Are your brackets busted yet? Mine are. (Busted & Dusted!)
If you’ve been paying attention to college basketball at all this year — you knew that once March rolled around — there was ONE prediction you could take to the bank without hesitation:
The 2022 NCAA men’s basketball tournament would be totally unpredictable.
Many different factors play into why college basketball has morphed into such a riveting, real-time drama where anyone can win on any given night in an elimination-game tournament setting — whether it’s the one-and-done phenomenon that pulls players with pro potential out of college early, the advent of the G-League as a real option for talented pro prospects, the terrific training that today’s young players have access to, the college transfer portal allowing players to transfer to another school without penalty, or the fact that today’s best prep players face one another in national settings all-year long — the list goes on and on.
All that being the case, two things remain crystal clear in today’s world of college basketball:
√ As a multi-week sporting event, the NCAA College Basketball Tournament cannot be topped. Nothing matches it. Not in storylines, drama, entertainment or spirit of competition.
√ Basketball is still basketball. Coaches realize that many different factors, occurring at any given moment throughout the course of a game, may decide the ultimate outcome of a high-pressure, hard-fought college basketball tournament contest.
The coaching adjustments and in-game strategies are fascinating to watch — on a game-to-game, half-by-half, and even, on a possession-by-possession basis. In these critical situations, preparation, training, coaching, mental focus and player-execution ALL matter.
When you factor in that these are actually young college athletes, hailing from all corners of globe, out there competing and giving their all in a high-stakes, pressure-packed environment — in front of a national TV audience and with their fellow students, alumni, fans and parents all in attendance screaming for them to win — it makes the scope and scale of the event, all the more mind-bending.
It’s surreal to think about this tournament from that 1,000-foot level.
Sixteen Teams, But Only ONE Thom McDonald
As we look at each of the 16 teams who are still standing after the first two rounds of the tournament, we wanted to take a closer look at the each of the remaining programs and showcase their coaches, their style of play and analyze the key statistics that have gotten each of these teams to the Sweet 16.
To better understand what makes these 16 teams tick, the staff at Championship Productions tapped into the brain of one of it’s own: ‘the most-connected man in basketball‘ — Championship Productions’ Basketball Coaching Director, Thom McDonald.
We asked Thom to provide his unique insight into each team, each coach and that special something that gives each of these programs a legitimate chance at advancing.
Thom McDonald’s in-depth answers (along with a bit of help from his amazing network of basketball-coach connections and industry-insiders) are outlined below, as he shines the spotlight on each of the remaining 16 teams.
NOTE: As a reader service — and with full-disclosure — the highlighted, linked coaching-names and linked basketball-topics that appear in the story below — are URL live-links that connect to related Championship Productions’ instant video & DVD products currently available for purchase on this website.
(For a great deal on these popular instructional-coaching products, check out the ‘Buy 2 Videos, Get a 3rd Video For a Penny’ special offer that appears at the end of this article, too.)
Gonzaga
Thom McDonald On Gonzaga: Mark Few’s Gonzaga team Leads the Nation in Scoring, 2-Point Field-Goal Percentage and Defensive Rebounds Per Game — I’d say that’s a pretty effective combination.
On top of that, this season, the Gonzaga offensive system also just happens to be the No. 1 Rated Offense (according to Kenpom).
The Zags are also Top-5 in both Offensive and Defensive Efficiency and play each game at a lightning fast pace.
Make no mistake about it — right now, Mark Few is the best coach in the business. With low post studs in Drew Timme and the all-around explosiveness of Chet Holmgren, Gonzaga has the ability to pound the paint or spread opponents out with their pick-and-roll attack!
Also worth noting — as you watch situations unfold during Gonzaga’s upcoming tourney games — remember that Mark Few is known as the ‘Godfather of BLOBs!”
Arkansas
Thom McDonald On Arkansas: Eric Musselman is on a roll! The next time you hear someone say, ‘We want to make as many free throws as our opponents shoots,‘ — think about this year’s Arkansas team.
Musselman’s Razorbacks are No. 1 in the country in Free-Throw Makes on the season and they have continued that trend in their first two NCAA tournament games!
Over two tourney games, Arkansas has made 42 shots from the line, compared to their opponent’s 27 foul-shot attempts in that same span.
Arkansas also has a Top-20 rated defensive team. By the way, did I mention that JD Notae gets buckets? Just … wow!
Eric Musselman keeps getting it done at every place he’s coached.
Like father, like son … Bill Musselman’s son can flat-out coach and it’s part of the reason why Arkansas made a coveted return to the Sweet 16 in 2022 and are licking their chops for more!
Texas Tech
Thom McDonald On Texas Tech: In Mark Adam’s first year at Texas Tech, the Red Raiders have continued to play their brand of stifling, no-middle defense.
Texas Tech ranks No. 2 in the country in Defensive Efficiency — as evidenced by the two absolutely flawless defensive showcases they put on display in the tournament’s opening weekend.
Texas Tech had the No. 1 rated Defense this year, according to Kenpom.
What makes the Red Raiders performance in the first two rounds even more astonishing, is the fact that Mark Adams has led Texas Tech’s charge into the Sweet 16 — in only his first-year as head coach!
Duke
Thom McDonald On Duke: Can the Blue Devils put it all together in Mike Krzyzewski’s last season? Don’t bet against Coach K.
Duke finished with a ranking of 5th in the country in Offensive Rating during the regular season and the Blue Devils continue to churn out good looks on offense versus quality opponents in the 2022 post-season.
Their talented freshman class, led by Paolo Banchero’s play, gives Duke a chance to go deep in 2022. Statistically, they have had the 4th Best Offense in the nation. They’ve played with poise and took out a very game and dangerous Michigan State team on Sunday.
Do I need to say anything else when I mention Coach K? Arguably the best coach to ever do it on any level of basketball, Mike Krzyzewski has the most wins in the history of NCAA Division 1 — with about 1,200 career coaching wins.
There’s a very good chance Coach K may tack on a couple more wins to that historic total, too.
North Carolina
Thom McDonald On North Carolina: The more things change, the more they stay the same. After spoiling Coach K’s final home game at Cameron, Hubert Davis’ Tar Heel team seems to have hit their stride.
During the NCAA tournament, North Carolina is averaging 94 PPG! The Tar Heels are pushing the pace with their break and keeping opponents on their heels.
Hubert Davis has the Tar Heels playing like one of the hottest teams in basketball. They have a 113.9 Adj Offensive Rating and, as of late, seemed to be almost unguardable on the offensive end — even going up against good defensive squads like Marquette, and the defending national champion, Baylor Bears.
I asked Hall of Fame Coach Roy Williams for his thoughts on UNC’s performance this week, and his response was fascinating.
Coach Williams said: ‘This Tar Heels squad has a terrific inside presence with Armando Bacot, who broke the school record for double-doubles at UNC and is averaging a double-double on the year … while doing most of his work on the inside, it’s also opening up a lot of shots on the outside.
‘And right on cue, North Carolina’s outside shooting has been getting better with every game. It’s the perfect system right now — a huge presence inside and gifted perimeter players who are making clutch plays.
‘Meanwhile, Brady Manek is the perfect complementary player to Bacot, a big who is shooting 40% from three-point range.
‘With those two players, it’s serving as the perfect high-low, spacing offense — which opens up everything for their talented guards.’
UCLA
Thom McDonald On UCLA: Mick Cronin has what every good coach needs during tournament time — good guards.
Between Jaime Jacquez’ stellar play, Tyger Campbell’s slash-and-kick ability, and Johnny Juzang’s ability to get shots off — the Bruins are extremely hard to guard, especially in late-game situations.
Their attacking, explosive guards, combined with a grinding half-court defense, it’s no surprise the Bruins are back in the Sweet 16.
Coach Mick Cronin does an amazing job of getting his star players the ball in premium scoring opportunities … he runs nice baseline sets for Juzang and devises innovative ways for getting the ball in space to his other star players.
Purdue
Thom McDonald On Purdue: Matt Painter’s Boilermakers are scary when they have it rolling on offense — and they have seemed to have had it rolling all-season long in 2022!
Purdue is 3rd in the country in offensive efficiency, in large part due to their excellent three-point shooting percentage, which ranked 4th in the nation.
The dynamic duo of Jaden Ivey and Zach Edey gives Purdue terrific options to exploit whatever mismatches the defense presents.
According to Tyler Whitcomb (West Michigan Aviation Academy Boy’s Basketball Head Coach; and the inventor of the Elevation Offense), ‘I believe Matt Painter has the best offensive basketball mind in the game.
‘I’m always looking to see what Painter comes up with each year. And I love how Coach Painter builds his offense each season — basing it all around the talent on his roster and making adjustments accordingly!’
Saint Peters
Thom McDonald On Saint Peters: The Peacocks are one of the nation’s best defenses and it has shown in both of their tournament wins.
Saint Peter’s player rotation goes 9 deep and they come at you in relentless waves — which wears down opponents mentally and physically late in games.
Ball pressure defense, and timely use of counters on offense, have Saint Peter’s on the brink of making one of those classic, yet rare Cinderella tournament runs.
Shaheen Holloway has done it as a player, and now he’s showing out as a coach. In fact, here’s a fascinating trivia question for you…
Question: Can you name the last time a school from New Jersey was in the Men’s NCAA Sweet 16?
The Answer: The year was 2000, and it was Seton Hall University — who were led by a point guard named — Shaheen Holloway!
Saint Peters has already pulled two major upsets in this year’s tourney — and they do not carry themselves like a team who doesn’t belong here.
To the contrary, the Peacocks look like they want more.
This success isn’t anything new for Coach Holloway, either. Back in 2020, in just his second season at the helm of the Peacocks basketball program, Holloway was named the 2020 MAAC Coach of the Year.
Arizona
Thom McDonald On Arizona: Tommy Lloyd has taken his Gonzaga roots South and the Wildcats have blossomed, as witnessed by their run to the Sweet 16 last weekend, and looking all sorts of impressive in the process.
Arizona is 3rd in the Nation in Scoring, evidenced by two tournament games last weekend where they scored in the 80s. They also Led the nation in Assists Per Game.
The Wildcats are an excellent defensive team, too, but it’s oftentimes overlooked because they get the ball downcourt and in the basket so quickly.
With a gaudy 32-3 record this year under NEW head coach Tommy Lloyd, the Wildcats have the real-deal look of a Final Four team.
Lloyd’s success does not come as a surprise to anyone in basketball-coaching circles. Known as one of the best assistant coaches in all of college basketball for many years under Coach Mark Few at Gonzaga, Coach Lloyd’s transition to the head coaching seat has been seamless.
The Wildcats head coach does an amazing job at putting a balanced team out on the floor every night. According to Kenpom, Arizona is the 7th Best Offense in the country.
Houston
Thom McDonald On Houston: Kelvin Sampson has done it again in 2022! The head coach of the Cougars has his squad primed for success and playing extremely efficient on both offense and defense.
Houston has the No. 1 ranked Field-Goal Percentage Defense in the country — and facing the Cougars is like playing games inside of a meat grinder.
They aren’t a one-dimensional squad, though. Coach Sampson’s team has been very successful on offense and that success can be attributed to their relentless offensive rebounding, where the Cougars are in the Top-10 in the country in BOTH Offensive Rebounding and Defensive Rebounding.
On top of that tenacious rebounding and defense — the Cougars are also ranked in the Top-10 in BOTH Offense and Defense, according to the Kenpom ratings.
You better bring your hard hat and pack a lunch when you play Kelvin Sampson’s Houston Cougars — because it’s going to be a long night.
Michigan
Thom McDonald On Michigan: The Wolverines are rolling! Michigan is led by their dominant center Hunter Dickinson and Coach Juwan Howard has a talented team that’s playing a confident, physical brand of basketball.
Michigan is out-rebounding NCAA tournament opponents by double-digits. Coach Howard and his Wolverines’ squad, after facing adversity down the stretch in 2022, is now firing on all cylinders at the right time of the year.
After taking out a hard-working, talented Colorado State team on Thursday, the Wolverines utilized a balanced attack on Saturday to knock off a very good Tennessee team.
I love coach Howard’s ‘Horns Sets’ and the way they defend each action on defense. They won’t be intimidated by anyone they face in the tournament from here on out and don’t be surprised if they continue to win.
Michigan’s unsung assistant coaching star — is a veteran coach who may not be instantly recognizable to the general public and average hoops fan, but Phil Martelli is one of the most well-known, heavily respected coaching minds in the entire basketball world.
Landing the former head men’s coach at St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, was a genius hire and staff addition by Juwan Howard, as Phil Martelli uses his 35+ years of coaching/tournament experience as a valuable asset and perfect complimentary mix to go along with Howard’s All-Star NBA playing career and his six years experience as an NBA assistant-coach experience.
Coach Howard was the 2021 AP Coach of the Year in college basketball.
Villanova
Thom McDonald On Villanova: It seems like déjà vu when you discuss Jay Wright’s Villanova team every year in the NCAA tournament. The Wildcats are a well-coached team with excellent guard play that spreads the floor and gives its offensive players room to work — which allows their talented guards take control of the game with surgical precision.
Don’t ever bet against Nova in a close game, either. The Wildcats are No.1 in the country in Free-Throw Percentage.
Coach Jay Wright’s teams always play under control and they’re consistently one of the best teams in the nation when it comes to executing on both ends of the floor.
Villinova is often a match-up nightmare because they possess the ability to invert their offense — due to the fact that their guards are usually excellent post-up players, and meanwhile, the Wildcats best post players are also usually good shooters from the outside.
Nova’s ‘Help defense’ is always on-point and tough to beat, too.
Coach Jay Wright’s teams possess an offensive attack where they swing the ball from side-to-side with sharp, crisp, on-point passing, and once again, the Wildcat players make themselves even deadlier on offense by mastering their 4-out 1-in motion offense — which forces defenses to have to make long closeouts and serves as the major ingredients needed for Nova’s talented guards to create driving lanes with super-effective kick-out options for open jumpers.
Kansas
Thom McDonald On Kansas: Bill Self’s teams are known for their physical presence, and this 2022 team is no different! The Jayhawks were 9th in the Nation in Total Rebounding and led the Big 12 in Rebounding this year.
The Jayhawks out-rebounded their two 2022 NCAA Tournament opponents by 14 rebounds per game!
Kansas is also extremely efficient on the offensive end and are led by sharpshooter Ochai Agbagi, who is shooting 40% from 3-point range — on the season in 2022!
Bill Self has been known as one of best coaches in the game for many years and his Jayhawk teams are always a mentally tough squad who seem to thrive in pressure situations.
As if that wasn’t enough, bear in mind that Bill Self is, hand’s down, the best coach in America when it comes to Out of Bounds Plays — whether it’s Under The Basket, Side Outs or Coming Out of a Time Out — Coach Self will get you every time!
Once again, the combination of coaching, preparation and roster talent all seem to be coming together at the right time for the Jayhawks — and it has Kansas on the precipice of making another special tourney run in 2022.
Providence
Thom McDonald On Providence: Head Coach Ed Cooley has the Friars playing confident basketball, as witnessed by Providence’s uncanny knack for being electric and performing with near-flawless poise while under pressure in close games.
Providence features a balanced attack and they can beat you in multiple ways — whether it be different players scoring on any given night, or playing lockdown defense just when it is needed most — in 2022, opposing coaches suddenly find an ‘L’ in the won-loss column after taking on the Friars.
Best of all — you’re also guaranteed to see a basket off a Flex Cut during a Providence game, as Ed Cooley is one of the best Flex Offense coaches in the land.
After Day 1 of the NCAA tournament, teams that ran the Flex were 2-0. The Friars finished with a remarkable 27-5 record this season, with an excellent 112 Adj Offensive Rating.
The Friars are the real deal.
Iowa State
Thom McDonald On Iowa State: Traditionally, everywhere he has coached, T.J. Otzelberger’s teams have been known for their potent, high-scoring offense.
This year, however, in Otzelberger’s 1st Year as head coach at Iowa State, he’s driven an amazing one-year program turnaround and run to the Sweet 16 — by way of getting work done on the defensive end.
In 2022, Iowa State is a team that slows the game down and grinds it out. The Cyclones are excellent at contesting jump shooters — boasting a Top-10 Three-Point Defense and the Nation’s 5th-Best Defensive Team ranking (where they force a jaw-dropping 18 Turnovers Per Game).
The Cyclones really got after it defensively against Wisconsin on Sunday, forcing a usually good-shooting Badgers’ team to go 2-22 from the 3-point line.
Don’t discount Iowa State’s offense, though. The Cyclones run some highly effective offensive sets — utilizing these plays to get their players good shot opportunities in spots where they like to shoot from.
TJ Otzelberger is a tremendous coach who seems to keep getting better each year. His Cyclones are as good defensively as any team left in the tournament — which is a trait that always poses a threat to opponents in a one-and-done tournament situation.
Just ask LSU and Wisconsin — two programs who had Elite Eight or Final Four aspirations before the 2022 tournament began.
Iowa State’s defense, however, had a different itinerary planned for their own NCAA post-season trip.
Miami
Thom McDonald On Miami: Jim Larranaga’s Hurricanes are making a somewhat expected tournament run behind the strength of their guards.
Miami has only 7 turnovers total through two NCAA tournament games! The Hurricanes are getting shots off and making the most of it on every trip down the floor.
I love how balanced and explosive Miami is playing right now. Jim Larranaga-coached teams are always a joy to watch from a strategic, coaching standpoint.
When you play Miami, you know that the Hurricanes are going to compete and they’re going to come after you, especially on the defensive end.
They’ll tenaciously attack opponents with Larranaga’s vaunted Scramble Defense — a defense that took George Mason University and Larranaga from the Patriot League — all the way to the NCAA Final Four back in 2006.
NOTE: Thom McDonald gives a special thank-you to the following coaches for their contributions: Fran Fraschilla ESPN basketball analyst & commentator, Tyler Whitcomb, former basketball coach & high school principal, Darryl Fletcher, assistant basketball coach, Iowa Lakes Community College, Jacob Collins, assistant basketball coach, Massac Junior High School (Metropolis, IL), Mark Cummins, assistant basketball coach, Hoover High School (Fresno, CA) and Landon Dalbeck, assistant coach at Nevada high school (Iowa).
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