NCAA Basketball: Breakdown of all 32 autobids for 2022 NCAA Tournament
By Bryan Mauro
Saint Peter’s Peacocks – MAAC
Record: 19-11 and 14-6 in Conference
Location: Jersey City, New Jersey
Colors: White and Blue
Last Appearance: 2010-2011
The Peacocks won the MAAC in what was a surprise given that Iona was the best team in the league all year long. Just a disclaimer when watching the Peacocks, they may set offensive basketball back a bit. At times they make scoring an adventure and love to play games in the high 50’s.
Saint Peter’s plays extremely slow, and only averages about 16 three-point attempts per game. They do make 35% of their attempts from deep and have one of the best shot blockers in the country in KC Ndefo. Ndefo is one of the best defensive players in the entire country and he is going to be a factor in the NCAA tournament.
The Peacocks are not likely going to advance but rest assured they are going to hold their opponent under their average and force them to take some terrible offensive possessions. Saint Peter’s is lacking in talent when compared to most of the teams in the tournament, and if they want any chance, they are going to have to continue to hold teams to 38% shooting from the floor.
Texas Southern Tigers – SWAC
Record: 18-12 and 13-5 in Conference
Location: Houston, Texas
Colors: Grey and Maroon
Last Appearance: 2020-2021
The Tigers return to the NCAA tournament after another run through the SWAC tournament. Texas Southern has been the most dominant program in the SWAC for a good number of years. There is not a single player on the roster who averages more than 10 points per game. That isn’t a criticism of the Tigers as that is how they play; they have a different player step up every game to lead them. They are extremely balanced, don’t shoot many threes, rebound the ball well and block about five shots per game, led by John Walker.
Texas Southern is going to be overmatched in the tournament and they don’t score enough points to keep a game competitive. The Tigers beat Florida this year.