Every year during the month of March, college basketball takes over the landscape of the sports world. Nestled between the Super Bowl and MLB’s Opening Day, the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, otherwise known as March Madness, provides us sports junkies with a way to get our fix of competitive meaningful games in the long two-month stretch to summer ball.
Sunday, the bracket of 68 teams was released, with the undefeated University of Kentucky Wildcats coming into the tournament with the best odds to win at 6-5. On the opposite side of the spectrum, 16th seeded University of Louisiana at Lafayette holds the worst odds of any of the 68 teams to win the title with 1000-1 odds. While most of the country is anticipating the Wildcats from Kentucky to capture their ninth National Championship, and second under coach John Calipari, the field looks as competitive as ever this year. Here’s a look at a few of college basketball’s premiere teams and their chances to win the big dance in Indiana.
Duke University 9-1: The Blue Devils are coming off a big loss in the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament to the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame. While the boys from Durham have amassed a 29-4 record and are the No. 1 seed in the South region of the bracket, the Blue Devils have seen two of their last three seasons end in shock as they were upset by both Lehigh University in 2012 and Mercer University in 2014. Watch out for coach Mike Krzyzewski and company to make a run at the title, but place this Duke squad on upset alert. Prediction: Bounced in the Elite 8.
Iowa State University 33-1: Taking the third seed in the South region comes the Cyclones of Iowa State University, who boast a 25-8 record and their second straight Big 12 Championship. After downing the University of Kansas Jayhawks in the title game, ISU is looking to improve on its Sweet 16 appearance from last year and is eying its first national crown ever. Prediction: Sweet 16 is sour to the Cyclones for the second-straight year.
University of Notre Dame 25-1: There may be no hotter team in the tournament currently than the Fighting Irish. After beating both Duke and the University of North Carolina en route to the Atlantic Coast Conference Championship, Notre Dame grabbed the No. 3 seed in the Midwest region and will face off against Northeastern University. Led by Massachusetts native and St. John’s Preparatory School alumnus Pat Connaughton, the Fighting Irish have gone 29-5 and post impressive wins against Duke (twice), UNC (also twice), the University of Louisville and Michigan State University. Expect this upstart quad from Indiana to make a deep run this month, and make sure you watch if the Fighting Irish take on the Wildcats of Kentucky. Prediction: Sorry Irish fans, but I just cannot see a way Notre Dame gets past the Elite 8 with the likes of Kentucky in their way.
University of Virginia 10-1: The 29-3 Cavaliers hold the second seed in the East region and are aiming to advance to the Final Four over powerhouses such as Villanova University while being careful of upset-ready Michigan State. Coming off a 30-win season where they were eliminated in the Sweet 16, the University of Virginia is led by the likes of Malcolm Brogdon who has amassed 445 points in all 32 games that he has started and averages 13.9 per contest. Prediction: Upset city in the second round as the Spartans of Michigan State take down Virginia.
University of Wisconsin 17-2: One of the only teams capable of beating Kentucky this year, the Badgers from Madison are coming into the tournament fresh off their overtime win over Michigan State in the Big 10 Championship Game. A No. 1 seed in the West region of the tournament, Wisconsin has the potential to cut down the nets in Indianapolis on April 6 after finishing the season with a 31-3 record. Standing in the Badgers’ way to the Final Four are Baylor University, UNC and Pacific-12 Conference champ Arizona University. Prediction: Wisconsin finds a way through the battlefield of the West before falling to Kentucky in the Final Four.
Villanova University 10-1: The Wildcats from Pennsylvania have earned their second No. 1 seed ever in the tournament as they posted a 32-2 record this season. Nova Nation is expected to make a deep run in the tournament after dismantling Xavier University by 17 points in the Big East championship. Celebrating the 30th anniversary of their magical upset over Georgetown University, Villanova is hoping to find a little more magic as it will have to go through tough tests, such as Louisville and Michigan State, if it hopes to reach the Final Four. Prediction: Even though I love Nova Nation, the Wildcats of Villanova will ultimately fall in the National Championship.
University of Kentucky 6-5: One of the deepest teams in recent memory, the University of Kentucky Wildcats will look to become the first team since Indiana University in 1976 to go undefeated throughout the entire year, including the postseason. With an Southeastern Conference Championship and 34 wins under their belt, the Wildcats will be searching for their first national title since Anthony Davis’ 2011-12 squad. Led by sophomore guard Aaron Harrison, who is currently averaging 11.3 points per game, the Wildcats are expected to wrap up the trophy and cut down the nets with ease. Prediction: Party time will come to Lexington as the Wildcats win their 9th National Championship ever.
Biggest First Round Upset: No. 12 Wofford over No. 5 Arkansas
Hottest Team to Watch: Notre Dame
Final Four: Kentucky vs. Wisconsin and Villanova vs. Iowa State
Championship: Kentucky vs. Villanova
Champion: Kentucky (81-74 over Villanova)
