Persuasive Essay: One Team In The NCAA Tournament
The wait is over. The NCAA tournament is finally here! This years tournament will be one to remember as tough competitions will give teams a run for their money as they push to be that “one team” that wins it all. One region of this year's tournament that has caught everybody's eyes is the southern region. The southern region is loaded this year, with the top four seeds receiving high rankings in the AP poll this season. I could see any of these teams losing in the round of 32 or going all the way. But, if there was one team I would have to pick to go all the way, it would have to be the Kentucky Wildcats because of their all around offense and defense.
In the NCAA tournament, offense can make or break a team's chance for a national title. 14 of the last 15 national champions ranked in the top 20 in adjusted offensive efficiency. Kentucky is ranked only 16th in offensive …show more content…
efficiency, leaving some skepticism of whether Kentucky can go all the way. Kentucky is pretty low in the offensive rankings, and is ranked lower than some of their projected fierce competitors Wichita State and Kansas. But, Kentucky has the top offensive rebound rate in the nation. In the NCAA tournament, it helps to have a safety net in case shots aren't falling and 14 of the last 15 national champions had an offensive rebound rate above 30%. If Kentucky can rebound their shots and make more baskets than their fierce projected opponents, they have the opportunity to go all the way.
A team's defense is a key component in the NCAA tournament and ultimately, decides who the national champion will be.
14 of the last 15 national champions ranked in the the top 15 in adjusted defensive efficiency. Kentucky is ranked only 11th in defensive efficiency which again, throws up some red flags on whether Kentucky can go all the way. Kentucky is ranked pretty low in the defensive rankings and even if they do make it to the championship, they are more than likely going to vs a 1 seed such as Kansas or North Carolina. But, Kentucky has one of the top RpI (Rating Percentage Index) in the nation. Say what you want about the RPI but it does have some predictable power. 22 of the last 23 national champions have had an RPI of 17 or better. Kentucky has an RPI higher than all of the 1 seed teams in the tournament this year, giving Kentucky an edge in the possible games against a 1 seed. If Kentucky can bring the same kind of energy to defense that they brought down in the SEC tournament, they're good enough to beat anybody. And that's why I'm predicting them to win the national
championship.
With the stats and history of past national championship teams, Kentucky is a sure favorite to go all the way. Their defensive and offensive stats prove the team to be unbreakable and gives Kentucky a punched ticket to the NCAA championship. Yes, Kentucky has had issues with consistency. Yes, Kentucky is a young team. But their offensive and defensive stats make the Kentucky Wildcats deserve to be the favorite to cut down the net in Arizona this year.
In the NCAA tournament, offense can make or break a team's chance for a national title. 14 of the last 15 national champions ranked in the top 20 in adjusted offensive efficiency. Kentucky is ranked only 16th in offensive …show more content…
efficiency, leaving some skepticism of whether Kentucky can go all the way. Kentucky is pretty low in the offensive rankings, and is ranked lower than some of their projected fierce competitors Wichita State and Kansas. But, Kentucky has the top offensive rebound rate in the nation. In the NCAA tournament, it helps to have a safety net in case shots aren't falling and 14 of the last 15 national champions had an offensive rebound rate above 30%. If Kentucky can rebound their shots and make more baskets than their fierce projected opponents, they have the opportunity to go all the way.
A team's defense is a key component in the NCAA tournament and ultimately, decides who the national champion will be.
14 of the last 15 national champions ranked in the the top 15 in adjusted defensive efficiency. Kentucky is ranked only 11th in defensive efficiency which again, throws up some red flags on whether Kentucky can go all the way. Kentucky is ranked pretty low in the defensive rankings and even if they do make it to the championship, they are more than likely going to vs a 1 seed such as Kansas or North Carolina. But, Kentucky has one of the top RpI (Rating Percentage Index) in the nation. Say what you want about the RPI but it does have some predictable power. 22 of the last 23 national champions have had an RPI of 17 or better. Kentucky has an RPI higher than all of the 1 seed teams in the tournament this year, giving Kentucky an edge in the possible games against a 1 seed. If Kentucky can bring the same kind of energy to defense that they brought down in the SEC tournament, they're good enough to beat anybody. And that's why I'm predicting them to win the national
championship.
With the stats and history of past national championship teams, Kentucky is a sure favorite to go all the way. Their defensive and offensive stats prove the team to be unbreakable and gives Kentucky a punched ticket to the NCAA championship. Yes, Kentucky has had issues with consistency. Yes, Kentucky is a young team. But their offensive and defensive stats make the Kentucky Wildcats deserve to be the favorite to cut down the net in Arizona this year.