The Churn
The Only March Madness Predictions We Cosign Are From These Dope ATL Women
Butter ATLMarch 18, 2021
You may have noticed that it’s March Madness time. And it’s not like anybody ever really knows what the hell might happen (with the obvious exception of Obama), but this year things really seem to be hard to predict.
Are there teams to watch? Sorry — we weren’t really watching so don’t listen to us this year. Are women or men’s teams from Georgia gonna surprise us and get further than expected? Um… maybe? Oh yeah, is anybody thinking about how all of this might be affected by The ‘Rona?
If we had the answers we’d no-look pass them sh*ts to you, homie. But again, we don’t in 2021. But we got something even better for you!
The advice and counsel of four amazing Atlanta women who know a lot more about sports than we/you do.
Here’s some brilliant Black Girl Game from V-103’s Ms. Basketball, Streetz 94.5’s MiAsia Symone, sports journalist Bria Felicien (writer for Sports Illustrated, FiveThirtyEight, etc.), and actor/producer/marketer/strategist break-your-ankles baller Krystal Garner, GM of the Trap Music Museum.
Which teams do you predict have the best chance to win it all — women’s and men’s?
Ms. Basketball:
I honestly have UConn or South Carolina winning it all when it comes to the women. For UConn they have an amazing freshman “Paige I Get Buckets” who has really came in there and took over. She’s a beast! She makes her teammates better. UConn is a winning program and they know HOW to win especially with their coach.. so their chances are really good this year. As far as South Carolina… they are very hard to beat!! Taking about a team who plays hard together and who is lead by another amazing coach Dawn Stanley!!! Their chances of winning it all is very high!!
Krystal Garner:
Men – MICHIGAN.
Women – UCONN (I just don’t bet against them, force of habit).
MiAsia Symone:
I have faith in UCONN taking it all this year for the women because they have always had a solid program and that championship spirit. Coach Geno recently tested positive for COVID-19, and the ladies will be without a head coach for the meat of the tournament, but I know he will be back in time to get that ring. It makes for the perfect “championship story.”
Also, my favorite player Diana Taurasi left her legacy behind as inspiration. They will be just fine!
For the men, I’m rolling with Gonzaga. They play at a pace that is difficult to guard at times. They’re also really good defensively and have two future NBA Draft lottery picks. Sounds like an immaculate balance!
Bria Felicien
Women’s: Maryland, UConn, Stanford, South Carolina, NC State, Louisville.
Which teams are going to be the biggest disappointments, or are just your favorites to hate on, and why?
MiAsia Symone:
Anything Alabama, LSU or teams in East region I usually go against because they are our rivals. It’s just something that’s in my blood being born and raised in Atlanta. However, I’m rooting for the East if either team makes it far since UGA men are out this year. Our UGA ladies are in the tourney this year though and I’m praying they bring one home!
Bria Felicien
I love to hate on UConn women’s basketball like it’s a sport, just because they make it easy.
Ms. Basketball
What’s crazy is when it comes to college basketball any can be beaten on any night. These girls really go hard! However I think the biggest upset will either be UConn not winning or going out in the 1st round!
Krystal Garner:
Men – Duke & Kentucky not being in it due to Covid. Both teams have been powerhouses in the tournament traditionally.
Women – UConn’s Geno Auriemma not being there sucks, but for sure believe they will still pull through.
What do you predict will be the biggest surprises of March Madness 2021?
Bria Felicien
Georgia. The women’s basketball team has a great season and Joni Taylor is a finalist for National COY. They’ve had plenty of upsets this season so I’m looking forward to what they do in the tournament.
Ms Basketball
The biggest surprised just maybe Texas A&M. They have a really good program who people are sleeping on!
Krystal Garner
Men – Georgia Tech will make a run for the Elite 8.
Women – Stony Brooks’ first-ever NCAA appearance. I’m excited to see what my fellow Long Island SUNY achieves! Especially since I used to support their games.
MiAsia Symone
Honestly, there are always so many upsets each year in this tournament… It’s a tough call for me. So many factors lead to surprises: injuries, COVID-19, players who step up at the last minute, etc. I just want to sit back, kick my feet up, and let it all unfold.
Are there any specific players we should be watching for greatness this year and in the future? If so, who and why?
Krystal Garner
Men – Michael Devoe from Georgia Tech. He had 20 points in the ACC Championship game against FSU. He was hooping! True point guard and a scorer.
Women – The Big Three, Aaliyah Boston, Zia Cooke and Destanni Henderson over at South Carolina have been hooping! I think in general they are next up!
Ms. Basketball
Paige “I get Buckets” Bueckers! She is such an amazing and highly leveled player to watch. She’s only a freshman and is leading her team! A true standout in all of college basketball.
Bria Felicien
Dana Evans, Rhyne Howard, Aliyah Boston, Aari McDonald, and Caitlin Clark.
MiAsia Symone
Luka Garza of Iowa is a scoring machine! His inside/outside game is impressive as a forward. I would also look out for Cade Cunningham, a 6-foot-8 guard at Oklahoma State. He’s predicted to be the No.1 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. His ability to break down the defense, create plays, and defend automatically shoots him to the top of the list. Representing for Atlanta, I would keep an eye on Moses Wright at Georgia Tech. He just won “ACC Player of The Year.”
For the women, I would watch out for Aliyah Boston at South Carolina, the best defender in the game right now…and Charli Collier at Texas is predicted to be the No. 1 pick in the 2021 WNBA Draft.
Any other thoughts?
Ms. Basketball
I’m super excited to watch the tournament! I’m just hoping that Covid doesn’t ruin a lot of these young players dreams/chances of winning a championship.
Bria Felicien
With the format and the expected disruption, I really do think this year we’ll get a tournament with parity and more of a level playing field — different from what we’d get during a “normal” tournament.
MiAsia Symone
It just feels good to finally have a tournament again this year without having to cancel due to the pandemic. I have always loved the intensity of bracket predictions and the excitement it brings to the basketball culture!