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On today’s episode of Locked On UConn, we dive into UConn’s close loss to Villanova, the current Big East outlook, and how the Huskies can rebound moving forward. College basketball analyst Ryan Hammer joins us to discuss Duke and the ACC’s struggles this season, as well as his unique “Trapezoid of Excellence” and how it’s shaping his view of March Madness contenders. Finally, we preview UConn’s upcoming game against Georgetown and discuss teams poised to make a splash in the NCAA Tournament.

Segment 1: UConn, Villanova, and Big East Outlook

We start by recapping UConn’s nail-biting loss to Villanova, their third loss by a combined total of five points this season. There’s an ongoing narrative that Dan Hurley’s teams struggle in close games, but could these losses actually help the Huskies in the long run? Key moments from the game included Villanova’s execution down the stretch and UConn’s struggles in critical moments, despite standout performances from players like Alex Karaban and Jaylin Stewart.

We then take a step back to evaluate the Big East. Marquette, UConn, and St. John’s seem like tournament locks, but Villanova and Georgetown are squarely on the bubble. How many Big East teams will ultimately make the NCAA Tournament, and what do their résumés look like so far?

Segment 2: Duke, ACC Struggles, and Ryan’s Trapezoid of Excellence

Ryan Hammer joins the show to break down why the ACC is having a down year. Duke’s metrics continue to be skewed by weaker competition within the conference, and the broader implications of the ACC’s struggles could make March Madness more challenging for its teams. We explore how this impacts Duke specifically and how their performance compares to other powerhouses nationally.

Ryan then shares his concept, the “Trapezoid of Excellence,” a unique way of evaluating teams heading into March Madness. He explains how he developed this framework and how it helps him analyze teams’ strengths and weaknesses. We also dive into Ryan’s journey as a basketball analyst and how he got his start in the media landscape.

Segment 3: Georgetown Preview and March Madness Contenders

We preview UConn’s upcoming game against Georgetown. Key matchups include Ariel Jenkins, who’s been dominant on the boards, and Kelsey Ransom, Georgetown’s dynamic guard. Can the Hoyas make this a competitive game, or will UConn assert their dominance once again?

We then pivot to March Madness contenders. Ryan revisits his top three teams—Auburn, Iowa State, and Duke—and highlights sleeper teams to watch, including potential Cinderellas. What makes a team dangerous in March? We explore the critical factors that separate contenders from pretenders.

Wrap-Up and Outro

Recap Major Points:

• UConn’s close loss to Villanova and its impact on their season.

• Big East outlook and the potential number of NCAA Tournament teams.

• ACC struggles and Duke’s metrics.

• March Madness sleepers and contenders.

Follow Ryan Hammer:

• Social media: @RyanHammer09 on X. And @Ryanhammer on Instagram. 

• Stay tuned for his upcoming projects and analysis.