John Fanta

Michigan wins 8 out of 10 against UConn, but Monday night might be one of the two

If Michigan and Connecticut play 10 times, I think Michigan wins the game eight out of the 10 times. The question on Monday night is, is tomorrow one of the two? And I think Hurley's good for one of those. And the other is Michigan has a horrid shooting night.

Billy Donovan is the primary target for the North Carolina head coaching opening

The longer this goes, the more you have to think about Billy Donovan. Because it feels like in Chicago, what direction are the Bulls going in? Nowhere... what would it do to college basketball if you walk into Chapel Hill and now you are playing Jon Scheyer? I am on the Donovan hype train. If you're a Carolina donor, you're just gonna be like, we are a basketball school and we just hired a guy who literally has an NCAA tournament win percentage of 85%.

Dusty May will be an NBA head coach within the next 10 years

He's a mastermind. He's got great demeanor for it. He's got a really, really good way about him — his whole philosophy fits the NBA. I do think 10 years from now, Dusty May's gonna be an NBA head coach.

Ben McCollum will be the Iowa head coach for years to come — he's not going anywhere

Anybody who says right now that Ben McCollum is gonna move on — Ben McCollum's an Iowa City guy. I think he's gonna be the Iowa head coach for years to come. He's not gonna jump seat route.

Jon Scheyer will win a National Championship at Duke within the next three years

I hate to let you down and you're gonna hate me for saying this, but I do think Jon Scheyer will win a national championship for the next three years. I think Jon Scheyer's had two really good teams the last couple years.

Darius Acuff Jr. is currently the best player in the NCAA tournament

To me, the best player in this tournament right now is Darius Acuff Jr. He is ridiculously gifted and just a total stud and his ability to change a game, it's special. He reminds me of [Kemba Walker] with the level he plays.

Houston will win the national championship on their redemption tour

If I had to pick right now a team to win the national championship, it's Houston Redemption tour. I think it could be Houston-Michigan in the final.

Michigan will beat Alabama in the Sweet 16 because Alabama can't defend the interior

I'm gonna go with Dr. Dave Portnoy on this one because Michigan's length - Alabama doesn't turn people over, and Michigan should be able to get to the rim at will against Alabama. Alabama's interior defense is not there. That spells trouble for the Crimson Tide. I think that thing gets put away later this week and I think Dave Portnoy and the Wolverines move on.

There are 10 to 12 teams with a legitimate chance to win the national title

I really think 10 to 12. ... I don't think it's [the top of the country] ever been better and I don't think it's ever been deeper. ... Michigan can win it all. Duke can win it all. Arizona can certainly win it all. Houston... Texas Tech... Purdue... UConn.

The Big 10 will snap its 26-year national championship drought this year

This is the year for the Big 10. I know the Big 12 stacked. But if the Big Ten's gonna snap this drought of 26 long years without national championship, if Michigan plays their A game guys, they're gonna be no worse than in Indianapolis. ... The Big 10 [is where the champion comes from].

Austin Peay is a dangerous Cinderella team that could pull an upset in the NCAA tournament

Austin Peay could pull something off in the big dance. ... I would say don't fall asleep when the Ivy League champion gets a 13 seed... But Austin Peay could pull something off.

Curt Cignetti has permanently changed the timeline for college football program rebuilds

To me, coach Cignetti has totally changed the sport of college football. He's put everybody on notice saying, don't give me 2, 3, 4 years that it takes you to figure it out with a program. There's a real national championship contender in Bloomington and that's really cool.

Dabo Swinney leaving Clemson for a new job would be exactly like John Calipari leaving Kentucky for Arkansas

I think that he is John Calipari going to Arkansas waiting to happen. Because I think things have run their course. You wanna end things in a place where like it wouldn't end pretty... Once you've tasted the top, it's so much harder to stay there. Especially in this climate. So for Dabo, your story's written at Clemson, I think it's probably best for both parties for him to be elsewhere.

Ohio State's defense is one of the best in the last 25 years

Ohio State has absolutely just dominated their way through this thing because they play smart football and they got the best defense. They got one of the best defenses we've seen in the last 25 years in college football.

Purdue will win the 2025 College Basketball National Championship in Indianapolis

The boilers have the pieces to, to cut down the nets and could do it in their home state. That gives me chills. [Purdue is my] top [team] right here, right now.

The Cleveland Browns need a 'detonation crew' and total organizational reset

The whole thing's gotta come down and you gotta get new people in there. They can't have the people who have made the picks in the past make 'em again. They need to bring in like the stadium detonation crew.

Derrick Queen is the primary reason Maryland reached the Sweet 16

Who's the reason why Maryland was in their first Sweet 16 since 2016? [Derrick] Queen. And who recruited him? Probably not Kevin Willard himself. But [Queen] made an epic shot.

The 2025 Cleveland Cavaliers can make a run at the NBA Finals

Darius Garland has taken that next step. Evan Mobley is a defensive specimen who's evolved offensively as well. Jared Allen is Mr. Leader. The Cleveland Cavs can make a run at this thing. And I'm telling you right now, if there's an Eastern Conference finals, I will have my wine and gold ready to go.

USC will win the right side of the bracket in 'The Crown'

I think Villanova, USC on the right side of the bracket would be fascinating. Must Bus has his team ready to go. I think. I think USC on the right side, they're gonna come out of this right side of the bracket. I just like the way that they're playing.

John Scheyer will be Mike Krzyzewski 2.0 in terms of tenure

I think he's a stud Big Cat. I don't know if you want to hear this or not, but I think he's gonna be Mike Krzyzewski 2.0 in terms of the length. Yeah, no, he is gonna coach there forever and he's gonna win a lot. So coach there for 30 years.

Wisconsin will bounce back from their loss to Oregon because Greg Gard will rip them apart

Best thing that ever happened to Wisconsin was that [loss to Oregon]... they're gonna go back in the lab. Greg Gard is going to rip his team apart over the next couple of days. Wisconsin can still be trusted.

St. John's can make the Final Four this year

St. John's can make the Final Four and the statistical data backs it up... This St. John's team plays a lot like those Louisville teams [Rick Pitino's]... They are a real threat to make it to San Antonio this April.

Maryland is a dark horse to reach the Final Four

I think much like Greg Gard and his staff, Kevin Willard and his staff went to the lab... they're dangerous. They're not over-reliant on any one or two pieces... Maryland can go deep.

Duke is a defensive wagon and a national title favorite

Duke is damn good. They are, they are a spectacular team. They're a wagon defensively... If you force me to take Duke/Auburn or the field today, I would take Duke/Auburn.

If forced to choose, I would take Duke or Auburn to win the National Championship over the field

Right now, if you force me to take Duke slash Auburn or the field today, I would take Duke slash Auburn.

T.J. Otzelberger will be the next head coach at Indiana

If I had to make a prediction right now, I would say T.J. Otzelberger... I think he makes a lot of sense. I think he's done a phenomenal job at Iowa State... He should be the guy that Indiana pursues the most.

Purdue is not a top 10 or top 12 team without Zach Edey

Purdue fans [got on me] for not having them in the top 10... they just lost [to] Indiana. Like they're back to the twenties this week. They're not a top 10 team. They're not a top 12 team. They're just not.

The Cleveland Browns should tank for a new quarterback.

Now you're probably trying to lose, you're one in six. You need to draft a quarterback. Let's call it what it is you. You've got a tank. It's in the best interest of your organization. Continue to lose.

Deshaun Watson is on par with Bryce Young and Daniel Jones and should be benched

He's not great. He's not good. He's not even average right now. I put him on par with Bryce Young or Daniel Jones. He can go stand in line with them, rip the bandaid off before it's too late. Deshaun Watson's done... folks, he can't play. I'm ticked.

Dan Hurley will be the coaching face of college basketball if he wins the title

Hurley would put himself as the coaching face of college basketball. You will have won each NCAA tournament game if, if you win this game in commanding fashion... He'll win each game by at least 13 points.

UCLA will be a top 25 team next year and Mick Cronin will bounce back

I think I've got UCLA [in the way too early top 25]... I like Mick to bounce back. Cronin's. I having too bad either, but not bounce back too much. [Ranked] 19.

Samson Johnson is the X-factor for UConn in the National Championship game

So he's the ex factor to the game. I think we could come out of the game saying Samson Johnson is the man who emerged... He can run the floor, runs the floor like a deer. He could fly above the rim. He throws down some thunderous dunks.

Donovan Clingan will make a three-pointer in the National Championship game

Bold prediction for Monday night. Okay. Donovan Clingan makes a three oh... I could see a high ball screen and instead a roll and he slips back and makes and makes Edey pay for going all the way down there.

UConn will beat Purdue 83-70 in the National Championship game

UConn 83 Purdue. 70 83 70.

Villanova must make the tournament next year or Kyle Neptune is in trouble

It is time this upcoming year for Villanova to get back to the big dance floor or else... You can't go a decade of making the NCAA tournament and making runs... then miss it back to back seasons.

UConn is the clear front runner for the National Championship

In my eyes [Connecticut] is the best team in the country. They're the front runner for the national championship and they should be. The three losses are at Kansas, to Seton Hall [when Clingan got hurt], and then Creighton had another worldly shooting performance.

Shaka Smart's tournament struggles are real; he hasn't made the second weekend since VCU

Shaka Smart has not made it to the second weekend of the NCAA tournament, guys, since VCU. That's it. That's the only time he's ever made a run. So some would argue: Fade Marquette. Is Shaka gonna be able to break through?

Kentucky has its best chance to make a deep run in years

I think this is [Calipari's] best chance to now break through... There are no excuses for John Calipari. None. This is the week... I'm rooting for a Kentucky Tennessee round three.

Dalton Knecht has the chance to be the face of March Madness

I think [Dalton] Knecht has a chance to be the face of March Madness with the way that he's going, with the way that he's scoring the basketball. He'll be able to score. He's a guy who can be a Doug McDermott, Jimmer Fredette type guy for their team.

Tennessee is a safer Final Four bet than Kentucky because of Dalton Knecht

I would take Tennessee before I took Kentucky... now they've got a guy who can be a Doug McDermott Jimmer Fredette type guy in [Dalton] Knecht. Rick Barnes has crumbled offensively [in the past], now you're not gonna crumble 'cause you know who you're going to.

Indiana State deserves an at-large bid over high-major bubble teams

Josh Schertz at Indiana State... you're better than all these other high majors that are just like decent to okay that are gonna get in because of their schedule. I wanna see Indiana State get to the dance. I'm all in on a two-bid Missouri Valley conference.

Princeton will win a first-round game if they make the tournament

The winner of the Ivy League tournament is gonna be among my top mid-majors. I hope if Princeton makes it again, just take 'em in the first round. They're gonna win a first-round game. That team is back.

UCLA will beat Gonzaga in the Sweet 16

I'm going with the Bruins because they're defensively, I think they're in line even without [Jaylen] Clark. And to me, as good as Gonzaga is, I don't trust their back court. And I do trust Tiger Campbell.

Miami will upset Houston and make the Final Four

Hot Take Miami can beat them. Ooh. And I'm gonna be the one guy that picks Miami to win... Miami is a bad matchup for Houston... I am going to go out on a limb and pick them. Wow. Because I think I, I don't trust Houston's offense.

John Calipari and Kentucky should part ways

Cal at Kentucky has run its course. It's run its course. I think for both sides it might be best for their best versions of themselves going forward to not be together.

UConn will win the National Championship

My national champion... is the Connecticut Huskies... There was something I saw from UConn last week and that made me say they could do it. I'm gonna take UConn.

St. John's will make the NCAA Tournament in Rick Pitino's first year

I think, and we can revisit this a year from now, I think they will have found a way to make the NCAA tournament... I really believe that.

Rick Pitino will get St. John's to a Final Four before he retires

Rick Pitino in the Final Four will happen at some point again before he calls it quits.

Michigan State will beat Kansas State because you cannot bet against Tom Izzo in the second weekend

I cannot bet against a man who lasts two times he's been in the second weekend, he's made the Final Four. Who in 28 years at the helm, he's made the second weekend in the NCAA tournament 15 times... I'm going with Michigan State, by the way.

Joey Hauser is the 'Brady Manek' of the 2023 NCAA Tournament

Joey Hauser is the Brady Manek of this NCAA tournament... sometimes when you have two great players like Vescovi and Zeigler are, are really good... but Hauser is just deliver[ing].