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B/R CBB Community: Who Are the Current Picks to Reach the 2022 Final Four?
Dec 16, 2021
Duke forward Paolo Banchero (5) dribbles against Citadel during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Durham, N.C., Monday, Nov. 22, 2021. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
Projecting a Final Four for the men's NCAA tournament before even seeing the bracket is a nearly impossible exercise. Even if all four of your picks make the tournament, they might all end up in the same region.
(Unless you pick four teams from the same conference, which we'll get to shortly.)
But it's something I do every preseason, and five weeks into the regular season, it's your turn to throw four darts and hope for the best.
On Tuesday, we asked our B/R app users to give us their way-too-early predictions for the 2022 Final Four.
Here are some of the submissions that stood out.
Blue Bloods Bonanza
@daqbbraden08: Baylor, Duke, UCLA, Kentucky
@bpapick: Kansas, Duke, UCLA, Gonzaga
@comingright4us: Duke, Baylor, Kansas, UNC
While no one was quite willing to leave out both Baylor and Gonzaga to go with four blue bloods, just about everyone had two in there, and these three users went with three.
Just to be clear, college basketball's blue bloods are: Duke, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, North Carolina and UCLA. Every now and then there's a push to add a "new blood" to that mix—be it Connecticut, Gonzaga, Louisville, Michigan State, Villanova, Virginia or, now, Baylor. But those have been the six blue bloods for decades.
And they all have a legitimate shot at making a Final Four this year.
All six are ranked in the top 31 on KenPom.com. Kansas (No. 3), Duke (No. 7) and UCLA (No. 8) are the serious threats, while Kentucky (No. 21), Indiana (No. 26) and North Carolina (No. 31) are each one impressive win away from moving into "should at least make the Sweet 16" territory.
Though they have a combined 95 Final Four appearances, there has not yet been a tournament in which four made it to the promised land. Moreover, there have only been three instances in which three blue bloods made it to the national semifinals: 1991, 1993 and 2008.
But if an all-blue-blood Final Four is ever going to happen, this seems like a good year for it.
Speaking of things that might happen for the first time...
There were a handful of responses that were clearly a joke, but I'm choosing to believe this all-Big East Final Four was at least a semi-serious answer. Personally, I would have gone with Xavier instead of Providence, but either way, the top half of this league is looking very good and I wouldn't be surprised if any of them made a deep run.
So why not four of them?
It would be a first, and it would be just the second time that at least three teams from the same conference got to the Final Four. The only previous example was the Big East in 1985 when St. John's, Georgetown and Villanova all pulled it off. Boston College came close to making it a clean sweep too. The Eagles were the No. 11 seed in the fourth region, but they made it to the Sweet 16 and fell just two points shy of playing in a regional final.
If any league is going to pull off the feat, though, it would probably be the Big Ten, right? Purdue is the obvious candidate, while Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Michigan State and Ohio State each received at least one nomination from an app user.
The SEC could also mess around and make it happen with a top tier of Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Florida, Kentucky, LSU and Tennessee. No one in that group feels like a serious threat to win it all (especially after Alabama got smoked by Memphis on Tuesday night), but all seven feel like fringe Final Four candidates.
One thing's for sure, though: The ACC won't be doing it. I'm not even sure that league is going to receive four bids.
Go West, Young Bracket
Gonzaga's Andrew Nembhard (3) and Drew Timme (2)
@johnwachholtz: USC, UCLA, Alabama, Gonzaga
@XirishX0301: U of A*, Duke, UCLA, Gonzaga (*I'm assuming that's Arizona and not Alabama)
March 31, 1997.
Titanic had not yet been released in theaters.
The first book in the Harry Potter series had not yet hit the shelves.
But that was the most recent time that a team west of the continental divide won a national championship, when Arizona finished off its miraculous run of three wins over No. 1 seeds.
But maybe, just maybe, this will be the year that drought ends.
B/R user @johnwachholtz was the only person within the first seven hours of comments to nominate the USC Trojans for a spot in the Final Four, which is entirely plausible. They are 10-0 as of Wednesday morning, after all.
But the more likely trio of Arizona, Gonzaga and UCLA came from @Xirish0301.
Gonzaga needs no explanation, and in fact is the betting favorite to reach the Final Four with even odds (+100).
A lot of people at least temporarily wrote off UCLA after the 20-point loss to Gonzaga, but the Bruins opened the season at No. 2 in the AP poll and haven't lost since that Nov. 23 defeat. If and when big man Cody Riley returns from the knee injury that he suffered early in UCLA's season opener, this team will reemerge as a favorite.
And while Arizona is the surprise of the bunch as far as preseason expectations go, the Wildcats might actually be the best of the group, already boasting wins away from home over Michigan and Illinois.
I will point out for devil's advocate purposes that, as things stand, it's very likely that either UCLA or Arizona would be the No. 2 seed opposite Gonzaga as the No. 1 seed in the West Region, which makes the "three West Coast teams in the Final Four" idea less of a reality.
But let's also be sure to note that the WCC is more than just Gonzaga this year. BYU, Saint Mary's and San Francisco are all fringe candidates to win four straight games in March to crash the Final Four.
Does No One Remember the Alamo?
Texas' Tre Mitchell
Nobody on the App:
Absolutely Nobody on the App:
Me: You know, Texas could totally reach the Final Four.
Considering Texas lost at Gonzaga and at Seton Hall, has nothing better than a home win over Northern Colorado and plays in the same conference as Baylor and Kansas, I can understand why not a single app user nominated the Longhorns as a threat to play in the national semifinals.
But if y'all have completely written off this team, you may want to reconsider.
Chris Beard went a little overboard with the transfer portal in his first year in Austin, bringing in Timmy Allen from Utah, Tre Mitchell from Massachusetts, Christian Bishop from Creighton, Marcus Carr from Minnesota, Devin Askew from Kentucky and Dylan Disu from Vanderbilt.
That sextet combined to average 87.9 points per game last season. Combine that with the 32.0 points per game that returnees Andrew Jones, Courtney Ramey and Jase Febres averaged and you're up to 120 points per game—which meant a lot of guys needing to adjust to new roles during a potentially bumpy start to the year.
On top of that, Disu just made his season debut Tuesday after sitting with a knee injury, so the Longhorns have been a bit short-handed/undersized in the frontcourt.
Basically, it's not a surprise that this team hasn't come close to reaching its potential yet, but Beard is a great coach, capable of turning this thing around.
The Consensus
Baylor's James Akinjo
@Owen_Jorgenson10: Duke, Gonzaga, Baylor, and who ever shows up.
When I compiled the responses Tuesday evening, there were 42 legitimate ones. (By "legitimate," I mean ignoring @ndynamite1's submission of Georgia, Pittsburgh, Missouri and Butler, or @HowardMagoo's proposal of McNeese State, George Mason, TCU and Wyoming.)
Of those 42, 32 had Duke, 31 had Baylor and 27 had Gonzaga, and no other team appeared in more than one-third of the quartets.
Alabama (14), Purdue (13), Arizona (11) and UCLA (10) were the most popular "other" selections, but the consensus was basically the Blue Devils, the Bears, the Zags and let's see what our options are in the fourth region on Selection Sunday.
And that sounds about right.
As mentioned, Gonzaga is at even odds. Duke is listed at +180 to reach the Final Four, while Baylor is at +330.
Considering the Bears are the No. 1 team in the land, fresh off a 21-point win over Villanova, it's not hard to understand why they were such a popular selection. But I do feel obligated to mention that both Purdue (+180) and Kansas (+300) have better Final Four odds than Baylor—and only six of those first 42 responses included the Jayhawks.
The season is still quite young, though. We'll probably run this back again in a month and see how much the consensus has changed. But it's interesting to see that we have a clear top tier of three favorites.
Kerry Miller covers men's college basketball and college football for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter: @kerrancejames.
Final Four odds were according to DraftKings Sportsbook as of Tuesday afternoon.
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B/R College Football 2021 Betting Locks with Adam Kramer: Bowl Season Part 1
Dec 15, 2021
BYU wide receiver Samson Nacua (45) and his teammates celebrate after their NCAA college football game against Idaho State Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in Provo, Utah. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Betting on the bowl season is difficult, and it isn't getting any easier.
Let's not sugarcoat it. Instead, amid the opt-outs, interim coaches and programs in transition, let's embrace all the moving variables and view the next few weeks as a tremendous betting opportunity.
Locks of the Week is simply happy for a fresh start after a rough final week of the season. And because the bowl season is so robust, picks will be coming at you across multiple installments over the next few weeks.
This week, Part 1 features bowl games that will be played between Friday, December 17, and Tuesday, December 21. That's 11 games to choose from, which is more than enough to pick some winners.
We'll be delivering installments every week until the season ends.
Let us begin.
Independence Bowl: BYU (-7) vs. UAB
I get a sense that I won't be alone on this bet, and I am perfectly fine with that. While I often shy away from a crowd, I have no problem embracing it in the Independence Bowl.
BYU is good. In fact, the Cougars were one of the best stories of the regular season that no one seems to want to talk about. And although they failed to cover the spread in the final two games, they still managed 10 wins despite playing some quality opponents.
If you're a Pac-12 team, chances are you lost to BYU.
UAB closed out its season with three wins in four games and four straight covers. Under Bill Clark, who brought the program back from the dead, the Blazers have become consistent and quite good.
The issue, however, is the difference in talent and speed between these two teams is somewhat significant. And while I love what Clark has done, BYU is a cut above.
Cougars by double digits.
Frisco Bowl: San Diego State (+2.5) vs. UTSA
Let's address the elephant in the room. The last time we saw San Diego State play football, it did not go well.
The Aztecs lost 46-13 to Utah State in the Mountain West Championship Game as nearly a touchdown favorite. The offense struggled, the defense didn't have a chance, and even special teams, which has been dominant, was off.
That changes in the Frisco Bowl against UTSA. The Roadrunners lost just one game this season, which is remarkable. It's worth noting, however, that UTSA covered the spread just once in the last four games.
San Diego State wasn't any better down the stretch against the spread, although Brady Hoke's team ended the year with just two losses.
The Aztecs defense, in particular, is ripe for a rebound. While this game likely won't feature an abundance of points, San Diego State will finish with more of them.
Boca Raton Bowl: Appalachian State vs. Western Kentucky (Over 67.5)
SAN ANTONIO, TX - DECEMBER 03: Western Kentucky Hilltoppers quarterback Bailey Zappe (4) looks to throw downfield during the football game between the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers and UTSA Roadrunners at the Alamodome on December 3, 2021 in San Antonio, T
There is a high probability that this football game gets weird, and it's one of the greatest compliments I can pay it.
Western Kentucky finished the season with the nation's No. 2-ranked scoring offense. Quarterback Bailey Zappe, who threw for 56 touchdowns and more than 5,500 yards this season, is a big reason why.
The offense can score, and it can score quickly. And although Zach Kittley, the team's former offensive coordinator, is now at Texas Tech, this offense should still be plenty active.
While Appalachian State totaled just 16 points in its last game against Louisiana, that output is in for a massive boost. Western Kentucky's defense was on the field a lot largely because the offense moves as quickly as it does, and the unit finished 90th in points allowed per game.
I expect this to be a perfect bowl game: competitive, high-scoring, eventful and roughly four hours long. While I lean toward Appalachian State overall, I'll keep my official pick on the over.
Let there be points.
New Orleans Bowl: Marshall (+5.5) vs. Louisiana
This might be one of the more underrated bowl games on the calendar, and I implore you to dive headfirst into all it has to offer.
Fun fact: Each year, I watch the New Orleans Bowl and wrap presents for my children. It's a tradition of sorts, and I will be invested in this game much like I am each year.
Louisiana, of course, is coming off a sensational 12-1 season and Sun Belt championship. The year was so good that Florida hired former head coach Billy Napier to fill its vacancy. Michael Desormeaux, who was on Napier's staff, was named as his replacement.
Still, this is a disruption. And Marshall, which played much better in the second half of the season, should take advantage. The Thundering Herd won five of the last seven games to close out the year while covering the spread in four of those.
At 7-5, Marshall certainly had its blips this year. But the team we saw late, with exception to the clunker against Western Kentucky, was a much different group. Expect the Thundering Herd to hang around and keep this one tight enough.
LA Bowl: Oregon State (-7) vs. Utah State
EUGENE, OR - NOVEMBER 27: Oregon State Beavers TE Luke Musgrave (88) celebrates a touchdown score with Oregon State Beavers OL Nous Keobounnam (69), Oregon State Beavers QB Chance Nolan (10) and Oregon State Beavers TE Teagan Quitoriano (84) during a PAC-
We already know how Utah State's season ended. It was indeed a spectacular performance against San Diego State. It was also a special season overall. The Aggies closed out the year by winning seven of the final eight games. They also covered the spread in six of those contests.
So, why am I going the other direction in this game? Because Oregon State is both fun and talented, and both of those traits will be on display in this matchup.
The Beavers' regular season ended with a 38-29 loss to Oregon. Along the way, though, we saw a team that was much improved, which was certainly evident in wins over Utah, Arizona State, USC and Washington.
Look for similar, balanced output in this game. I respect Utah State's talent and season a great deal, but Oregon State is simply better overall.
The Beavers keep the momentum churning.
Oregon State 35, Utah State 27.
Other Games on the Card
BOISE, ID - JANUARY 3: Spuddy Buddy entertains the crowd at the end of second half action between the Nevada Wolf Pack and the Ohio Bobcats at the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl on January 3, 2020 at Albertsons Stadium in Boise, Idaho. Ohio won the game 30-21.
New Mexico Bowl: Fresno State (-11.5) vs. UTEP:Fresno State has talent, which the line certainly speaks to. While UTEP enjoyed a hot start, it lost plenty of steam at the end of the year, losing four of the last five. Fresno State, meanwhile, closed with five wins in the last six. Bulldogs roll.
Cure Bowl: Coastal Carolina vs. Northern Illinois (Over 62.5):It wouldn't be a shock if this ends up being the highest-scoring affair of the games mentioned on the card. I'm looking forward to a fun back-and-forth matchup between two offenses that can really score when they're on.
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl: Kent State (+3) vs. Wyoming:This feels like a tricky matchup for Wyoming, which has struggled to score points throughout the year. Kent State rallies after a loss to Northern Illinois in the MAC Championship Game with a mild upset.
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TGIFighting: Charles Oliveira Talks Underdog Status vs Dustin Poirier at UFC 269
Dec 10, 2021
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 10: UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira arrives at T-Mobile Arena during the UFC 264 event on July 10, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Welcome back to TGIFighting, where we talk to top fighters, preview the weekend's combat sports action and make crotchety observations about the combat sports news of the day. Ready? Let's proceed.
This Saturday in the main event of UFC 269 in Las Vegas, lightweight champion Charles Oliveira makes his first title defense against longtime belt-hunter Dustin Poirier.
Generally speaking, fight fans are better acquainted with Poirier, thanks to his two superbouts with Conor McGregor and 12 bonus-winning performances spread over a decadelong UFC career. But hardcore fans know all about Oliveira, who has a long UFC tenure of his own, not to mention the company record for career submission wins with 14.
As of Thursday, according to DraftKings, the champ is a +135 underdog to defend his title. I recently asked Oliveira about being an underdog and plenty more. The exchange has been edited for length and clarity.
Bleacher Report: How did life change for you after you won the belt?
Oliveira: Life changed completely. I have more fans now; more people know me. It has changed everything. I've dreamed about this my whole life, so I won't pretend like I don't like it. It doesn't bother me at all. On the contrary; I enjoy it.
I just have to keep humble, keep my feet on the ground and just keep moving forward. I know where I can go and what I can still do.
SAO PAULO, BRAZIL - MAY 17: Fans cheer as the MMA fighter Charles Oliveira arrives at Sao Paulos International Airport on May 17, 2021 in Guarulhos, Sao Paulo, Brazil. The Brazilian is the new UFC Lightweight Champion after beating Michael Chandler in the
B/R: As UFC 269 approaches, what do you want fans to know about you and about your preparation for this fight?
Oliveira: I just want to tell them they can trust me. I'm ready, and I was born for this.
B/R: Despite being champion, you're still an underdog to Poirier. Do you think people look past you?
Oliveira: I don't really care about the betting odds. I respect Poirier. I respect his story. But I'm the champion, and I'll show that on Saturday.
B/R: Poirier is good on the ground, but on paper you have an advantage there. Are you going to shoot for takedowns to get the fight to the mat?
Oliveira: All fighters have good fights and bad fights, but we're all MMA fighters. So I'm ready for anything. I'm ready to fight him on the ground or standing up. I feel like everyone has seen how much I've grown since the past. I'm a complete athlete, and I will win this fight.
B/R: You've been in the UFC since 2010. That's a long time. Every fight is important, but is there a fight that meant the most to you and your growth as a fighter?
Oliveira: Like you said, I've had an extensive career. Every fight has taught me something. I would say my last defeat [to Paul Felder in 2017] was where everything changed for me. It sort of flipped a switch. I became a different athlete after that.
B/R: The lightweight division is stacked right now. When you're watching the UFC as a fan, who jumps out at you?
Oliveira: Many of them, actually. Dustin is very fun to watch. Edson Barboza is another. But there are many great athletes in the division … Michael Chandler and Justin Gaethje just put on a war. Both men came forward and did what they came there to do.
B/R: What do you like to do after a win?
Oliveira: Actually, I just want to go back home. I want to go back to my family and my team and all those people who've supported me along the way and celebrate with them. So, yeah. I just want to go back home.
Kayla Harrison UFC-Bound?
If women's GOAT Amanda Nunes takes care of business Saturday against massive underdog Julianna Pena, her post-fight interview could be interesting.
News broke Wednesday that Kayla Harrison is in talks to move to the UFC. The two-time Olympic gold medalist is also a two-time winner of the Professional Fighters League $1 million tournament. Harrison, who is a perfect 12-0 in MMA competition, has mostly competed at 155 pounds. The UFC doesn't have a women's lightweight division, meaning she'd have to move down to featherweight, where Nunes is champion.
Just spoke to Dana White and he confirmed that the UFC are having conversations with Kayla Harrison's team.
He believes that there is only one way to find out whether Harrison can be considered the best in the world and that's for her to join the UFC and face Amanda Nunes.
Harrison competed once at 145 pounds and told ESPN's Brett Okamoto that a featherweight move is "in my future," so it might just be a matter of dollars and cents.
At the risk of stating the obvious, Nunes-Harrison is the biggest women's MMA fight out there. While Bellator and a date with Cristiane "Cyborg" Justino also remains a possibility, there's no question where the biggest glamor matchup lies.
The Squeamish Bettor
Record to date: 25-8
Light heavyweight Jamahal Hill cashed last week as an underdog to Jimmy Crute. Although he's known for that gnarly arm injury, after knocking out a respected young competitor in just 48 seconds, Hill is one to reckon with at 205 pounds.
Ryan Hall
For UFC 269, we go to the deep undercard, where two submission aces square off. Per DraftKings, Ryan Hall is a -200 favorite to defeat Darrick Minner, a veteran who has a checkered record against true elites but still has garnered 22 submission wins.
Hall's on another level, though. Although he has "only" three submission wins, he looks brilliant whenever the action hits the mat. His striking is a little, shall we say, calcified, but that won't be an issue against Minner like it was in Hall's last match, a knockout loss to hard-hitting Ilia Topuria.
Mark me down for Hall winning a chess match, keeping Minner under wraps for a clear if conservative win.
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