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Ohio State Basketball: What would have happened in NCAA Tournament

By Peter Burtnett

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - MARCH 12: The basket and the arena sit unused after the announcement of the cancellation of the SEC Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 12, 2020 in Nashville, Tennessee. The tournament has been cancelled due to the growing concern about the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). The NCAA tournament has also been cancelled. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - MARCH 12: The basket and the arena sit unused after the announcement of the cancellation of the SEC Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 12, 2020 in Nashville, Tennessee. The tournament has been cancelled due to the growing concern about the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). The NCAA tournament has also been cancelled. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 05: Udoka Azubuike #35 and Devon Dotson #1 of the Kansas Jayhawks react in the first half of their game against the Duke Blue Devils at Madison Square Garden on November 05, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 05: Udoka Azubuike #35 and Devon Dotson #1 of the Kansas Jayhawks react in the first half of their game against the Duke Blue Devils at Madison Square Garden on November 05, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) /

Final Four

No. 1 Dayton over No. 2 Kentucky: 

The Flyers continue their NCAA-leading field goal percentage (52.5 percent) and third-best assist per game average (17.6) and out-play the Wildcats to advance to the National Championship Game. Led by lottery-pick Toppin and a strong supporting cast, the Flyers have proven they have what it takes to compete with the best in college basketball (90-84 loss in overtime against Kansas in Maui Invitational Final).

And as the team with the longest-winning streak, a national championship game appearance would have been in the realm of possibility for the Flyers.

No. 1 Kansas over No. 3 Oregon:

Azobuike and Dotson (both Naismith Player of the Year semifinalists) lead the way as the Jayhawks fly higher than Pritchard and the Ducks on the way to a rematch against the Flyers. The Jayhawks had emerged as a clear No. 1 team in a season where many thought there wasn’t one and it would have been hard to get past Bill Self’s team in March Madness.

National Championship Game

No. 1 Kansas over No. 1 Dayton:

The Flyers’ historic season ends in the last game of the college basketball season, but not with a win. In a rematch of the aforementioned final in Maui, Toppin would likely once again be overwhelmed on the defensive end by Azobuike.

Doing what the Flyers have done well this season – post-up with big man (Toppin) and either drive to basket or pass to open shooter (often Jalen Crutcher) – the Jayhawks could do the same with Azobuike and Dotson to overwhelm the Flyers’ defense. That wold give the Jayhawks a fourth national championship in the NCAA Tournament era.

Next. Buckeyes should be title favorite after adding Sermon. dark

I hope these predictions relieve a little bit of the disappointment that there are no March Madness games live on your TV. The passion, excitement and madness will be missed this year.

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