Title contenders:
Eight teams that could win it all.
As fans across the country fill out their brackets this week, they will need to settle on a national champion in addition to finding the next March Cinderellas. Here are eight favorites to win it all April 3 in Glendale, Ariz.
Villanova
Record: 31-3 Seed: No. 1 in East Villanova is looking to become a repeat national champion for the first time since Florida did it in 2006 and 2007. The Wildcats are well-positioned as the No. 1 overall seed with three starters back from last season’s championship team. Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart form one of the most formidable backcourts in the country, and, as we all well know, Kris Jenkins is not the type of player to shy away from the big moment.
Kansas
Record: 28-4 Seed: No. 1 in Midwest The Jayhawks were upset by TCU in the Big 12 tournament quarterfinals, but they were without star wing Josh Jackson, who was suspended after an off-court incident. With the freshman back in the fold, Kansas has one of the most powerful four-guard offenses in college basketball. With National Player of the Year frontrunner Frank Mason running the show, Kansas could be headed to its first Final Four since 2012.
North Carolina
Record: 27-7 Seed: No. 1 in South The Tar Heels are arguably the most complete team in the field. Joel Berry and Justin Jackson are talented scorers who can carry the offense while Kennedy Meeks is a monster in the middle. North Carolina has not always defended consistently, but it becomes a tough out when it does. The Tar Heels came up just short in the title game last season. Expect Roy Williams’ squad to be in strong contention again.
Gonzaga
Record: 32-1 Seed: No. 1 in West The Bulldogs consistently get a bad rap for underperforming against their seed, but they’ve made the NCAA tournament’s second weekend in each of the last two seasons. They have never made the Final Four, but this might be the season that they finally break through. This is Mark Few’s best defensive team in his 18 seasons as head coach and potentially his most talented group. The Bulldogs have nice balance on offense with Przemek Karnowski in the post and Nigel Williams- Goss directing things on the perimeter.
Duke
Record: 27-8 Seed: No. 2 in East The Blue Devils are not a No. 1 seed, but they have the most talented roster in the country. Guard Grayson Allen and forward Amile Jefferson should be household names at this point, but freshmen like guard Frank Jackson and forward Jayson Tatum have also grown into major contributors. Sophomore shooting guard Luke Kennard has taken a major leap forward in his second season to become the team’s leading scorer (20.1 ppg). If Duke can put all of the pieces together, the Blue Devils are as capable as any team in the field.
Kentucky
Record: 29-5 Seed: No. 2 in South The Wildcats have had their ups and downs this season, but if there is one player in college basketball capable of putting together a Kemba Walker-like run in March, it is freshman guard Malik Monk. The five-star recruit is averaging 20.4 points per game, with four 30-plus-point games this season. Coach John Calipari’s young teams have a history of turning it on in the NCAA tournament, too.