The annual tradition has started, from heartbreak upsets to big-time matchups. 68 teams have a chance to hoist the beloved Naismith trophy, crowning a team as national champions. March is here and the madness has begun.
Making that perfect bracket is near impossible, but The Northerner sports crew is going to make it easier by giving out statistics to help choose a champion.
There are a lot of notable teams that sit at the top of the standings like the Auburn Tigers, Alabama Crimson Tide, Duke Blue Devils and Florida Gators. They’re all heavy favorites in the tournament. Auburn ranks among the best of them, with their defense being top 10 in the country and their adjusted offense being the top in the nation at 129.7 per 100 possessions.
Duke is also a top contender to raise the trophy. They rank among the best on both sides of the ball: second in adjusted offense and fourth in adjusted defense. They are led by a group of freshmen and some older players, but how far can freshmen take you into March? Last season they lost in the Elite Eight, and that team was led by younger talent.
The Crimson Tide play fast with their run-and-gun offense. They’ve hit their speed bumps throughout the season, but on their night they can beat 99.9% of teams. If they aren’t on, they look shaky. The Tide fall short on the defensive end, ranking top 40 in adjusted defense.
Considering their recent history in March, Kentucky isn’t a team people are high on. With a new coach and a new team, this program looks different from previous years. The Wildcats’ rank among the best in offense when their team is healthy. They’ve picked up quad one wins over Duke, Gonzaga and Tennessee (twice), having one of the hardests schedules in the country. Where they fall short is on the defensive end: They rank 61 in adjusted defensive efficiency. The last 10 national champions have had at least a top 25 defense.
The top teams in the country are expected to perform well, but looking on the outside there are a lot of dark horse contenders who could make a statement in March.
The Yale Bulldogs are a team to worry about. Last season they knocked off Auburn in the tournament. The Bulldogs are hot coming into March and dominate in Ivy League play. They are a more experienced team from last year. Yale ranks 21 in offensive efficiency shooting at a high clip from all over the floor.
The McNeese State Cowboys out of Louisiana play with high intensity on defense, closing down action. Because of that, they rank among the best (13) in forcing turnovers. They rely on seven guys who are juniors and seniors, and all of them have scored multiple double-digit games. The downside with this team is size—if they face a bigger, more athletic team, they will struggle offensively.
Player of the Year candidates
Cooper Flagg: Freshman guard from Duke who averaged 19.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and four assists. Flagg set a conference freshman single-
game scoring record by dropping 42 points to secure the 86-78 win over Notre Dame back in January.
Johni Broome: Senior forward at Auburn who averaged 18.6 points, 11 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.6 blocks.
Can UConn three-peat?
Head Coach Dan Hurley has one goal set in mind for this season: to achieve a three-peat. The Huskies are led by Liam McNeeley, Solo Ball and Alex Karaban. But, with disappointing losses against Seton Hall, Colorado and Dayton, do the Huskies have what it takes to win another title?
Our predictions
Sports Co-Editor Alex Perez thinks the Duke Blue Devils will tear down the nets. Perez says they’re the best all-around team with the best player in the country in Cooper Flagg.
Sports Reporter Jonah Moore favors the Auburn Tigers to win it all because of their experience and domination over top-ranked opponents in the Southeastern Conference.
I (Jakob Staley) think the Kentucky Wildcats can win it all because—when healthy—they are one of the best offensive teams in the country. Over the last month, the Wildcats have played like a top-20 defensive team in the country, and their experience can win them games deep in the tournament.