot a combined average of 49% from the field.
Next. Ranking of last 25 national champions. dark
Mick Cronin’s team will need to pick it up on defense if they want to avoid ending the year on a 5 game skid and first-round knockout.