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Don’t fear, Celtics followers. In mid-April, the NBA will take the highlight as soon as once more.
For the following few weeks, although, March Insanity will dominate the basketball world.
Should you love each the NBA and faculty hoops – and don’t need to neglect one when you tune into the opposite – listed here are some Celtics-centric storylines to observe because the NCAA Event will get underway.
1. Micah Shrewsberry and Kara Lawson are shining
Keep in mind Micah Shrewsberry? Seems he’s a fairly darn good head coach. The previous Celtics assistant led the Nittany Lions to their first NCAA Event since 2011.
They practically erased a 17-point deficit to stun No. 1 Purdue within the Large Ten Event ultimate earlier than falling simply quick, however they nonetheless earned an at-large bid. Penn State is a 10-seed within the Midwest and can face No. 7 Texas A&M this Thursday at 9:45 p.m. EST on TBS.
Shrewsberry, 46, coached with the Celtics from 2013-2019 and is in his second yr at PSU.
On the ladies’s aspect, Kara Lawson is in an analogous spot. Lawson, 42, who coached with the Celtics from 2019-2020, is in her third yr as Duke’s head coach.
The Blue Devils are again within the tourney for the primary time since 2017-18. They earned a No. 3 seed and can face No. 14 Iona within the first spherical this Saturday at 9:30 p.m. on ESPN.
2. Talking of Iona…
Any thought who coaches the Gaels males’s basketball crew? Should you guessed Rick Pitino, come declare your prize.
Pitino, who coached the Celtics from 1997-2001, is in his third season main this system and is about to make his second tourney look with Iona. The Gaels earned a No. 13 seed and can face No. 4 Connecticut on Thursday at 4:30 p.m. on TBS.
Rumors are swirling that he may head to St. John’s, however he mentioned nothing is about in stone.
3. A watch towards the NBA Draft
Some individuals watch March Insanity principally to see which gamers they need their NBA crew to draft.
First off, if that’s the one cause you watch, you’re lacking out. Secondly, right here’s a bit of cheat sheet and a have a look at some gamers the Celtics might take with considered one of their three second-round picks.
Trayce Jackson-Davis, Indiana – If Boston needs one other versatile ahead, Jackson-Davis could also be an excellent match. At 6’9, 245 kilos, he provides lots to a crew (20.8 factors, 10.9 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 2.7 blocks, 0.9 steals). He doesn’t have a lot of an outdoor shot, however in faculty, he hasn’t wanted one.
Jaime Jaquez Jr., UCLA – Jaquez can straight up hoop. The 6-foot-7 ahead is placing up 17.3 factors and eight.1 rebounds an evening and sometimes makes defenders look foolish. He’s artful, poised and below management.
Keyontae Johnson, Kansas State – Johnson has an inspiring backstory. Whereas enjoying for Florida, he collapsed on the ground throughout a sport in 2020. Now, he’s averaging 17.7 factors and seven rebounds for a Kansas State crew able to making a run.
Baylor Scheierman, Creighton – Scheierman is in contrast to another participant within the event. At 6’7, he averages a team-high 8.4 rebounds. He additionally handles the ball and is allotting 3.2 assists per sport. Scheierman shot 46.9 % from 3-point vary final yr and might’t be left open for a second.
Azuolas Tubelis, Arizona – Tubelis is a legit 6’11, 245 and has an awesome really feel for the sport. He will not be the following Domantas Sabonis, however the Lithuanian ahead is averaging 19.8 factors. 9.3 rebounds and a couple of assists for the No. 2 Wildcats.
Isaiah Wong, Miami – Wong (16.2 factors, 4.3 rebounds, 3.4 assists), a 6-foot-4 energizer with a pep in his step, has NBA velocity and agility. He could possibly be a backup combo guard for years to come back.
4. Al Horford continues to be in an unique membership
Al Horford’s Florida squads in 2006 and 2007 are nonetheless the final groups to win back-to-back nationwide championships.
These groups had ridiculous expertise, with future NBA gamers Horford, Joakim Noah, Taurean Inexperienced, Corey Brewer, Chris Richard, and Marreese Speights all within the combine.
Kansas earned a No. 1 seed this season and has pretty much as good an opportunity as any crew to win all of it once more. As latest historical past as proven, although, it’s a lot simpler mentioned than finished.
5. Talking of bragging rights…
The next Celtics gamers’ faculties are within the males’s tourney: Jayson Tatum (Duke), Grant Williams (Tennessee), Malcolm Brogdon and Sam Hauser (Virginia), Robert Williams (Texas A&M) and JD Davison (Alabama).
The next gamers’ colleges weren’t as lucky: Jaylen Brown (California), Blake Griffin (Oklahoma), Marcus Sensible (Oklahoma State), Derrick White (Colorado), Horford, Luke Kornet (Vanderbilt), Mike Muscala (Bucknell), Payton Pritchard (Oregon) and Mfiondu Kabengele (Florida State).
Grant Williams’ and Tatum’s groups might probably meet within the spherical of 32. It’s extremely unlikely Williams would speak any trash if the Volunteers get there, although. He additionally wouldn’t assure Tennessee will win both.
It’s additionally attainable Brogdon and Hauser’s Cavaliers might get a crack at Davison’s Alabama squad within the Candy 16. It’s unclear if Davison is assured sufficient socially to speak smack himself, however perhaps this can assist him acquire a bit of rookie swagger.
Robert Williams and Shrewsberry could alternate some texts as effectively.
Benefit from the Insanity and the NBA, people. Double-dipping isn’t simply allowed; it’s inspired.
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