This year, I decided that it is time for a change. I went against what I have been accustomed to doing when picking the winners of each NCAA March Madness game and picked with my heart. I felt a need for change because I have not done particularly well in the last few years.
This is the main reason why I picked the University of Connecticut to win the National Championship. Connecticut has been my favorite team for many years and I feel that Kemba Walker can lead this team to the promised land.
Connecticut’s 9-9 record in the Big East Conference does not stand out as anything special, but they impressed me immensely during the Big East Tournament. They were able to win five consecutive games in five days – something that has never been done before – to win a conference championship.
I do realize that it will be hard to win 11 consecutive games against a high-level of competition, but crazier things have happened before and during March Madness.
The Huskies have shown that they can play with big leads as well as win the close game. Walker’s game-winning shot against the top-seeded Pittsburgh Panthers in the Big East Tournament was huge for the team. It proved that they can compete against a superior or favored team in competitive play.
Connecticut also has one crucial aspect when it comes to the tourney; they have a strong desire to win. All of the players come out to play every game and it seems as if they get after every loose ball. Walker is the catalyst on this team and the other players feed off his intensity.
The freshman, Jeremy Lamb, has stepped up recently and averaged 14.4 points per game since the beginning of the Big East Tournament. When Walker is on the bench or has gone cold, Lamb has hit all of the shots to keep the Huskies in games.
Another player that has stepped up is Alex Oriakhi. Oriakhi had 13 games this season with over ten rebounds and in five of those games, he had more than 15. Having a dominant interior presence is extremely valuable for a team to win the National Championship.
Connecticut’s coach, Jim Calhoun, is experienced in the NCAA Tournament. He has competed in three Final Fours and won two National Championships. Coach Calhoun’s experience and leadership could prove to play a huge factor in Connecticut’s chances at winning a title this year.
So far my strategy has not panned out and I am currently in last place in the competition that I am having with some friends. Even though I’m in the basement, I am still alive and there is a chance that this new strategy can pay off.
Joe Beaudoin can be reached at jbeaudoin@spartans.ut.edu.