This week on the Respect the Hustle Podcast with national college basketball analyst William Whelan, the focus turns towards the NCAA Tournament and which teams around the country have shown enough to have folks hoping they don’t land in the same bracket as them.
As usual, things get started out west in the Pac-12, where two teams have shown to be downright scary, especially as of late. Earlier in conference play, Utah had its issues with cohesion and total buy in from its veterans–something they’re not worried about, anymore. They put down a nearly historical beating on Arizona State last night and now we’re all wondering just how good this group, led by super sophomore Jakob Poeltl, can be. California has rallied with the return of senior point guard Tyrone Wallace, taking care of business against UCLA last night to stay unbeaten with Wallace in the lineup, post injury. Having now proven they can win on the road, is this a team that looks Sweet 16 bound, or will they revert to their tendencies from earlier in the season?
Further east, but a bit south, Texas Tech has made a name for itself thanks to being as balanced as anyone in the country. How will higher seeds prepare for this team with just a one day break in between rounds? That’s the big question for the Red Raiders. Seton Hall has won eight of nine since starting out 2-4 in Big East play and Kentucky looks as good of a bet as anyone to cut down the nets.
All that and more in the Respect the Hustle Podcast, and be sure to tune in next week as we approach Conference tournaments that will likely determine someone’s fate for a post-season berth.
We will surely see a surprise or a snub when the committee sets the field.
