85 Expansion - The First NIL Dynasty?
The best post-game soundbite of the tournament came from Dusty May, when asked why he left some of his star players in the game so late - “Well apparently you guys missed the Duke UConn game.” There are two big storylines heading into tonight’s championship game. For UConn, it is the title of dynasty hanging over their heads. The possibility of 3 championships in 4 years would cement them as the first dynasty of the NIL era of college basketball. 3 championships in 4 years has not been done since John Wooden’s UCLA dynasty. After a loss to Villanova on January 18th, 2020, Hurley said “you better get us now, because it’s coming.” Few quotes have aged as well as that one. On the other side, Michigan continues on to the championship after a dominant win in a game many touted as the true championship game. Michigan left no doubts, being the first team ever to break 90 points in 5 games in an NCAA tournament. The Wolverines have been known to go on runs that put teams in the hole, but with so many dominant wins it feels the biggest distraction is off the court. Dusty’s name has been widely circulating in the UNC Coaching discussion. Even though he said he will never comment on a job opening, multiple times, it is impossible to stop the media storm when it gets rolling.
Recapping the final four, both games came in with a “key to the game”, and both games threw that key out the window. Illinois and UConn were supposed to be about 3 point shooting, specifically Illinois. Yet Fighting Illini went just 6/23 from behind the arc, while UConn was 12/33. Arizona and Michigan was a game of defense with two of the largest sized teams in the country. Yet Michigan had Arizona on the ropes from the tip, and never looked back once. All of Michigan’s games have been won by double digits, and all with scoring over 90. Can UConn keep up their “championship mindset” enough to finally stop Michigan, or will the dominance of the Wolverines put this game out of reach even for some Dan Hurley magic?
Life comes at you fast, as Carly having 3 of 4 final four teams resulted in 0 correct teams in the championship. Tough time to be in a bar with the majority of bracket people. Undoubtedly a great year for her though. No one had both teams correct; Jim, Darcy, Caitie, and Will all had Michigan, while Erin stands alone with UConn. Erin has officially beaten Rob, and the below image shows how thrilled he is with that…
Darcy has won the Beglane Battle, and can move up to 2nd with a Michigan win. Will, despite a horrible start, can find himself in 3rd with the Michigan win. The rest of the bracket is set with no more points to earn, and a strong year for many people here.
Championship Game tonight is at 8:50 PM. I’m a Big East loyalist and rooting for UConn, but more importantly just a great game. Enjoy one last game and one last shining moment tonight!
Rory F Beglane
Founder of the 85 Expansion Bracket Challenge - www.85expansion.com
Villanova Enthusiast
0 Time Bracket Winner
2 Time Always March Winner