Even though NBA basketball is rolling towards the playoffs, another basketball event is coming in fast. March Madness is happening in just a few days, and viewers, fans, and bettors alike are excited to see some fresh college hoops.
In March Madness, we’ll get to see the best teams duke it out towards the Final Four. Due to the unpredictability of March Madness, you can vaguely compare it to a battle royale. With that said, enough of the comparisons, enough talk, let’s take a look at the best teams going into March Madness.
Gonzaga Bulldogs
Since 2016, the Gonzaga Bulldogs have been in every Magic Eight. This year will be no different. The most consistent collegiate basketball program will be a good pick towards March Madness.
Losing to Baylor for the title last year, you can expect Gonzaga to avenge their losses this season. The Bulldogs are led by the potentially no.1 pick for this year’s NBA draft, Chet Holmgren. Averaging 14.4 points and 9.7 rebounds per game, Chet Holmgren is a 7’0 center that moves like a guard.
Another weapon that Gonzaga has is Drew Timme. A heavy forward who’s averaging 17.6 points per game while shooting at 58.3% is a scary opponent to have. Most of his points come from the paint, as he’s virtually unstoppable when scoring down low. Teams will have to look out for this potent combo as the March Madness odds have the Gonzaga Bulldogs at +400 as of this writing.
Auburn Tigers
With arguably the best frontcourt this year, Auburn is poised to be the best team coming to March Madness. Walker Kessler, a 7 foot forward, plays closely to the rim and is a nightmare for opponents wanting to score in the paint. The Auburn Tigers are known for their defense, and Kessler is a big part of it.
The other forward for the Tigers is Jabari Smith. Smith is quickly building up his draft stock as he’s averaging 16.9 points and 6.9 rebounds per game. With his long physique and high release point, Jabari Smith elevates over defenders with superb shooting. Although he prefers to get points from the outside, Smith is also smooth when it comes to running the open court for easy transition buckets.
Arizona Wildcats
Arizona Wildcats basketball is one of the most exciting basketball to watch this year. The explosiveness that the Wildcats have with their plays is too hot to handle as they can easily turn around big deficits with ease.
For example, in a game against Washington, the Wildcats were down 14 points early. For the next 15 minutes, the Wildcats were dictating the pace. The game ended 68-92, with the Wildcats winning the game in dominating fashion.
Quickly getting up and down the court, the Arizona Wildcats easily crush opponents on the offensive glass. Playing center for the Wildcats, Christian Koloko is averaging 11.6 points, 7.1 rebounds, and an eye-watering 2.9 blocks per game.
The Wildcats also have a future NBA pick, Bennedict Mathurin. Averaging 17.2 points and 5.7 rebounds per game, Arizona has a potent go-to guy in the offense. The Wildcats are excellent picks this March Madness.
Baylor Bears
The defending champs are rolling. Despite having an injury-ridden season, the Baylor Bears are still among the best contenders in college basketball. Although James Akinjo isn’t ready for the NBA yet, he’s becoming one of the reasons why Baylor is afloat. LJ Cryer and Adam Flagler are elite-level shooters that create space and help with the offense.
The Bears also have two long, athletic rookies in Kendall Brown and Jeremy Sochan, who will probably be first-round picks. Fans of Baylor Bears basketball shouldn’t worry despite the injuries to their leading players. The Bears have enough youth and talent to win many games this March.
Kentucky Wildcats
Another Wildcats team will make a splash in this year’s March Madness. The Kentucky Wildcats have been on a tear since mid-December by incurring only three losses. Kentucky has a monster with them at the frontcourt with Oscar Tshiebwe. With 16.9 points and 15.3 rebounds per game, Tshiebwe has single-handedly made the Kentucky Wildcats a rebounding machine.
With the best overall lineup, it’s not far to see that the Kentucky Wildcats go deep and even win it all this year. Sahvir Wheeler and TyTy Washington Jr. are some of the best backcourts this year, and Kellan Grady is arguably one of the best shooters in the country, averaging a sick 45.8% FG while shooting 43.3% from the arc.
Final Thoughts
This year’s March Madness is one for the books. With so many teams and talented players around, the future of basketball is bright. Expect teams like the Gonzaga Bulldogs, Baylor Bears, and the other teams mentioned on this list to create a splash in one of this year’s most awaited basketball contests.
