WILKES-BARRE, PA – It’s a big Monday in the sporting world! 
Not only is the NCAA Men’s Basketball National Championship Game Monday night, but it also marks the first full slate of the MLB season. It’s an exciting day for any sports fan.
I was going to do an Ebs’ One Big Thing on just the national championship game this week, but I wanted to appease the masses and touch on as many topics as possible.
So instead, we’ll have a brand new set of Ebs’ Hot Takes.
Enjoy!
Joel Berry II will be the reason North Carolina cuts down the nets Monday night. North Carolina guard Joel Berry II won’t be the best player to take the court Monday – that title goes to UNC wing Justin Jackson – but his veteran presence will be the difference.
Berry isn’t close to 100 percent healthy, and doesn’t need to score 25 points to make a an impact for the Tar Heels. He just needs to control the game and put UNC’s pieces like Jackson, Kennedy Meeks and Theo Pinson in position to make plays.
This Gonzaga team is talented, and it’s the best team Mark Few has had yet. So Monday will not be a cake walk for the Tar Heels, however, I do like their chances.
While the Zags have plenty of talent, and may very well be the favorite when this game tips off, UNC has been here before. You don’t think that Kris Jenkins’ game-winning shot from a year ago has been played over and over again in the heads of the Tar Heels for the last 365 days? Because it has.
The combination of Berry and Jackson will be too much for the Zags.
Also, has this been the best March Madness in recent history?
Don’t panic about Masahiro Tanaka. While I find it out that Masahiro Tanaka’s reasoning for his horrid start Sunday was because he thought he might have been too hyped for the Opening Day start odd, I am in no way panicking about the New York Yankees ace.
In fact, I bought two shares of Tanaka in fantasy baseball this year.
Tanaka allowed one run all spring and has struggled against the Tampa Bay Rays in recent history – he allowed a four-run first inning the last time these two teams met.
I actually see Tanaka bouncing back in a big way.
Could this be the season Tanaka finally wins the AL Cy Young award? I think so.
Did you know that Tanaka has the best winning percentage in the AL since 2014?
This is the season Tanaka puts it all together.
The New York Mets are primed for a postseason run. Do I think the New York Mets are going to go out and win the World Series?
Probably not. I still think they’ll have to go through teams like the Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers and Washington Nationals first, but I do think a postseason run is certainly possible.
While I believe their postseason path begins in the wild card game, the Mets have the pitching to win win-and-advance games. If the offense and pitchers can stay healthy – and that’s a big if – this team could be a dangerous out this fall.
My one worry with this team is their offensive firepower. Outside of Yoenis Cespedes and maybe Jay Bruce, is there anyone in this lineup that you actually fear? Ehh.
Pitching is going to have to lead the way.
Russell Westbrook is the real MVP. There isn’t much of a debate for the NBA MVP this year. Russell Westbrook is averaging a triple-double and just recorded his 40th of the season. 
Sure, LeBron James is the best player on the planet and James Harden is having a phenomenal season, but look at what Westbrook is doing with what’s around him.
Kevin Durant left Oklahoma City for Golden State in the offseason and then Serge Ibaka was traded away. Yet the Thunder have already locked up a playoff spot and are a real threat in the Western Conference.
Honestly, I don’t think the Atlanta Hawks are going to make the playoffs. I know most of you, if not all of you, could care less about the Atlanta Hawks, but I need to vent for a second.
Guys, the Hawks are about to miss the playoffs for the first time in 10 seasons.
Not too long ago they were 37-29 and comfortably in the playoff picture. But after going 2-9 in their last 11 games, the Hawks have dropped to sixth in the East and with such a tight window – five teams separated by three games – and Atlanta’s remaining games – Boston Celtics, two games against the Cleveland Cavaliers, one against the Charlotte Hornets and one against the Indiana Pacers – things look bleak.
I just don’t know.
Atlanta’s hope is that Paul Millsap’s return this past weekend is the spark they needed to get back on the right track.
Come back tomorrow for Ben Whitney and please follow us on Twitter at @ByDJEberle & @MeetTheMatts, Instagram @MeetTheMatts and like our Facebook page, Meet The Matts.
