1: Defense
This national championship will give us two of the best defensive teams in
recent memory. Both of these teams play great team defense, which has
dominated the tournament so far. Texas Tech is the number 1 rated team in
Adjusted Defense in the KenPom rankings, while Virginia is ranked 5th.
Virginia is allowing 55.5 ppg, while Texas Tech is allowing 58.8.
2: First Time Champion
Regardless of who wins, we will have a first time champion in this year’s
tournament. Virginia and Texas Tech are both competing in their first
national championship in their school’s history.
3: Dueling Sophomore Future Lottery Picks
Two players in this game that you may have never heard of are both
projected lottery picks. DeAndre Hunter for Virginia is a sophomore guard
that averages 14.9 ppg and plays excellent defense. Jarrett Culver is a
sophomore guard that averages 18.6 ppg and 6.3 rpg. Get to know these
guys; they may be on your favorite NBA team next year.
4: Up and Coming Superstar Coaches
You’ve heard of Coach K, Roy Williams, and Coach Cal. But all of those
guys are on the downside of their careers. This National Championship
will feature the two brightest up-and-comers in the coaching profession.
Tony Bennett for Virginia is only 49 years old, and Chris Beard of Texas
Tech is 46. Get a look at them now; you’ll be fighting over them when
your coach leaves.
5: Pre-Masters Warm-Up
“Hello Friends,” can’t wait to hear Jim Nantz’s sweet, soothing tones on
the Masters this week? Get yourself a taste by watching the CBS coverage
on Monday Night. Nantz will be giving the play-by-play and a very cheesy
phrase for whoever wins. Listening to Nantz is “a tradition like no other.”
6: Great Guard Play
Both teams feature some great college guards. Virginia’s backcourt of
Kyle Guy and Ty Jerome are two of the best in the country. Both are guards
that can shoot, play defense, and initiate the offense. Texas Tech’s Matt
Mooney poured in 22 points and shot 4/8 from the three-point line against
Michigan State in the Final Four. Mooney’s backcourt mate, Davide
Moretti, is shooting 50% from the field and averages 11.4 PPG this season.
7:The Redemption Story
Virginia was the first team in NCAA Tournament history to lose to a 16
seed in last year’s tournament. Virginia fell to the fighting Retrievers of
UMBC in a game that allowed us to make fun of Virginia for a solid year.
Being in the championship gives a story about redemption and would be a
great ending for the Cavalier players that had to endure that mockery last
year.
8: At Least It’s Not Duke
Although we all cheer for different teams, we can all rally around our
shared hatred for Duke. Somehow, ESPN will attempt to incorporate a
Zion Cam into the game where we are brought live to Zion’s house to see
through his eyes as he eats pizza unlike any human we have ever seen.
From Coach K’s rat face to all of those dumb “Brotherhood” mantras, you
know we all hate Duke. Your team might not be playing on Monday night,
but at least Duke isn’t either. Be happy!
9: The Beginning of a Virginia Dynasty?
This Virginia team will return most of its players to next year’s team.
Could Monday night be the beginning of a very impressive back-to-back
championship run for the Cavaliers? They are only expected to lose
DeAndre Hunter to this year’s draft and will return Kyle Guy, Ty Jerome,
Kihei Clark, Mamadi Diakite, and Braxton Key. If this team wins on
Monday night, they could very easily be the favorite to repeat next year.
10: Texas Tech Will Win
The main reason to watch this game is that Texas Tech will win. They
have been the most impressive team in this year’s NCAA tournament by
defeating 14 seed Northern Kentucky, 6 seed Buffalo, 2 seed Michigan, 1
seed Gonzaga, and 2 seed Michigan State. Let’s be honest, Virginia should
have lost the last two rounds, and tonight, their luck will run out.
Witness history as Jarrett Culver leads the Red Raiders to the championship!
Texas Tech will defeat Virginia in a low scoring game, 62-57.
Andrew Williams is a Contributor for the Unwrapped Sports Network website. Follow him @UnderBanners on Twitter.