And just like that, we’re down to eight teams left vying for the national title! After a thrilling and drama-filled regionals, all eyes are on the NCAA Championships next weekend where seven worthy challengers will try to top defending champion Oklahoma—who followed up that title by maintaining its No. 1 ranking wire-to-wire this season.
However, it’s not the Sooners sitting at the top of the class heading into championships. A two-fall beam rotation spoiled Oklahoma’s perfect marks, and now it’s UCLA on top for the first time this season. The Bruins are carrying plenty of positive momentum heading into their semifinal, but with no team owning straight A’s across the board, the title is a bit of an open race.
In 2023, the NCAA Report Card will measure which teams look like championship teams right now, meaning grades will not be cumulative. Rather, they’ll reflect averages over the most recent two weeks of competition—because what matters most in the postseason anyways is who’s hot at the right time. With the average NCAA champions’ score from the last five years now totaling 198.250, the standards for grades are rising, too. An event total of 49.600 or better is now required for an A+, 49.550 or better for an A, 49.500 for an A-, and the pattern…
