Bracketology: New England

Several teams are bound to make the NCAA Tournament this coming March.

Here is my take on each team and whether or not, they could make a statement into he tourney.

Providence (19-8)- The Friars have been on the decline lately but with a few games left against division opponents, if they win out, they will make the tournament no question. But with the record they have currently and how they have been, they are still able to make the tourney. PG Kris Dunn (averages about 17 points a game) has been searched by NBA scouts now and is a potential lottery pick (Ben Simmons is clear favorite). The 6’4 PG has all around skill and he is about to be 22 years old, which tells NBA scouts that he is matured and is pro ready. Along with Dunn, F Ben Bentil has been the unsung player for the Friars as Dunn has been hogging up all the media talk. The 6’9 Bentil has been averaging 20 points a game, almost 8 boards a game and almost an assist a game. Providence has been effective with the small ball lineups (Bentil is tallest player on team 6’9). The Friars have the backcourt and inside game to thrive in the tourney and surprise teams. Look out for Providence.

Yale (18-6)- Harvard has been the talk of the Ivy for a long time and now Yale will get the clear call into the tournament. The surging Bulldogs have Princeton to worry about behind them but they are cruising along in the standings. Yale is led by Justin Sears, who is averaging 17 points a game for the Bulldogs. We will hear more about the Bulldogs when they are in the tourney (if) they make it.

UConn (19-8)- Kevin Ollie and company are experienced in the NCAA tournament. Now the newly looked UConn Huskies have a somewhat good chance of making the tourney. Without Ryan Boatright from last year, UConn is depending on Shonn Miller, the leading scorer, and other dependable rotational players to gather points and boards (Jalen Adams, Amida Brimah, etc.). Adams, a freshman out of Roxbury, Mass, is a solid guard that had outstanding talent in high school. If UConn doesn’t make it this year, watch out for the rise of Jalen Adams carrying the newly looked Huskies.