With Selection Sunday right around the corner, the final games of regular-season play are competitive and high-stakes. With a possible Final Four preview, Big Ten showdowns and a handful of other ranked match-ups, the last few weeks of college basketball have been filled with decisive games. Here’s what this portion of the season can predict about the outcomes of March Madness:
The Michigan Wolverines are beatable.
On Saturday, Feb. 21, No. 3 Duke beat No. 1 Michigan 68-63 in what many are calling a possible preview of the Final Four game. From the start of the season, the prevailing question has been, “Who can keep up with the Wolverines?” The Blue Devils stepped up to the challenge, proving that the tournament really is anyone’s game.
Michigan has one of the best defenses in the country, so having strong players that can drive to the basket and take on the bigs will be crucial for teams. Duke’s Cameron Boozer put up 18 points alone, while the Blue Devils outscored the Wolverine’s 34-24 in the paint overall.
Defense will decide games.
It’s easy to get caught up in the flashy offensive plays at this point in the season, but defensive performance is more critical than ever before.
Take the match-up between the Wolverines and Blue Devils. Michigan and Duke average 89.6 and 82.4 points per game, respectively. In this game, they both scored well-below this margin, demonstrating the importance of defense.
The Texas Tech and Iowa State game is another example of this. The No. 16 Red Raiders upset the No. 4 Cyclones 82-73 on Feb. 28. This was due in large part to their rebounding. Texas Tech outrebounded Iowa State 35-29, with over ten more defensive rebounds than their opponents.
Teamwork will trump standout players.
The league is filled with star athletes who consistently put up big points, sink impressive shots and make strong plays on defense. But to win a national championship, teams are going to have to rely on more than just their Boozers or Keaton Waglers.
In No. 10 Illinois’s recent loss to No. 3 Michigan, Wagler scored 23 points when he usually averages 18.3, yet the team still lost 84-70. Teams can’t just give the ball to their best shooter and expect results. Teamwork, including an efficient defense and fluid offense, is what games will really come down to.
The only certain thing about March Madness is that nothing is certain. Upsets, overtimes and unexpected matchups are all on the table. However, the final competitive weeks of the regular-season can provide a glimpse into what can be expected from the tournament.
