NCAA Basketball: 5 key questions for “best bets” of 2021-22 season

5. More likely to happen: Gonzaga (+200) doesn’t make Final Four or either Tennessee, UConn, and USC (+1200) does make Final Four?

Farmer

Gonzaga will once again be an absolute wagon this season, but the pick should still be Gonzaga to not reach the Final Four. It’s called March Madness for a reason. Year after year, we see the best teams fail to make the Final Four, let alone win the whole thing. All it takes is one bad game to end their season early. I’m also not impressed enough by Tennessee, UConn, or USC to think any of them warrant a Final Four prediction.

Waddell

Gonzaga to miss the final four is more likely, but you still shouldn’t bet it.

Mumm

There’s practically no scenario envisionable that would force me to pick Gonzaga (+200) missing the FInal Four this season. The combination of Chet Holmgren and Drew Timme gives the Zags the best frontcourt in the nation this season and a reloaded backcourt will compliment them nicely the whole way there.

Thus, my choice is taking Tennessee/UConn/USC at +1200 to make a surprise run to the Final Four as the more likely option. Of the three, Tennessee gets my vote with a strong defensive unit capable of grinding teams down and picking them apart on the offensive end.

Kennedy Chandler is destined for stardom in college basketball, but the pair of near 7-footers in Jonas Aidoo and Brandon Huntley-Hatfield should not escape your attention either. Pick a position and the Vols are beaming with talent.