NCAA Basketball: 2021 ESPN Events Invitational preview and predictions

DETROIT - APRIL 03: A detail of a player from the Connecticut Huskies holding a basketball with the 2009 Final Four logo on it during practice prior to the Final Four of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at Ford Field on April 3, 2009 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

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North Texas Mean Green forward Thomas Bell Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /

Some thoughts on the field

Favorite

One would think that Kansas and Alabama are on a collision course to meet in the final here, but, much like a New England road in the winter, there will be potholes along the way. Unfortunately for the Crimson Tide, most of the potholes are likely to be on their side of the bracket. At this point in time, Kansas has the better roster and the easiest path and should be the favorite to win.

Sleeper

If I had to pick a sleeper team, I would go with the Drake Bulldogs. They face Belmont in the quarterfinals and likely Alabama in the semis, but with a veteran roster and the health of Hemphill and Penn they can get through to the finals here. Given last year’s success, a full-strength Drake squad has the ability to beat anyone in this field. For the teams on Alabama’s side of the bracket, Drake, Belmont, and Iona this is going to have a March feel for them and give them plenty of shots at a signature win. Don’t be surprised if Drake makes it out of this side of the bracket.

Darkhorse

Speaking of this side of the bracket, that is where my dark horse resides. I admit this may be a bit of Pitino aura but, if there’s a deep sleeper team that can rack up wins against this level of competition, I will take the one coached by Pitino and led by Jolly and Joiner. They begin with Alabama so this prediction may flame out quick or begin to burn bright with an upset right out of the gate, But then again, that’s why they call it a dark horse.

The pressure is on

It would be easy to pick Drake or Belmont as the team with the most pressure, given that any high-level game that goes by the wayside without a win dwindles their chances at an at-large postseason berth. For me, Miami is the team with the most pressure in this tournament because if Larranaga’s plan to replace Chris Lykes is less than successful as the season goes on his seat could get warm considering the Hurricanes have gone 39-51 over the last three seasons.

This tournament gives Miami a chance to gain some momentum against strong competition, if not, things could get even warmer in Coral Gables.

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