NCAA Basketball: Ranking the Elite 8 teams in 2022 NCAA Tournament
1. Kansas Jayhawks
Because the game was happening at the same time as Saint Peter’s vs Purdue, not many saw the struggles Kansas had in the second half against Providence. It was a brutal game for All-American Ochai Agbaji and others, with the team shooting just 39% from the field and 2/19 from three-point range.
However, it was Remy Martin who saved the Jayhawks, going for 23 points on 7/13 shooting in 27 minutes off the bench. He’s finally healthy for the first time in months this season and it’s showing at a perfect time. They were a 1 seed even without them so now this version of Remy Martin makes them a true national title favorite.
That certainly doesn’t mean that Kansas is without flaws. On paper, the frontcourt duo of Jalen Wilson and David McCormack looks great on paper. But they’ve been very inconsistent, regardless of what the matchup is on the opponent’s side. Christian Braun and Agbaji have been fine as well but even they had had off-nights. But considering how bad everyone name named Martin looked in the Sweet 16 matchup and still managed to escape with a win shows that luck may be on their side for now.
Next. 8 teams that should target transfer Nelly Cummings. dark
It may seem like a cop-out to pick the highest-seeded team remaining in the NCAA Tournament but they were my preseason pick to win it all, so I have to stick with them. And with a healthy and effective Martin back in the fold, that only adds to a roster with an All-American and capable frontcourt players. If they can continue putting it all together, they’ll be not only the best team in the Elite 8 but the last ones to cut down the nets in April.