Weeks After Picking ‘Bitter Rivals’ as Winners, Charles Barkley Has Made His Latest Prediction for March Madness

Despite being an annual tournament, the 2023 March Madness certainly feels like a breath of fresh air for many basketball fans in the country. Charles Barkley has certainly had his hands up in the air like no one else, clearly showcasing his love for the NCAA Division I tournament. In his 12th year of being a part of the tournament’s broadcasters, the Philadelphia 76ers legend recently made another March Madness prediction, after picking his ‘bitter rivals’ to win the whole thing a while ago.

In each and every episode of March Madness on TNT, the 60-year-old has his hilarious antics for the audiences while giving out his insightful thoughts on the teams in the tournament. Weeks after announcing his divisive pick for the winners of the tournament, Barkley has declared his new favorite as the tournament’s final four are almost decided. 

Charles Barkley picks his favorite as March Madness moves on to its final four

The tournament has already decided two of the teams for its final four. The rest of the participants will be decided shortly, after the two Elite Eight games are completed in the next few hours.

In Elite Eight game 2, a certain team blew out their opponents and won the 76ers legend’s heart completely by becoming clear winners of the game. The UConn Huskies demolished the Gonzaga Bulldogs 82-54 to move on to the next stage of the tournament. The impressive display has certainly captivated NBA legend Charles Barkley as he prematurely named UConn, coached by Dan Hurley, as the ultimate winner of the tournament.

“Going into the Final Four, I don’t care what happens [Sunday], they are going to be the favorite,” said Barkley, while talking about UConn’s dominating performance against the side from Spokane, Washington.

The performance put up by the Huskies marks their first final-four appearance since 2014, when they went on to win the tournament. The side was plagued by consecutive first-round exits in the past two years, as there wasn’t a real belief in the system. However, Dan Hurley and co. have turned this season around with an exceptional effort, something which even Hurley was emotional about.

“I’ve gotten emotional… I just can’t think about coaching this group for the last time. It makes me sad,” said Hurley in the postgame press conference.

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However, it is yet to be seen if Barkley’s predictions of the Huskies come true. If one considers the track record of his previous prophecies, one would certainly have doubts.

Barkley’s previous predictions on March Madness winners

The 76ers legend left his fellow hosts in shock a few weeks ago, when he chose Alabama Crimson Tide as the winner of the tournament. Everyone was shocked how Barkley picked his college side, Auburn Tigers’ bitter rivals, as the one who’d take home the top prize. 

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However, the Auburn team had the last laugh, as they saw Barkley’s prediction turn out to be utterly false. The Alabama Crimson Tide bounced off the tournament after a disappointing defeat against San Diego in the Sweet 16. Whatever happens next, Barkley should strap up his seatbelts because if he’s wrong with the UConn prediction, fans are going to take him for a ride.