The matchups for the 2022 men’s and women’s Jimmy V Classic college basketball events were announced Thursday, highlighted by Duke on the men’s side and a pair of potential top-10 matchups on the women’s side.
The men’s doubleheader will take place Dec. 6 at Madison Square Garden, with Duke facing Iowa and Texas playing Illinois. The women’s games will be hosted on campus sites Dec. 4: UConn at Notre Dame and Virginia Tech at Tennessee.
The coming season marks the first time since 1980 that Duke will be coached by someone other than Mike Krzyzewski, with Jon Scheyer taking over that role. The Blue Devils bring in the nation’s No. 1-ranked recruiting class and are ranked No. 5 in ESPN’s latest Way-Too-Early Top 25.
The Longhorns and the Fighting Illini also are ranked in the Way-Too-Early Top 25. Chris Beard and Texas bring back three starters from last season’s 22-win team, while also welcoming two five-star freshmen and elite transfer Tyrese Hunter from Iowa State. Illinois lost All-American Kofi Cockburn, but it landed impact transfers Terrence Shannon Jr. (Texas Tech) and Matthew Mayer (Baylor), as well as top-25 recruit Skyy Clark.
Both men’s games will air on ESPN.
On the women’s side, all four teams are ranked in the top 11 of ESPN’s most recent Way-Too-Early Top 25.
UConn is coming off a national championship game appearance and returns stars Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd, while Notre Dame brings back most of its contributors and hit the portal for Texas transfer Lauren Ebo.
Virginia Tech should compete for an ACC championship with the return of conference Player of the Year Elizabeth Kitley, and Tennessee loaded up in the transfer portal and is receiving preseason top-five hype.
UConn’s trip to Notre Dame will be broadcast on ABC, and Virginia Tech vs. Tennessee will air on ESPN2.
Named for legendary coach Jim Valvano, the Jimmy V Classic raises money and awareness for the V Foundation for Cancer Research. To date, ESPN has helped raise more than $155 million for the V Foundation. Last year set a record, with 2021’s V Week raising $13.35 million.
Charlie Creme projects the women’s NCAA tournament bracket for ESPN.com.
The Creighton Bluejays did it. So did the South Dakota Coyotes. The 11th-seeded Princeton Tigers and 12-seed Belmont Bruins came oh-so-close. And a wild two days of second-round play in the 2022 NCAA women’s basketball tournament ultimately gave us two double-digit seeds in the Sweet 16. All the craziness necessitates major changes to the seeding.
The biggest change comes right at the top. The South Carolina Gamecocks, who have been No. 1 all season, are no longer leading the way. With their two blowout victories, the Stanford Cardinal are the new No. 1 overall. That is just the beginning of the shake-up. When a No. 10 seed has been one of the most impressive teams in the tournament, big changes are coming, and South Dakota makes a big jump.
The Coyotes eliminated an SEC and Big 12 team, and each of those leagues have just two teams remaining in the field, the same number as the Big East. The Big Ten, which was rated the fifth-best conference in the country according to the NET, has four teams into the Sweet 16. The ACC, No. 4 on that list, has three.
And about that home-court advantage: Of the top-16 seeds hosting first- and second-round games, five failed to advance to the Sweet 16, and three more — the Indiana Hoosiers, Tennessee Lady Volunteers and UConn Huskies — barely survived.
Now where do all these teams fall? Here is a brand new Sweet 16 ranking after two more days of games.
Follow this link for a complete look at Friday’s schedule and Saturday’s games, which are all on the ESPN family of networks. Visit this link to check your Women’s Tournament Challenge bracket.
The first round was about Francesca Belibi’s dunk and the Cardinal’s stifling defense against Montana State. Sunday’s performance was about Lexie Hull’s 36 points and Stanford’s 13 3-pointers against Kansas. Success can take on many different forms for the Cardinal. No team is as diverse or versatile. There is no better example than this: Stanford has won its two games by an average of 33.5 points, and Haley Jones has a total of 11 points. The Cardinal even showed some explosiveness. They led the Jayhawks by only three at halftime, but the lead was 34 less than 14 minutes later. The defending NCAA champion’s winning streak is up to 22 games, easily the longest in the country.
Up next: vs. Maryland (Friday, 9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
2. South Carolina Gamecocks Original seed: No. 1 overall Sweet 16 seed: No. 1 2022 tournament record: Defeated No. 16 Howard 79-21; defeated Miami 49-33
The Gamecocks have been No. 1 all season long, but after a 49-point performance in a second-round victory over Miami, they must drop. Sunday’s outing was an extreme example of an ailing offense, but it was not the only symptom. South Carolina’s field goal rate hasn’t reach 40% in four of its past five games, and for the season, the Gamecocks rank 310th in the nation in 3-point rate. A free throw rate of 67% is also a concern. On the other hand, the defense is so good, the Gamecocks don’t slide too far. South Carolina has allowed just 54 total points in two games, shattering the old NCAA record of 71 (Oregon State, 2016) for fewest allowed in the opening two rounds. The Gamecocks also lead the nation in blocked shots and opponents’ field goal percentage. There is no reason to believe the defense won’t continue to dominate in Greensboro.
Up next: vs. North Carolina (Friday, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN)
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NC State’s Raina Perez and Kayla Jones open up the game with 3-point shots against Kansas State.
3. NC State Wolfpack Original seed: No. 1 Sweet 16 seed: No. 1 2022 tournament record: Defeated No. 16 Longwood 96-68; defeated Kansas State 89-57
Balance and 3-point accuracy have been the calling cards this season for the Wolfpack, and nothing has changed in the NCAA tournament. Against Kansas State in the second round, all eight players who saw action by the end of the third quarter had scored at least four points — and the player with just four was All-American Elissa Cunane. Without its star making an impact, NC State still led by 27 points before cruising in the fourth. The Wolfpack made seven of their first 11 shots from deep; they’ve made 36.7% of their 3-pointers this season, which ranks 10th in the country.
Up next: vs. Notre Dame (Saturday, 11:30 a.m. ET, ESPN)
The Cardinals’ position as a No. 1 seed seemed tenuous for the 10 days after they lost to Miami in the ACC tournament, and it was only locked in when Baylor lost the Big 12 tournament title game. Now it’s rock solid, even with hard-charging UConn right behind. Louisville was outstanding even when Hailey Van Lith was playing poorly in the first half of the season. She has looked like an All-American so far in the tournament, averaging 20.5 points per game on 50.0% shooting. But if the Cardinals are to make a fourth Final Four under Jeff Walz, it will be behind their defense, which is rated 10th by Her Hoop Stats.
Up next: vs. Tennessee (Saturday, 4 p.m. ET, ESPN2)
UConn had played UCF 13 times prior to Monday night’s second-round game. The Huskies had won those by an average of 31.7 points. Monday was nothing like that. The game was played exactly the way the Knights want to play. They dictated pace and physicality. Had UCF made more than 10 of 20 free throws and not committed 20 turnovers, UConn would not be advancing to a 28th consecutive Sweet 16. The Huskies were forced into doing things UConn teams rarely do. They missed nine of 11 layup attempts, shot 29.2% from the field, went the final 5:05 without a field goal, got outrebounded and had two players foul out. UConn’s 52 points were its lowest of the season. It was the ultimate survive-and-advance game for a program that hasn’t had a second-round game this close since 1999.
Vic Schaefer is experiencing a coach’s dream: His team is peaking at just the right time. By no coincidence, his star freshmen, Rori Harmon and Aaliyah Moore, are playing their best basketball. The 6-foot-1 Moore’s 18 and 21 points in the first two rounds are the two highest scoring games of her young career. Point guard Harmon has 19 assists in two tournament games, following a 20-point game in the Big 12 tournament championship game. A team that has won all year because of its defense (rated the eighth best by Her Hoops Stats) has found its offense, which is averaging 77.0 PPG since the start of the Big 12 tournament.
Up next: vs. Ohio State (Friday, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN2)
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Grace Berger puts Indiana up for good with a late fourth-quarter bucket.
The Hoosiers’ starting lineup has played a combined 21 years of college basketball. They needed every day of that experience to survive Princeton, which erased a 14-point third-quarter deficit and came within a possession of being the first Ivy League team to reach the Sweet 16. A spinning layup by Grace Berger, in her fourth season, with 31 seconds left, and a steal by Ali Patberg, in her fifth season but seventh year in college, were the difference to secure Indiana’s second straight Sweet 16 appearance. All five of those starters average in double figures, with Berger leading the way at 14.0 PPG. She also led the way on Monday with 15.
Up next: vs. UConn (Saturday, 2 p.m. ET, ESPN)
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Maddie Nolan buries the longball to extend the Wolverines’ lead in the fourth quarter.
Consecutive possessions in the fourth quarter as they pulled away from Villanova highlight the best of the Wolverines. First, they swung the ball around the perimeter and made two or three extra passes until freeing open sharpshooter Maddie Nolan for a 3-pointer. On the next trip down the floor, a crisp pass to the low post found star senior Naz Hillmon for a layup. That sequence pushed Michigan’s lead into double figures on the way to the Wolverines’ second straight Sweet 16 appearance after never having been there before. Hillmon dominated with her 50th career double-double (27 points, 11 rebounds), but Leigha Brown’s 18 points were even more important. Michigan’s second-leading scorer, Brown is healthy again, and she played in just her fourth game after missing a month with a leg injury.
Up next: vs. South Dakota (Saturday, 6:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2)
9. Iowa State Cyclones Original seed: No. 3 Sweet 16 seed: 3 2022 tournament record: Defeated No. 14 UT Arlington 78-71; defeated Georgia 67-44
One quarter into the tournament, the Cyclones trailed UT Arlington by eight and looked like they could be headed for an upset. Iowa State hasn’t lost a quarter since. As she so often does for the Cyclones, Ashley Joens was the catalyst against the Mavs with 36 points and 19 rebounds. In the blowout of Georgia, Joens deferred to guards Lexi Donarski and Emily Ryan, and Iowa State’s defensive game plan did the rest, limiting the Lady Dogs to 30.4% shooting. Typically, the Cyclones win with their shooting. They lead the country in 3-point rate (38.9%) and are fourth in free throw rate (81.0%), but they are a sneaky good defensive rebounding team (13th nationally) and defend without sending their opponent to the line (third in free throw rate defense).
Up next: vs. Creighton (Friday, 9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2)
The extended time off between their early exit from the Big Ten tournament until the NCAA tourney seems to have helped the Terps immensely. Ashley Owusu is healthy, Diamond Miller looks comfortable again and Angel Reese has regained her inside dominance. They are playing like the big three they were projected to be, and they combined for 65 of the Terps’ 89 points against FGCU. The Terps are the second-highest scorers in the tournament so far, something more reminiscent of the squad that led the nation in points per game a year ago.
Up next: vs. Stanford (Friday, 9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
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The Fighting Irish punch their ticket to the Sweet 16 as they take care of Oklahoma with ease, 108-64.
Monday’s win over Oklahoma is what the Irish look like when they are allowed to play in transition. The Sooners, third in the country in pace, felt they could run with Notre Dame. They couldn’t — and the 44-point defeat tied for the most ever by a top-four seed in NCAA tournament history. Freshman point guard Olivia Miles routinely dribbled into space and then found shooters. That helped Dara Mabrey to seven 3-pointers and 29 points. Sonia Citron (25 points) and Maya Dodson (20 points) got layup after layup. For the second straight game, Miles reached double digits in assists with 12, and Notre Dame’s 108 points are a season high. Miles’ 23 assists are the most for a player in her first two tournament games since 2000. Now the Irish face a very familiar opponent in the Sweet 16. Notre Dame was the only ACC team to beat the Wolfpack this season.
Up next: vs. NC State (Saturday, 11:30 a.m. ET, ESPN)
12. South Dakota Coyotes Original seed: No. 10 Sweet 16 seed: No. 4 2022 tournament record: Defeated No. 7 Ole Miss 75-61; defeated Baylor 61-47
The Coyotes have played like a team that was underseeded by the committee. They might still be underseeded here. In 80 minutes against Power 5 teams Ole Miss and Baylor, South Dakota has yet to trail. Coach Dawn Plitzuweit’s defense has completely shut down two prospective top-five WNBA draft picks in Shakira Austin and NaLyssa Smith. That shouldn’t be too much of a surprise. The Yotes ranked ninth in the country this season in points allowed per game. They just hadn’t been this good against the Power 5 teams they played in November and December, including South Carolina, Northwestern and Oklahoma. One more win and Chloe Lamb and Hannah Sjerven will become national stars. They have been conference stars nearly their entire careers in the Summit League, with Lamb this year’s player of the year and Sjerven a two-time defensive player of the year.
Up next: vs. Michigan (Saturday, 6:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2)
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Sara Puckett hits a corner three with seconds remaining in the fourth quarter against Belmont in the NCAA Tournament.
Belmont might have been the better team on Monday night, but Tennessee found a way. With the game on the line, the Lady Vols went to freshman Sara Puckett, whose 3-pointer with 20 seconds left was the game-winner. Belmont only lost the battle on the boards, 43-40, to one of the best rebounding teams in the country, but will regret only making 5 of 10 free throws, including two by Jamilyn Kinney right before Puckett’s 3 gave Tennessee a one-point lead. The Lady Vols beat a No. 13 and a No. 12 seed to reach the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2016, and its best player in both games, Alexus Dye (38 points and 22 rebounds in the two game), previously played for a Troy, who was a No. 15 seed a year ago.
Up next: vs. Louisville (Saturday, 4 p.m. ET, ESPN2)
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Carlie Littlefield dribbles to the baseline and puts up a nice layup around a defender.
14.North Carolina Tar Heels Original seed: No. 5 Sweet 16 seed: 4 2022 tournament record: Defeated No. 12 Stephen F. Austin 79-66; defeated Arizona 63-45
Courtney Banghart has been building steadily since taking the Tar Heels’ coaching job three years ago and now has North Carolina in the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2015. With a seven-player rotation that consists of five sophomores, the Tar Heels went into a raucous environment in Tucson and never let Arizona challenge them. Fifteen of North Carolina’s field goals were assisted, but defense won the game. The Wildcats only had 17 points at halftime and were never in the game past the midway point of the second quarter.
Up next: vs. South Carolina (Friday, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN)
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Jacy Sheldon hits a late and-1 as the Buckeyes defeat the LSU Tigers and move on to the Sweet 16.
15.Ohio State Buckeyes Original seed: No. 6 Sweet 16 seed: No. 4 2022 tournament record: Defeated No. 11 Missouri State 63-56; defeated LSU 79-64
The Buckeyes were the sixth-highest scoring team in the country this season, but it didn’t look like it against Missouri State in the first round. They needed their defense to win that one. The offense returned against LSU and the veteran Tigers had no answer. Khayla Pointer tried to save LSU like she did Saturday against Jackson State, but because Jacy Sheldon (23 points) and Taylor Mikesell (18 points) were on the other side, Pointer’s 32 points were not enough. Mikesell is the second-most accurate 3-point shooter in the country, and she made 4-of-7 on Monday. That’s twice as many as LSU made in the game.
The Bluejays are an outstanding offensive team. Ranked eighth in the country in points per 100 possessions and fourth in effective field goal percentage, Creighton’s spacing, shooting and passing are rivaled by few, and the Bluejays employed those attributes to slice up Colorado in the opening round. Then Creighton beat Iowa by slowing the pace, which is also a strength, and with defense. The Bluejays clipped and bumped Caitlin Clark just enough to force her worst game of the season and held the Hawkeyes to their lowest total all year. That Iowa transfer Lauren Jensen hit the game-winning shot for Creighton is one of the best stories of the opening weekend. The Bluejays’ next opponent, Iowa State, will be like looking in a mirror, making it one of the most intriguing matchups of the regional semifinals.
Up next: vs. Iowa State (Friday, 9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2)
Charlie Creme projects the women’s NCAA tournament bracket for ESPN.com.
The 68-team field has been cut to 32 in the 2022 women’s NCAA tournament. Each of the No. 1 seeds had an easy ride into the second round. The top four seeds in each region are still alive, but for teams such as the No. 3 seed LSU Tigers and the fourth-seeded Arizona Wildcats and Oklahoma Sooners, it wasn’t by much. That doesn’t mean everything is going by form. Six double-digit seeds have moved onto the second round. That’s as many as the last two NCAA tournaments combined.
This has been a resurgent year for the Big 12 and the league’s 6-0 record over the first two days has confirmed it. By contrast, the SEC, the highest-rated conference in the country all season, went 4-4. The Kentucky Wildcats and Ole Miss Lady Rebels were two SEC casualties to upsets.
All of this makes reseeding the women’s NCAA tournament not only a fun exercise, but almost a necessity. The Kansas Jayhawks were as impressive as any Big 12 team and are one team that earned an adjustment. The Florida Gulf Coast Eagles should never have been a No. 12 seed in the first place. The Belmont Bruins are now a first-round winner for the second year in a row. And the Creighton Bluejays’ offense made people take notice, too. Now we can fix those seeds.
Follow this link for a complete look at Sunday’s schedule and Monday’s games, which are all on the ESPN family of networks. Visit this link to check your Women’s Tournament Challenge bracket. Through the first 32 games, two brackets remain perfect.
No. 1 seeds
South Carolina Gamecocks Original Seed: No. 1 overall First round: Defeated No. 16 Howard 79-21
Playing South Carolina was a tough enough task for Howard. Having to play a Gamecocks team that had been stewing for 11 days about a loss in its last game made the mountain even taller. That’s at least part of the reason South Carolina put its arms around this game and squeezed. Howard had four points at halftime. Any focus the Gamecocks seemed to lack in the fourth quarter of their SEC tournament championship game loss to Kentucky was back. Granted, an SEC power against the MEAC champ isn’t the perfect litmus test for a title contender, but only allowing 21 points — the fewest in a women’s game in NCAA tournament history — over 40 minutes means South Carolina was locked in. That is enough of a takeaway for a team that plans to be playing two weekends from now.
Up next: vs. Miami (Sunday, 3 p.m. ET, ABC)
Stanford Cardinal Original Seed: No. 1 First round: Defeated No. 16 Montana State 78-37
Fran Belibi dunked. The Cardinal pitched a shutout in the first quarter. Stanford could essentially name the score. It was exactly what a No. 1 seed is supposed to do to a No. 16: Never give them a chance. No one on Stanford’s roster had a huge game — Hannah Jump led the way with 15 points — and Haley Jones only shot 2-of-9 from the field, but in typical Stanford fashion it was dominance by teamwork (20 assists on 29 field goals) and execution. Twelve different Cardinal players scored and they had a 56-33 rebounding advantage. Cameron Brink led on the glass with 11 rebounds to go with 11 points. Pick a statistical category and Stanford made it lopsided. The Cardinal looked every bit as good as their 21-game winning streak suggests.
Up next: vs. Kansas (Sunday, 9 p.m. ET, ESPN)
NC State Wolfpack Original Seed: No. 1 First round: Defeated No. 16 Longwood 96-68
Notorious slow starter NC State even needed some time to get going against No. 16 seed Longwood, leading by just four midway through the second quarter. Then a 17-0 run, highlighted by a pair of Diamond Johnson 3-pointers, put the Wolfpack in control. It was pretty much cruise control from that point for NC State, which has now reached the second round in four consecutive tournaments after going 10 years without an NCAA tournament victory.
Up next: vs. Kansas State (Monday, 4 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Louisville Cardinals Original Seed: No. 1 First round: Defeated No. 16 Albany 83-51
After an ACC tournament quarterfinal loss, the Cardinals hadn’t played in two weeks. Rust? Not even a little. Louisville made shots early and often against the physically inferior Great Danes. Louisville shot 52.4% from the field and had 44 points in the paint, and coach Jeff Walz didn’t have to play anyone over 25 minutes. The Cardinals might be the most rested team in the tournament heading to the second round. The best sign of all might be that Hailey Van Lith continues to show that her struggles from the first half of the season are a thing of the past. She has averaged 17. 6 points per game in her last nine, including 20 points on 8-for-15 shooting against Albany.
Up next: vs. Gonzaga (Sunday, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN)
No. 2 seeds
Baylor Bears Original Seed: No. 2 First round: Defeated No. 15 Hawai’i 89-49
For 20 minutes, Baylor couldn’t quite shake the Big West champion. Then came the third quarter. The defense went to another level and the Bears’ physical superiority took over. Baylor made 12 field goals, six of which were from point-blank range, en route to a 34-8 quarter and a 35-point lead. Hawai’i was 3-of-20 from the field in the third. NaLyssa Smith’s usual brilliance was on display with 21 points and 14 rebounds, and Jordan Lewis’ 7-for-8 shooting and 23 points was a good sign as coach Nicki Collen got her first NCAA tournament win.
Up next: vs. South Dakota (Sunday, 6 p.m. ET, ESPN2)
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UConn rolls through Mercer in the first round of the women’s NCAA tournament, 83-38.
UConn Huskies Original Seed: No. 2 First round: Defeated No. 15 Mercer 83-38
It was UConn basketball the way we usually see it against an inferior opponent: methodical and overpowering. The Huskies never let Mercer breathe, especially in the second half when the Bears scored only 15 points (and none in the third quarter). Much has been made of the return of Paige Bueckers (12 points, five assists) and getting the entire rotation of talented players back healthy, but defense is fueling the Huskies. Only one of UConn’s last nine opponents has scored over 50 points (51 by Marquette), and six didn’t hit 40. Mercer shot just 23.2% from the field and committed 18 turnovers. That’s why it’s just fine that Christyn Williams was the leading scorer for the Huskies with 13 points.
Up next: vs. UCF (Monday, 9 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Texas Longhorns Original Seed: No. 2 First round: Defeated No. 15 Fairfield 70-52
The Longhorns have one formula for success and it begins and ends with their defense. The Stags were game, even outscoring Texas in the second half, but 22 turnovers and a 10-rebound deficit on the boards were just too much to overcome. Those extra possessions helped the Longhorns overcome 43.1% shooting and 10 missed free throws. An 18-point, 10 rebound performance from freshman Aaliyah Moore was a huge boost. She didn’t have a double-double all season. Rori Harmon’s 11 assists were also key.
Up next: vs. Utah (Sunday, 5 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Iowa Hawkeyes Original Seed: No. 2 First round: Defeated No. 15 Illinois State 98-58
Even a slow start couldn’t stop Iowa from scoring 98 points. The Hawkeyes simply relied on what they do best: put the ball in the basket at a high rate of efficiency. The national leader in field goal percentage made 60% of its shots. Iowa also made 21 of 22 free throws and is trying to be the first team since UConn in 2016 to lead the country in both categories for a season. Monika Czinano didn’t miss a shot (6-for-6 from the field and 6-for-6 from the line) and Caitlin Clark’s stat line of 27 points, 10 rebounds and 6 rebounds would be spectacular if she wasn’t making those kinds of games so routine.
Up next: vs. Creighton (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, ABC)
No. 3 seeds
Indiana Hoosiers Original Seed: No. 3 First round: Defeated No. 14 Charlotte 85-51
The sputtering that Indiana was experiencing at the end of the regular season seems a long time ago now. The Hoosiers lost three in a row and four of five before a run to the Big Ten tournament final seemed to get things back on track. It’s official now after the convincing and thorough domination of the 49ers on Saturday. Only one Hoosier failed to make at least half of her shots (Nicole Cardano-Hillary was 3-of-8) and they never let Charlotte believe for a moment this would be competitive. This also marked the ninth game that Mackenzie Holmes has been back after recovering from a knee injury. Her 19 points and eight rebounds is her best performance in that time.
Up next: vs. Princeton (Monday, 8 p.m. ET, ESPNU)
Michigan Wolverines Original Seed: No. 3 First round: Defeated No. 14 American 74-39
Michigan’s defense had been uncharacteristically inconsistent toward the end of the season. Perhaps the long layoff is what the Wolverines needed. More than two weeks have passed since they lost in the Big Ten quarterfinals, and all that saved energy went into stifling the Eagles. The offense took a few minutes to get started as Michigan hosted NCAA tournament games for the first time, but the defense was ready to go from the outset. American scored 13 first-half points and the Eagles’ 39 for the game were the fewest the Wolverines had allowed this season. Naz Hillmon’s 24 points and 11 rebounds were her 15th double-double of the season.
Up next: vs. Villanova (Monday, 6 p.m. ET, ESPNU)
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LSU advances thanks to a late 3-pointer from Khayla Pointer.
LSU Tigers Original Seed: No. 3 First round: Defeated No. 14 Jackson State 83-77
Kim Mulkey might not sleep well Saturday. Her Tigers led by 17 and looked on their way to a routine first-round victory when Jackson State, which entered the NCAA tournament with a nation-best 21-game winning streak, transformed into a near giant killer. The Lady Tigers, who played confidently all day and never backed down to LSU, went on a 24-5 run to take the lead, and they were still on top with 2:44 left in the game. Sparked by two baskets by Khayla Pointer, LSU finished on a 10-3 run. Only then could the heavily favored Tigers take a deep breath. Pointer, who is the key to the Tigers’ tournament success, finished with 25 points.
Up next: vs. Ohio State (Monday, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN2)
Iowa State Cyclones Original Seed: No. 3 First round: Defeated No. 14 UT Arlington 78-71
No top-four seed and none of the four Big 12 teams in action Friday had a tougher time than the Cyclones. Despite Ashley Joens’ 36 points and 15 rebounds, Iowa State needed a fourth-quarter rally and some key plays by Emily Ryan down the stretch to hold off UT Arlington. The Cyclones didn’t even play poorly; credit the Lady Mavs, who outperformed their seed. Starr Jacobs, the Sun Belt Player of the Year, who started her career at Houston before going the junior college route for two years, showed that she is a Power 5 talent with 19 points. Joens, Ryan and Lexi Donarski played all 40 minutes, which could be something to watch in what should be a physical game against Georgia.
Up next: vs. Georgia (Sunday, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN2)
No. 4 seeds
Maryland Terrapins Original Seed: No. 4 First round: Defeated No. 13 Delaware 102-71
It remains hard to believe that a Maryland team that led the nation in scoring a season ago and was sixth this year could have a three-game stretch in which it only averaged 59 points. Yet that’s what happened in the Terps’ final three games of the season. There had to be some concern from coach Brenda Frese, but the Maryland team she better recognizes returned Friday. All five starters scored in double figures and the Terps shot nearly 60%. Ashley Owusu, who had been bothered by injury and ineffectiveness for much of February, looked like her old self again with 24 points on an efficient 10-of-14 shooting, with six assists.
Up next: vs. Florida Gulf Coast (Sunday, 3 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Tennessee Lady Volunteers Original Seed: No. 4 First round: Defeated No. 13 Buffalo 80-67
Tennessee played to its strengths, and it paid dividends. Buffalo could score right with the Lady Vols, but the Bulls couldn’t rebound with Tennessee. That was the difference. The Lady Vols, fourth in the country in rebounding rate, just kept pounding the glass. The 55-38 advantage Tennessee had on the boards led to a 21-6 difference in made free throws. Tamari Key and Alexus Dye each had 11 rebounds to go with a combined 34 points. The Lady Vols will hang on to their No. 4 seed despite still not having leading scorer Jordan Horston back, and continuing to have turnover problems with another 19 on Saturday. They rank 325th in the country in total turnovers.
Up next: vs. Belmont (Monday, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN)
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Shaina Pellington goes left and puts up an assertive and-1 bucket
Arizona Wildcats Original Seed: No. 4 First round: Defeated No. 13 UNLV 72-67
The final score did not indicate the angst that was felt in Tucson. The Wildcats pulled away late in the fourth quarter, one of the few top-four seeds close to losing in the first round. UNLV, a sizeable underdog, led for much of the game and as late as eight minutes left. Shaina Pellington and her 30 points saved Arizona, playing in its first NCAA tournament home game. The Wildcats also welcomed back Cate Reese after she missed four games at the end of the season with a shoulder injury. Her 16 points were also crucial in disposing of a UNLV team that outshot and outrebounded Arizona.
Up next: vs. North Carolina (Monday, 10 p.m. ET, ESPN2)
Oklahoma Sooners Original Seed: No. 4 First round: Defeated No. 13 IUPUI 76-72
The Sooners’ biggest weakness all season has been interior defense, so IUPUI’s Macee Williams, a 65% shooter from the field and an 18.7 PPG scorer, posed a problem. Williams was solid, but Oklahoma largely kept her in check. Williams finished with 15 points, which fell short of the 21 points of Oklahoma’s own Madi Williams. She and Taylor Robertson once again led the Sooners, who are in the second round for the first time in five years. The Oklahoma-Notre Dame meeting in round two figures to be an entertaining, offensive shootout.
Up next: vs. Notre Dame (Monday, 6 p.m. ET, ESPN2)
No. 5 seeds
Notre Dame Fighting Irish Original Seed: No. 5 First round: Defeated No. 12 UMass 89-78
A triple-double from Olivia Miles, 58.7% shooting and 38-22 advantage on the boards — and Notre Dame still couldn’t shake UMass until the closing minutes. That’s because the Minutewomen’s offense was almost as good at that of the Irish, especially with 31 points from Atlantic 10 Player of the Year Sam Breen. Miles had 12 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists for the second NCAA tournament triple-double in Notre Dame history (Skylar Diggins had the other, in 2012) and Dara Mabrey hit five shots from 3-point range for an Irish team that continues to rely on its offense.
Up next: vs. Oklahoma (Monday, 6 p.m. ET, ESPN2)
North Carolina Tar Heels Original Seed: No. 5 First round: Defeated No. 12 Stephen F. Austin 79-66
North Carolina coach Courtney Banghart warned that SFA, with its up-tempo, pressing style, was going to be tough to play against. For three quarters, it looked like this could be another double-digit seed pulling an upset. Then came the fourth quarter. With Deja Kelly scoring nine of her 28 points in the final 10 minutes, North Carolina outscored the Ladyjacks 25-10 to get out of the first round for the first time since 2015. This was the second straight year SFA played right with an ACC team in the NCAA tournament. The Ladyjacks took Georgia Tech to overtime last March.
Up next: vs. Arizona (Monday, 10 p.m. ET, ESPN2)
Ohio State Buckeyes Original Seed: No. 6 First round: Defeated No. 11 Missouri State 63-56
With a late spurt, the Buckeyes survived Missouri State in a game in which they were out-rebounded 51-33 and made 5 of 20 3-pointers. A 23-6 run at the end of the first half, fueled by a relentless full-court press, and a 13-6 finish were the differences in a game that was otherwise well controlled by the Bears. If Missouri State had done a better job protecting the ball, it would be the first team to have participated in the First Four to win a second game. Ohio State turned 22 turnovers into 25 points. Jacy Sheldon’s five steals were a big part of that; she hit a handful of layups off those steals on her way to a game-high 25 points.
Up next: vs. LSU (Monday, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN2)
Georgia Lady Bulldogs Original Seed: No. 6 First round: Defeated No. 11 Dayton 70-54
Dayton made 17 3-pointers in the First Four game against DePaul. Georgia only allowed the Flyers to shoot 6-of-18 from deep. The Lady Dogs’ defense was on another level. Georgia didn’t do anything special on offense, essentially playing right at its expected output. That was enough to control the game nearly from start to finish. Coach Joni Taylor turned to her veterans in key moments. Que Morrison and Jenna Staiti combined for 35 points and 16 rebounds as Georgia won an NCAA tournament game for the third time under Taylor. She has yet to get past the second round.
Up next: vs. Iowa State (Sunday, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN2)
No. 6 seeds
Utah Utes Original Seed: No. 7 First round: Defeated No. 10 Arkansas 92-69
The Utes won an NCAA tournament game for the first time since 2009 and did it in emphatic fashion. Given the quality of the opponent and magnitude of the moment, Utah had its most impressive and efficient offensive game of the season. The Razorbacks, who typically rely on their own shooting abilities, had no answer for the young Utes’ proficiency from deep. Sophomore Kennady McQueen and freshman Gianna Kneepkens combined to make 9 of 12 3-pointers, and Utah was never seriously challenged.
Up next: vs. Texas (Sunday, 5 p.m. ET, ESPN)
UCF Knights Original Seed: No. 7 First round: Defeated No. 10 Florida 69-52
It sounds strange to say, but Florida doesn’t see defense like the Knights’ in the SEC. The Gators only shot 30% from the field without injured Kiki Smith. Florida didn’t have its primary scorer and creator to penetrate a defense that allows a nation-lowest 47.5 points per game. And losing center Faith Dut late in the first half was too much to overcome. Throw in the offense of Brittney Smith, whose 26 points were a career high, and UCF had its first win over the Gators (it was 0-26 previously) and first NCAA tournament win in program history.
Up next: vs. UConn (Monday, 9 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Kansas Jayhawks Original Seed: No. 8 First round: Defeated No. 9 Georgia Tech 77-58
The Yellow Jackets ran out of gas. Kansas was there to take full advantage, handing Georgia Tech its worst loss of the season. Playing with a six- or seven-player rotation for most of the second half of the season, Georgia Tech ended the year losing five of its last seven. Meanwhile, the Jayhawks won their first NCAA tournament game since 2013, outscoring the Yellow Jackets 64-36 over the final three quarters. Just like they have been doing all year, the Jayhawks did it with defense and offensive balance. Georgia Tech shot 38.7% and four Kanas players scored in double figures, led by Holly Kersgieter’s 19 points.
Up next: vs. Stanford (Sunday, 9 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Miami Hurricanes Original Seed: No. 8 First round: Defeated No. 9 South Florida 78-66
If Kate Meier gets her Hurricanes to the NCAA tournament, she’s a good bet to play a second game. Miami is now 6-3 in first-round games under the 17-year head coach. The Hurricanes have multiple ways to win. Against USF, leading scorer Kelsey Marshall only got 10 field goal attempts and 12 points, but Miami’s bench contributed 29 points. In its ACC tournament run, all three of Miami’s wins included erasing second-half deficits. On Friday it was about a fast start. Miami took a 24-11 lead after 10 minutes and simply answered any South Florida spurt the rest of the game.
Up next: vs. South Carolina (Sunday, 3 p.m. ET, ABC)
No. 7 seeds
Gonzaga Bulldogs Original Seed: No. 9 First round: Defeated No. 8 Nebraska 68-55
The Bulldogs have found the right time of year to be playing their best basketball. After being blown out twice by BYU this season, Gonzaga delivered a much better performance against the Cougars in the WCC tournament championship game to win the title. The Bulldogs went to yet another level against the Cornhuskers, who could never break through after Gonzaga scored the first six points of the second half. Kayleigh Truong scored 20 points, but more importantly controlled the game from her point guard spot.
Up next: vs. Louisville (Sunday, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Florida Gulf Coast Eagles Original Seed: No. 12 First round: Defeated No. 5 Virginia Tech 84-81
A No. 7 seed is closer to where the Eagles should have been in the first place. Virginia Tech got a tough break from the committee having to play a team in the first round that was completely overqualified for a 12-seed. And the game played out that way. FGCU led the country in 3-point shooting and made 15 against the Hokies. The Eagles knew they had no answer for center Elizabeth Kitley, who went off for a career-high 42 points, but FCGU mitigated that disadvantage by only committing three turnovers. Each team played to its strengths and the Eagles were just a little bit better. It also helps to have an all-around talent like Kierstan Bell to turn to when the offense breaks down and that 3-pointer is unavailable. Bell, who finished with a team-high 22 points, turned a brilliant individual move into a layup that gave FGCU a 76-74 lead, one that the Eagles never relinquished.
Up next: vs. Maryland (Sunday, 3 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Creighton Bluejays Original Seed: No. 10 First round: Defeated No. 7 Colorado 84-74
Colorado has a top-30 rated defense, according to Her Hoops Stats. The Bluejays’ motion offense carved it up. The only time this season the Buffs allowed anything close to the 84 points Creighton put on the board was when Oregon scored 86, but it took double overtime for the Ducks to get there. That isn’t too surprising. Jim Flanery’s teams run offenses that create good shots, and he brings in players like Emma Ronsiek (14.8 PPG) and Lauren Jensen (43.7% on 3-pointers) who can make them. The Bluejays are fifth in the nation in points per 100 possessions. Iowa, their next opponent (and where Jensen began her career), leads the country in that category.
Up next: vs. Iowa (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, ABC)
South Dakota Coyotes Original Seed: No. 10 First round: Defeated No. 7 Ole Miss 75-61
South Dakota seniors Chloe Lamb, Hannah Sjerven and Liv Korngable decided to return for their extra year to take one more shot at the program’s first NCAA tournament win. Mission accomplished. The Coyotes led wire-to-wire, dicing up the Rebels’ defense to the tune of 55.8% shooting. Lamb and Sjerven each scored 20 points. A defense that was 10th in the country in points allowed per game was just as effective against an SEC opponent as it has been against the Summit League. Coach Dawn Plitzuweit’s strategy rendered Ole Miss star Shakira Austin a nonfactor. The 6-foot-5 Austin had just nine points on 3 of 16 shooting, despite her size advantage.
Up next: vs. Baylor (Sunday, 6 p.m. ET, ESPN2)
No. 8 seeds
Kansas State Wildcats Original Seed: No. 9 First round: Defeated No. 8 Washington State 50-40
Kansas State star center Ayoka Lee had three touches in the first half and the Wildcats’ offense was stumbling with just 17 points. Adjustments were made. The ball found Lee far more in the second half. The offense never exploded, but Lee finished with 15 rebounds and 20 points, half of which came from the free throw line, as the Wildcats advanced for the first time since 2017. Neither team will put this one in their archives. Kansas State shot 26.7% from the field and was the more accurate of the two. Those struggles are why, despite all the upsets, Kansas State stays put as a No. 8 seed.
Up next: vs. NC State (Monday, 4 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Princeton Tigers Original Seed: No. 11 First round: Defeated No. 6 Kentucky 69-62
With 10 straight wins, Kentucky came in hot. Princeton was hotter. The Tigers have won 18 in a row after beating the Wildcats. The seeds say upset, but Princeton was the better team for much of this game. Abby Meyers’ career-high 29 points was the most from an Ivy League player in the NCAA tournament since 2000. While the Tigers committed 19 turnovers, they ran their offense precisely at all the right times and never let the Wildcats within a single possession the entire fourth quarter. Rhyne Howard’s Kentucky career ends on just 4 of 14 shooting and 17 points.
Up next: vs. Indiana (Monday, 8 p.m. ET, ESPNU)
Villanova Wildcats Original Seed: No. 11 First round: Defeated No. 6 BYU 61-57
Nothing about the Wildcats will wow you. They are just hard to play against. Whether it was under Harry Perretta for 42 years or Denise Dillon now, Villanova runs a disciplined offense, makes open shots and doesn’t make many mistakes. BYU became the latest casualty of that Saturday and was the first of two No. 6 seeds to fall. Maddy Siegrist (Big East) got the better of Shaylee Gonzales (WCC) in a matchup of conference players of the year with 25 points. The Wildcats’ defense also rose to the occasion and held Gonzales to just eight points on 3-of-14 shooting.
Up next: vs. Michigan (Monday, 6 p.m. ET, ESPNU)
Belmont Bruins Original Seed: No. 12 First round: Defeated No. 5 Oregon 73-70, 2OT
The Bruins played Arkansas, Georgia Tech, Louisville, Ole Miss and UCF this season. They also won a first-round game last March as a No. 12 seed. They were as prepared for the NCAA tournament as any mid-major could be, and it paid off once again. Last year Belmont took down Gonzaga. This time around might have been more impressive. The Ducks were coming off four straight trips to at least the Sweet 16. The Bruins survived despite having no answer for Nyara Sabally (31 points, 12 rebounds) and giving up 40 points in the paint. Twelve 3-pointers helped. Tuti Jones made all four of her shots from deep and finished with 22 points.
The last of three days of padded practices at the 2022 Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama, are over, as NFL draft prospects in attendance finished up Day 3 with lots head-to-head competition. The quarterbacks have been in the spotlight all week — Liberty’s Malik Willis was one of the stars on Days 1 and 2 — but a few other potential top-100 picks flashed their skills too. Thursday’s practice was indoors because of the rainy weather.
The Senior Bowl is an invite-only showcase of the top upperclassman prospects in the country, with more than 100 prospects split into two teams. The National team is coached by the New York Jets’ staff, while the American team is coached by the Detroit Lions. The game is at 2:30 p.m. ET Saturday on NFL Network.
So which of the six quarterbacks in Mobile impressed on Thursday, and which were inconsistent? Which under-the-radar prospects continued their strong weeks? And who are the biggest draft risers from the entire week of practice?
Here are my thoughts from Day 3:
Seven biggest risers from the week
Scouts Inc. ranking: 49
When projected first-round picks opt to participate in events like the Senior Bowl, they are expected to stand out among the competition. Johnson wasted little time doing that during the first day of practice and followed that up with an even more impressive second day. He quickly caught everyone’s attention in the stadium and was simply dominant when he competed. Johnson didn’t participate during the third day for unspecified reasons, and he wasn’t present during Thursday’s practice.
Still, he showed everything he needed to while on the field, and a strong argument could be made that he was the most impressive player on either team. In a strong edge rusher class, he could rise all the way up into the top 20 picks.
Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State (National)
Scouts Inc. ranking: 253
When focusing on small-school prospects at practices, it’s always interesting to see how quickly they adjust to the speed of the game and whether they continue to play fast once they do get acclimated. From the first to the third day, there didn’t seem to be any type of learning curve for Watson. I thought he was the most consistent receiver all week. His physical traits shined brightly during Thursday’s practice, which involved a lot of red zone routes against man coverage.
At 6-foot-4, 211 pounds, Watson has plenty of speed for his size, but it’s his stop-start ability and body control in the air that stood out most. Besides one uncovered drop, he managed to catch everything else even if it wasn’t located in the strike zone. Scouts I talked to quickly mentioned his name as one the biggest winners of the week. Watson could be a target for wideout-needy teams in the late Day 2 range.
Scouts Inc. ranking: 104
Jones was the player who impressed me most this week. His power was unmatched, and he’s a well-built 329 pounds. His combination of strength and raw power helps him at the point of attack, and blockers struggled all week to cover him up cleanly. Through three days, you can count on one hand the number of reps he didn’t win.
Showing off his versatility, Jones played both 0- and 1-technique tackle during the week. He grabbed the attention of teams that run different schemes, proving he can operate in any interior gap. After a standout 2021 season and with a thin interior defensive line class, Jones has earned himself a lot of money with his performances in Mobile.
Scouts Inc. ranking: 78
Heading into the 2021 season, Winfrey was a prospect I was excited to track. After an inconsistent season in which he didn’t take an expected leap, however, he entered the Senior Bowl with a prime opportunity to showcase his abilities. Winfrey’s first-step burst was the best of any of the interior defenders, and his consistency was impressive. He showed lots of energy throughout practices, only seeming to scratch the surface of the talent that had evaluators excited entering last season.
Winfrey was the No. 1 overall junior college recruit in the country during the 2019 recruiting cycle, and the talent was always clear, but the next stage of development wasn’t unlocked at Oklahoma. “Potential” is a word that will be written down on Winfrey’s draft profile for NFL teams, and he showed many flashes over the past three days.
Scouts Inc. ranking: 52
Pitre far exceeded my expectations this week. He was primarily used as the low safety in Dave Aranda’s Baylor defense, playing the “STAR” position, and he often played around the line of scrimmage and was used frequently in run support. His exposure to pass coverage was limited to slot duties, which meant guarding slot receivers and tight ends up the seam. Scouts wanted to see him more on an island.
Pitre passed the test with ease this week. He’s an easy mover who changes directions with no hesitation, and he has the ball skills to put his hand in the throwing window and knock it away. His consistency in pass coverage combined with his intensity in run support make him one of the more versatile safety prospects in this class.
Scouts Inc. ranking: 37
The early debate about McCreary centered around his short arms, which were measured at 29 inches. He spent most of his time in Mobile getting a mixture of nickel and outside corner reps. During the final two practices, it seemed as if the American team’s coaching staff fully transitioned him inside, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that’s what he’s only going to play on the next level. The three days of practice cross-training at each spot were valuable experience for McCreary, and he proved to teams that he can be versatile.
Here’s what an NFC scout told me about McCreary: “Teams are going to make the same mistake with him that they made with Asante Samuel Jr. last year. He’s going to go in the second round because people think that he has to play inside because of the measurables when he has what it takes to be a productive starter on the outside.”
Scouts Inc. ranking: 30
Wyatt was as advertised in Mobile, showing a combination of first explosion and quickness in all directions. Primarily playing 3-technique tackle, he’s a true penetrator at the line of scrimmage who thrives on piercing the first level of the defense. His disruptive ways continued through all periods of practice.
The most impressive part of Wyatt’s game is how he can switch up his tactics to defeat blocks. He can rush the middle of blockers, and then on the next rep, he can perform a quick stutter step and club-rip move that leaves blockers in their tracks.
That type of quickness and rolodex of moves continues to move the needle of Wyatt’s stock, and it shouldn’t come as a surprise if he ends up being selected in the top 40 picks in April.
Best quarterbacks on Day 3
Scouts Inc. ranking: 42
After a shaky first day, I thought Ridder rebounded nicely with back-to-back solid practices. He had some impressive throws on a wet and windy Wednesday. Building on that, he took advantage of being inside Thursday and had his best day yet.
Working primarily in the red zone, Ridder made quick decisions and was accurate despite the field being condensed with smaller margins for error. He seemed to be the most comfortable when allowed to operate off play-action and on bootleg action plays that allowed him to get outside of the pocket. He showed off his mobility on a few plays; he’s a vertical runner with enough speed to gain the yardage available to him.
Ridder is a quick processor, and it’s clear he became more familiar and confident with his execution of the playbook as the week progressed.
Bailey Zappe, Western Kentucky (American)
Scouts Inc. ranking: 153
Zappe is the quarterback who took advantage of being inside the most, as he had his best day yet Thursday. Considering the quick and aggressive attack that he played in for the Hilltoppers, he was known to be a quick decision-maker. With the field shrinking in Thursday’s practice, his processing ability was on full display.
Zappe’s best throw came on a corner route to Velus Jones Jr. (Tennessee), when he lofted the ball perfectly toward the back pylon. He remains the most popular option for teams that could be looking for a quarterback in the middle rounds of this draft.
How the other four quarterbacks fared
Scouts Inc. ranking: 20
After facing challenges from the rain Wednesday, Pickett — who went back to wearing gloves on both hands — had some high moments during the first hour of practice Thursday. He threw the ball cleanly and drove it well, with multiple nice throws during the lead-up to the final 7-on-7 period, which is where things began to go downhill. After throwing into danger, he left a go-ball short that was close to being intercepted by Coby Bryant (Cincinnati). The very next play, the defense was able to cash in on his risky decision-making as Jalen Pitre (Baylor) tipped a ball up into the air and Kerby Joseph (Illinois) made a diving interception.
In my evaluation of Pickett for the day, this was a pivotal moment because it was an opportunity to bounce back after facing some adversity. He went on to throw three consecutive touchdowns. Little psychological angles like that are what scouts look for when measuring the mental toughness of signal-callers.
Scouts Inc. ranking: 34
Howell remained steady Thursday, as his accuracy to all levels of the field stood out. He has unique touch and knows the exact ball speeds to place on his throws, and he showed a great feel for how to drop it into the bucket on fade routes into the endzone. He mixed in some back-shoulder throws to keep the defensive backs off balance Thursday.
With a smooth, over-the-top delivery, Howell showed why his deep accuracy was so sought after in the Tar Heels’ scheme. He is the ultimate wild card in this class, and opinions remain mixed on his draft range and how he projects in the NFL.
Scouts Inc. ranking: 21
After a strong Day 2 performance, Willis’ third day of practices had some highs and lows. It’s clear he possesses the best physical traits and upside of any of the quarterbacks in Mobile, but consistency with his accuracy and knowing which situations require putting touch on the ball are the areas in which he needs to improve.
Willis is even more raw than Josh Allen was as a prospect coming out of Wyoming in 2018, and he will need to go to a team that has an entrenched starter, which forces him to sit and learn as he continues to learn the nuances of the position. I’ve been impressed the most by Willis of any of the signal-callers, but it’s clear he’s a long-term project who will need patience and guidance.
.@malikwillis has the people talkin’ 🗣@eric_edholm @jordan_reid @andy_staples#SeniorBowl pic.twitter.com/KBMSNZVwPD
— Liberty Football (@LibertyFootball) February 3, 2022
Scouts Inc. ranking: 54
With no worries of weather, Strong’s passes seemed to have the most velocity of any of the National team quarterbacks Thursday. With scouts straddling the out-of-bounds lines and end zones of the field, many were wowed by the up-close view of his arm talent, but his scattershot accuracy remained his biggest issue.
At his best during the 7-on-7 stage of practice, Strong’s top pass of the day came on an out route to Bo Melton (Rutgers), throwing it on a line.
Strong had an up-and-down week, and his ball placement has been the most concerning area. The medical reports around him will be the biggest narrative — he has had some knee issues — but the arm strength and quick processing are evident. Surveying scouts about his projected draft range, many want to see how clean the medicals come back, but Round 2 was the feedback I consistently received.
Biggest standouts from Day 3
Rachaad White, RB, Arizona State (National)
Scouts Inc. ranking: 222
An effortless mover in all parts of the field, White is a one-cut-and-go runner with upside as both a runner and pass catcher. He worked primarily inside of the 15-yard line the entire practice and had multiple runs that would’ve resulted in a score. He wasted little time with penetrating the first level of the defense and kept his body moving forward into the end zone.
As a receiver during the one-on-one period against the linebackers, White created the loudest gasp of the day from the crowd. Running an angle route against Darrian Beavers (Cincinnati), White crossed Beavers’ face and left him in his tracks quickly.
White has the type of skill set that will enable offensive coordinators to run specific routes from various different alignments in formations. That type of versatility could help him become one of the first rushers taken on Day 3 of the draft.
Tyler Badie, RB, Missouri (National)
Scouts Inc. ranking: NR
Badie was a late addition before the start of the Senior Bowl, and he made his presence felt. With his best day coming Thursday, he had two explosive plays that stood out. On a screen pass from Pickett, he got lost in the scrum of defensive linemen racing toward the quarterback and reappeared behind a few blockers before accelerating quickly down the right sideline for what would’ve been a big gain.
Known for his versatility, Badie is a change-of-pace runner who could be a nice addition as a complementary player to a bigger back.
Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa (National)
Scouts Inc. ranking: 16
Penning was a thorn in the side of defensive linemen throughout the week, but he faced challenges with adjusting to the speed of the edge rushers here. Two traits have remained constant, though; his physicality and determination to finish defenders have been clear to see.
On Thursday, Penning initiated multiple altercations with defensive lineman because of his effort through the echo of the whistle. He’s the type of blocker who hasn’t stopped all week, even after the referees signaled to stop the action. That type of effort will be a factor offensive line coaches could covet, and it’s apparent why he received first-round grades coming into the event.
A scout from an AFC team mentioned he loves that fiery play because it’s “easier to slow an offensive lineman down than to try to preach physicality into him,” which is Penning’s calling card.
Khalil Shakir, WR, Boise State (National)
Scouts Inc. ranking: 99
Shakir had his best day of the week and was constantly open. His abilities to generate clean releases and finish through tough catches were noticeable. Although he isn’t overly fast, Shakir is a technician as a route runner and understands how to work releases and route stems, and can make tough catches no matter the surroundings.
The best performance of the day came during his streak of catches during the 7-on-7 period of practice. He caught everything that was thrown in his direction. Shakir has the upside of being a high quality WR3 on an NFL team’s depth chart, but he could possibly turn into even more after some development.
Day 1 of practices at the 2022 Senior Bowl, an invite-only showcase of the top upperclassman NFL draft prospects in the country, is complete, with both the National team, coached by the New York Jets, and the American team, coached by the Detroit Lions, each having a session with their groups in Mobile, Alabama. It was the first chance to see six of the 2022 class’ top seven quarterbacks compete against each other.
Which quarterbacks performed well, and which were underwhelming? Which under-the-radar prospects impressed NFL teams? And who are the prospects who need to improve the rest of the week? Here are my thoughts from Day 1, including a few quick-hit nuggets from both practices.
There are two more two-hour padded sessions on Wednesday and Thursday, with coverage at 12:30 p.m. ET on ESPNU/ESPN App, and then 3 p.m. ET on ESPN2/ESPN App. The game is slated for Saturday at 2:30 p.m. ET on NFL Network.
Best quarterbacks of the day
Scouts Inc. ranking: 20
Pickett is known for his accuracy, precision and smarts, and he displayed each of those traits Tuesday. He routinely was the first player up in drills, setting the tone, and his accuracy shined throughout each portion of the day. Coming into the event, there was a lot of hoopla about his hand size as he opted to not have his hands measured at weigh-ins, but with a strong crosswind inside Hancock Whitney Stadium, the elements didn’t affect him.
As usual, he wore a glove on each hand, and he was the most consistent of the National team quarterbacks from start to finish. Pickett is a contender for the QB1 spot, and he did everything he needed to do to strengthen those claims Tuesday.
Scouts Inc. ranking: 21
Willis had a 2021 season filled with Jekyll and Hyde performances, but his traits will continue to intrigue. The ball jumps out of his hand with a different kind of velocity than his teammates displayed, and with the strongest arm of any QB in Mobile, he had plenty of “wow” moments throughout Day 1. Connecting on multiple deep passes during the early parts of practice, Willis displayed easy power behind his throws.
The area where he struggled was on out-breaking routes or ones moving away from him, as he sailed a couple of passes high. One was nearly intercepted by Nebraska cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt. The attributes Willis displays are superior to the rest of the class, but he must continue to improve his lower half to tighten up his accuracy on patterns outside of the numbers that are moving away from him.
How the other four quarterbacks fared
Scouts Inc. ranking: 42
Steady would be the best word to describe Ridder’s first practice. Ball placement was the biggest question mark for him coming into the pre-draft process, but he layered the ball nicely on many occasions. His best toss of the day came on a 15-yard dig route over the middle to tight end Trey McBride (Colorado State) that resulted in a big gain.
Ridder’s experience with exhausting his progressions and going through multiple steps on reads showed during the 7-on-7 portion of practice. He comes from a system that prepared him for multistep reads and his polish in that area was on display.
Scouts Inc. ranking: 54
Strong had an inconsistent day. He struggled with his ball placement in multiple drills and had trouble with placing the ball in the strike zone, which resulted in receivers being forced to make difficult attempts. Strong is known for his deep ball, and he had a nicely placed deep toss down the right sideline to teammate Romeo Doubs (Nevada) during one-on-ones.
The arm strength is evident with Strong — and the ball comes out of his hand with much more velocity than his counterparts — but honing in the speed and working on his touch and precision are areas that he’ll need to show on Wednesday. Strong is a bit of a javelin thrower and the nose of the ball goes into the air, which resulted in several overthrows on his deep passes. I’m going to track his progress throughout the week to see if he improves on his flaws.
Scouts Inc. ranking: 34
Howell displayed the best deep accuracy and touch of any QB during the first day, with some beautiful deep throws that dropped right into the hands of the receivers who weren’t forced to break stride. The enigma surrounding Howell is how well he can play outside of the Tar Heels’ run-pass option, shotgun-laden offense. And from calling plays in the huddle to taking snaps under center, the first day was a challenge for him. Tracking his adjustments on the fly throughout the week will be something to monitor.
Bailey Zappe, Western Kentucky (American)
Scouts Inc. ranking: 153
Zappe attacked the short-to-intermediate areas with lots of confidence and success. His decisiveness and understanding of where to go with the football were on full display. His best throw of the day came on a deep pattern to Tennessee receiver Velus Jones Jr. along the sideline. A record-setting thrower last season, Zappe has proved he’s a quick decision-maker and clean reader of the field when given time to operate. He needs to continue to be consistent throwing to the deeper portions of the field, as he isn’t as big-armed as others competing, but his accuracy is his calling card.
Biggest standouts from Day 1
Scouts Inc. ranking: 49
Simply put, Johnson put on a show and was the best player Tuesday, regardless of team. Showing off his mobility, power and vast repertoire of moves, he frequently flashed throughout each portion of practice. A spin move on Kentucky tackle Darian Kinnard during the one-on-one part of practice was only the start of the continued success for him. His shock and shed strength at the point of attack was evident, and he routinely continued to show up in the backfield.
Practice ended with a highly competitive competition between him and Kinnard, where the two battled back and forth. Johnson won the first two reps, and Kinnard regained the lead after the last rep, which resulted in pushups for the defense. These types of things help scouts tell which players rise to the occasion and compete, and Johnson passed the test with flying colors during Day 1.
Zion Johnson, C/G, Boston College (National)
Scouts Inc. ranking: 40
Johnson was rock-solid on nearly every snap and was the most impressive prospect of the National team practice. He took reps at center and at left guard during the team portion and opened up multiple lanes on explosive runs. He had never played center before, but you couldn’t tell. Johnson’s strength was evident during the one-on-one sessions against the defensive line, and his best reps of the day came on his first two. Besides slipping and whiffing during his second set of reps in that period, he won every matchup of the day.
In a class that lacks depth along the interior offensive line, if Johnson repeats his performance from the first day, he could move into the Round 1 discussion. An extra factor that was noteworthy about Johnson is that he was the only offensive lineman from the National team to stay after practice as he continued to work on his initial steps and pass sets. Knowing that he had never snapped as a center, he worked with quarterback Malik Willis (Liberty) before the next practice session to get a little extra work in.
Boston College IOL Zion Johnson (#77) was the only National team OL to stay after practice. Knowing that he’s never played center or snapped before, he stayed out until the American team QBs came on the field in order to get extra reps.
He was the best player on the field today. pic.twitter.com/ha33jz8ty8
— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) February 1, 2022
Cole Strange, C/G, Chattanooga (National)
Scouts Inc. ranking: 100
With small-school prospects, these are the first two questions evaluators want answered: Do they look like they belong, and how do they adjust to the speed of the game? Strange wasted little time checking both of those boxes as he displayed outstanding leverage, power and lower-half balance. Playing exclusively at center, he called out protections by pointing to various linebackers while also showing that he had full autonomy of pointing his teammates into the right direction in the run game.
During the earlier portions of practice, his one-on-one battles against Perrion Winfrey (Oklahoma) were of note. Strange held his ground and stonewalled Winfrey on multiple occasions. In the past, we’ve seen small-school offensive linemen such as Quinn Meinerz and Ali Marpet rise to become Day 2 selections, and Strange made a strong case to be next.
Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State (National)
Scouts Inc. ranking: 253
Watson caught everything thrown his way Tuesday. As he showed on tape, the 6-foot-4 receiver has a wide catch radius that spans well outside of his body frame. Even though passes were all over the place as the quarterbacks and receivers attempted to get down their timing, it didn’t matter to Watson.
A long strider with above average top-end speed, he raced past defenders on multiple occasions. Watson is a big target with strong hands, and he played fast throughout the entirety of practice, snatching every pass out of the air with confidence before displaying his catch-and-run ability.
Scouts Inc. ranking: 7
Winfrey had some hype coming into the 2021 season, but he was inconsistent. One attribute that stayed intact was his explosiveness, which he showed Tuesday. Winfrey’s up-field urgency helped him stand out, and he had multiple plays in which he had created tackle-for-loss opportunities in the backfield.
Winfrey also took on double-teams with success, and his best period came during the first portion of 11-on-11 when he split a double-team and finished with a tackle at the line of scrimmage.
Scouts Inc. ranking: 30
With a quick first step and urgency out of the starting blocks, Wyatt’s acceleration and ability to constantly be the aggressor showed up often. No. 95 in black often found himself in the other team’s backfield Tuesday. Wyatt’s ascending play continued through the first portion of practice and carried over into the team drills. A true penetrator as a 3-technique, he’s a player to watch throughout the week.
Scouts Inc. ranking: 104
We highlighted Jones as a sleeper who could help himself with a strong performance in Mobile, and the nose tackle had a solid first day. He showed plenty of juice as a pass-rusher and immovable object in the A-gaps against the run. With a few more big performances this week, he could leave town as a potential late-Day 2 draft selection. At 6-foot-4 and 328 pounds, he’s a true 0-technique who has plenty of up-the-field liveliness at the position.
Quick-hitters from Day 1
Nevada’s Romeo Doubs had a standout day. He is efficient getting in and out of his breaks, and he wastes little time with getting up the field after the catch. Doubs has easy speed and blew by defensive backs throughout the day. He caught my eye on multiple occasions.
Colorado State tight end Trey McBride caught what seemed like everything thrown in his direction. What was most impressive about him was his ability to shake off would-be tacklers and gain yards after the catch. His performance matched what was on his tape.
Arizona State running back Rachaad White was very smooth in all aspects Tuesday. He’s a decisive runner who presses the line but can also one-cut and get vertical in an instant. White also caught punts before practice.
Playing on his home turf inside of Hancock Whitney Stadium, South Alabama receiver Jalen Tolbert had multiple moments when he stood out. He had strong hands at the catch point and towered over cornerbacks to haul in contested catches.
Roger McCreary spent a lot of time at nickel during the first day of practices. He primarily played outside cornerback during his time at Auburn, but he has the versatility to cross-train at both throughout the week.
I came away impressed with UTSA cornerback Tariq Woolen. A converted receiver, he still shows raw moments with his technique, but during the one-on-one portion of practice, he battled back and forth with Tennessee receiver Velus Jones Jr. Woolen was patient, and on one rep, he was able to use his length to sit and jam Jones at the line of scrimmage. That sent the American team defensive back group into a frenzy of cheers and high-fives.
The American team — coached by the Detroit Lions — began practice with a perimeter screen drill, which forces wide receivers and defensive backs to engage and win on the perimeter. That can help Lions coach Dan Campbell and his staff determine the competitive drive of certain prospects.
Running backs Dameon Pierce (Florida) and D’Vonte Price (Florida International) both had explosive runs during the final team period of practice. Both strong runners, they burst through the first level with ease for the two best plays during that period.
