Aside from basketball, the most impressive thing about Unrivaled is their marking and innovation.
Players started a one-on-one bracket for $250,000 last week. In case you’re wondering how the one-on-one tournament works, here’s a great breakdown:
Now that you know the rules, here’s the bracket.
Highlights so far
This tournament has been nothing short of exciting. Players aren’t afraid to get exposed, there’s been close games, blowouts and buzzer beaters.
There have been many upsets, most notably from the first round, recent rookie Aaliyah Edwards obliterated Breanna Stewart in the first round, 12-0. Edwards also beat Allisha Gray and is competing for the championship.
No. 7 Sharika Austin defeated No.2 Chelsea Gray and held her to only one basket, 12-2.
No. 6 Courtney Williams beat No. 2 Rhyne Howard in a close game, 11-9. But, Williams fell to her WNBA teammate No.1 Napheesa Collier in the semi-finals.
Speaking of teammate-on-teammate matchups, No. 6 Rae Burrell did her big one by defeating No.1 Jewell Lloyd, but she ultimately couldn’t take the heat from her WNBA teammate, Azurà Stevens.
Away from the court, the sideline interviews have given fans the most laughs, like from this moment with Allisha Gray and this one from Kahleah Copper.
Who will be crowned?
In the quarterfinals tonight, it’s the former UConn teammates, Azurá Stevens vs Napheesa Collier and veteran Arike Ogunbowale vs rookie Aaliyah Edwards.
There are three former Huskies in the semifinals, as Ogunbowale went to Notre Dame.
For me, I’m always going to root for the underdog, which is why I hope Edwards and Stevens make it to the finals. However, realistically I think it’ll end up being Collier and Ogunbowale.
Even though Edwards has the height advantage, Ogunbowale is a creative shooter and will expose Edwards with her handles.
Stevens also has the height advantage and she’s exceeded all expectations so far, but she isn’t as versatile as Collier. We’ve seen Collier get to the paint and bully people taller than her as in the WNBA finals, all of the Liberty was taller than her team.
Collier has been in her bag during Unrivaled and the WNBA season. In Unrivaled she’s averaging 29.3 points, 11.5 rebounds and 1.9 steals. Needless to say, she can dominate from everywhere on the court.
Ogunbowale is averaging 13 points, 3.2 rebounds and 0.8 steals. Collier has the height and advantage as she’s 6′1 and Ogunbowale is 5′8. So far in the tournament, the bigger players just bully the smaller ones, so Ogunbowale is going to have to overcome Collier’s versatile play style and height.
Knowing all of this, if I had to put my money on someone it would be Collier.