Just because something hasn't happened doesn't it can't. Here's nine teams that are best positioned to win their first national title this season.
Basketball is not the signature sport for the Crimson Tide. Their longest tournament stay came in 2004, an unlikely run to the Elite Eight as a No. 8 seed before falling to eventual champ Connecticut.Coach Nate Oats preaches easy layups and open treys, and when it’s all clicking the offense is a wonder to behold. Brandon Miller and Mark Sears are the primary long-range marksmen, but any of the top eight contributors in the regular rotation are capable of heating up.
Reasons to believe: The Big 12 is on a bit of a mini run with back-to-back championships, so its collection of viable candidates have as good a chance as any to claim a first flag. We’ll start with the Longhorns, who have overcome coaching turmoil to grab a spot near the top of the standings in the insanely competitive league. Marcus Carr leads a balanced lineup that gets production from a lot of different places.
Reasons to doubt: Interim coach Rodney Terry has done a terrific job since assuming the reins, but he’s an unknown factor as far as managing the pressure cooker of the tournament is concerned. From what we’ve observed so far he’ll be up to the task, but how much the team will have left in the tank after negotiating the tough conference campaign might also be a concern.
Reasons to believe: Xavier brought in Sean Miller looking to return to the upper tier of the Big East. He’s done that thanks to a combination of newcomers and veterans of the 2022 NIT champion squad. Forward Jack Nunge and guard Colby Jones are the key returnees, but the most important addition has been high-scoring guard Souley Baum.
Reasons to doubt: With usual Big East power Villanova in a down year, it’s hard to know how the league will fare come March. The Musketeers have a couple of decent if unremarkable non-conference wins, but an unsightly league loss to DePaul could indicate a rapid demise is just as likely as a long stay.K-State played for the title in 1951 against another group of Wildcats, but Kentucky prevailed 68-58. The Wildcats from Manhattan haven’t been to the Final Four since 1964.
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