SB Nation Reacts: Final Four MVP’s and Next Season’s Early Favorites
As always, college basketball just never, ever disappoints.
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The men’s and women’s NCAA Tournament has come to an end, with the Baylor men and Stanford women standing alone as champions.
Their domination was pushed in no small part by each team’s star power. According to fans around the country, Stanford’s Haley Jones’ was picked by 51 percent of fans as the MVP. Arizona’s star guard Aari McDonald earned 27% while UConn freshman Paige Bueckers took 15 percent.
Melvin Jordan, Florida 3-star linebacker, commits to Oregon State Beavers over Florida State, Miami, others
Updated 11:50 AM;
Today 10:39 AM
Florida linebacker Melvin Jordan commits to Oregon State over Florida, Florida State, Miami (Fla.), Minnesota and others on April 9, 2021. (Courtesy of Melvin Jordan)
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Turns out, they may have been starting a trend.
On Friday, 247Sports three-star linebacker Melvin Jordan became the first pledge in Oregon State’s 2022 recruiting class, choosing the Beavers over fellow finalists Florida State, Indiana, Miami (Fla.) and Minnesota, as well as offers from Arizona State, Arkansas, Florida, Kentucky, South Carolina and others.
The 6-foot, 205-pound ‘backer, out of Cavalry Christian High School (Saint Petersburg, Florida), is rated the nation’s No. 418 overall prospect and the No. 32 outside linebacker in the 247Sports composite rankings.
Jacob Melton hits 3 home runs to lead Oregon State Beavers to 17-3 win over Utah Utes
Updated 12:51 AM;
Today 11:11 PM
Oregon State s Jacob Melton on Friday became the first Beavers player in 20 years to hit three home runs in a game. Leon Neuschwander for The Oregonian/OregonLiveLeon Neuschwander for The Oregonian/OregonLive
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Of all the highlights Jacob Melton provided Friday night at Goss Stadium and they were numerous it was an epic bat flip following a towering seventh-inning grand slam that might have been the most memorable.
“Oh, that’s up there,” the Oregon State Beavers sophomore said, when asked where it ranked on his bat flip Hall of Fame. “I think that might be No. 1 to be honest with you.”
Paul Sancya/Associated Press
The Gonzaga Bulldogs will try to continue their undefeated season against the only Division I men s basketball program with multiple perfect seasons.
Although this year s iteration of the UCLA Bruins is not viewed as a contender to Gonzaga, there is a bit of symbolism involved in the Zags beating one of the most historic programs in the Final Four to advance to the national championship.
Gonzaga is once again an overwhelming favorite to win in Indianapolis, and unless UCLA halts the run of fast starts, the game may be all but over by halftime.
Saturday s opener inside Lucas Oil Stadium is expected to be much closer, as the Baylor Bears and Houston Cougars share similar strengths in the backcourt. Baylor should advance, but it may face its toughest test of the NCAA tournament to get into the title game.
Adam Flagler, Baylor
When the chips were down against Villanova, Flagler was one of the Bears that stepped up in the final minutes to ensure they wouldn t make an early exit from the tournament. Just the fourth-leading scorer on the team, the reserve led Baylor with 16 points in that game. Flagler gives the Bears another option next to its All-America backcourt of Davion Mitchel and Jared Butler. He can hit an open three if defenders sag off. If they try to put pressure on him, the sophomore can penetrate for his own shot or find someone that if open. Houston must take him into account when setting up its defensive plan.