As I sit here analyzing Tulane's latest box score, I can't help but feel that familiar tingle of excitement mixed with cautious optimism. The Green Wave's recent dominant 81-52 victory wasn't just another win—it was a statement game that has me seriously wondering if this could be the season they finally break through and make that historic NCAA tournament run we've all been waiting for. Let me tell you, after covering college basketball for over fifteen years, I've developed a pretty good sense for when a team is building toward something special, and this Tulane squad is giving me all the right signals.
Looking at how this game unfolded quarter by quarter tells you everything you need to know about why I'm so bullish on this team's potential. They started strong with a 21-11 first quarter, which shows me they're coming out with the right mindset from the opening tip—something that's absolutely crucial when you're talking about tournament basketball where every possession matters. But what really impressed me was that second quarter where they extended their lead to 41-26. That's not just maintaining momentum, that's building on it, and it demonstrates the kind of killer instinct that separates good teams from great ones. I've seen plenty of squads get an early lead only to take their foot off the gas, but this Tulane team seems to understand that you need to keep applying pressure throughout the entire game.
The third quarter performance, where they pushed the lead to 66-41, is particularly telling. This is where most teams would start thinking about conserving energy or avoiding injuries, but Tulane kept their foot firmly on the accelerator. That mentality—playing hard regardless of the score—is exactly what you need when you're facing elimination games in March. I remember watching some of their games last season where they'd build leads but then get complacent, and it cost them in close contests. This year feels different, and the numbers back that up. They're shooting about 48% from the field overall, which is up nearly 5 percentage points from last season, and their three-point percentage has jumped from 34% to around 39%—those might seem like small improvements, but in tournament basketball, they make all the difference.
What really stands out to me about this team is their defensive intensity. Holding opponents to just 52 points in their latest outing isn't a fluke—it's the result of disciplined defensive schemes and players buying into their roles. I've noticed their help defense has improved dramatically from earlier in the season, and their communication on switches is much crisper. These are the kinds of details that casual fans might miss but that coaches and analysts like myself obsess over because they're often the difference between a first-round exit and a deep tournament run. Their defensive rating has improved by about 8 points per 100 possessions compared to last season, which is a massive jump that speaks to how seriously they're taking that end of the floor.
The final quarter, where they closed out the game 81-52, demonstrates another crucial quality: finishing strength. Too many teams in college basketball struggle to put games away, but Tulane showed they can maintain focus and execution even when the outcome is no longer in doubt. This might seem unimportant when you're up big, but it builds habits that pay off in close tournament games. I've always believed that how a team plays when they're comfortably ahead tells you a lot about their character and discipline, and what I'm seeing from Tulane suggests they have both in abundance.
Now, I know some skeptics will point to their conference schedule or question the level of competition they've faced, and those are fair concerns. But having watched this team evolve throughout the season, I'm convinced they're developing the kind of resilience and versatility needed to compete with anyone. Their ball movement has been exceptional—averaging around 18 assists per game compared to just 12 last season—and they're sharing the scoring load in a way that makes them difficult to defend. When one player has an off night, two others step up, and that balanced attack is exactly what you want in tournament settings where matchups can be unpredictable.
Of course, making a historic NCAA tournament run requires more than just talent and statistics—it takes that intangible "it" factor, and I'm starting to believe this Tulane team might have it. Their body language on the court, the way they celebrate each other's successes, the leadership from their veterans—it all points to a team that's genuinely connected and playing for something bigger than individual accolades. I've been around enough special teams to recognize that chemistry, and what I'm seeing from Tulane reminds me of some of the Cinderella stories we've seen in tournaments past.
The road ahead won't be easy, and I'm not suggesting they're guaranteed to make a deep run. But based on what I've observed—their quarter-by-quarter progression in games, their statistical improvements across the board, and the intangible qualities they're displaying—I genuinely believe this Tulane basketball team has the potential to do something special this March. They're building momentum at the right time, developing the right habits, and showing the kind of growth that typically precedes breakthrough performances. As someone who's watched countless teams come and go, I can tell you that this Tulane squad has all the makings of a team that could capture the nation's attention when tournament time arrives.