Big 12 Today: Ari & James Dive into the Latest Trends in the NCAA Tournament

Ari and James start by discussing how length and size have become a prominent trend in college basketball, exemplified by what we’re currently seeing in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.

They highlight how Illinois’s size was instrumental in their victory over Houston in the Sweet 16. The conversation also touches on teams like Arizona, UConn, and Purdue.

While three-point shooting has gained popularity in recent years, they agree that the traditional big man may be making a comeback, especially with the desire to win.

They reference their interview with ESPN College Basketball Analyst and former Arizona guard Corey Williams, noting that big men in recent years have often avoided contact due to a lack of physicality in their training, but that mindset appears to be shifting.

The guys concur that trends are typically followed, citing Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd as an example of someone who doesn’t follow trends but marches to his own beat.

They expand the discussion to sports in general, mentioning NFL two-point conversions, the use of three-point shots from the shortest part of the court, and player rest strategies.

Ultimately, they emphasize that players and coaches need to be proactive in leading trends, as others tend to follow those who set the pace.

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Big 12 Today with Ari Temkin and James Westling - bringing you the latest news, highlights, interviews and inside information from every corner of the Big 12 Conference.