As Mecole Hardman secured the ball to score the game-winning touchdown of Super Bowl LVIII for the Kansas City Chiefs, various thoughts raced through my mind. Is this reminiscent of Brady and the Patriots once again? Will I ever witness my team clinch the championship, or will Patrick Mahomes dominate the league for years to come? How close is Mahomes to being the GOAT?
Photo Cred: Georgia Bulldogs
However, none of these musings prepared me for the realization that would dawn on me just moments later: the football season has concluded, and we now face over six months without its return. If you’re like me, this may have sparked a tinge of sadness and perhaps even a hint of anxiety. With the conclusion of another thrilling football season, many fans may find themselves pondering, “Now What?”
To me, the answer seemed straightforward. However, with the NFL playoffs dominating much of the media cycle, it can be challenging to keep track of current events in the sports world. Thus, I’ve decided to assist those feeling a bit adrift by directing them towards NBA and college basketball to satisfy their sports cravings.
The most apparent avenue for any casual sports fan post-football season is basketball. While college basketball and the NBA commence during the football season, it’s now that both leagues truly gain momentum, with contenders beginning to separate themselves from the rest. On the NBA front, the Boston Celtics lead the charge in their quest for their 18th championship ring, boasting over 40 wins.
Photo Cred: Hardwood Houdini
While no other team has matched Boston’s prowess yet, several contenders warrant attention: Denver, Milwaukee, and even Oklahoma City, to name a few. The Milwaukee Bucks have had an eventful season thus far. Despite their notable 30-13 record and second-place standing in the East at the time, they dismissed head coach Adrian Griffin in late January, subsequently hiring the renowned Doc Rivers. However, the outcomes have been mixed. The Bucks have posted a 5-7 record since the coaching change, slipping to third place in the Eastern Conference behind Boston and now Cleveland.
In the Western Conference, the race for the top seed is tightly contested, with four teams currently within two games of the lead. Defending champions Denver Nuggets are vying to become the first NBA team since the 2017-2018 Warriors to win consecutive titles. Notably, rising young teams like Minnesota and Oklahoma City currently lead the West in wins. The contrasting demographics of these teams’ rosters, particularly the age disparity between the Thunder and the Los Angeles Clippers, add intrigue to potential playoff matchups.
In college basketball, perennial powerhouses Purdue, Houston, and defending champions UConn occupy the top spots in the latest rankings. Zach Eddy appears poised to secure the John Wooden Award for the second consecutive year, averaging 23.3 points per game with over 10 rebounds per outing while maintaining a field goal percentage exceeding 60%.
Photo Cred: NCAA
With conference tournaments less than a month away and teams jockeying for position in the Big Dance, intense competition ensues, particularly in the ACC, where UNC, Duke, and UVA vie for the top seed. As Selection Sunday on March 17th approaches, contenders such as Tennessee, Auburn, Kansas, Arizona, Iowa State, and Creighton have all but secured their spots in the tournament. While March is synonymous with Madness, keep a close watch on these 12 teams as they vie to cut down the nets on April 8th.
