With the meat of March Insanity on the point of tip off this week, longtime ESPN school basketball analyst and former Duke star Jay Bilas takes a shot at some NCAA Q&A with Put up columnist Steve Serby.
Q: What sort of March Insanity ought to we count on?
A: A little bit of a loopy one, as a result of we don’t have two dominant groups, like we had final 12 months with Baylor and Gonzaga. Gonzaga clearly was undefeated going into the Match, [and] Baylor would have been, absent that tough COVID bout they'd towards the tip of the season. I believe we’ve acquired eight groups which are title favorites, or prohibitive title favorites. And I believe the champion is more than likely to come back out of that group. Broad-open is an overused time period. The Match’s by no means huge open. It may well open up for a staff and a bracket, however it’s not huge open. I believe the eight groups I’m pondering of now might all lose within the Candy 16. The highest groups usually tend to lose this 12 months, however I nonetheless assume you’re gonna get the champion, or Ultimate 4 groups, out of that group.
Q: Of that group, which one do you assume is probably the most weak?
A: In all probability Purdue, as a result of they don’t defend in addition to I believed they might. They’re nearly as good an offensive staff as there's — I believe Gonzaga’s the perfect offense — however Purdue’s defensive numbers are simply inferior to I might have anticipated. They are often tempoed down, and they are often overwhelmed. However all people can. Saint Mary’s beat Gonzaga [on Feb. 26].
Q: When you’re Gonzaga coach Mark Few, what do you inform your staff, as a result of there might be super stress on the Zags to lastly win all of it?
A: They’ve had that stress for a very long time, in order that’s nothing new for them. Mark is a aggressive, ball-out, go-get-it man. Not, let’s cling on to this and check out to not lose. He’s a let’s-go-get-it. So that they’re gonna ball-out, I’m not involved about that. Look, they might get beat, however they’re not gonna choke. That’s not of their DNA.
Q: What are you able to inform me about Drew Timme and Chet Holmgren?
A: Timme is the most underappreciated star within the recreation proper now. He’s been so good for thus lengthy, that if he didn’t common 30 this 12 months, we had been gonna assume he wasn’t doing as properly. And he’s been first-team-All-America good. When he performs towards ranked groups, he’s capturing like 67 p.c. It’s ridiculous. He’s a kind of old-school guys that is aware of how one can play. And Holmgren is a freak. Folks say he’s a unicorn, he’s not. Ralph Sampson … that man was a unicorn. We’ve seen Holmgren earlier than, and his identify is Ralph Sampson. Holmgren is particular, and he does do many issues so properly. However you add all their elements collectively, offensively they’re the perfect staff.
Q: Who're a number of the different gamers that you just’re trying ahead to look at?
A: Jaden Ivey at Purdue is particular. If Johnny Davis is wholesome at Wisconsin, he’s a particular participant. Keegan Murray at Iowa. … Duke’s acquired 4 first-round picks on their staff. There’s so many gamers on these quote-unquote mid-majors which are actually good. Malachi Smith is the actual deal at Chattanooga. Murray State is equally as able to making a run as they had been when Ja Morant was there. They've plenty of the identical gamers, however they’re older — Tevin Brown, KJ Williams, that entire crew— they’re actually gifted, actually good, I don’t know the way far they’re gonna go, however they’re not gonna be one-and-out, I do know that.
Q: Who're a number of the harmful sleeper groups?
A: Davidson’s actually good, Windfall is basically good. There are a bunch of groups that, after they play their greatest, they will beat anyone. And there are in all probability extra of these this 12 months than we’ve had in [past] years. Now which may be reflective of the ability on the high, however I believe it’s extra reflective of how good a few of these different groups are. And as you understand, we’ve acquired extra older gamers this 12 months than we’ve had. You'll assume that it will have led to extra consistency, and it hasn’t. However we’ve acquired a bunch of groups which are able to taking part in very well. What number of instances have seen this the place a staff has carried out a sure approach through the common season, after which they get within the event they usually catch fireplace? I don’t know who that’s gonna be, if I did I’d go to Vegas and be sitting by the pool with a drink in my hand and an enormous pile of cash. I do know it’s gonna occur, I simply don’t know who.
Q: Who're some doable unsung heroes or X components?
A: Jaylin Williams at Arkansas. JD Notae is their greatest participant, however since Jan. 1, Jaylin Williams has been nearly as good as any frontcourt participant within the nation. Armando Bacot has been nice at North Carolina, they’re beginning to play like we thought they might at first. Adama Sanogo at Connecticut. … Connecticut’s actually good. They’ve had ups and downs like most groups. They’ve acquired all-conference expertise on the key positions, at level guard with RJ Cole … they’re legit. [Villanova’s] Collin Gillespie, though he’s an outdated hand now. Villanova’s gonna be exhausting to beat. They’re not as gifted as they’ve been of their championship years, however they’re legit, they usually’re gonna be exhausting to take care of due to the way in which they play.
Q: What are your ideas on Seton Corridor?
A: Actually good. One other a kind of undervalued groups. Jared Rhoden’s top-of-the-line defenders within the nation. They’re skilled, they’re robust, they usually’ve been by way of it. They’ve had performances the place they’ve been nearly as good as anyone, they usually’ve had others the place they might be beat by anyone. So that they’re not fooled into pondering they will simply go roll in and win. However I like their make-up and their possibilities. Kevin Willard is likely one of the greatest coaches within the nation, he’s actually good. I simply assume they’re robust.
Q: Do you assume Willard could be elsewhere subsequent 12 months?
A: Teaching’s about leverage, and he’s acquired it. It doesn’t essentially imply he’s gonna be some other place, however when Maryland opened and Louisville opened, Bruce Pearl signed a big contract at Auburn. That’s what occurs. He might very properly keep there, however it’s not gonna be on the similar value and shouldn’t be.
Q: What are your ideas on Rutgers?
A: Rutgers is a kind of groups that early on didn't carry out on the stage we thought. However now they’re the staff we thought they’d be. So should you’re their total numbers, you’re fooling your self into pondering that’s who they're. Who they're is who they’ve been during the last 15 video games, they usually’re superb. [Clifford] Omoruyi is an issue. Caleb McConnell’s an unbelievable defender — he’s top-five within the nation, at any place. And Paul Mulcahy’s a terrific guard that makes actually good choices, after which Ron Harper Jr. … what number of instances does he should make an enormous shot earlier than folks go, “That man’s the actual deal?” All people says, “Effectively I wouldn’t need to play them.” I’d need to play all people, as a result of it means you’re taking part in significant video games, however they’re gonna be under-seeded for certain. They’re gonna be higher than their seed due to the way in which due to this complete physique of labor factor. And the whole physique of labor shouldn't be gonna point out how good they're.
Q: What do you want about UConn?
A: They’ve acquired expertise on the key positions, and actually good depth. So that they have dimension, shot-blocking they usually have scorers. However they don’t have one man. Their go-to man’s the open man, which is an effective way to play. They’re one other staff that’s in all probability undervalued.
Q: Inform me in regards to the two Duke youngsters, Paolo Banchero and AJ Griffin.
A: Banchero’s probably the most gifted. He’s 6-[foot]-10, 255 [pounds], and he’s a matchup that only a few groups can take care of. So it means you’re in all probability gonna should double him, and that’s gonna open up another issues. He’s a fairly good passer, they usually’ve acquired different weapons. The issue is that they’re younger, so in sure video games, their youth form of confirmed. It occurred on the street early, it’s been higher because the season went alongside. They’ve been a extra mature staff in the way in which they’ve approached issues. However one of many keys to their staff had been Griffin. He’s been out for nearly two years with damage, after which he comes again and now he’s one of many 5 greatest shooters within the ACC. However he doesn’t should have the ball on a regular basis. He’s a weapon on the market. They’re legit. I believe the considered them being this nice defensive staff might be overplayed. I believe they defend properly, however they’re not a turnover-forcing staff. They’re truly, in ACC video games, they’re underwater in turnovers. Their turnover margin is minus, which is uncommon for a great defensive staff. However they’re one of many eight, they’re a risk to win it.
Q: Your ideas on St. John’s coach Mike Anderson?
A: I believe he’s improbable. I believe Mike’s acquired this system precisely the place it needs to be, and that’s getting good gamers and being exhausting to play towards.
Q: Who're unsung coaches who might make a reputation for themselves on this Match?
A: I believe Matt McMahon at Murray State is excellent. I believe Lamont Paris at Chattanooga’s a terrific coach.
Q: Are there any doubtless 16 seeds that might upset a No. 1?
A: None of that’s doubtless. It’s occurred as soon as since 1985. However as a result of it’s occurred as soon as it could possibly occur once more. However no, I don’t assume there’s anyone that I might say, “Hey, that is the one which’s gonna occur.” As a result of even the one which did occur, UMBC [in 2018], look what needed to occur, De’Andre Hunter was out [for Virginia]. A lottery decide’s not taking part in for you, it’s a distinct world. You’d should have one thing like that occur, I believe.
Q: Baylor?
A: Baylor’s a marvel. I can’t imagine they carry out on the stage they do given all that’s occurred to them. Not solely what they misplaced final 12 months, however what they’ve misplaced in damage video games this 12 months with LJ Cryer being out, [Adam] Flagler being out, then they misplaced Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua for the 12 months. So that they’re not gonna be nearly as good as we thought, however how can [they] be No. 3? it defies logic, and it defies every little thing you’ve thought in regards to the recreation. But it surely simply kind of reveals what their tradition is about. It additionally reveals to me that quote unquote function gamers … the function you’re requested to play isn’t essentially who you're. These guys bust out of roles into greater roles when they should, and that speaks very well of their expertise stage.
Q: Auburn?
A: They lead the nation in taking part in exhausting. They play as exhausting [as], if not more durable than, any staff I’ve seen. Their protection by no means takes an evening off. The one challenge they've is: Is their offense gonna be environment friendly? Their guards are actually good … however they don’t rating as simply as you'll hope. However their protection retains them in each recreation. [Walker] Kessler makes them actually exhausting to play towards ’trigger he covers the rim up inside 10 toes. He’s a shot-blocker that you just don’t see fairly often.
Q: Arizona?
A: Arizona’s in all probability probably the most balanced staff on the market, offense and protection. Their large guys actually run — [Azuolas] Tubelis, [Christian] Koloko, [Oumar] Ballo — they actually run, and that’s not simple to do. So that they put loads of stress on the rim in transition, and in the event that they see your head turned, or in the event that they see you backpedaling, they’re throwing it. They’re brave passers with out being reckless. They lead the nation in assists, and that doesn’t occur by chance. After which defensively, that child Koloko is the actual deal. He’s not only a shot-blocker, he’s an important shot-blocker, however he can guard a guard. Towards Oregon, two of the final three possessions I imagine it was, he guarded Jacob Younger and Will Richardson and stayed in entrance of ’em and shut ’em off. You rarely see that. He’s next-level.
Q: Kentucky?
A: Kentucky’s acquired an older staff this 12 months, so it’s an uncommon scenario for the final 10 years or so for [coach John Calipari]. They’re the oldest staff they’ve ever had, and that features Joe B. Corridor’s (chuckle) groups and [Adolph] Rupp’s groups and all that stuff, in order that they’re completely different. They usually’ve acquired a celebrity in [Oscar] Tshiebwe ’trigger he will get each rebound. He’s acquired extra offensive rebounds than some other participant on his staff has complete rebounds. He’s a monster. And their guards are good. They’ve acquired good depth, they usually play exhausting. So that they’re a legit contender for the entire thing.
Q: Wisconsin?
A: Wisconsin’s in all probability gotten extra out of what they've than anyone. They’re actually aggressive. They play actually exhausting and collectively, they usually count on extra out of themselves than different folks count on of them. They’re not spectacular, however should you do stable time and again, it begins to look spectacular after some time. They'll attain a Ultimate 4. I wouldn’t put them within the Eights to win it, however Johnny Davis makes them harmful towards anyone since you have a look at what he’s finished within the largest video games he’s performed — towards Purdue at Purdue he had 37, he had 30 at Indiana, he had 25 at Michigan State, they usually received all of ’em, they usually’d by no means finished that.
Q: Kansas?
A: Kansas is one other staff that has finished extra with much less. This isn't one among Invoice Self’s most gifted groups. However the items match collectively they usually play very well collectively, and Ochai Agbaji is a star. After which Christian Braun might be probably the most underrated form of Robin to his Batman within the nation — guard rebounder, will get steals, within the high 5 within the league in blocked pictures as a 6-5 wing … brave driver. They’re inferior to they’ve been, however they’re superb.
Q: Windfall School?
A: I like Windfall. Very blue-collar … they’re gifted, however they don’t depend on their expertise. They play exhausting, and their items match very well collectively as a result of they’ve acquired specialists at each place. [Jared] Bynum is a particular scorer, [Justin] Minaya can actually defend, I like [Noah] Horchler ’trigger you may put him to any scenario and he performs. And [Nate] Watson’s top-of-the-line kind of low-post gamers within the nation. They’re Ultimate 4-good, too.
Q: How far can emotion carry Duke?
A: I don’t know. … That’s all the time a kind of issues that we’ll choose in hindsight. The North Carolina recreation [Mike Krzyzewski’s last game at Cameron Indoor Stadium], in the event that they received, we might have mentioned emotion carried them to the win. In the event that they misplaced, the load of the emotion affected ’em. To me, should you’re not emotional at the moment, I don’t know what you’re product of, ’trigger it’s a nationwide championship occasion. However I don’t know how one can choose that on the entrance finish.
Q: What would your feelings be if Coach Ok finally ends up reducing down the web?
A: The identical as if he doesn’t. It’s been 42 years, and he’s been part of my life for all that point interval. I met him after I was 17. His second 12 months teaching at Duke was when he recruited me. So, it’ll positively be an emotional time.
Q: What do you count on from Jon Scheyer when he takes over from Coach Ok?
A: Jon is nice. I can’t say I’m his largest supporter ’trigger I wouldn’t say that, however I can’t think about there are any greater. He’s superior. He’ll do an important job. He’s technically expert … he will get it. He’ll be nice.
Q: What enabled Coach Ok to hook up with completely different generations?
A: He’s only a next-level thinker. He has authority over a very powerful factor in his participant’s life, and that’s basketball. However he thinks approach past the sport. He thinks endlessly in regards to the recreation, however he thinks past it. He’s not the one one, and he’s not excellent. However he’s as near excellent as I can think about.
Q: What's Coach Ok’s legacy to you?
A: Effectively, it goes past the wins and losses. I can’t think about my life with out him in it. I might not have gone to legislation faculty with out him, I might not have gotten into teaching with out him. … I don’t assume I might have gotten into broadcasting with out him. He knew I used to be inquisitive about it, and he launched me to Chuck Howard at ABC Sports activities, and I labored for ABC Sports activities my entire school profession. So with out him, hopefully I wouldn’t be homeless, however I wouldn’t be the place I'm. I do know that.
Q: Do you decide the Ultimate 4?
A: No, I’m gonna should see a bracket on this one. Generally I can say, “Listed below are the 4 greatest groups” ’trigger I do know who the No. 1s are gonna be, however …
Q: However you count on Gonzaga to be within the Ultimate 4?
A: I do. They’d be the No. 1 favourite to me.
Q: Anyone else that you just count on to be within the Ultimate 4 not having seen the brackets?
A: I believe Kentucky. I like Kentucky’s make-up rather a lot. However once more, all these groups can lose within the Candy 16.
Q: Describe the fantastic information from Dick Vitale that he's cancer-free.
A: One, reduction. And two, and possibly this needs to be one, however proud. Simply actually happy with how he’s dealt with this, how he’s fought it, how he’s finished it publicly so he can encourage so many different folks. After which, we love him a lot, I need to see him come again on the stage he desires to do that. Nothing’s remaining, however that he seems to have gotten by way of that is extremely uplifting, and I couldn’t be happier.
That's the article: Jay Bilas talks ‘crazy’ March Madness expectations, Coach K, top NBA prospects
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