Duke Crowned Champs? Fanta Picks Blue Devils to Win It All

Duke Crowned Champs? Fanta Picks Blue Devils to Win It All

The madness is here! March Madness is set to tip off, and the excitement is palpable. Host Cam Johnson and co-host Tommy Alter welcomed college basketball insider John Fanta onto ‘The Old Man in the Three’ podcast to break down the brackets, highlight key storylines, and make some bold predictions. Fanta didn’t hold back, naming the Duke Blue Devils as his pick to win the entire national championship.

East Region: A Coaching Powerhouse

Fanta zeroed in on the East region, calling it the “region of blue bloods and big-time coaches.” He pointed out the incredible collection of coaching talent, including John Scheyer, Dan Hurley, Tom Izzo, Bill Self, Rick Pitino, Mick Cronin, and Jamie Dixon. “Hundreds upon thousands of wins between these coaches,” Fanta marveled. He highlighted the potential for a second-round matchup between St. John’s and Kansas, noting that if Kansas’s Dajuan Harris Jr. plays to his potential, the Jayhawks could make a significant impact on the tournament. St. John’s enters the tournament on a hot streak, winning 19 of their last 20 games, and Fanta witnessed their impressive performance at the Big East tournament firsthand.

Upset Alerts and Record Chasing

While Fanta acknowledged the common belief that NIL and revenue sharing might limit Cinderella stories, he predicted a return of double-digit upsets this year. “We’re going to have a couple double-digit seeds win this week that make you say, ‘Holy cow, the upset will return,'” he declared. He specifically called for Santa Clara to upset Kentucky in the first round, citing their top-25 offense. Fanta also predicted USF over Louisville and BCU over UNC, though co-host Cam Johnson expressed skepticism about the latter. Another intriguing storyline is Purdue’s Braden Smith, who is on the verge of breaking Bobby Hurley’s all-time assist record, needing just one more assist to tie it. Nebraska’s quest for their first-ever NCAA tournament win also adds to the drama.

Duke’s Path to the Title

The conversation then turned to Duke, Fanta’s national championship pick. He acknowledged concerns about potential injuries, particularly to Foster, but expressed faith in the team’s overall talent and defensive prowess. “Duke guards you at an incredible level. They’re number two in KenPom defensive efficiency,” Fanta stated. He highlighted the emergence of freshman Isaiah Evans as a key factor, stating, “Evans has answered the bell.” Fanta believes that with Cameron Boozer leading the way, and supported by players like Kaden and Jalen Blakes, Duke has the physicality and defensive intensity to impose their will on opponents. He sees them as a team that can win it all.

Arizona’s Challenge and Purdue’s Momentum

The potential for a Duke-Arizona matchup was also discussed. Fanta admitted that while oddsmakers might favor Arizona, he leans towards Duke. “I think Duke’s physicality can get Arizona a little bit forced out from the interior when Arizona’s on offense,” he explained. He also pointed to Tommy Lloyd’s historical struggles past the Sweet Sixteen as a factor. Meanwhile, Purdue, fresh off a Big Ten championship win over Michigan, was highlighted as a team peaking at the right time. Fanta praised their experienced players, strong guard play from Braden Smith, and the scoring ability of Lance Jones, making them a serious contender.

Arkansas’s Strong Showing

Arkansas, the SEC tournament champions, also caught Fanta’s eye. He lauded the play of guard Darius Acuff Jr., comparing his current performance to Kemba Walker’s legendary 2011 run. “He is playing like Kemba Walker in 2011 right now,” Fanta exclaimed. He also praised the gritty play of Billy Richmond and the balanced scoring of the Razorbacks, suggesting they could make a deep tournament run. The potential for second-round matchups like Carolina-Illinois and Wisconsin-Arkansas were highlighted as must-watch games.

Predictions and Final Thoughts

As the discussion wrapped up, Fanta offered a few more predictions. He believes St. John’s will outlast Kansas, and that USF will give Michigan State a tough fight. While he couldn’t bring himself to pick against Tom Izzo and Michigan State, he acknowledged the coaching prowess of Brian Hodgson. Co-host Cam Johnson, preferring feel-good stories, remained more reserved with his hot takes but acknowledged the strength of Duke and the potential for Purdue to make a run.

“We’re going to have a couple double-digit seeds win this week that make you say, ‘Holy cow, the upset will return.'”
John Fanta

Source: The BIG MARCH MADNESS Preview | Cam Boozer & Duke, Upset Alerts, and More | with John Fanta (YouTube)