MADNESS. IT'S ALL MADNESS. March Madness picks with Noah Magaro-George!!!

EDITION #67

HEADLINES:

JIMMY GAROPPOLO SUSPENDED FOR TWO GAMES

TEEN GETS CHARGED IN CHIEFS PARADE SHOOTING

MIKE WILLIAMS TO ???

BRUCE MEYER REMOVAL???

BOMB THREAT??? SHOHEI OHTANI???

SEOUL SERIES TRACKER

BLAKE SNELL TO ???

LAKERS GOING TO MISS WAY TOO MANY PLAYERS!! OH NO!!

ZION WILLIAMSON…

THE GUIDE TO THE MLB OFFSEASON

Intro:

Just like the name states. It’s madness. Unlikely upsets, tales. Amazing stories, and the highlight of the dull month of March in the sports world. 

But, why do I say dull?

The football season is over, spring training is going on, and the NBA isn’t in complete playoff swing yet. These are only American sports…

Today, I’m calling on another guest writer. This one is someone we haven’t seen before. He has covered the Spurs since 2019 for publications like Project Spurs, Air Alamo, and Pounding the Rock. He is the writer of Vic-And-Roll, a VERY popular Substack. Let’s welcome Noah Magaro-George!!! We’re going to talk about the upsets and share our brackets. It’s going to be awesome!!!

March Madness:

Smayan:

What the frick... Last year had some history. Against Purdue. The 16 SEED BEAT THE ONE SEED. FAIRLEIGH DICKINSON BEAT PURDUE.

Will Purdue get upset again? 

Last year? Purdue had an average of 72.7 points. This year? 12 more. Last year? 38.7 rebounds a game. This year? 40.3. I can go on and on in even more detail about the differential between last year and this year, but I hope you get what I mean. It isn’t just about statistics though. Even their record is better than last year. They have 17 wins and 3 losses in 2024. In 2023? 15 wins and 5 losses.

Noah. Tell me more about this! Do you think Purdue will get upset early?

Noah:

Anything can happen in a tournament where one off night can mean the difference between rolling out the red carpet for an underdog to pull off an upset and sending Cinderella home early from the big dance. Though Fairleigh Dickinson shocked the nation when they defeated Purdue in the first round in 2023, the chances of the Boilermakers committing a historic slipup in back-to-back seasons seem slim to none.

 This team has taken a massive step forward from the three-point line from last year, hitting 41.1% of their shots from beyond the arc, which ranks second in the country. If opponents swarm Zach Edey in the post, the seven-footer can swing it to the outside, where Lance Jones, Fletcher Loyer, Braden Smith, or Mason Gillis can make defenses pay for leaving them unattended. And a notable leap in playmaking from Smith has made a tremendous difference for Edey and the offense around him.

Now, one program that might see an unceremonious exit is Kansas. But before I get into that, what are your thoughts on the Jayhawks punching an untimely ticket back to Lawrence?

Smayan:

Why don’t we look at it from the same perspective? In their conference this year, the Jayhawks went 10-8. That led to them finishing 6th in their division, and that ain’t so good. But, Kansas has still made the tournament, and many might think that making the tournament isn’t tough. The truth is, it’s going to be a pretty tough matchup against Samford. Kansas ranks in the middle of the pack in offensive efficiency, but their forte is defense. Another thing to note, their star players Kevin McCullar Jr. and Hunter Dickinson already missed the Big 12 tournament with injuries. The balanced approach may help them go through a few games, but they’re definitely going to need their star players to win it all.

Samford? This team cannot be slept on. What they play is called “Bucky Ball” a system with frequent substitutions and a place where 10 players average at least 12 minutes a game. Does it work? Yes! The Bulldogs average 86 points per game, 10 3-pointers per game, and 40% from beyond the arc (all among the nation's leaders). Samford also forces turnovers at a high rate and cashes in at the other end. A weak rebounding team, the Bulldogs have never won a college tournament game. Will they this time?

My prediction = yes. They’re going to beat Kansas. More proof?

These are some important games Samford played.

These are some important games Kansas has played.

Noah. I want to head to the East. Specifically, the matchup between Drake and Washington State and the matchup between Iowa State and Dakota State. I have Drake winning (upset) and Iowa State winning, but the reason I pointed out Iowa State was because I felt like it was going to be a particularly close one. Can you give me and our readers what you think and your explanation?

Noah: 

Iowa State might not add a national championship to their trophy case, but they have multiple hallmarks of a team that could make a deep run in the tournament, and that should make them a safe bet to take care of business in the first round on Thursday night. The Cyclones are fundamentally sound on the defensive end, force tons of turnovers, communicate well as a unit, and hold their opponents to the fourth-fewest points per game in the country with overwhelming physicality. 

All those characteristics should give them a leg up on their mid-major counterparts, who struggle to get to the charity stripe, have lackluster offensive rebounding numbers, and lean heavily on Zeke Mayo to create advantageous looks for their offense. As long as Head Coach T.J. Otzelberge continues getting exceptional production out of his dynamic backcourt duo of Keshon Gilbert and Tamin Lipsey, his third consecutive trip to the big dance should kick off with a victory. Fans should also monitor the potential matchup between Milan Momcilovic and William Kyle, who could be x-factors for their respective program. 

With that said, let's hear your thoughts on McNeese versus Gonzaga.

Smayan:

Gonzaga is a consistent contender. There is no doubt about that. They’ve literally made every single March Madness tournament since 1999. They’ve made the Sweet 16, 9 times in a row. That’s even more crazy. And my pick?

This is going to continue.

Look. Gonzaga has only faced one team that made the NCAA tournament. Do you think they can win? Especially against a team that’s made the Sweet 16, 9 times in a row? Are you kidding me?

There’s another team like Gonzaga. Except, they haven’t made the Sweet 16 9 times in a row. They’re looking to repeat as champions. Yes. UConn. Tell me about em Noah.

Noah:

You asked me if UConn is overrated, and while some people might tell you they're not as strong as last season, they have a legitimate opportunity to become the first repeat champions since 2007. Head Coach Dan Hurley has established a meticulous system teeming with off-ball movement, creative screening actions, and effective counters that has earned the title of the most efficient offense in the nation. With deadeyes like Cam Spencer and Alex Karaban, versatile combo guards like Tristen Newton and Stephon Castle, and an imposing roll man in Donovan Clingan, the Huskies are home to crafty playmakers, movement shooters, and NBA prospects. 

Their sophomore center also doubles as one of the best rim protectors in college basketball, and his mere presence around the paint often deters would-be drivers from attacking the hoop. Connecticut lost Jordan Hawkins, Andre Jackson, and Adama Sanogo to the association over the summer. However, internal development, an outstanding recruiting class, and landing Spencer from the transfer portal have helped them secure a 30-3 record and the eighth Big East Conference title in school history. This program is the real deal as we head into March Madness.

Smayan:

Very interesting take Noah. I completely…

Disagree with this.

Look. To me. UConn’s overrated. In my bracket, I don’t even have them making it past the third round. Sure, they dominated the Big East. Sure, they hold opponents to an average of 70 points and below. But, no, they aren’t as strong as last year. You saw Purdue last year. They lost to a NOBODY school (Sorry Farleigh Dickinson students.) Anything can happen. Like I said in the title, March is Madness in College Basketball (I literally can’t find anything else backing up my statement about UConn’s loss 🤣🤣🤣) In fact, I’m going to share a fun fact here before Noah and I share our brackets. 

This is only my 2ND year bracketing.

I’ve never paid attention to College Basketball. I mean, I’ve never cared a shoe about this stuff. 

Okay. Enough delay. Here they are.

NOAH:

SMAYAN:

Yeah. I picked the 12th seed to win it all. But James Madison can absolutely win this whole thing. They have the power to beat everyone.

(Okay, maybe I got a little upsety with my picks, but I’m not a college basketball guy. All I know is who the good teams are. Last year, I didn’t even know who the Huskies were.

After submitting my bracket, I did look into James Madison. Most sources said that James Madison would be a really strong pick. They can do it, but unlikely. Very unlikely.)

Conclusion

That was a very fun collab with Noah Magaro-George. Thank you so much for joining me on Sports Square!

Be sure to check his exclusive Spurs publication called the Vic-And-Roll. It’s utterly superb.

Did you like this collab? We have more coming. In fact, we got a whole batch of surprises. Follow me and subscribe to this publication to stay up to date. That’s it from me.

Smayan. Signing off. (See you Friday fam.)