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2022 NCAA Tournament: Baylor, Kentucky and Purdue headlines East Region

By Jason Burgess

Mar 11, 2021; Nashville, TN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Olivier Sarr (30) Kentucky Wildcats guard Dontaie Allen (11) and Kentucky Wildcats forward Isaiah Jackson (23) celebrate after a basket during the second half against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 11, 2021; Nashville, TN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Olivier Sarr (30) Kentucky Wildcats guard Dontaie Allen (11) and Kentucky Wildcats forward Isaiah Jackson (23) celebrate after a basket during the second half against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /
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NCAA Tournament Virginia Tech Hokies guard Hunter Cattoor Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Tournament Virginia Tech Hokies guard Hunter Cattoor Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

(6) Texas vs. (11) Virginia Tech

Chris Beard brought in a ton of transfers for Texas including Marcus Carr, Christian Bishop, and Timmy Allen that had many looking at Texas as a second-weekend tournament team. The Longhorns finished 21-11 but the production didn’t seem to match up with the talent level on the roster. They get one more chance in the tournament, but they face one of the hottest teams in the country in the ACC Tournament champions, Virginia Tech Hokies. The Hokies won four straight to win the tournament and have won 13 of 15 since losing to Miami on Jan. 26.

The defense has been the name of the game with Virginia Tech in that span, allowing over 70 points just three times. I think the hot three-point shooting from Hunter Cattoor and Storm Murphy help carries Virginia Tech to the upset here.

Prediction: Virginia Tech

(3) Purdue vs. (14) Yale

The Ivy League hasn’t played since 2019 and Yale took home the Ivy League tournament this season and is set up for a first-round game with Purdue. Purdue is one of the most dynamic teams in the country with Zach Edey and Trevion Williams in the middle and Jaden Ivey leading the guard group.

The Boilermakers shoot the three-ball well but Yale is one of the better teams in the country at defending it, allowing opponents to shoot just 30%. The Bulldogs are led by senior guard Azar Swain who nets over 19 points per game and pulls down 4.2 rebounds per game, but the size and athleticism of the Boilermakers are going to pose big problems for Yale.

Prediction: Purdue 

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