2022 March Madness: Teams built for a deep run
It’s no secret that March Madness earns its name from the countless upsets and Cinderella runs teams can make.
From Loyola Chicago, Oral Roberts and even Florida Gulf Coast from a few years ago, there is always an underrated squad that shocks the nation.
Along with those teams, there are the juggernauts who have been building towards their run all season long and shine in the spotlight on their way to the Final Four.
Here is an attempt to make a method to the madness with some teams poised for a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.
Iowa
Despite being doomed to the dreaded 12-5 matchup, the Hawkeyes had a phenomenal run in the Big Ten tournament to become conference champions and proved they are built for March.
Iowa has the star player needed to lead the team in the tournament in Keegan Murray. The sophomore recently was named to the AP All American First Team and is averaging over 23 points per game.
As a team, Iowa is on a tear winning nine of its last ten games.
If the Hawkeyes can escape one of the most common upset matchups in the tournament, they have a legitimate shot of making a run to the Final Four in what is sure to be a chaotic Midwest region.
Kentucky
John Calipari teams are usually famous for their NBA-bound one-and-done players, think De’Aaron Fox or Anthony Davis. However, this year Calipari has four upperclassmen in the starting lineup.
Like Keegan Murray, Oscar Tshiebwe found himself in the AP All American First Team. Tshiebwe averaged about 17 points per game along with a ridiculous 15 rebounds per contest.
The Wildcats have played in plenty of big-time games this season and while not coming out on top in all of them, the pressure has groomed them for the intensity of March.
Kentucky was able to defeat a Kansas team that is a No. 1 seed in this tournament in late January, further proving the Wildcats can defeat any team in the country and have a chance to bring coach Calipari his first National Championship since 2012.
Duke
Coach Mike Krzyzewski’s final season has been well documented by the national media but has not been all sunshine and rainbows. The Blue Devils lost Coach K’s final home game to bitter rival North Carolina and lost the ACC tournament final to Virginia Tech.
However, this squad is talented and will be extremely motivated to send their legendary coach out into the sunset with a trip to the Final Four.
Freshman Paolo Banchero is a legit NBA talent and despite the team's recent blunders, the Blue Devils had an impressive 28-6 record this season.
If the Blue Devils can navigate their way through the early rounds of the tournament, they could find themselves on a crash course to play the one-seeded Gonzaga Bulldogs who Duke already defeated early in the season.
Colgate
It is nearly impossible to predict which team will capture the hearts of the nation as a Cinderella team in March, but Colgate is a deep team with a villain origin story.
The back-to-back Patriot League champions were also a 14 seed last March and nearly upset the three-seeded Arkansas Razorbacks.
Colgate led by 14 at one point before Arkansas turned up the defense and stormed back to win the game.
This March, Colgate returns with most of its squad from last season. The Raiders have won 19 of their last 20, have all five starters averaging double-digit points and shoot over 40 percent from three.
Colgate has the tools, the skills and the drive to shock the world, especially against a Wisconsin team that has lost back-to-back games including one to Nebraska.
Maclain Young is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email macyoung21@gmail.com.
