The Boston Celtics were, of course, the favorite at +300 – and the rumors are already flying. I wrote about this yesterday:

I’m having a hard time figuring out exactly what I want Boston to do. On one hand, they have a superstar budding in Jayson Tatum, a glorified star in Jaylen Brown, and the Defensive Player of the Year in Marcus Smart.

On the other hand, they threw up a complete dud in the NBA Finals, were clearly not ready for the series, and the path isn’t going to get any easier.

During his press conference this morning, Brad Stevens said that “You’ve got to be able to score in movement. I think (Ime and I) would prefer to play with a little more movement. Those are conversations we’ll have down the road. Ime did a really good job of fitting the pieces together and creating and identity.”

Beal will certainly help you to score, and score in movement. We’ll see if Boston tries to bring him in.

Now – the NBA Draft is set to take place on Thursday from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, so we’re back to writing about basketball again. Check out BetOnline’s odds for who the top five picks will be:

2022 NBA Draft – 1st Overall Pick

Jabari Smith                       -800

Paolo Banchero                 +275

Chet Holmgren               +1600

Though the sharp money has came in on Paulo Banchero over the past few days, it seems like it’s too late for the former Duke star to make the leap to number one overall.

Jabari Smith (-800) from Auburn has this one on lock. The Orlando Magic bring in an uber-talented front court presence to try and mimic what Dwight Howard gave them for so many years.

2022 NBA Draft – 2nd Overall Pick

Chet Holmgren                   -1000

Jabari Smith                        +400

Paulo Banchero                 +1000

Jaden Ivey                          +3300

This is where the draft gets interesting. With rumors of Banchero potentially being taken number one – shouldn’t he naturally fall to number 2? Not necessarily.

Chet Holmgren (-1000) becomes the first true center to be drafted out of Gonzaga since Kelly Olynyk in 2013 –  and makes the Oklahoma City Thunder a very happy franchise.

2022 NBA Draft – 3rd Overall Pick

Paolo Banchero                  -1200

Jabari Smith                       +800

Chet Holmgren                   +900

Jaden Ivey                          +1600

Keegan Murray                 +2500

Shaedon Sharpe               +4000

Taking away Holmgren and Smith here – Paulo Banchero (-1200) is the only pick that makes sense. He’s arguably the best player in the class.

The former Blue Devil joins Jalen Green in Houston to try and turn around the horrendous Rockets.

2022 NBA Draft – 4th Overall Pick

Jaden Ivey                            -225

Keegan Murray                   +145

Shaedon Sharpe               +1800

Dyson Daniels                  +1800

Chet Holmgren                +2000

In what is being called a three-player draft, Purdue’s Jaden Ivey (-225) falls right into Sacremento’s lap. The Kings are bound to get offers from other teams to move up, but I think they should stick and pick.

Mike Brown gets to build his new team around the former Boilermaker – hopefully this is the year they actually improve.

2022 NBA Draft – 5th Overall Pick

Keegan Murray                      +140

Benedict Mathurin                +190

Jaden Ivey                               +275

Dyson Daniels                        +600

Shaedon Sharpe                   +1400

Chet Holmgren                    +6600

The first four picks seem to pretty much be locks, but pick five is where we go away from the chalk.

Iowa’s Keegan Murray is the favorite to be the fifth overall pick at +140 – but I see the Pistons going in a different direction here.

Arizona’s Benedict Mathurin (+190) goes to Detroit to team up with Cade Cunningham and hopefully put the Pistons on a better track for the future.

Make sure to follow Mike on Twitter @mikekadlick, and follow @CelticsCLNS for the latest up-to-date Celtics news!

Also, be sure to check out our new sports betting Twitter account @CLNSBetting for all the latest odds and content from CLNS Media.

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The post 2022 NBA Draft Betting Props, Previews, and Predictions appeared first on CLNS Media.

Who Will Win Each Region of the NCAA Tournament?

March Madness – Betting Odds and Ends For the Round of 64

NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Betting Odds Heading into the Sweet Sixteen

Sweet Sixteen West Region – Gonzaga vs. Arkansas and Texas Tech vs. Duke – Betting Predictions and Picks

Sweet Sixteen South Region – Michigan vs. Villanova and Arizona vs. Houston – Betting Predictions and Picks

Sweet Sixteen Midwest Region – Providence vs. Kansas and Iowa State vs. Miami – Betting Predictions and Picks

Sweet Sixteen East Region – St. Peter’s vs. Purdue and North Carolina vs. UCLA – Betting Predictions and Picks

NCAA Men’s Basketball Elite Eight Houston vs. Villanova and Arkansas vs. Duke – Betting Predictions and Picks

Updated NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Odds Heading into the Final Four

NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four – Villanova vs. Kansas – Betting Odds, Preview, and Prediction

NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four – Duke vs. North Carolina – Betting Odds, Preview, and Prediction

Kansas vs. North Carolina – 9:20pm

Odds

Spread: Kansas -4.5

Total: 153

Moneyline: Kansas -195/UNC +170

Storylines

Instead of getting Coach K’s last chance at a National Championship, we get the Roy Williams Bowl. The North Carolina Tar Heels and the Kansas Jayhawks are set to face off on Monday night for a chance at a championship.

Kansas took down Villanova on Saturday 81-65, and the game was never particularly close. Led by Ochai Agbaji and David McCormack, the Jayhawks shot out to an early 20-point first half lead and never looked back. They led wire-to-wire, and despite a, 8-0 run by Villanova early in the second half cutting the deficit to eight points – Kansas was in control the entire game on their way to the championship. Villanova guard Collin Gillespie led the way with 17 points in his last game for the Wildcats – but it wasn’t enough for the storied senior guard to prolong his career.

Saturday’s night cap was outstanding. Rivals Duke and North Carolina played an unbelievable back-and-forth game that included 18(!!) lead changes and dominant performances all over the court. UNC’s Armando Bacot had 21 rebounds, guard Caleb Love scored 28 points, and Brady Manek shot 50% from behind the arc to lead the Tar Heels to a victory. Paulo Banchero led the way, per usual, for Duke with 20 points and 10 rebounds, and Trevor Keels put up an excellent 19-point performance, but it wasn’t enough for the Blue Devils. Coach K goes out with a loss to his all-time rival.

Prediction/Pick

People are forgetting that North Carolina is an eight-seed. They’ve certainly defied odds over the last month and showed that they belong, but I think that comes to an end on Monday night. The Kansas Jayhawks have marched their way through this tournament so far and I don’t see that stopping. It may be back and forth, but in the end Kansas will come out victorious.

Congratulations Jayhawks – you’re National Champions.

Prediction: Kansas 84 – UNC 74

Side: Kansas -4.5

Total: OVER 153

Make sure to follow Mike on Twitter @mikekadlick, and follow @CLNSMedia for the latest up-to-date Boston Sports news!

Also, be sure to check out our new sports betting Twitter account @CLNSBetting for all the latest odds and content from CLNS Media.

Use code CLNS50 for 50% off your first deposit at Betonline.ag.

The post NCAA Men’s Basketball National Championship – Kansas vs. North Carolina – Betting Odds, Preview, and Prediction appeared first on CLNS Media.

Who Will Win Each Region of the NCAA Tournament?

March Madness – Betting Odds and Ends For the Round of 64

NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Betting Odds Heading into the Sweet Sixteen

Sweet Sixteen West Region – Gonzaga vs. Arkansas and Texas Tech vs. Duke – Betting Predictions and Picks

Sweet Sixteen South Region – Michigan vs. Villanova and Arizona vs. Houston – Betting Predictions and Picks

Sweet Sixteen Midwest Region – Providence vs. Kansas and Iowa State vs. Miami – Betting Predictions and Picks

Sweet Sixteen East Region – St. Peter’s vs. Purdue and North Carolina vs. UCLA – Betting Predictions and Picks

NCAA Men’s Basketball Elite Eight Houston vs. Villanova and Arkansas vs. Duke – Betting Predictions and Picks

Updated NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Odds Heading into the Final Four

NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four – Villanova vs. Kansas – Betting Odds, Preview, and Prediction

Duke vs. North Carolina – 8:49pm

Odds

Spread: Duke -4

Total: 151.5

Moneyline: Duke -188/UNC +163

Storylines

This one’s the money game. Duke, North Carolina, and a chance to play in a National Championship. It doesn’t get any better than this. On top of this – and tell me if you’ve heard this before – it’s the first time Duke and UNC have ever faced off in the NCAA tournament. Somehow, some way, the biggest rivals in college basketball history have never faced off in the postseason.

Duke is riding high in Coach K’s final season, and it’s pretty much all thanks to Paulo Banchero. Banchero, a projected top five NBA draft pick, has been the anchor for the Blue Devils this season averaging 17.1 points per game. Duke is the current favorite to win the tournament at +145.

North Carolina meanwhile, wasn’t even supposed to be here. An 8-seed in the East region, the Tar Heels made it through Marquette, Baylor, and UCLA before taking down 15-seed Saint Peters 69-49 in the Elite Eight. Head coach Hubert Davis taking UNC to the championship in his first season in Chapel Hill.

Prediction/Pick

I’ve been hot and cold on the Blue Devils during the tournament, but it’s time to buy in. This just feels like a team of destiny in Coach K’s final season. Duke gets past their rival and makes it to their first national championship since 2015.

Prediction: Duke 81 – UNC 75

Side: Duke -4

Total: OVER 151.5

Make sure to follow Mike on Twitter @mikekadlick, and follow @CLNSMedia for the latest up-to-date Boston Sports news!

Also, be sure to check out our new sports betting Twitter account @CLNSBetting for all the latest odds and content from CLNS Media.

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The post NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four – Duke vs. North Carolina – Betting Odds, Preview, and Prediction appeared first on CLNS Media.

However, it brought us to this coming weekend, where we get four blue bloods matching up for a chance to win a National Championship.

Who Will Win Each Region of the NCAA Tournament?

March Madness – Betting Odds and Ends For the Round of 64

NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Betting Odds Heading into the Sweet Sixteen

Sweet Sixteen West Region – Gonzaga vs. Arkansas and Texas Tech vs. Duke – Betting Predictions and Picks

Sweet Sixteen South Region – Michigan vs. Villanova and Arizona vs. Houston – Betting Predictions and Picks

Sweet Sixteen Midwest Region – Providence vs. Kansas and Iowa State vs. Miami – Betting Predictions and Picks

Sweet Sixteen East Region – St. Peter’s vs. Purdue and North Carolina vs. UCLA – Betting Predictions and Picks

NCAA Men’s Basketball Elite Eight Houston vs. Villanova and Arkansas vs. Duke – Betting Predictions and Picks

The four blue bloods are, of course, Duke, Kansas, Villanova, and North Carolina. Here are their odds to win the tournament heading into Saturday’s Final Four. As always, all odds and NCAA March Madness betting content is powered by our friends at BetOnline.ag:

Odds to Win the Tournament

Duke                          +140

Kansas                      +190

North Carolina        +475

Villanova                  +500

There’s been a lot of talk about the coaches in this tournament. Saint Peter’s Shaheen Holloway made a name for himself with the Peacocks, Kansas’ Bill Self and Villanova’s Jay Wright are back in the Final Four, and – of course – it’s Coach K’s final season coaching the Duke Blue Devils.

However, it’s the players that make this whole thing happen. Here are BetOnline’s odds on who will win the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player award:

Most Outstanding Player

Paulo Banchero                    +250

Ochai Agbaji                          +400

Collin Gillespie                     +900

Jermaine Samuels               +900

Armando Bacot                   +1000

Remy Martin                        +1000

AJ Griffin                              +2000

Brady Manek                       +2000

Caleb Love                            +2000

Christian Braun                   +2000

Jeremy Roach                     +2500

Mark Williams                     +2500

Fabian White Jr.                 +4000

Caleb Daniels                      +5000

R.J. Davis                             +5000

Wendell Moore Jr.             +5000

Duke’s Paulo Banchero (+250) is the best player still standing. If the Blue Devils win it all, he’s almost certain to win the award. However there are plenty of long shots on the board that can win MOP – so long as Duke doesn’t win.

Villanova’s Collin Gillespie (+900), Kansas’ Remy Martin (+1000), and UNC’s Brady Manek (+2000), are my favorite bets for the teams outside of Duke. These three players are all capable of having a monster weekend to lead their teams to a championship, and would be completely deserving of the Most Outstanding Player award.

Keep it here on CLNSMedia.com all week for betting previews and predictions for both Final Four games and Monday’s championship game.

Make sure to follow Mike on Twitter @mikekadlick, and follow @CLNSMedia for the latest up-to-date Boston Sports news!

Also, be sure to check out our new sports betting Twitter account @CLNSBetting for all the latest odds and content from CLNS Media.

Use code CLNS50 for 50% off your first deposit at Betonline.ag.

The post Updated NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Odds Heading into the Final Four appeared first on CLNS Media.

Who Will Win Each Region of the NCAA Tournament?

March Madness – Betting Odds and Ends For the Round of 64

NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Betting Odds Heading into the Sweet Sixteen

Sweet Sixteen West Region – Gonzaga vs. Arkansas and Texas Tech vs. Duke – Betting Predictions and Picks

Sweet Sixteen South Region – Michigan vs. Villanova and Arizona vs. Houston – Betting Predictions and Picks

Sweet Sixteen Midwest Region – Providence vs. Kansas and Iowa State vs. Miami – Betting Predictions and Picks

Sweet Sixteen East Region – St. Peter’s vs. Purdue and North Carolina vs. UCLA – Betting Predictions and Picks

And here are my previews and predictions for Saturday’s Elite Eight games with odds – as always –  from BetOnline.ag:

Houston vs. Villanova – 6:09pm

Odds

Spread: Houston -2

Total: 128

Moneyline: Houston -138/Villanova +118

Storylines

Houston and Villanova will face off Saturday night from the AT&T Center in San Antonio for the chance to reach the Final Four.

For Houston, it would be their second Final Four in as many years. The Cougars have won six in a row, and have won all three of their tournament games by 12+ points. Guard Kyler Edwards led Houston with 14.1 point per game this season, but is averaging just under 20 in the tournament. They’ll need to ride Edward’s offense if they want to move on.

For Villanova, it would be their third Final Four appearance since 2016 – and head coach Jay Wright’s fourth as the coach of the Wildcats. Nova is led by senior Collin Gilespie – who I mentioned in January is making a case for himself to play in the NBA:

Villanova is 15-5 on the year and is currently ranked 14th in the country. Senior guard Collin Gillespie leads the Wildcats in scoring averaging 17.2 points per game – and could be making a case for himself to be a late second-round draft pick in April’s NBA draft.

Prediction/Pick

This game is going to be grinded out by both teams. The experience of Villanova mixed with Houston’s tenacious defense will make it appointment television on Saturday.

I ultimately think experience prevails, and Villanova gets back to the Final Four.

Prediction: Villanova 60 – Houston 58

Side: Villanova +2

Total: UNDER 128

Arkansas vs. Duke – 8:49pm

Odds

Spread: Duke -3.5

Total: 146

Moneyline: Duke -175/Arkansas -155

Storylines

Arkansas and Duke are both coming off of monster victories against Gonzaga and Texas Tech respectively – and are steamrolling their way to a Final Four birth.

The Razorbacks took down the number one team in the country on Thursday night, beating Spokane’s greatest 74-68. They held Gonzaga’s Chet Holgren to just 11 points and forced him to foul out towards the end of the game, essentially sealing the deal for them. Drew Timme put up 25 for the Bulldogs, but it wasn’t enough and Arkansas came out victorious.

Duke and Texas Tech followed this up with a barn burner that went down to the wire. Down four at half – Duke cut the deficit before going on a 7-0 late in the second half to ultimately sealed the deal. NBA draft prospect Paulo Banchero led the Blue Devils with 22 points in the win, extending Coach K’s career by at least one more game.

Prediction/Pick

I expect another hard fought Elite Eight matchup from Arkansas and Duke, and coach Muss and the Razorbacks feel like the perfect villain to ruin Coach K’s retirement tour.

Unfortunately, it feels like destiny that the Blue Devils continue on and get back to the Final Four for the first time since 2015.

Prediction: Duke 78 – Arkansas 76

Side: Arkansas +3.5

Total: OVER 146

Make sure to follow Mike on Twitter @mikekadlick, and follow @CLNSMedia for the latest up-to-date Boston Sports news!

Also, be sure to check out our new sports betting Twitter account @CLNSBetting for all the latest odds and content from CLNS Media.

Use code CLNS50 for 50% off your first deposit at Betonline.ag.

The post NCAA Men’s Basketball Elite Eight – Houston vs. Villanova and Arkansas vs. Duke – Betting Predictions and Picks appeared first on CLNS Media.

Who Will Win Each Region of the NCAA Tournament?

March Madness – Betting Odds and Ends For the Round of 64

NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Betting Odds Heading into the Sweet Sixteen

And here are my previews and predictions for Thursday’s West Region games with odds – as always –  from BetOnline.ag:

Arkansas vs. Gonzaga – 7:09pm

Odds

Spread: Gonzaga -9.5

Total: 155

Moneyline: Gonzaga -470/Arkansas +380

Storylines

The first thing that comes to mind when I see Arkansas verus Gonzaga is the coaching matchup – and boy these guys could not be more opposite. Razorbacks head coach Eric Musselman has coached all over the map since he came on the basketball scene 1989 – coaching in the CBA, the NBA, and now for Arkansas’ since 2019. Musselman is fiery, outspoken, and looks like he physically wills his team to victory on the sideline.

Meanwhile, Mark Few is a man of few words up in Spokane, and he’s a Gonzaga lifer. The soft spoken head coach has been at the helm of the Bulldogs program since 1999 – and was only a GA and an assistant coach for the school before that. He has dominated the WCC for 20+ years and frankly has no reason to leave Washington.

Prediction/Pick

This game is filled with elite talent as guys like Chet Holmgren, Drew Timme, and J.D. Notae have dominated college hoops all season long. We should be in for a good one on Thursday night.

Though I think it will be close early, Gonzaga will it out in the end. The Bulldogs win, cover, and get themselves to the Elite Eight.

Prediction: Gonzaga 84 – Arkansas – 73

Side: Gonzaga -9.5

Total: OVER 155

Texas Tech vs. Duke – 9:39pm

Odds

Spread: Texas Tech -1

Total: 137

Moneyline: Texas Tech -118/Duke -102

Storylines

Coach K is fighting for his basketball life day in and day out it seems. The five-time National Champion had his own little retirement tour this season after announcing in June that 2021-22 will be his last season coaching, and every time you think it’s over he keeps crawling back.

This was especially true when Duke was down 5 with just over 5 minutes to go on Sunday. However, the Blue Devils put Coach K on their back – finishing the game on a 20-6 run to keep their hopes alive for a few more days.

Texas Tech had themselves quite the scare on Sunday as well before taking care of business in the final minute against Notre Dame. Tech has been a rather surprising program over the last several seasons, having qualified for four consecutive tournaments and three of the last four sweet sixteens. The loss of head coach Chris Beard to rival Texas hasn’t mattered much at all, as Mark Adams took over and led the Red Raiders to a promising 27-9 record in 2021-22.

Prediction/Pick

This should be a great game. Both team’s are playing great basketball so it should be fun to watch. Though Texas Tech has been impressive, I think Duke wins on Thursday as they win both the talent and the coaching matchup.

In what will be Coach K’s final win (as they’ll be no match for Gonzaga on Saturday), the Blue Devils get by Tech in a tight one.

Prediction: Duke 63 – Texas Tech 60

Side: Duke +1

Total: UNDER 137

Make sure to follow Mike on Twitter @mikekadlick, and follow @CLNSMedia for the latest up-to-date Boston Sports news!

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The post Sweet Sixteen West Region – Gonzaga vs. Arkansas and Texas Tech vs. Duke – Betting Predictions and Picks appeared first on CLNS Media.

The field is truly wide open, and you can bet on who will win it all using BetOnline.ag. Here’s a list of their top ten to win the NCAA Tournament:

NCAA Tourney Odds to Win

Gonzaga               +400

Kentucky              +650

Arizona                  +775

Duke                      +900

Kansas                 +1200

Baylor                  +1200

Purdue                 +1200

Auburn                +1200

Villanova             +1800

Texas Tech          +2200

This past Saturday, the top SIX teams in the country lost. Like I said – wide open.

A historic day in college basketball

No. 1 Gonzaga LOST
No. 2 Arizona LOST
No. 3 Auburn LOST
No. 4 Purdue LOST
No. 5 Kansas LOST
No. 6 Kentucky LOST

— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) February 27, 2022

A majority of the top 25 are your common blue blood power houses, but others (Saint Mary’s, Murray State, Arkansas) are a surprise.

With that being said, no one has really separated themselves as the elite talent in the field, and it may be a crapshoot right up until the end, Here are my top five favorite bets to tournament:

5. Providence (+6600)

Call me crazy, but Ed Cooley has something going down in Providence. They are the ninth ranked team in the country, and are coming off of a dominant home win against the Creighton Jays. Center Nate Watson has been an outstanding interior player for Providence, and is shooting 65% from the field in the team’s last four games.

They head to Villanova on Tuesday night to take on the 11th ranked Wildcats – a true test to see if Providence is for real in 2022. If they can get some momentum going heading into the Big East tournament, I wouldn’t be shocked to see the 24-3 Friars playing basketball into April.

4. Baylor (+1200)

Baylor shocked the world last season by beating down on the undefeated Gonzaga Bulldogs in the NCAA tournament final, and have kept that domination going into this season. The Bears are 24-5 and are currently the third ranked team in the country.

As they proved last year, they can compete with anybody. If they get a good pull in the tournament, Baylor can easily make the Final Four again and set themselves up to repeat as National Champions.

3. Kentucky (+650)

Kentucky has actually been a bit of a surprise this season. Although they currently have the second highest odds at +650 to win the tournament, this wasn’t always the case for John Calipari’s Wildcats. They opened the year at +1400, and junior forward Oscar Tshiebwe, who is the heavy favorite to win this season’s Wooden Award (-400 according to BetOnline.ag), wasn’t even on their board when the season began.

Tshiebwe has been the anchor for the Wildcats, averaging 16.9 points per game and 15.3 rebounds per game this season. He is the key to a successful Kentucky tournament run.

2. Duke (+900)

I’m always down on Duke when it comes to NCAA tournament time. They are constantly underperforming (according to their standards), and haven’t been to a Final Four since 2015.

That being said, this is Coach K’s last season in Durham, and he’s going to do everything in his power to go out on a high note. He has a program great in forward Paolo Banchero leading the way for his Blue Devils, and frankly it’ll be a bust if this team isn’t playing in the Final Four.

1. Gonzaga (+400)

Gonzaga will forever be dominant under Mark Few – but can they finally get the championship monkey off of their back in 2022? Projected number one overall pick Chet Holmgren has been a godsend for the Bulldogs, and senior Drew Timme continues to dominate down low.

Playing in the WCC may be this team’s only true downfall, and it’s something that they need to get over. They have the talent to play against the elite in college basketball, and I think this is the year they finally get their ring.

I am sitting on a Gonzaga future at +550, so here’s to hoping this is actually their year.

Make sure to follow Mike on Twitter @mikekadlick, and follow @CLNSMedia for the latest up-to-date Boston sports news!

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The post Let the Madness Begin – My Top Five Picks to Win the NCAA Tournament appeared first on CLNS Media.

This week on the Bob Ryan and Jeff Goodman Podcast former Duke point guard Bobby Hurley and former Wildcat Sean Woods- two players and current head coaches – talked about the game.

Woods played among the “unforgettables” who stayed withe the Wildcats for four years despite two postseasons lost to NCAA sanctions. In their return, only Coach K’s Blue Devils stood in their way of the Final Four.

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Hurley remembered never being able to build a big enough lead. Woods and he had never talked about the game at length until now. Despite the devastating ending, Grant Hill’s full court bullet pass to Christian Laettner for the game-winner, Woods defended his coach.

“We never questioned Coach Pitino. To this day I still don’t question it. Because the chances of one guy catching a length-of-the-court pass over two defenders is not very great, but it happened on this night.”

Woods added praise for Laettner, who he needed to constantly berate and thought was a hard opponent to guard than Shaquille O’Neal. Woods’ trash talk bounced right off Laettner, which made it feel harder to guard him than a young Shaq, who was playing at LSU at the time.

“We didn’t want to foul,” Woods said of The Shot. “It was probably the easiest shot (Christian) had taken all night.”

Rick Pitino laid the groundwork at Kentucky, during which Coach Cal was beginning his work at UMass toward major college coaching after he took them to the Final Four later in the decade. Kentucky wasn’t on his radar before 1992, Woods said. That game made it Cal’s dream job.

“Duke became a juggernaut from a history standpoint and a program standpoint. I think it was fate,” he said. “It was fate for us, would we have been any more famous if we had won the national championship? … But the Kentucky program of today started March. 28, 1992.”

Cal joined Kentucky in 2009 coaching future NBA stars from John Wall and Demarcus Cousins to Anthony Davis and Karl-Anthony Towns. Kentucky doesn’t always win it all, but since the 1990s, they’ve gotten the best talent. Woods and company had to grit through the down years to reach the top.

Duke’s hosted the likes of Jayson Tatum, Brandon Ingram, Marvin Bagley and Jabari Parker in recent seasons. Christian Laettner became synonymous with the program and the vitriol it received nationally.

Hurley still remembers Woods’ shot that forced Laettner’s game-winner and the energy that he forced him to play with all night. “Hell of a shot.”

Later in the show, Hurley discussed the dynamic he and Laettner shared as teammates — Jeff trying to get their tensest moment out of them.

The post Bobby Hurley & Sean Woods Relive 1992 Duke Kentucky Game on Ryan & Goodman Podcast appeared first on CLNS Media.

This week on the Bob Ryan and Jeff Goodman Podcast former Duke point guard Bobby Hurley and former Wildcat Sean Woods- two players and current head coaches – talked about the game.

Woods played among the “unforgettables” who stayed withe the Wildcats for four years despite two postseasons lost to NCAA sanctions. In their return, only Coach K’s Blue Devils stood in their way of the Final Four.

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Hurley remembered never being able to build a big enough lead. Woods and he had never talked about the game at length until now. Despite the devastating ending, Grant Hill’s full court bullet pass to Christian Laettner for the game-winner, Woods defended his coach.

“We never questioned Coach Pitino. To this day I still don’t question it. Because the chances of one guy catching a length-of-the-court pass over two defenders is not very great, but it happened on this night.”

Woods added praise for Laettner, who he needed to constantly berate and thought was a hard opponent to guard than Shaquille O’Neal. Woods’ trash talk bounced right off Laettner, which made it feel harder to guard him than a young Shaq, who was playing at LSU at the time.

“We didn’t want to foul,” Woods said of The Shot. “It was probably the easiest shot (Christian) had taken all night.”

Rick Pitino laid the groundwork at Kentucky, during which Coach Cal was beginning his work at UMass toward major college coaching after he took them to the Final Four later in the decade. Kentucky wasn’t on his radar before 1992, Woods said. That game made it Cal’s dream job.

“Duke became a juggernaut from a history standpoint and a program standpoint. I think it was fate,” he said. “It was fate for us, would we have been any more famous if we had won the national championship? … But the Kentucky program of today started March. 28, 1992.”

Cal joined Kentucky in 2009 coaching future NBA stars from John Wall and Demarcus Cousins to Anthony Davis and Karl-Anthony Towns. Kentucky doesn’t always win it all, but since the 1990s, they’ve gotten the best talent. Woods and company had to grit through the down years to reach the top.

Duke’s hosted the likes of Jayson Tatum, Brandon Ingram, Marvin Bagley and Jabari Parker in recent seasons. Christian Laettner became synonymous with the program and the vitriol it received nationally.

Hurley still remembers Woods’ shot that forced Laettner’s game-winner and the energy that he forced him to play with all night. “Hell of a shot.”

Later in the show, Hurley discussed the dynamic he and Laettner shared as teammates — Jeff trying to get their tensest moment out of them.

The post Bobby Hurley & Sean Woods Relive 1992 Duke Kentucky Game on Ryan & Goodman Podcast appeared first on CLNS Media.

Starting with his first of five titles in 1991, Duke and Coach K haven’t looked back. Wright took Villanova to the Final Four in 2009 (winning in the same building they’ll be in this weekend) and won it all on the greatest last-second shot in Final Four history. This month, Wright became the all-time winningest coach in Villanova history at the age of 56. The potential for him to match Krzyzewski someday is there if he stays at the school and isn’t lured away by the NBA.

Duke and Villanova have used all types of players, including the elite types known as one-and-dones. Kyrie Irving was one of Duke’s most famous, leaving in 2011 after suffering through an injury-shortened freshman year and losing to Arizona in the Sweet 16. Villanova had – most notably – Tim Thomas in 1997, under Steve Lappas. The closest thing Wright has had is Kyle Lowry, who left after two years in 2006. Both programs have adapted over the years but Villanova has done it without 1-and-done help.

“It’s evolved, and we get asked about this so much. I would love to have one of those one-and-done guys,” Wright said. “Some of them, I can’t name them because of recruiting rules, but there’s local guys we don’t get.”

Like Krzyzewski, Wright has gone about building a winning culture in 15 years on Philly’s Main Line that has been about blending basketball within the strict academic rigors of an elite academic institution.

“There’s certain guys that just don’t fit our culture,” Wright continued. “So it’s kind of — and it’s the beauty of college athletics. There’s a lot of different ways to do it. You can go to an Ivy League school and still make the NBA. You can go for one year and make the NBA and come back and get your degree.”

Culture has been a buzzword with these Wildcats this season. In Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges and Phil Booth, you have three juniors who have stayed in school, choosing to enrich their college experience and their character for future NBA careers. Bridges is a projected lottery pick, Brunson is nails tough and will be a starting NBA point guard at some point. Booth could be a defensive specialist.

“I think guys should be able inform have their own decision,” Brunson said of forcing high school players to play college. “If they feel like they’re ready to go to the NBA straight out of high school, let them make that decision. But I just think with the Big East doing that — this is my first time really hearing about that. With the Big East doing that, they’re just trying to implement ways to make college basketball better. Guys who want to be in college, make sure they stay in college, and guys that want to go to the NBA, just let them go straight out of high school.

“So I mean, it’s really — it’s in the best interests for college basketball just to throw out ideas so they can all come to an agreement and find a way to make college basketball better.”

“I feel like the same way,” Bridges added. “If they feel like they’re ready coming out of high school, then it’s a blessing on them to go to the NBA. But I see what the Big East is doing too, trying to make it even more competitive, which is probably would be if people who are particularly like a top five pick who stay an extra year, that would be more competitive. Yeah, same thing Jalen was saying.”

Wright has made the most of creating the environment that once talented players like Brunson and Bridges arrive, they want to stay.

“It’s just our culture is such that we want someone that wants to be in college, and if they’re good enough to leave in one year — Kyle Lowry was good enough in two years,” Wright said. “If they’re good enough to be a first-round pick in one year, great and go, and let’s work out a way for you to come back and finish your degree and remain a part of the Villanova community. That’s our philosophy.”

This week, Big East Commissioner Val Ackerman took a bold measure, drafting a letter that proposed a “two-or-none” rule be applied, giving those players with realistic NBA aspirations the chance to play in the NBA.

Ackerman has recommended replacing one-and-done with a two-or-none policy (similar to MLB) in college basketball, along with the suggestion of NCAA regulation of agents and the creation of an elite player unit to focus on “players with realistic aspirations” of playing in the NBA.

“Val talked to all the coaches about that stuff and the athletic directors, and in general, we’re all in agreement with that paper she produced,” Wright said. “We are all in agreement. There’s little different areas. In the postseason, I would go into it more in depth. But I just think there should be a relationship with the NCAA and the NBA because the whole issue is an NBA issue. These players should be allowed to come out of high school and go right to the NBA if they’re good enough, and if they’re good enough to be potential NBA players, they shouldn’t have to go to college if they don’t want to. They should be given an opportunity in the G League to earn the amount of money that they’re worth and not have to go to college.

“One of the problems — not all the problems — in college is some players are being forced to go, and coaches are being forced to coach guys that don’t want to be in college, and that’s on the NBA. It’s not on the NCAA. The NBA should provide an opportunity for them to go to the G League and be developed in the G League if they don’t want to be educated and go to college. So we’re putting kids in a tough spot. We’re putting college coaches in a tough spot.

“Now, college coaches and the NCAA have to take our responsibility for a lot of other things, but that’s one of the areas I think is important.”

Wright knows full well that the lifeblood of continued basketball dominance at Villanova, like Duke, is talent. As great an institution as Villanova is, their ability to stay on top like Duke has in the Coach K era is getting an abundance of elite players to commit, for however long.

There was Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, whom Kentucky’s John Calipari beat Wright for in 2012.

“Michael Kidd-Gilchrist was one that was coming down to us or Kentucky,” Wright said of the Elizabeth, New Jersey product. “I really thought he would have been great at Villanova. It’s more the individual person. He’s a good kid, good student. He loved Villanova. John just did a better job at the end.”

Last Fall, it happened again. And this time it was Duke. Norristown, Penn. is literally in Villanova’s backyard. But that didn’t keep Coach K from swooping in and plucking 6-foot-7 forward Cameron Reddish (think Mikal Bridges) from Westtown School.

“I don’t want it out there that I’m against one-and-dones,” Wright admitted. “I don’t want it out there that I don’t want them. I want them. We try. Certain ones, we really try. We just lost a local one that’s a great kid, and he’s going to be very successful, and he picked a great school, but we wanted him.”

Wright will try to take his culture – and gifted program – back to the Final Four with two wins this weekend, where he could meet Coach K and Duke in San Antonio in the National semifinal with any luck.

The post Without 1-and-dones, Villanova is all about winning culture under Jay Wright appeared first on CLNS Media.