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It’s that time of year again when die-hard college basketball fans and casual observers alike get to fill out their March Madness tournament brackets.
Whether you know every single detail about all 64 teams or have no idea what an “and-one” is, it’s virtually impossible to put together a perfect bracket.
Nonetheless, it’s an annual tradition that everyone can partake in, trying to achieve the impossible.
This year, in the men’s bracket, there are 28 Pennsylvania natives, but only one from Berks County.
That player is Stevie Mitchell, a 2021 graduate of Wilson High School, representing Marquette University.
Mitchell, Pennsylvania’s Gatorade Boys Basketball Player of the Year for 2020-21, averages 10.9 points per game for the Golden Eagles and leads the team in steals with 2.3 per game.
No.7 Marquette, in the South bracket, will face No.10 New Mexico on Thursday at 7:25 p.m.
However, looking at the entire tournament, we asked several Berks players and coaches who they think will make a run at the National Championship this year. Here are their picks and our staffers, too.
Jeff VanGorder, Exeter Head Coach
Final Four: Florida, Duke, Michigan State, Tennessee
Winner: Florida
Why? “Florida averages 85 PPG and is top 10 in almost every offensive category that matters. They only allow 69 PPG and hold opponents under 40% from the field and below 30% from three-point range. And did all this in the SEC!”
Correll Akings, Wilson Guard/Forward
Final Four: Auburn, Duke, Florida, Houston
Winner: Auburn
Why? “I think they will win because they have a well rounded teams and just give full out effort every night.”
Jared Montalto, Reading Eagle, sports writer
Final Four: Iowa State, Florida, Duke, Tennessee.
Champion: Duke.
Why? The Blue Devils won the ACC Tournament this past weekend, despite being without future No. 1 draft pick Cooper Flagg. Players like Kon Knueppel and Tyrese Proctor stepped up and produced in his absence, displaying the Blue Devils’ other scorers. There’s a possibility Flagg misses their Round of 64 game against either Mount St. Mary’s or American with his ankle injury. But if he’s able to come back 100% before Sunday’s game, I see them running through the East bracket. What would be a better story for Flagg and Duke winning the National Championship before getting drafted #1 overall in June.
Antonio Perez, Reading Eagle, sports writer
Final Four: Duke, St. John’s, Kentucky, Texas A&M.
Champion – Duke.
Duke plays with a pace built for tournament play and their net rating is off charts when they have Cooper Flagg. Their ACC dominance without the ACC player of the year brings good momentum into the tournament. While young like their 2018 team, the all-around style of Flagg and Tyrese Proctor help fill holes easily. Rick Pitino did it again in his second year at St. John’s and they’re bound for a deep run. Kentucky has proven their worth without John Calipari and will shake off the ghost of their recent playoff woes. As for Texas A&M, one of the many SEC elites in this tournament and definitely the most room for error of these four. Even Yale will be playing them tough, but their rebounding is built for limiting possessions. Wade Taylor IV and Zhuric Phelps are a star-studded backcourt who can shoot it out with anyone in the nation.
Twin Valley High School
The Raiders’ coach and players chimed in on who they think will win it all.
Coach RJ Proska – Final Four: Duke, Purdue, Michigan State, St. John’s. Champion – Duke.
Aris Drake Sr/C – Final Four: Duke, St. John, Houston, Michigan. Champion – Duke.
Evan Myers Sr/G – Final Four: Duke, SJU, Houston, Michigan. Champion – Duke.
Kieran Proska So/G – Final Four: Florida, Michigan St., Duke, Houston. Champion – Florida.
Lucas Myers – So/F – Final Four- Michigan, Florida, Alabama, Tennessee. Champion – Tennessee.
Riley Gray – Sr/F – Final Four- Auburn, St. Johns, Alabama, Clemson. Champion – Alabama.
Continue reading...
Whether you know every single detail about all 64 teams or have no idea what an “and-one” is, it’s virtually impossible to put together a perfect bracket.
Nonetheless, it’s an annual tradition that everyone can partake in, trying to achieve the impossible.
This year, in the men’s bracket, there are 28 Pennsylvania natives, but only one from Berks County.
That player is Stevie Mitchell, a 2021 graduate of Wilson High School, representing Marquette University.
Mitchell, Pennsylvania’s Gatorade Boys Basketball Player of the Year for 2020-21, averages 10.9 points per game for the Golden Eagles and leads the team in steals with 2.3 per game.
No.7 Marquette, in the South bracket, will face No.10 New Mexico on Thursday at 7:25 p.m.
However, looking at the entire tournament, we asked several Berks players and coaches who they think will make a run at the National Championship this year. Here are their picks and our staffers, too.
Jeff VanGorder, Exeter Head Coach
Final Four: Florida, Duke, Michigan State, Tennessee
Winner: Florida
Why? “Florida averages 85 PPG and is top 10 in almost every offensive category that matters. They only allow 69 PPG and hold opponents under 40% from the field and below 30% from three-point range. And did all this in the SEC!”
Correll Akings, Wilson Guard/Forward
Final Four: Auburn, Duke, Florida, Houston
Winner: Auburn
Why? “I think they will win because they have a well rounded teams and just give full out effort every night.”
Jared Montalto, Reading Eagle, sports writer
Final Four: Iowa State, Florida, Duke, Tennessee.
Champion: Duke.
Why? The Blue Devils won the ACC Tournament this past weekend, despite being without future No. 1 draft pick Cooper Flagg. Players like Kon Knueppel and Tyrese Proctor stepped up and produced in his absence, displaying the Blue Devils’ other scorers. There’s a possibility Flagg misses their Round of 64 game against either Mount St. Mary’s or American with his ankle injury. But if he’s able to come back 100% before Sunday’s game, I see them running through the East bracket. What would be a better story for Flagg and Duke winning the National Championship before getting drafted #1 overall in June.
Antonio Perez, Reading Eagle, sports writer
Final Four: Duke, St. John’s, Kentucky, Texas A&M.
Champion – Duke.
Duke plays with a pace built for tournament play and their net rating is off charts when they have Cooper Flagg. Their ACC dominance without the ACC player of the year brings good momentum into the tournament. While young like their 2018 team, the all-around style of Flagg and Tyrese Proctor help fill holes easily. Rick Pitino did it again in his second year at St. John’s and they’re bound for a deep run. Kentucky has proven their worth without John Calipari and will shake off the ghost of their recent playoff woes. As for Texas A&M, one of the many SEC elites in this tournament and definitely the most room for error of these four. Even Yale will be playing them tough, but their rebounding is built for limiting possessions. Wade Taylor IV and Zhuric Phelps are a star-studded backcourt who can shoot it out with anyone in the nation.
Twin Valley High School
The Raiders’ coach and players chimed in on who they think will win it all.
Coach RJ Proska – Final Four: Duke, Purdue, Michigan State, St. John’s. Champion – Duke.
Aris Drake Sr/C – Final Four: Duke, St. John, Houston, Michigan. Champion – Duke.
Evan Myers Sr/G – Final Four: Duke, SJU, Houston, Michigan. Champion – Duke.
Kieran Proska So/G – Final Four: Florida, Michigan St., Duke, Houston. Champion – Florida.
Lucas Myers – So/F – Final Four- Michigan, Florida, Alabama, Tennessee. Champion – Tennessee.
Riley Gray – Sr/F – Final Four- Auburn, St. Johns, Alabama, Clemson. Champion – Alabama.
Continue reading...
