NCAA Tournament Update/Notes

The round of 16 in the 2022 NCAA Basketball Tournament is upon us.

On Thursday night in the West Regional, top seeded Gonzaga, in its 7th straight round of 16 and still looking for its first crown meets Arkansas, whose lone title was in “same calendar” 1994 vs Duke.

Speaking of Duke, then and now team coach Mike Krzyzewski, in his last season and having coached all 5 school title teams, went to (5-1) vs Michigan State, Sunday past (all I believe vs Tom Izzo, who has one title) and now Texas Tech, the ’19 heartbreak runner up, is just a one point favorite vs Duke, in the other West Regional semi-final game.

Also on Thursday, in The South Regional semis, Villanova a 3 time champion, twice under current coach and sharp dresser, Jay wright is a 5 point “fave” vs Michigan. 

Villanova had made 6 national semis, including the first and so much different, far fewer teams and exponentially less publicity in 1939 while Michigan has one crown to show for 8 semis appearances.

They are a stellar (6-1) in national semis but only (1-6) in the title tilt.

That game will be followed by Arizona as just a one plus point(s) favorite vs Houston. ‘Zona won its lone crown a 5/10 #, 25 years ago in 1997 and have made 4 national semis.

Houston, the not so “closet” team of CBS lead broadcaster Jim Nantz, was a national semi-finalist last season and has made a total of 6 semis.

They have never won a crown, losing 4 times in the semis and twice in the final game. 

The great player, Elvin Hayes starred at Houston.