March Madness 2023: Hottest Teams To Watch Out For
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March Madness, known as the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament, is one of the most exciting and longed-for events in college sports. March Madness predictions are huge deals every collegiate basketball lover seeks.
Being an annual competition, 68 teams across the country compete in a single-elimination tournament that ultimately births a national champion. The tournament starts with the “First Four” play-in games and then progresses to the Round of 64, the Round of 32, the Sweet Sixteen, the Elite Eight, the Final Four, and finally, the National Championship game.
The teams that make it to the NCAA are selected based on their regular season and conference competition performances. The top teams from each conference, as well as some at-large teams, are shortlisted to participate in the tournament. The subsequent least of the top teams are chosen randomly and in no particular rank.
Gonzaga Bulldogs
One of the squads to always watch is the Gonzaga Bulldogs. They have dominated the West Coast Conference for years and have consistently been a top team in the NCAA. Their involvement in 2022 will make it seven years in a row of consistent participation in the tournament.
Still speaking of their performance in the past year, they proceeded to the Sweet 16 after defeating Georgia State and Memphis. However, it took them an unusual input to survive these upset bids. The Zags are arguably the best offensive side in the country. Interestingly, they have also ranked defensively among the top 10 teams per Ken Pomeroy.
Arizona Wildcats
Tommy Lloyd’s team comprises players with stout physiques, great depth, and incredible strength. They are the number one seed of the south region but the second overall seed. As a fact, the Wildcats are more threatening and can top the offensive level of the Zags when they are at their best.
But earlier last season, their point guard, Kerr Kriisa, suffered from an ankle sprain injury. A lot of eyes are on the Wildcats, and more than before, the expectations could be a little higher. But what they’re willing to give in the coming season is worth anticipating.
Kansas Jayhawks
The Jayhawks are facing scrutiny from the NCAA, alongside Arizona. This means the future of both teams is somewhat uncertain. They only need to make the best out of the present.
The squad isn’t put together defensively; however, they are worthwhile contenders. The big 12 tournaments brought to light the quality of Mitch Lightfoot and David McCormack, who have a total average of 9.3 rebounds, 19.7 points, and 2.7 blocks in each game.
Kansas is formidable offensively when they have their shooters, Christian Braun and Ochai Agbaji.
UCLA
The Bruins can step up at any point to rise to a scary occasion with less panic. They had a competitive first round with Akron on the second weekend of last season. Moving forward, they had a relatively effortless victory against Saint Mary to get the Sweet 16 ticket, where they faced Philadelphia.
UCLA is people’s favorite in the east. Top players like Jaime Jaquez, Tyger Campbell, and Jules Bernard are excellent backing for the Mick Cronin side.
Tennessee
The Volunteers had an enviable journey to the NCAA qualifications. They cruised past Kentucky on the SEC tourney semis, and Texas A&M wasn’t much of a threat in the conference title game.
The Vols have ranked as the number three seed in the South region. Having beaten Auburn, they emerged as a deadly team from the SEC.
Texas Tech
Texas Tech headed into the last four tournaments of the event by painstakingly defeating Notre Dame in the second-round clash. This team always puts up a fight. And any challenger that would beat them must certainly put in the effort. Perhaps that’s expected, being the top-ranked defense in the nation.
There are many other incredible teams expected to make a run in this year’s tournament. Moreover, the latest insider news is that the competition could expand to about 90 teams come the 2024-25 season.
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