Whether you’re a New Englander or just a lover of competition, this story’s for you.
The March Madness tournament overall was a success. While it didn’t live up to the upsets it’s known for, the nail-biter of a Final Four was must-see television.
March Madness ended with the SEC’s own #1 seed Florida Gators cutting down the nets. They had the hardest path to a championship in college basketball history, with a combined seed total of 33 (Lower is harder). Keep in mind their first-round game against #16 seed Norfolk State takes up half of that.
They played previously mentioned #16 seed Norfolk State, back-to-back defending champs in the #8 seeded UConn Huskies in the second round, #4 Maryland, and #3 Texas Tech. Then their Final Four matchups were incredibly difficult because all 4 #1 seeds made it. They defeated the number one overall seed in the Auburn Tigers and then beat the best defensive team in college basketball in the Houston Cougars, for the National Championship.
Led by Senior All-American guard and Tournament MVP Walter Clayton JR, the Gators won the title. He averaged 22.3 points per game and had back-to-back 30+ point performances against Texas Tech and Auburn. They also had help from Senior guards Alijah Martin, who averaged 18.7 points per game, and Will Richard, who averaged 14.5 points per game. Big men Alex Condon and Rueben Chinyelu averaged 5.8 and 6.6 rebounds per game.
Help off the bench from Sophomore Thomas Haugh and Junior Denzel Aberdeen helped jumpstart comebacks in multiple games to eventually get to the title. In the Elite Eight game against Texas Tech, Florida was trailing by 10 with 2 minutes left in a game they came back to win. Haugh single-handedly started the comeback with 2 straight threes, and then Clayton made it seem like they were never losing in the first place.
All in all, it was a great tournament, and congrats to the University of Florida for coming away with the National Championship.
Now, if you are the New Englander reading the intro, this part’s for you.
So, 36 games into the season, the Red Sox are at an even .500 and so far have been a bit of a disappointment towards their Pre-Season expectations.
Led by new threads on the offensive and defensive end, Free Agent 3rd baseman Alex Bregman is leading the Red Sox in most and almost every batting category. Also, newly added of trade thanks to the Chicago White Sox. Starting Pitcher Garrett Crochet has been huge for the Sox.
They just recently lost 1st baseman Triston Casas for the whole year. He was running out a ground ball and tripped over first base. He severely injured his knee, and the Red Sox are currently in a scramble trying to figure out who to replace Casas with.
They have been a very streaky team so far into the season. They get hot and win a series or two, but then they’re just back where they were– .500 or the other way around.
The season looking forward seems rough with the fact that their 1st baseman is gone. They have also had one of the easiest schedules so far, and the results haven’t really been there.
They have the potential to be good, expectations don’t come from nowhere. But the real question is: Can they perform as everyone thinks they should?
