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TSN Basketball Analyst

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FIVE NCAA THOUGHTS:   

1. KENTUCKY: Loaded squad that is my favorite to win the Tournament. They guard and are extremely unselfish. Will it be easy? Of course not. In their area as we go along in matchups I see Kansas, Maryland, Wisconsin or Arizona being able to give them a run before the NCAA Final. Of those four, Wisconsin is best equipped to beat them. They guard, have offensive balance and a star in Frank Kaminsky.        

2. TOUGHEST ROAD FOR A TOP SEED: I feel for Coach Jay Wright and Villanova. They had a fabulous season yet they've got the toughest road. They start with a Round of 32 game vs. NC State or LSU. After that, teams like Northern Iowa, UVA, Louisville, Providence and Oklahoma lurk in the shadows. Good Luck.

3. CANADIANS: Love it. The game continues to grow and we've got plenty of young stars that will shine. Check out Kyle Wiltjer and Kevin Pangos at Gonzaga, along with Trey Lyles (Kentucky), Daniel Mullings (New Mexico State), Dyshawn Pierre (Dayton), Dylan Ennis (Villanova) and Naz Long (Iowa State) to name just a few. Year by year the impact of Canadian players is becoming a bigger story. I can't wait. 

4. DON'T SLEEP ON THESE TEAMS: I don't see any of these teams being able to make the Final Four yet they're all capable of winning more than one game in the Tournament. These teams are not bad to look at to help you with your early bracket: Butler, Harvard, Northern Iowa, Michigan State, Davidson and SMU. Keep them on your radar.

5. JERIAN GRANT (Notre Dame): I Love watching this guy perform. He has a chance at the next level. He's a dynamic offensive performer who can create, shoot, handle, score, pass, guard and generally impact the game on many fronts. I look at him and I see a polished young player. He led his squad to their first ACC Championship. He's the reason above all else.