The Final Whistle

Lehigh looks to continue dancing against Prairie View A&M in the first game of the Wednesday slate, vying to officially grab the 16 seed and play the Gators. You might know Lehigh from when CJ McCollum was still a midget and played his college ball for them, or perhaps you recognize their brown uniform, notably lacking an emblem or logo. Regardless, Lehigh boasts a tradition and culture that has been steadily growing since the McCollum days. They started the season a rough 1-11, making the prospect of March Madness seem like an afterthought. However, returns from injuries, refined offensive plans, and a few more home games in the holy land of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, saw the Hawks save their season, ending with a Patriot League championship as the cherry on top. Lehigh plays a style similar to many mid-majors who can't rely on freak athletes: they slow the game down, take good shots, and play defense like madmen. This deliberate pace and defensive intens...

Game 1: The Battle to Face Michigan We’re kicking off the tournament with a true pick 'em. Both UMBC and Howard are riding winning streaks into the First Four, but their paths here couldn't look more different.  UMBC played what might be the easiest schedule in the entire NCAA, an absolute cupcake slate. Howard, on the other hand, tested themselves against Missouri and Northwestern, playing them tight before ultimately running out of steam late in those games. They also got crushed by Duke, but we’ll just pretend that didn't happen. Howard went 11-3 in conference play and won the MEAC to earn their spot in the dance. If UMBC sounds familiar, it’s because they pulled off the impossible in 2018, becoming the first 16-seed to ever take down a 1-seed when they stunned Virginia. However, it's worth noting that no coaches or players remain from that historic squad. UMBC plays a highly disciplined style of basketball, the kind that basketball purists lo...

Top prize NBA prospect AJ Dybantsa is dusting off the oldest move in the blue chip handbook. Right on cue, just before conference tournament week and as March Madness prepares to swallow every headline in America, he rolls out the classic “should I or shouldn’t I declare for the NBA Draft?” routine. We have seen this movie before. Twelve short months ago, Cooper Flagg was doing the same choreographed hesitation. Spoiler alert. He is going. They are all going. The suspense is manufactured, the quotes are vague, and the social media graphics are already drafted. Now the spotlight shifts to AJ Dybantsa, currently starring at Brigham Young University. The question is no longer about draft stock. It is about process. Does he need a formal blessing from the Deacon before making it official? Is there a ceremonial handshake involved? A signed note from Mom? Or perhaps he found a nice local girl and is reconsidering everything over a wholesome evening of “soaking” and scripture stud...