Meet the Black women’s basketball head coaches who are changing the game:

Dawn Staley, South Carolina

Let’s bring it back to SLAM 237: For years, there has been a set of standardized systems in basketball. A form of coaching that damn near secured wins. A blueprint for winning a national championship at the collegiate level.  But there comes a time when evolution is not only needed but craved. A time when a world moving on autopilot requires a shock to its system, like a lightning bolt shooting down from the heavens. A necessity for a movement toward the future. Dawn Staley is that movement. 

Staley’s resume speaks for itself: she’s a three-time National Coach of the Year and a five-time SEC Coach of the Year. In her 14 seasons with the South Carolina Gamecocks, the program has amassed six SEC regular-season titles, six tournament titles, won two National titles in 2017 and in 2022, led them to a school record of 35 wins in 2021. Amazingly, under her leadership they’ve also ranked AP top 25 every week since December of 2012. This season, Staley led the program to a perfect 32-0 overall record and 16-0 in conference play. The program went 15-0 at home and 13-0 on the road. This season they’ve also won their 7th SEC Tournament title in the last 9 years. And in her 22 seasons as a Head Coach, she’s led her team to 12 25-win seasons with 18 runs in the postseason. She is the all-time most winningest coach for the South Carolina Gamecocks, and has record of 11 runs in the postseason. Legendary.

Adia Barnes, Arizona 

Adia Barnes is no stranger to winning. After working as an assistant coach for Washington, where she was a part of five postseason appearances and a run in the Final Four in 2016, she immediately set up Arizona for success by becoming the fastest coach in program history to reach 75 victories. She also became the first coach in the program’s history to win 20 or more games in four straight seasons.

In Barnes’ fifth season, going into the tourney she became the 11th person to play and coach in the tournament at their own alma mater while also becoming the fourth coach ever to lead their alma mater to the championship game. With Barnes at the helm, the Arizona Wildcats beat the UCONN Huskies in their Final Four matchup, making it the first time in the programs’ history eliminating the nation’s number one ranked team. This past season, she led her team to an overall record of 21-9, and a record of 11-7 in conference play. Under Barnes’ leadership, the program is on a streak of four consecutive first-round byes in the Pac-12 tournament. This is the second longest streak next to Stanford. 

Zenarae Antoine, Texas State

Zenarae Antoine joined the Texas State program and immediately made a huge impact. In her first year as head coach, she brought success to the school by leading them to a conference tournament win for the first time since ’03. In 2017-18, Antione and the program had the most single-season victories in their DI era in program history. She was the second-winningest head coach in school history, being one of just two head coaches in the program’s history to win 150-plus games. Under her guidance, the Texas State Bobcats set six single game, single season, and career records as well as 32 school records in the Sun Belt conference.

This past season she led the program to an overall record of 23-9, and a record of 13-5 in conference play. She officially became the program’s all-time most winningest coach this year, breaking Suzanne Fox’s record of 174 victories for the school.

“I’ll be honest because it’s a little strange because I feel like I’m in the heat of it right now, like the beginning and so you don’t want to start reflecting, but I can tell you this, I absolutely love being at Texas State,” Antione said after breaking the record, per FOX7Austin. “I want to be here, this is where I want to be, this is where I want to win, this is where I want to raise my family.” Antoine was also just recently awarded Sun Belt Coach of the Year.

Tanya Warren, Northern Iowa

Just look at her résumé, it speaks for itself. From the 2009-10 to the 2012-13 season, Tanya Warren coached Northern Iowa to 63 wins, the most wins in program history over three seasons. A three-time Missouri Valley Conference Coach of the Year with regular season titles in 2010-11 and 2015-16, she led them to back-to-back NCAA tournament appearances in 2010 and in 2011 and for two straight seasons, finished in the top-half in the standings for seven straight seasons. For seven consecutive seasons, she also led the team to 17 or more wins.

This past season, she led the program to an overall record of 21-8 and a record of 16-4 in conference play. Under her coaching, the program finished as the second seed in conference play.

Tomekia Reed, Jackson State

History before our eyes. Three straight regular season titles in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, four consecutive appearances in the conference semifinals, three straight appearances in the conference finals, back-to-back tournament titles and NCAA runs. Tomekia Reed has continued to solidify a legacy at Jackson State, but really she’s just getting started.

In 2020, she led the team to their first-ever regular-season championship since 2008, which was the programs’ second straight run in the tournament. In 2021, Jackson State won 21 straight games, which was the longest win streak in the nation heading into the tournament, and that same year, Reed opened up to SLAM and the Black Coaches Association about the respect that Black Female HBCU head coaches deserve. In 2021-22, Jackson State ranked in the top three of the SWAC in nearly every major category: they ranked first in scoring offense, scoring defense, scoring margin, and in field-goal percentage, as well as blocked shots and committing the fewest turnovers. This past season, she’s led the team to an overall record of 21-9, and a record of 17-1 in conference play as well as the No. 1 ranking in their conference.

Stacie Terry-Hutson, San Diego State

Stacie Terry-Hutson has brought the best out of San Diego State’s program. During her first season as Head Coach, the Aztecs led the league in rebounding and defensive rebounds, also coming in second in field-goal percentage. The team won 15 games which was their most since the 2012-13 season. In 2017-18, the team would go on to make at least 200 three-pointers, which were the top two totals in the history of the program. And an appearance in the semifinals in 2018-19, followed by the program putting up a top three-point percentage in their history. In 2017-18, the program under her was again an elite three-point shooting team. That season under terry-Hutson, they finished with at least 200 three-pointers made, the top two totals in the program’s history. Terry-Hutson eventually signed a contract extension, which is still going. The extension for her runs through the 2023-24 season. This past season, she led the Aztecs to an overall record of 23-9, and a record of 12-6 in conference play. For the first time in ten years, the program reached 20 wins which was the second season they’ve finished with it under Terry-Hutson. The program finished as the 3rd seed this season. 

Kara Lawson, Duke

Kara Lawson knows what it takes to compete, and coach at the highest level: she’s a WNBA champion, an Olympic gold medalist and has coached in the NBA. Lawson played for 13 seasons in the WNBA, playing for the Sacramento Monarchs, Connecticut Sun, and the Washington Mystics from 2003-2015. After winning a WNBA championship with the Monarchs in 2005, playing for the Team USA and winning gold at the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, Lawson started her coaching career as an assistant for the Boston Celtics, making her the first female assistant coach of the franchise in their 73-year history. Now, as head Coach of the Duke women’s basketball team, she has led them to their first national ranking since the 2018-19 preseason.

This past season they finished with an overall record of 25-6, and finished with a record of 14-4 in conference play. 

Kim McNeill, East Carolina

Led by Kim McNeill, the East Carolina Pirates ( ECU) are having another extremely solid year with 20-plus wins. Before coaching at ECU, McNeill was the associate head coach at Virginia and then the head coach at Hartford. McNeill was an elite hooper, too: during her freshman year at Radford, she earned 1996 Big South Conference Rookie-of-the-Year honors. Then, after transferring to Richmond she was named to the Colonial Athletic Association All-Defensive Team as a senior. McNeill’s tenacious defense has been a calling card not only in her playing but also in her coaching—in her first season at ECU, the Pirates caused the second-most amount of steals in the country and the third best as well as third in turnover margin.

DeLisha Milton-Jones, Old Dominion

Delisha Milton Jones, member of the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame and two-time gold medalisthas used the knowledge she gained during her 17 years in the WNBA career and overseas to bring success to Old Dominion. Since taking over the program in 2020, she has consistently produced well-run and competitive programs, with her best season coming in 2021-2022 in which the Monarchs finished with a 24-10 overall record. Milton-Jones’ impact extends outside the court as well—that same year, the Monarchs had nine players named to the Conference USA Commissioner’s Honor Roll for outstanding academic achievement.

Throughout her career, Milton-Jones has been known for her work ethic and her dedication to the game. She is widely respected in the basketball community and is seen as a rising star in the coaching profession.

Photos via Getty Images, Dawn Staley portrait by Jon Lopez.

The post SLAM x BCA: Meet the Black Women’s Basketball Head Coaches Who are Changing the Game appeared first on SLAM.

Here are the players who made the most of the NBA Combine and offseason workouts. Let’s get it.

Kenneth Lofton Jr.

If you didn’t know Kenneth Lofton Jr.’s name before the NBA Draft Combine, you certainly knew it after.

A 6-7, 275 lb. big man with the strength to dominate down low and the agility to score off the bounce, Lofton Jr. is among the most unique and intriguing players of the 2022 class.

He put out a show at the G League Elite Camp, finishing the scrimmages averaging 13 points and 7.5 rebounds per game in front of NBA scouts and team personnel May. The big man showcases the ability to run in transition and bully his way to a bucket in the paint. But for those who watched Lofton Jr. play at Louisiana Tech, his performance at the Combine was no surprise.

The 2022 first-team All-Conference USA selection averaged 16.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.2 steals per game last season on 53.9 percent shooting from the field, making him one of college basketball’s top mid-major players and one of the best-kept secrets in the country.

Lofton Jr. played well enough to earn an invitation to the Chicago combine. He tends to play well when the lights are brightest, performing just as well while representing the United States in the 2021 FIBA U19 World Cup. The Texas native averaged 13.1 points and 5.3 rebounds per game on 64.0% shooting from the field in seven games, helping the U.S. win Gold in Latvia.

He scored 16 points—15 of which came in the second half—in an 83-81 victory over France in the final. As a freshman, Lofton Jr. dropped 27 points and 13 rebounds and made the game-winning shot in a 76-74 win over Colorado State in the NIT third-place game.

Lofton Jr.’s a baller; he’s proved it throughout his career. At one second, he’ll look like an old-school big, battling his way through contact for a tough and one. At the next, he’ll be the first one down the court in transition to score an easy two points. While some worry about Lofton Jr.’s ceiling as a defender, he brings tenacity and a skillset more than capable of making the transition to the NBA.

“My mentality was coming out here, competing with new guys, coming from the G League Elite Camp to the NBA Combine, [it’s] just a great experience. Happy to have the opportunity to come out and play. It was just great playing with other guys,” Lofton Jr. told the ESPN NBA draft Combine broadcast after his first scrimmage.

Scotty Pippen Jr.

Growing up with the same name as a Hall-of-Famer (who was a part of the most iconic dynasty in NBA history) meant huge expectations and pressure to perform for Scotty Pippen Jr.

Pippen Jr., son of six-time NBA Champ and seven-time All-Star Scottie Pippen, has created his own identity on the basketball court, and NBA teams are taking notice.

After competing against some of the nation’s top talent at Sierra Canyon High School, Pippen Jr. played college ball at Vanderbilt and averaged 17.5 points, 4.3 assists, and 3.1 rebounds per game in three seasons with the Commodores. Most recently, Pippen Jr. led the SEC in scoring 22.2 points per game while also tacking on 4.5 assists per contest during his junior season.

A 6-1 guard who was a career 41.6 percent shooter at Vanderbilt, Pippen Jr. made a splash and improved his draft stock by averaging 16.0 points, and 4.5 assists in two scrimmages at the NBA Draft Combine in May. The first of his Combine scrimmages was a solid 11-point, six-assist performance, and Pippen Jr. built upon it when he led all scorers with 21 points to go along with three assists and two steals in his second scrimmage.

“Just showing that I can do it on both ends of the floor,” Pippen Jr. said when asked about his goals for the Combine by the ESPN NBA draft Combine broadcast. “Defending, showing that I can do things I wasn’t able to show in college. I was picking up the ball full-court, showing my conditioning, and then being able to show that I can distribute the ball and be a playmaker and what I can do for these teams.”

Pippen Jr. is a strong ball-handler with a knack for getting to the free-throw line, where he shot 76.3 percent for his career. He’s an intelligent defender who provides pressure on the perimeter and can generate turnovers while in college (he averaged 1.6 steals per game for his career). Pippen Jr. was lightly recruited despite being the son of an NBA legend and showcased his skills at college and the Combine.

“I contribute to winning,” Pippen Jr. said after his second and final combine outing. “That’s scoring the ball, making my teammates better, being a playmaker, defending the ball, whatever they need me to do, I can do it.”

His productivity speaks for itself. While Pippen Jr. will need to improve his offensive efficiency and 32.5 percent clip from three-point range last season, he’s a prospect whose stock is on the rise. Considering his NBA bloodline and college experience, Pippen Jr. could be a popular target in the upcoming draft.

Andrew Nembhard

The Gonzaga Bulldogs have become an NBA talent factory over the last several years producing names such as Domantas Sabonis, Kelly Olynyk, Brandon Clarke, Rui Hachimura, Corey Kispert, and Jalen Suggs. Soon to be added to such a list will be Chet Holmgren and Andrew Nembhard.

Nembhard was quite low on draft boards coming into the combine but his performance in the Combine scrimmages has since put him onto the radars of NBA teams looking to add guard depth. Nembhard put up 26 points and 11 assists, the most dimes dropped at a Draft Combine scrimmage in the last four years.

The game stood out the most for Nembhard’s floor game, he ran the offense seamlessly and put his teammates in a position to get buckets.

Andrew Nembhard had the single-most impressive performance of the NBA Combine thus far with 26 points, 11 assists. Made all the right reads out of PNR and had his floater and pullup game working all game long. pic.twitter.com/3qdBlQnZUh

— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) May 20, 2022

Though he is not a freak athlete, Nembhard is crafty and provides the traditional leadership required of a point guard. He was Gonzaga’s top distributor last year averaging 5.8 dimes against 1.9 turnovers per contest. His improved shooting will also serve him well. Each season Nembhard improved his three-point percentage to help space things out.

Two Western Conference scouts made comments on Nembhard’s performance per SlipperStillFits:

Executive #1: “Gets drafted for sure. He’s a good player and would be surprised if he didn’t end up as a winning NBA player.”

Executive #2: “He played well in the second game in Chicago. Does what he does. Crafty guy. If you want the crafty guy who can make some shots, you probably take Nembhard.”

If teams are looking for a stable point guard for a few years, while also cost-effective rookie deals found deep in the draft, Nembhard can provide all that and more.

Trevion Williams

The ying to Zach Edey’s yang this past year at Purdue, Trevion Williams once again made an all Big-10 team and won Big 10 Sixth Man of the Year honors in his final season with the Boilermakers. 

Though not a shot blocker in any sense, Williams still affects the game defensively with positioning, contesting, and strength against opposing big men. His 6’10 height will help him matchup against NBA centers regularly, and weighing 260 lbs will make him challenging to move around in the post. 

Gobbling 7.4 rebounds per game as the first big off the bench makes him a quality candidate for teams that need guys to attack the glass. Williams is also exceptional on the offensive glass, grabbing 3.4, 3.7, and 2.3 offensive boards per game over his last three years at Purdue. His passing has also shown signs of life, gradually increasing his assist averages over his four years all while remaining an efficient shooter with a career 53 percent from the field.

Williams spoke about being able to fit onto an NBA roster as a lower end pick:

“It’s all about knowing how to fit in,” Williams said per Rivals, “and those little things — picking guys up when they fall, being loud on the bench, having energy. Those little things matter.”

Jalen Williams

The West Coast Conference, mostly dominated by Gonzaga, is starting to pick up steam as a rather competitive conference outside of the power five conferences. Outside of the Gonzaga names, Santa Clara’s Jalen Williams stands out as this year’s WCC gem prospect as someone who can make immediate impacts anywhere he goes. 

His potential showed this year when he finished second in the conference in scoring (18.0), sixth in assists (4.2), and ninth in steals (1.2) which all accounted for a first-team all-WCC selection this previous year.

What makes Williams so fascinating is his height as a guard. He stands 6’6 with a smooth handle and is a thrilling playmaker, proven by his 10 assists against Saint Mary’s in February. Williams also showcased a rapidly improving three-point shot this past year when he was knocking down tres at a 39.6 clip, a career-high. 

Nathan Marzion of Fansided described Williams’ other strengths as such:

“Not only is Williams a dynamic threat to score with the ball in his hands, but he can play off the ball and hit spot-up threes as well. He shot an absurd 46.3 percent on spot up catch-and-shoot threes last season and 48.4 percent on all catch-and-shoot jumpers in the half court, both ranking among the best in the nation. On his contested catch-and-shoot jumpers, he shot 61.5 percent, the best of any player in college basketball last season.”

Only coming into college as the 242nd ranked player in his class, Williams’ improvement is something NBA teams will continue to push forward as he transitions into the League with some of the best players in the world.

The post 2022 NBA Draft Preview: Combine and Workout Stars and Risers appeared first on SLAM.

Leading up to tonight’s festivities, we’re taking a look at the cant-miss prospects you should have on your radar. Let’s get it.

Bennedict Mathurin

A native of Montreal, Quebec, Bennedict Mathurin leads the next generation of Canadian hoopers.

A true shot-maker with the ability to score in the catch-and-shoot or off the dribble, Mathurin should be able to provide instant offense for a team at the next level. He scored 17.7 points per game on 45.0 percent shooting from the field, and 36.9 percent shooting from three and displayed the capability to take a game over at Arizona (look no further than his career-high 30 points against TCU in the second round of the NCCA Tournament).

In addition to his shooting prowess, Mathurin has a powerful first step when attacking the rim and has shown the physicality to destroy rims.

His efficiency as a long-range shooter is something teams across the League love. During his freshman season, Mathurin hit 41.8 percent of his three-point attempts as a spot-up shooter. When asked to do more during his sophomore campaign, Mathurin improved his accuracy despite jumping up to 6.1 shots per game (while also managing ball-handling and playmaking duties).

Mathurin also has an excellent in-between game and is reliable at the free-throw line, 78.9 percent as a sophomore. His maturation from a spot-up shooter to a dynamic three-level scorer makes him one of the most dangerous prospects in the draft. He’s also a willing rebounder with good size and strength, pulling down 5.6 boards per game last season.

The 2021-22 PAC-12 Player of the Year and consensus second-team All-American has earned comparisons to the likes of Jamal Crawford and Victor Oladipo with his length and ability to score off the dribble and in catch and shoot sets.

A product of the NBA Academy Latin America, Mathurin’s refined offensive game makes him a flat-out baller and a player who should be a productive scorer for years to come.

Keegan Murray

Improvement was the key to Keegan Murray’s college career at Iowa. Nearly every major statistical category of Murray’s game improved from year one to year two. His rebounding improved by over 3.5 boards per game; he transformed into a knockdown outside shooter, dished one more assist per game, and saw improved steal and block numbers. The result of this? A projected top-five pick with the tools to be a two-way star.

At 6’8, Murray’s a versatile defender with the length and mobility to guard nearly every position on the court. He averaged two blocks and a steal per game last season and used his leaping ability to contest shots at the rim. The Iowa native isn’t afraid to mix it up with big men on the boards, averaging 8.7 rebounds per game.

On offense, Murray is a scorer who can be productive without the ball in his hands. Between timely cuts to the basket and a robust pick-and-pop game, Murray knows how to contribute without demanding isolation or ball-dominant sets effectively. He’s comfortable in the post and is productive in the paint because of his superb shot selection (a career 54.3 percent from the field).

Murray didn’t shy away from the pressure of being a number one option for the Hawkeyes, recording 23.5 points and 8.7 rebounds per game while shooting 55.4 percent from the field and 39.8 percent from three last season.

After averaging just 7.2 points per game as a freshman, Murray was a consensus first-team All-American, first-team All-Big Ten, and Big Ten Tournament MVP as a sophomore. He was also the winner of the Karl Malone Award, given annually to the nation’s top power forward.

Murray could be considered a strong wing player or even a small-ball center in the League. His versatility presents mismatch nightmares for opposing teams. The ability to serve as a solid defensive presence while scoring from all three levels on offense is a rare trait. A late bloomer who was unranked in high school, Murray’s enormous improvements and potential as a do-it-all contributor on both sides of the floor make him one of the most intriguing prospects of the 2022 draft class.

Dyson Daniels

An Australian guard with elite defense and passing? We know what you’re thinking. No, Dyson Daniels is not a Ben Simmons replica, but he certainly shares a similar skill set as the 2016 No. 1 overall pick.

Daniels is a crafty playmaker and high-IQ defender who played in the NBL1 and NBA Global Academy in Australia before joining the G League Ignite in 2021. In the G League, he displayed his skill as a reliable ball-handler and master in the pick-and-roll with the ability to hit the open man or make defenders pay with his patented floater, a move that’s become a go-to option for the 19-year-old.

Daniels averaged 11.3 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game when matching up against NBA-caliber talent last season. The 2018 FIBA Oceania U15 Gold Medalist emerged as a two-way threat with his 6-10 wingspan and solid frame. Excellent court vision and ability to be a disruptor on defense allowed Daniels to set himself apart from the rest as this year’s top G-League prospect.

Speaking of defense, Daniels recorded 1.9 steals in 2021-22 while showcasing the ability to lock up both traditional guards and larger wing players. His high basketball IQ serves him well on this end, as he knows when to switch and send help, but his one-on-one defense is what could make him a bag in the League. He sticks to his matchup, and because of his active hands and ability to slide his feet, he can be trusted on an island to put the clamps on.

The Australian only averaged 2.1 fouls per game last season, so he knows how to play defense without fouling. Daniels is also the first to dive on a loose ball and set the tone of the game, an invaluable asset not always shown on the stat sheet. Because of that mindset, Daniels contributed in ways you don’t see in the box score with his instincts, feel for the game, and hustle.

On offense, Daniels will have to boost his three-point shot (he shot 25.5 from three last season) to become an all-around threat, but he has the potential to turn into a spot-up shooter with his already much-improved jumper. He could potentially contribute immediately as a perimeter defender and facilitator as the two-way prospect teams desire in a top pick.

Ochai Agbaji

No prospect has improved over his four years in college more than Ochai Agbaji. He went from bench piece to regular starter to star player and has progressed at every point to find himself as a potentially coveted piece for an NBA team. 

It starts with his physical tools: Agbaji possesses a 6’10 wingspan and a 6’6 frame, making him an ideal wing defender for today’s NBA. Agbaji’s advanced defensive metrics suggest he is a wildly optimistic defender, something many NBA teams will find valuable. In his four years at Kansas, Agbaji hasn’t had a defensive plus/minus of less than 2.2. His vertical was measured at 39 inches at the combine, which will also serve him well in cutting situations and rebounding. 

Agbaji’s three-point shot has also steadily improved over his time in college, as he shot over 40% this past year, delivering several clutch moments throughout the college year. His most important moment was shooting 6/7 from three in the Final Four matchups against Villanova. He also went 7/12 from the field against Texas Tech at home and was a key performer in the Big 12 tournament championship going 3/6 from downtown, finishing with 16 points and seven boards.

When asked about staying for a fourth year in college, Agbaji opened up about his thought process.

“Sometimes you’ve gotta stay patient; sometimes it’s not going to be there right away, the first two years or first three years. But if you stay the course, things will come to fruition,” Agbaji said.

It seems as if staying one more year at Kansas helped his draft stock after testing the waters last year, which resulted in a consensus All-American year with a Big 12 & National championship at a blue blood program under an all-time great coach in Bill Self. The stars have aligned for him as the ideal “Three and D” prototype that teams demand after four years of steady improvement and being a late bloomer, which has been for the better.

Shaedon Sharpe:

Shaedon Sharpe technically hasn’t played since his senior year of high school, where he was the number one ranked player in the 2022 class until he reclassified to the 2021 class. Sharpe sat out the entire 2021-2022 college season, choosing to develop on-campus without playing a game; however, that hasn’t seemed to hurt his draft stock in any capacity. 

“My thought process as an athlete, as a basketball player, was really just getting better,” Sharpe said per Sporting News. “So I was just in the gym every day, working out. Really for me, whatever happened, I’d be ready for it.

“Like I said before, everything happens for a reason. So I really don’t regret [not] playing,” Sharpe said. “I mean, I’m working with NBA teams now. So I guess I did something right.”

According to Eric Bossi, the National Basketball Director of 247sports, “Sharpe is an explosive athlete with a nose for the rim.” Bossi also said Sharpe had developed his handle “tremendously,” which has allowed him to become a creative scorer and playmaker.

According to Bossi, Sharpe also has an “electric first step and his ability to get downhill, into the lane, and then finish around the rim.” Bossi also likes Sharpe’s length and ability to move well laterally and believes he “has all of the tools to develop into a player who is just as disruptive on the defensive end of the floor as he is on offense.”

Like Agbaji, his physical tools allow him to be a coveted prototype NBA wing that plays defense and can score at all three levels. His explosive athleticism will keep him a step ahead of everyone else in the League, much of that credit going to his above-average first step. If he can just control the ball-handling a little bit more and prove to be healthy, he could be THE steal of the draft.

The post 2022 NBA Draft Preview: Can’t-Miss Prospects appeared first on SLAM.

Leading up to tonight’s festivities, we’re taking a look at the  “who’s who” of the 2022 NBA Draft class, specifically the blue chip prospects. Let’s get it.

Paolo Banchero

Immediately following Paolo Banchero’s first game at Duke —a 22-point, seven-rebound performance against then-No. 10 Kentucky—it was clear the consensus five-star recruit was destined for stardom. Not every player can live up to the expectations of being Duke’s next star, but Banchero did so easily.

While Duke was the biggest stage the 19-year-old’s played on thus far, he’s never shied away from the spotlight.

He finished his one-and-done year at Duke, averaging 17 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game on 47.7 percent shooting from the field, leading the Blue Devils to the Final Four. The 2021-22 ACC Rookie of the Year scored at least 17 points and played at least 33 minutes in all five of Duke’s NCAA Tournament games.

Banchero’s a well-rounded player with good size (6-10, 250 lb. frame) that can do a bit of everything. With a mix of post moves and faceup versatility, Banchero is arguably the best shot creator in the class. He possesses excellent body control and uses his frame to fend off defenders before bursting with an explosive spin move or up-and-under when attacking off the bounce.

Banchero is also an unselfish playmaker. Since he often draws double teams, Banchero has no problem trusting his teammates and kicking the ball out to the open man. In college, he showed comfortability with having an offense run through him, and he projects as a player who could serve a similar role in the League.

“My passing is probably my favorite part of my game if I had to choose one,” Banchero said during his SLAM 235 cover shoot. “I don’t know; it’s just something that I always thought was so cool; I don’t know why. Growing up, I fell in love with no-look passes, and I don’t know why, but I thought that was the coolest thing you could do on the court. So, I would go practice them, go to the playground and practice them, do crazy stuff. Eventually, that stuff turns into a real skill.”

While he dominated nearly every aspect of the game in college, Banchero will look to refine his three-point shot at the next level. His 33.8 percent mark was good enough to keep defenses honest, but with the League’s current emphasis on spacing and three-point shot-making, Banchero will look to become a more significant threat from deep to become an even more outstanding offensive player.

Between his size, rebounding ability, and offensive versatility, Banchero has the tools to thrive as a power forward, or even a small-ball center, at the next level.

“I don’t think there’s anything on that court that I can’t do,” Banchero said. “I’m gonna always play hard, I’m going to always bet my teammates involved, but like I said, you know, I can score, pass, defend. I’m just going to be able to do whatever the team needs me to do.”

Jaden Ivey

Like sunlight traveling to the Earth, Jaden Ivey has grown considerably from his freshman to sophomore year with the Purdue Boilermakers. Showing promise as a freshman making the Big 10 All-Freshman team, Ivey made the jump to consensus All-American status as a sophomore.

Ivey’s production jumped dramatically, going from 11.1 points to 17.3 points per game this past year, with increased efficiency from the field (46 percent), the free-throw line (74 percent), and from three (35.8 percent), all while playing 31.4 minutes per game. 

But what makes him so lethal is his speed on the open floor; in the blink of an eye, Ivey will be grabbing a rebound on one end, then he is jamming it home just a few mere seconds later. Purdue played at the fifth slowest pace last year in the Big 10, primarily due to their big lineup; Ivey was the one exception where he would speed past everyone for easy drives and transition buckets. Ivey plays in turbo mode throughout the game, always looking to draw contact for free throws, as hinted by his almost six free throw attempts per game.

His defense is much improved as well, especially going beyond the regular box score stats of steals & blocks. He was overall a positive defensive player for the Boilermakers. As mentioned, his north & south speed, his lateral quickness, and quick hands give Ivey the physical tools to be a great defensive player.

He also looks to cause disruption wherever he can, averaging only 1.8 fouls last year which is a rarity for someone of his playstyle on defense. With all that intensity, he seems fine going deep into games while playing heavy minutes. 

NBA scouts love his potential, knowing he was going top five at the early stages of the college season.

“That first round of games in Indy, he was one of the most impressive players on the court in terms of NBA upside,” said one NBA scout per YahooSports. “After we all started going to practices at Purdue last fall, it was clear he was a top-five lock.” 

Despite being held to nine points by Saint Peter’s, Ivey’s talent was verified even more during the NCAA Tournament last March. Ivey dropped 22 points in the opening round against Yale and followed that up with an 18-point performance against Texas, where he shot 57 percent from the field.

Talent must run in the family, given that Ivey’s mom, Niele, played in the WNBA for the Indiana Fever, Detroit Shock, and the Phoenix Mercury. Niele Ivey is also the head coach for the Notre Dame women’s basketball team. 

Scoring wings are hot commodities in the modern NBA, especially if Ivey can turn a franchise around in a short amount of time. When he steps into the League, he’ll bring an energy that can change the dynamic from day one.

Jabari Smith

Franchise saviors come around occasionally, but when they do, they take over the NBA with their powers. This year it’s Auburn’s Jabari Smith, a 6’10 forward native of Georgia who is currently seen as one of the top three picks in the upcoming Draft.

At Auburn, Smith was a consensus second-team All-American, First-team All-SEC, and won SEC freshman of the year and the Wayman Tisdale Award in one year. Smith also helped lead the Tigers, to, at one point, the top spot in the AP rankings and earned a two seed in the NCAA tournament. Though the Tigers were bounced in the second round, Smith came of age when he posted 20 and 14 in Auburn’s first-round win over Jacksonville State.

Smith, from the moment he walks into the NBA, will be one of the better shooters in the rookie class. Besides his physical build, Smith’s high release point has drawn people to call him a Kevin Durant-like player. 

“The comfort level he has in the halfcourt is the biggest thing,” one NBA scout said per Nathan King of 247 Sports. “He thinks he can make any shot over anyone. That smooth confidence is big for the League.”

Without question, Smith’s physical tools allow him to do things few and far between have been able to do in the League. The pro game has embraced an outside-in playstyle, and Smith’s ability as a 6’10 forward who can shoot will be coveted by many. Shooting 42.0 percent from three in college cannot be glossed over, nor can his 42.9 percent shooting from the field.

Smith also presents advanced defensive skills for his age, a side of the game other prospects take longer to develop. In college, Smith showcased a feel for how to move his feet, communicate, and give effort on each defensive possession. As basic as that sounds, those skills are essential to being a quality NBA defender.

Smith also rotates well from the weak side providing help defense as an extra shot blocker. He averaged 1.0 blocks per contest; although that isn’t the end-all for determining defense, Smith has shown that he’s a willing and able defender who can only improve as a pro. 

Smith is currently seen as a transcendent talent going into the NBA Draft, likely to land as a top-three pick; whoever lands the Auburn product will be getting a player who likely turns their fortunes around and perhaps can one day be an NBA superstar.

Chet Holmgren

What makes a great NBA draft prospect? Is it dominance? Versatility? Potential? Whatever it maybe, Gonzaga’s Chet Holmgren has it all.

Quite possibly the most unique and versatile prospect we’ve ever seen, Holmgren embodies the skillset of the vaunted basketball unicorn. He has the perimeter skills of a guard and has displayed the inside dominance to be compared to some of the game’s greats. 

He first went viral in high school for crossing up two-time MVP Stephen Curry at the SC30 Camp in 2019, and since then, the Minneapolis native hasn’t looked back.

A consensus five-star recruit and the No. 1 player of the 2021 class, Holmgren joined one of college basketball’s national powerhouses and didn’t disappoint. Holmgren averaged 14.1 points and 9.9 rebounds per game in his only season with Gonzaga and displayed his dominance on both ends of the floor.

Holmgren is the total package in nearly every sense of the word.

Standing at 7’0 with a ridiculous 7’6 wingspan, he established himself as college basketball’s premier rim protector last year, racking up 3.7 blocks per game, good for fourth in the nation. His size allows him to alter nearly every shot in his vicinity, and his skill as an ambidextrous shot-blocker could translate into elite interior defense once he gets to the League. 

And once Holmgren blocks a shot, he can lead the pack in transition. He’s comfortable with the ball in his hands and doesn’t hesitate to initiate his own offense. The consensus second-team All-American and first-team All-West Coast Conference selection shot 60.7 percent from the field last season with an absurd 73.7 percent shooting on two-point field goal attempts. Whether it’s in the low post or as an off-ball cutter, Holmgren’s defensive assertiveness is matched on offense.

But he isn’t a one-trick pony—like we said, he’s a unicorn. In addition to his paint dominance, Holmgren shot 39 percent from beyond the arc. It was on 97 attempts, but Holmgren has showcased a smooth jumper with a quick trigger that keeps defenses on their heels. And since he has an above-average basketball IQ for a player his size and age, Holmgren is as dynamic as they come.

“Coming to see me would definitely be a unique sight or experience,” Holmgren told SLAM in 2019. “Not a lot of guys play the way I do, especially at my height.”

At 195 lbs., he’ll likely have to put on some extra weight to handle the 82-game schedule and sheer size of the big men he’ll face in the NBA, but he won’t back down. Don’t get it twisted. Holmgren has the aggressiveness of a ’90s big and will mean-mug his way down the court after a thunderous dunk or smacking an opponent’s shot off the backboard.

His skillset and limitless potential force us to bear the question: is there anything Chet Holmgren can’t do?

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No. 2 UConn vs. No. 15 Mercer

UConn will be going against Mercer in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament.

Mercer enters the competition with an impressive 23-6 record after coming off a win over Furman in the Southern Conference Championship. The Bears are led by senior guard Amoria Neal-Tysor, who averages 17.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 3.1 assists while shooting at 43.4 percent from the field. Alongside her is fellow guard Shannon Titus and senior forward Jaron Dougherty, who average 11.7 and 10.9 points per game respectively.

As for the UConn Huskies, this is far from their first time in the tourney. Their win over Villanova in the Big East championship game gives the Huskies the necessary momentum entering the tournament. The Huskies have relied on several contributors, including Christyn Williams and Olivia Nelson-Ododa while Paige Bueckers missed most of the season due to a knee injury—Williams is currently averaging 14.6 points per game, with Nelson-Odada adding on 9.8 points and 7.4 rebounds per game.

No. 6 Kentucky vs. No. 11 Princeton

It wouldn’t be a proper preview without respectfully acknowledging the incredible game-winning shot by Wildcats’ own Dre’una Edwards. Edwards, who averages 16.9 points per game, 8.2 rebounds, and 1.8 assists, banked in the buzzer-beater three-pointer to upset No. 1 South Carolina in the SEC Championship, marking their first title since ’82. Hoopin’ alongside Edwards is senior guard Rhyne Howard, who is continuing to solidify herself as one of Kentucky’s greats. She averaged 20.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.4 dimes, and 2.4 steals per game this year season.

On Princeton’s side are guards Abby Meyers, who is averaging 17.8 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 1.6 assists, and Julia Cunningham, who adds in 13.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.9 assists to the team’s depth. With both teams coming in hot off conference championship wins, look for one of these two teams to play this year’s Cinderalla in the national tournament. There’s no telling who will come out as the winner in a matchup of this magnitude.

No. 5 Virginia Tech vs. No 12. FGCU

“I’m surprised where we’re seeded, but we’re excited to be in the tournament. We know Virginia Tech has an excellent program and is really well coached. We can’t worry about the seedings; we know we’re capable of winning games away from home,” said head coach Karl Smesko.

After holding their own throughout the ACC Tournament, ultimately losing to NC State, Virginia Tech enters the tournament with a No. 5 seed in the NCAA Tournament. For the Hokies, this makes it their 11th appearance in the National Tournament, entering with a 23-9 overall record (13-5 ACC). They’re led by junior center Elizabeth Kitley, who averages a team-high 17.4 points and 9.9 rebounds per game. Then there’s graduate student guard Aisha Sheppard, who is posting 13.4 points in 30.8 minutes per game and 2.6 assists.

With the 69-54 victory over Jacksonville State on Saturday night, the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles now have their eighth ASUN championship title. They’re led by Kierstan Bell, an All-American candidate who is now averaging 23.2 points and 7.4 rebounds per game, as well as Kendall Spray and Tishara Morehouse, who average 11.1 and 15.0 points per game, respectively.

No. 7 Ole Miss vs. No. 10 South Dakota

For South Dakota University, this trip to the NCAA Tournament marks their third consecutive appearance under head coach Dawn Plitzuweit. South Dakota (27-5) is led by Summit League Player of the Year Chloe Lamb, who averages the Coyotes with 15.9 points per game. Playing alongside her is Hannah Sjerven, a three time Summit League Defensive Player of the Year who is averaging 14.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks. The league’s Sixth Woman of the year, Grace Larkins, brings along 6.8 points per game.

On the other hand, Ole Miss (23-8) (10-6 SEC) is a force to be reckoned with. The Rebels will be entering this matchup with a 23-8 record, and are led by senior center Shakira Austin. The 6’5 forward is averaging 15.4 points and 8.9 rebounds per game. Alongside the two-time First Team All-SEC honoree is senior Angel Baker, who is averaging 10.7 points per game. The Rebels finished fourth in the SEC.

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Kentucky Wildcats

After one of the most historic runs in conference tournament history, the Kentucky Wildcats won its first SEC title since 1982 after taking down the number one seed South Carolina Gamecocks. Less than a month ago had a sub .500 record and weren’t in tournament consideration.

They entered the conference tournament with a 19-11 record (8-8 in conference) and took down three top-20 teams in the span of three days No. 6 LSU (78-63), No. 18 Tennessee (83-74), and No. 1 South Carolina 64-72 after a last-second shot by Dre’una Edwards sealed the deal for the Wildcats. Edwards finished the game with 27 points, and nine rebounds as Kentucky punched their ticket to the tournament for the 17th time in program history. The Wildcats will be the sixth seed in the tournament and will play Princeton to kick off their march madness.

Miami Hurricanes

Miami was a huge shocker in the ACC tournament, first stunning the four seeded Louisville Cardinals in ACC quarterfinals 61-59 on Destiny Harden’s buzzer-beating turn-around jumper. The upsets were not done yet as they edged passed No. 3 Notre Dame 57-54, advancing to the program’s first-ever ACC Championship game. 

Though they did not win it all, falling short to NC State 60-47 in the title game, All-ACC Team honorable mention Kelsey Marshall put up 24 points, four rebounds, and two assists for the Canes. This year Marshall averaged 14.0 points (No. 10 in ACC), 3.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists leading Miami to their 15th national tournament appearance as a program. Miami will be the eighth seed in the tournament and will matchup against South Florida in a battle of state supremacy to kick off the madness.

Michigan Wolverines

The Michigan Wolverines finished the season with a 22-6 record (13-4 conference play), tying for the most conference wins in program history. On Dec.19, they defeated then fifth-ranked Baylor Bears  74-68, making this the programs’ first-ever win over a Top-Five team. The Wolverines fell short in the Big 10 conference tournament losing to Nebraska 76-73 in the quarterfinal.

However, they still punched their ticket to the national tournament for the ninth time. Overall the year has been great for the Wolverines as head coach Kim Arico was voted Big Ten Coach of the Year by coaches and media. In addition, star player Naz Hilmon became the first player in program history to earn four first-team honors and the first player in Michigan basketball history to record 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds in their career. Hilmon averaged 21.0 points (No. 4 Big Ten)and 9.4 rebounds (No. 4 in Big Ten) while shooting 56.5 percent from the field this season. Michigan will be a three-seed in this year’s tournament and face American in their first-round matchup.

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There are a few new changes this time around, though:

For the first time since the tournament’s inception in 1982, the NCAA has decided to feature the historic March Madness branding for the 2022 tournament, while the increased 68-team pool will be seeded for the first time this Selection Sunday on March 13. 

The first four games of the tournament will take place on Wednesday and Thursday of this week while the first and second rounds begin on Friday and run through next Monday the 21st.

The Heavy Hitters

This year’s No. 1 Seeds: South Carolina, Stanford, NC State and Louisville are stacked to the brim with talent, as we take a deep dive into how the heavy hitters got to the first round of the tournament.

Led Dawn Staley, the Gamecocks (29-2) are equipped with an array of talent, including the frontrunner for National Player of the Year, Aliyah Boston. The Gamecocks will make their 18th national tournament appearance since ’82 through the Greensboro Region. Throughout the 2021-22 season, the Gamecocks have remained favorites to cut down the nets in Minneapolis. Despite suffering only their second loss (29-2) on the season to Kentucky in the SEC tournament final, South Carolina leads the nation with 11 wins over ranked opponents, facing off against the winner between Howard (20-3) and the Incarnate Word Cardinals (13-16).

The Stanford Cardinal (28-3) cruised their way to their second-straight Pac-12 championship with wins over Oregon St., Colorado, and Utah, behind the tournament’s Player of the Year in Haley Jones. With 6-4 conference Defensive Player of the Year and the Pac-12’s leading rebounder Cameron Brink commanding the paint, the Cardinal are coming off of a 20-game win streak heading into the Spokane Region. First, though, they’ll have to take care of business against No. 16 Montana (22-12).

The ACC has been one of the strongest conferences top-to-bottom this season—boasting eight teams from the conference making the big dance—as both NC State and Louisville round out our heavy hitters. The Wolf Pack added to what’s already been a historic season after securing the No. 1 seed in the ACC tournament for the first time in 32 years. Led by first-team All-ACC center Elissa Cunane, NC State makes their 27th national tournament appearance.

This list is nowhere near short of star-power, and that’s where Hailey Van Lith and Louisville (25-4) round out our heavy hitters. Finishing second behind NC State in the ACC, the Cardinals are set to make their first national tournament appearance since 2019. They’re set to match up against No. 16 Albany (23-9) in the first round.

Best Not Be Sleeping

They may not be the highest-seeded teams, but you just can’t be caught sleeping when it comes to Kentucky, Miami, DePaul, and the Michigan Wolverines.

Coming off of the stellar play of All-SEC First Team forward Rhyne Howard and standout Dre’una Edwards, the Kentucky Wildcats upset the No. 1 seed South Carolina Gamecocks in historic fashion for the SEC Championship, the program’s first since 1982. Riding a 10-game win streak into the Bridgeport region, the No. 6 Wildcats had a sub .500 record less than a month ago, and yet, they’ll enter the first round of the tournament with possibly the most momentum in the tournament. But first, they’ll have to go through Princeton (24-4) to keep on dancing.

The Canes have been synonymous with upsets during March, stunning Louisville in the ACC quarterfinals courtesy of Destiny Harden’s buzzer-beating turn-around jumper and Notre Dame in the semis. The No. 8 Miami Hurricanes (20-12) arrive in the Greensboro region after advancing to the program’s first-ever ACC Championship game.

The No. 3 Wolverines (22-6) enter the fold in the Wichita region with a first-round matchup against the No. 14 seeded American Eagles (23-8). Their resume includes quality wins over Baylor in late December—the program’s first win over a top-five team—Maryland in January and Iowa in early February. Led by projected top-five pick in the 2022 WNBA Draft, Naz Hillmon, the Wolverines will be looking to make history once more in March.

While they finished fourth in the Big East, the Blue Demons earned quality wins over Kentucky and Northwestern. Led by double-double machine Aneesah Morrow, the conference’s Freshman of the Year, DePaul (22-10) will match up against No. 11 Dayton.

Games You Can’t Miss

After all 68 teams were seeded on Selection Sunday, the opening round matchups are set. Here’s some games that you’ve got to tune into this weekend.

Photos via Getty Images.

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The Mountain Top – No. 1 Seed South Carolina

Despite losing the SEC Championship game to Kentucky last weekend, the Gamecocks remain atop the AP Top 25. They’ve asserted their dominance all season long, consistently holding down the top spot in the AP poll since the preseason, dropping just one loss in conference play to Missouri in late December. Under SEC Coach of the Year, Dawn Staley, the Gamecocks boast a nation-best 11 wins over ranked opponents, culminating in defeating No. 2 Stanford 65-61 at home.

The regular season champs are headlined by SEC Player of the Year and frontrunner for National Player of the Year Aliyah Boston, who’s been damn-near unstoppable this season, breaking Sylvia Fowles’ SEC record with 20 consecutive double doubles. Boston continued her career sweep as SEC Defensive Player of the Year, posting 16.8 points, 12 boards 2.6 blocks and 1.3 steals per game while shooting a commanding 54.4 percent from the field and becoming just the fifth player in school history to record 1,000 career boards.

Aliyah Boston is truly, THAT girl. @aa_boston pic.twitter.com/5P2vvN5FPg

— WSLAM (@wslam) February 25, 2022

Establishing an uptempo pressure on the game is key for the Gamecocks, with 5-7 senior Destanni Henderson, aka “Henny” leading the charge with her lighting quick speed, playmaking ability and defensive prowess, dropping 11.3 points, 4.3 dimes (7th in the SEC) and 1.4 steals while shooting a conference fifth-best 40.6 percent from deep.

Destanni had 6 STEALS.

Defense was LOCKED IN. pic.twitter.com/65YSOkpUxj

— WSLAM (@wslam) November 22, 2021

Top of the Pac – Stanford Cardinal

Undefeated in conference play (28-3, 16-0) the Cardinal cruised through the Pac-12 tournament en route to their second-straight conference championship behind the magnificent play of the tourney’s Most Outstanding Player, Haley Jones. Defeating Oregon State, Colorado and Utah, Stanford extended their win streak, which is the longest active streak in the nation, to 20-straight ahead of the national tournament.

Haley Jones dropped a light TRIPLE DOUBLE last night for Stanford.

The school’s first in 19 years pic.twitter.com/12X7l6Qy3z

— WSLAM (@wslam) November 17, 2021

Alongside Jones, sophomore Cameron Brink has continued to expand her game since taking being named to the All-Freshman Team last year. The Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year led the conference in 2.8 blocks a game while averaging 13.6 points.

HAVE A DAY CAM BRINK:

21 points
22 rebounds

Brink helped Stanford take down No. 4 Indiana! pic.twitter.com/3h1UxMdZC8

— WSLAM (@wslam) November 25, 2021

Coming off of their first NCAA championship since ‘92, the Cardinal will look to defend their title and repeat as champions in Minneapolis. Utah’s head coach Lynne Roberts mirrored that same sentiment after losing to Stanford, 73-48, in the conference championship.

“I actually think they’re better than they were last year, and last year they won the national championship,” Roberts said after the game. “I do think they’re the best team in the country.”

Pack Life – NC State

After securing the No. 1 seed at the ACC Tournament for the first time in 32 years, the Wolf Pack added to what’s already been a historic season this past weekend, winning the ACC Tournament Championship for the third-straight season in a 60-47 win over the Miami Hurricanes. Elissa Cunane led the way with 20 points and 13 boards in the semis, and 17 points and eight boards in the ‘chip.

The now two-time ACC Tournament MVP cemented her legacy in tournament play, scoring double figures in all 11 of her career ACC Tournament appearances.

Elissa came to HOOP today. @ecunane_ pic.twitter.com/OuoUL4U5L9

— WSLAM (@wslam) March 5, 2022

Card Nation – Louisville

Led by sophomore All-ACC First Team guard Hailey Van Lith, the No. 1 Louisville Cardinals (25-4) find themselves in their 24th NCAA tournament appearance as a program despite being knocked out of the ACC quarterfinals by the Miami Hurricanes. Finishing second (16-2) in the ACC behind NC State, the Cardinals have notched eight dubs over top 25 opponents in their belt, snagging a quality win over No. 7 UConn 69-64 this season. Van Lith dropped 16 points, four boards and three assists.

HVL is in her DUFFIE tonight. @haileyvanlith @UofLWBB pic.twitter.com/taaUf0fLl8

— WSLAM (@wslam) November 12, 2021

Van Lith’s show-stopping dimes, limitless range and command of the offense has been on display since her days at Cashmere High School in Washington, but the basketball world was reminded of them once again in early February when she lit up Clemson for 34 points on 13-16 shooting from the field and a scintillating 6-for-6 from beyond the arc. Holding it down on defense is All-ACC First Team senior, Emily Engstler, who simultaneously earned All-Defensive honors.

Now the tandem and the Cardinals face off against No. 16 Albany in the first round of the Women’s March Madness Tournament.

Photos via Getty Images.

The post SLAM’s 2022 WBB March Madness Preview: South Carolina, Stanford, NC State and Louisville appeared first on SLAM.

Tennessee Volunteers

The Tennessee Volunteers finished the regular season 26-7 (14-4 SEC) as they entered the SEC tournament as a two-seed. In their first game, they defeated Mississippi State 72-59, Then defeated seed 3 Kentucky Wildcats 69-62 behind a 19 point performance by freshman guard Kennedy Chandler to send the Vols to the SEC championship.

The Volunteers would go on to dominate Texas A&M 65-50 to secure the school’s first conference championship since 1979. Chandler was named the most outstanding player of the tournament as his stellar shooting has continued to dazzle the country. He averaged 13.8 points and 4.6 assists on the season.

Tennessee will enter the NCAA tournament as a two-seed and will face Longwood in the first round of the tournament. Tennessee is a team that needs to advance far in every bracket entry submitted.

Virginia Tech Hokies 

Before the ACC tournament, The Virginia Tech Hokies’ ticket to the tournament was not secure after finishing the regular season 23-12 record (11-9 ACC). Entering as the seven seed a big run in the conference tournament would’ve kept the Hokies dancing in march, and they did just that.

In the first round, the Hokies took down the Clemson Tigers 76-75 from a buzzer-beater by guard Darius Maddox as time expired on the clock. They defeated Notre Dame, 87-80, and North Carolina, 72-59, to reserve their spot in the ACC championship game. In a classic David and Goliath matchup, the Hokies faced the Duke Blue Devils and stunned the basketball world by dominating them 82-67 to take home the school’s first ACC championship.

Junior guard Hunter Cattoor led the Hokies in scoring, finishing with 31 points, knocking down seven out of nine three-pointers. Virginia Tech will enter the NCAA tournament as an 11-seed and face the six-seeded Texas in the first round.

Iowa Hawkeyes

Iowa came into the Big 10 tournament with a 26-9 regular-season record (12-8 Big 10), with most of their losses coming in the conference. In the first two rounds of the Big 10 tournament, they blew out Northwestern 112-76 and bested Rutgers 84-74. Their next round matchup against the Indiana Hoosiers was nail-biting finished as guard Jordan Bohannon sank a bank shot as time expired to give the Hawkeyes the 80-77 edge over the Hoosiers.

They matched up against the high-powered Purdue Boilermakers in the conference championship. Behind sophomore star Keegan Murray’s 19 points and 11 rebounds, Iowa took home the Big 10 title crown in a 75-66 victory. Iowa is entering the NCAA as a five seed and will play the University of Richmond in the first round.

With three Iowa players averaging double-digits in Keegan Murray, Jordan Bohannon, and Patrick McCaffery, the Hawkeyes can be a real threat this year.

Murray State Racers

After an impressive tournament run back in 2019 led by Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant the Murray State Racers looks to put the country on notice once again. Entering this year with an impressive 30-2 record going undefeated in conference play (18-0 OVC), the Racers have won 18 straight games since losing to Auburn, 71-58, on Dec. 22.

They knocked out Morehead state 71-67 to capture the school’s 18th OVC conference championship. Junior guard Tevin Brown scored 23 points and six rebounds to help the Racers continue dancing into the NCAA men’s championship tournament. Brown, who played along with Morant as a freshman back in 2019, has been the teams’ anchor averaging 16.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.0 assists while shooting 44 percent from the floor.

The Racers will be a seven-seed in the tournament and match up with San Francisco in the first round. If you are a fan of Cinderella teams, Murray State is the perfect team to bet on.

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The tourney hasn’t even begun, and yet we’ve witnessed Hunter Cattoor light it up against Duke en route to Virginia Tech’s first ACC Championship, Murray State earn their first tournament bid since Ja Morant was the Racers point guard, and Iowa secured their first Big Ten Tournament Championship since 2006.

With Selection Sunday and conference tournaments wrapping up this past weekend, there’s a lot to preview, and SLAM Newswire has got you covered.

The Heavy Hitters

This year’s No. 1 Seeds: Gonzaga, Arizona, Kansas, and Baylor are loaded with talent as we take a deep dive into how the heavy hitters on the men’s side got to the first round of the tournament.

Led by two Wooden Award Candidates while boasting a nation-best 87.8 points per game, the hype around Gonzaga (26-3) is real. With WCC Player of the Year Drew Timme, who averaged 17.5 points and 6.3 rebounds per game, and top-three projected pick in this year’s draft Chet Holmgren patrolling the paint, the Bulldogs have been one of the most dominant teams in college basketball this season – dropping just three games to tournament-bound teams (Duke, Alabama and St. Mary’s).

The No. 1 team in the West region boasts 10 Quadrant 1 wins, making their 24th appearance as a program in the tournament with a matchup against No. 16 Georgia St (18-10) in the opening round.

Fresh off of their 12th Big 12 tournament championship in program history, Kansas (28-6) enters the Midwest region as one of the most battle-tested teams in the tournament. Bill Self leads a loaded roster full of experienced hoopers, headlined by conference-leading scorer and Player of the Year Ochai Ogbaji. Ogbaji averaged 19.7 points per game while shooting 40.5 percent from three – the Jayhawks lead the nation with 12 Quad 1 wins while snagging a Big 12 regular-season and conference tournament championship.

Possessing one of the strongest resumes in the country, Kansas ranks as the top seed in the Midwest region, facing off against Texas Southern in the first round.

In his first season as a Division One coach and head honcho at Arizona, Tommy Lloyd led the Wildcats (31-3) through a famed season, securing the regular season and Pac-12 tournament championship while gathering quality wins against UCLA, Illinois, Michigan, and USC.

Led by Pac-12 Player of the Year Bennedict Mathurin (17.1 points and 5.6 rebounds per game) alongside the conference’s Defensive Player of the Year and its Most Improved in 7’1 junior Christian Koloko (11.9 points and 7.2 boards per game), the Wildcats are ranked as a one seed for a reason, as their balanced offensive and defensive schemes have been giving teams trouble all season long.

First, though, they’ll meet the winner between Bryant and Wright State in the opening round.

Rounding out our heavy hitters is the Baylor Bears (26-6), defending their national championship out of the East region. Scott Drew’s Bears feature a bevy of offensive talent with six players averaging more than 8.0 points per game, led by junior guard Adam Flager (13.4 points and 3.1 assists) and senior Big 12 First Team selection, James Akinjo (13.4 points and 5.7 assists). Snagging wins against Villanova, Iowa State, Texas, and Kansas contributed to the program’s 10 Quad 1 dubs. The Bears will be matching up against No. 16 Norfolk St.

Best Not Be Sleeping

You cannot be caught sleeping against Tennessee, Murray St., Virginia Tech, or Iowa despite the seeding.

The No. 3 seeded SEC champions enter the tourney on a seven-game win streak, having defeated Kentucky, Auburn, and Arkansas since mid-February. Led by freshman sensation Kennedy Chandler, the Volunteers (26-7) are a two-seed for a reason. The Volunteers are built to make a deep run this March in a stacked South region that features No. 1 Arizona, No. 2 Villanova, No. 4 Illinois, and No. 5 Houston. Behind 11 Quad 1 wins, Chandler’s 13.8 points and 4.6 assists, and 53.8 percent shooting splits, the Volunteers will face off against No. 14 Longwood this weekend.

Virginia Tech (23-12) is riding high after upsetting No. 1 Duke in the ACC Championship game, grabbing their first tournament championship in program history. Despite dropping nine games in conference play, the Hokies’ 82-67 upset win over the Blue Devils behind senior Keve Aluma’s 19 points and Hunter Cattoor’s 31, the No. 11 seeded Hokies are a veteran-heavy squad with enough momentum to carry them deep into the tournament. First, though, they’ll meet No. 6 seeded Texas in the first round of the East.

For the first time since 2006, the Iowa Hawkeyes (26-9) are Big Ten tournament champions. Sophomore All-Big Ten First Team selection Keegan Murray has blossomed into a projected lottery pick in late June, averaging 23.6 points and 8.6 rebounds on 55.5 percent shooting from the floor. Competing in the conference that leads the nation with teams seeded in the tournament, the Hawkeyes grabbed nine Quad 1 wins, defeating Michigan St., Ohio St. and No. 3 Purdue in the Big Ten Championship behind Murray’s 19 points and 11 boards. With four players averaging above double-digits, No. 5 Iowa will have a battle on their hands when they face off against No. 12 Richmond in the first round of the Midwest region.

In case you haven’t been following along with the mid-majors or Ja Morant’s Twitter this season, the Murray State Racers (30-2) are for real. Since dropping a 71-58 road loss to Auburn in late December, the Racers have gone undefeated in conference play and are riding an 18-game win streak. The Ohio Valley Conference champions are led by junior Tevin Brown – who played with Ja Morant and Murray State as a freshman during the Racers’ last tournament run in 2019 – is averaging 16.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, three assists, and a conference-best 3.1 made threes a game. The No. 7 seed in the East will see No. 10 San Francisco in the tournament’s first round.

Games You Can’t Miss

With the first round of the tournament set to start this Friday, here are the games you can’t miss.

No. 3 Texas Tech Vs. No. 14 Montana State

Texas Tech boasts a bevy of veteran players who hang their hat on defensive pressure and home-court advantage – going undefeated in conference play at home. But the No. 14 Bobcats cannot be counted out solely based on their seeding luck as they’ve made their second national tournament appearance in three years.

No. 6 Texas Vs. No. 11 Virginia Tech

Anchored by wins over Kansas and Tennessee, the Texas Longhorns are ready to start the tournament anew after dropping 3 of their last four regular-season matchups. However, the No. 11 seeded Hokies and sharpshooter Hunter Cattoor could pose an upset level threat, having just beaten No. 2 seed Duke in the ACC Championship.

No. 8 San Diego State Vs. No. 9 Creighton 

The 8/9 matchup is always intriguing. With both the Aztecs and Creighton losing their respective conference tournament championships, both teams will be looking to exact revenge and start the tournament with a dub.

No. 5 Houston Vs. No. 12 UAB

Houston has weathered a storm of injuries and adversity all season long. With another AAC tournament championship under their belt, the Cougars will have to get past UAB and Jordan Walker’s 20.2 points per game on 40 percent from beyond the arc.

Photos via Getty Images.

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The Dog House – Gonzaga Bulldogs (26-3)

Simply put, this Gonzaga team is different. They’re led by an unlikely duo — a mustache-donning junior from Texas and a seven-foot unicorn freshman from Minnesota. That duo is Drew Timme and Chet Holmgren, who are both John R. Wooden Award candidates.

Timme, the 2022 WCC Player of the Year, averages 17.5 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. He’s made it clear that he wants to win it all,

“I came back [to Gonzaga] to win a championship and get better,” he said. “That’s all I’m focused on.” 

Holmgren averages 14.2 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 3.6 blocks per game, good for fourth in the NCAA. He projects to be a top-three selection in the upcoming NBA Draft due to his unique skill set for his physical stature at such a young age.

However, it’s not entirely the Timme and Holmgren show. After all, you don’t lead the nation in points per game (87.8) with just two elite players. This Bulldogs team has multiple threats. Sophomore Julian Strawther is an outstanding player, averaging 12.3 points and 5.5 rebounds per game while shooting the long ball at a 39.6 percent clip. Strawther’s backcourt partner Senior Andrew Nembhard averages 11.7 points, 5.7 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. Then there’s the sharpshooter Rasir Bolton who’s shooting a ridiculous 46.7 percent from deep.

This Bulldogs team is well-rounded and dangerous. They will take on No. 16 Georgia St in the first round.

Top of the Pac – Arizona Wildcats (31-3)

It’s not often that a first-year head coach leads a team to be so dominant in college play. Arizona’s Tommy Lloyd has done just that in his first season as a Division I coach. Of course, Coach Lloyd didn’t put on a jersey himself, but he was able to direct some top-tier talent in the right direction. Two players come to mind when it comes to Lloyd’s coaching ability.

Pac-12 Player of the Year and a potential high lottery pick in the upcoming NBA Draft Bennedict Mathurin and Pac-12 Defensive and Most Improved Player of the Year Christian Koloko.

Mathurin — a product of the NBA Academy Latin America in Mexico City — averages 17.1 points and 5.6 rebounds per game, while Koloko averages 12.1 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks per game. Those two are the primary anchors on this well-rounded Wildcats team with few weaknesses. Other huge contributors are Azuolas Tubelis (14.5 points, 6.4, and 1.1 steals) and Kerr Kriisa (10.1 points and 4.9 assists).

In the opening round, this dynamic Arizona team will face the winner between Bryant and Wright State.

Flying Above the Competition – Kansas Jayhawks (28-6)

The hard-nosed Kansas Jayhawks team is ready to make a run at a title. The lead man for the Jayhawks is Big 12 Player of the Year Ochai Agbaji, who’s currently projected to be a lottery pick in the upcoming NBA Draft. Agbaji averages 19.7 points and 5.1 rebounds per game while shooting 40.5 percent from three-point range.

Aside from Agbaji, Kansas also has homegrown Christian Braun (14.6 points, 6.3 rebounds), Jalen Wilson (10.9 points and 7.0 rebounds), and David McCormack (10.1 points and 7.0 rebounds). This team is loaded with a roster of experienced players, with nine-time Big 12 Champion Coach Bill Self at the helm, looking to win their first NCAA crown since 2008.

In the first round, this tested Kansas team will face the winner between Texas Southern and Texas A&M Corpus Christi.

Leaving the Den – Baylor Bears (26-6)

At this time of year, green is associated with St. Patricks Day. However, the Baylor Bears will need no ‘Luck of the Irish’ to compete deep into this year’s NCAA tournament. The defending National Champions will look to repeat their success, with their loaded offensive unit at the forefront.

Baylor has an impressive seven players that average eight or more points per game, showcasing their well-rounded offensive prowess. While Baylor puts up 76.5 points per game as a unit, they’re led by a few standout players. Big 12 First-Team selection James Akinjo averages 13.4 points, 5.6 assists, and 2.1 steals per game, while his backcourt partner Adam Flager averages 13.4 points, 3.0 assists, and 1.1 steals per game. LJ Cryer is averaging 13.5 points per game in large part due to his elite 46.8 percent clip from deep.

The defending champions will face No. 16 Norfolk St in the first round.

The post The Heavy Hitters: Gonzaga, Arizona, Kansas, and Baylor appeared first on SLAM.

Texas Tech Vs. Montana State

Texas Tech’s men’s basketball team was chosen to be the No. 3 seed in the West Regional Division of the 2022 NCAA National Tournament. Their first match-up will be against No. 14 seed Montana State. Considered a well-balanced head-to-head match-up, Texas Tech (25-9) (12-6 Big 12) conference play record. Montana State is primed to put on a show on the other side and look capable of holding their weight at (27-7) (16-4 Big Sky).

The two veteran guards, Jubrile Belo (13.0 points and 6.8 rebounds per game) and Xavier Bishop (13.9 points and 3.3 rebounds per game) lead the Bobcats as two-way forces from the forward and guard spots, respectively.

Meanwhile, Texas Tech’s lineup is filled with depth. Bryson Williams, the 6’8 forward, is averaging 13.7 points and 4.3 rebounds per game while shooting 53.4 percent from the field. Terrance Shannon Jr. is the second player averaging double digits with 10.4 points and 2.8 rebounds per game. With numbers like these going head to head with what Montana State brings to the table, there’s no denying how great of a game this could be. 

Texas Vs. Virginia Tech

The Texas Longhorns will face off against the Virginia Tech Hokies in the first round of the NCAA Men’s National Tournament. The Hokies pulled off an impressive 82-67 upset win over Duke in the ACC championship game, the first ACC title in program history. The Hokies were led to the title by Hunter Cattoor, who scored 31 points and four rebounds.

As for the Longhorns, they have entered the postseason on a downward spiral after winning just five of their last 10 games, including losing four straight that began with a 65-60 loss to TCU. Texas is now ranked number 68 in the country in steals (averaging 7.7); fans can only hope this defense carries over in their game against a Virginia Tech team looking to continue their championship run for as long as possible.

Timmy Allen, star forward, standing at 6’6, is averaging 12.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.3 steals a game while shooting close to 50.5 percent from the field. The Hokies seem to have something to match that with 6’9 forward Keve Aluma. Keve Aluma averages 15.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.9 assists per game on 53.4 percent from the field.

San Diego State Vs. Creighton 

Creighton, who made a solid run for the Big East conference championship, fell short in the final match-up against a skilled and willed Villanova. Don’t count the Blue Jays out yet, though. Creighton now has a shot at redemption, with the selection committee giving them a No. 9 seed in the Midwest Conference. In the first round, they are set to face the No. 8 seeded San Diego State.

San Diego State has also lost in the Mountain West conference championship game, taking a tough 53-52 loss to Boise State. Creighton reached the Sweet 16 last year, losing to Gonzaga. They currently shoot 30.7 percent from the three-point line, 72.9 percent from the free-throw line, and 45.0 percent from the field collectively.

San Diego State suffered the same fate with losing to Gonzaga last year in the round of 64. The Aztecs are currently shooting 35.8 percent from the three-point line, 69.5 percent from the free-throw line, and 43.3 percent from the field. Both teams’ overall records show that they can make a run if they all play with high levels of effort and intensity and as a team. San Diego State currently has a 23-8 record (13-4 Mountain West), while Creighton has a 22-11 winning record (12-7 Big East).

The winner will likely face No. 1 Kansas in the round of 32.

Houston Vs. UAB

The UAB Blazers will face off against the Houston Cougars on Friday in the opening round of the NCAA Men’s National Championship Tournament. The Blazers (27-7) have won their last five games, including the Conference USA championship against Louisiana Tech, 82-73.

The Cougars are entering this game with an impressive 29-5 record, bringing along the AAC Championship that they beat Memphis for, 71-53. Kyler Edwards averages 13.6 points and 6.0 rebounds per game while shooting 36.9 percent from the field and 71.8 percent from the free-throw line. Another key for the Cougars is Josh Carlton, who leads the team with 6.4 rebounds per game.

As far as Blazers go, Jordan Walker has made his stamp as the leader for the Blazers. The New Jersey native currently leads the team with 20.4 ppg this season while shooting 40.3 percent from the field and 88.3% from the free-throw line. Walker played 31.6 minutes this season, leading the Blazers in minutes while dishing 4.8 assists per game.

Expect an all-out brawl in this match-up with the Houston Cougars facing the UAB Blazers this Friday at 9:20 pm ET.

The post Games You Can’t Miss: San Diego State Vs. Creighton, Texas Tech Vs. Montana State, and More appeared first on SLAM.