NCAA Basketball: Breakdown of all 32 autobids for 2022 NCAA Tournament
By Bryan Mauro
Vermont Catamounts – America East
Record: 28-5 and 17-1 in Conference
Location: Burlington, Vermont
Colors: Green and Gold
Last Appearance: 2018-2019
Vermont has been a dominant force in the America East regular season for a long time. They have faltered in the tournament the last few seasons even while still being the one seed in the tournament. The Catamounts were the best team in the America East this year and second place wasn’t close. They won their title game by 39 points.
Vermont starts five seniors and has one of the best unknown players in the country in Ryan Davis. The Catamounts have won an NCAA tournament game before and they are going to be a dangerous seed for a top seed. They shoot a ton of threes and they make 36% of them. Three starters shoot over 40% from deep.
This is one of the soundest defensive teams in the entire tournament. Vermont makes it terribly hard to score on the offensive end and when they are locked in, they can play with anyone in the country.
Norfolk State Spartans – MEAC
Record: 24-6 and 12-2 in Conference
Location: Norfolk, Virginia
Colors: Green and Gold
Last Appearance: 2020-2021
Norfolk State has dominated the MEAC over the last few seasons and this year may have been the most impressive. The MEAC was much better this year within the conference, and it provided more of a challenge for the Spartans. The 24 wins is a school record and Norfolk State has the best player in the MEAC in guard Joe Bryant Jr.
The Spartans are not the most talented team in the country, but they are well-coached, start three seniors and have experience playing in the NCAA tournament. The Spartans also won a first four-game last season before getting overwhelmed by Gonzaga. Don’t be surprised if that exact thing happens again this year. Norfolk State is one of the better mid-majors in the country who play in a bad conference. The Spartans are sound and are fun to watch.