NCAA Basketball: 2022 Battle 4 Atlantis preview, predictions

Top half of the bracket

Day 1 (Nov. 23)

Quarterfinals: Kansas vs. NC State, 12pm ET, ESPN

This is going to be the most intriguing matchup of the quarterfinals, not because it’s the two best teams, but because it’s the best team against one of the best individual players, the aforementioned Terquavion Smith. The Wolfpack don’t have enough outside of Smith to match Kansas’ championship pedigree, but this good be more of a game than people expect.

Prediction: Kansas 78, NC State 67

Quarterfinals: Dayton vs. Wisconsin, 2:30pm ET, ESPN2

Dayton was a ranked foe last weekend, while Wisconsin was not. But the Badgers are the team without a loss this season. Chucky Hepburn was expected to take a big leap to try and replace some of Johnny Davis’ production, but the guard has struggled shooting the rock. In Nassau, he should find his touch.

Prediction: Wisconsin 68, Dayton 65

Day 2 (Nov. 24)

Semifinals: Kansas vs. Wisconsin, 11am ET, ESPN

Bizarrely, Wisconsin and Kansas haven’t met on the hardwood in more than half a century. Their first meeting since 1969 doesn’t bring much promise for Wisconsin as it continues to work out its post-Johnny Davis kinks. The Badgers will still be in it during the second half, but it will gradually slip out of reach.

Prediction: Kansas 75, Wisconsin 63

Consolation Bracket: NC State vs. Dayton, 4pm ET, ESPNN

Sometimes, the best players need to be able to take over and dominate a game. This is the game where Smith does it. Dayton will play solid defense, but it’s hard to envision who could match Smith bucket for bucket if he explodes.

Prediction: NC State 80, Dayton 76