March Madness: Upcoming Predictions

By JEFFREY BATTLE

March Madness is always fun to watch when your favorite division one basketball team decides to be great or flop in the worst way possible. The crazy upsets will always occur, and you may never know who will win and lose. There are teams, however, that will always seem to be heavy favorites and stay that way, and those on the rise throughout this year’s college basketball. Today, we will be looking at these teams and seeing if they will be doing alright in this year’s March Madness. 

1. Auburn Tigers: Boasting a remarkable 26-2 overall record and a 14-1 mark in the SEC, Auburn has been a dominant force this season. Their consistency and depth make them a formidable opponent in the tournament.
2. Duke Blue Devils: Led by top NBA prospect Cooper Flagg, Duke excels in both offensive and defensive efficiency. Their balanced and talented roster positions them as a leading favorite for the national championship.
3. Alabama Crimson Tide: Known for their high-tempo play and shooting prowess, Alabama’s robust offense and experienced roster make them a team to watch closely.
4. Houston Cougars: With a physical defensive style and efficient scoring, Houston’s balanced roster and tactical approach bolster their championship aspirations.
5. Iowa State Cyclones: Demonstrating strong defense and efficient scoring, Iowa State’s balanced roster makes them a serious contender in this year’s tournament. 

These teams have continued to dominate opponents this year and leave nothing in their wake. They somehow always have consistently found a way to continue their hot streak. It looks like even in this group, Auburn might be the even more favorite this year, with winning against Alabama already. Teams on the rise, however, have been the shocking ones that are looking to keep making a name for themselves within this tournament. I wouldn’t be surprised, however, if we see a rematch later on in this year’s tournament. 

1. St. John’s Red Storm: Under the leadership of coach Rick Pitino, St. John’s has shown significant improvement. With a potential Big East title on the horizon, they could be a surprise package in the tournament. They beat the likes of UCONN (which had back-to-back championships and has fallen off greatly) and Marquette.
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2. Michigan State Spartans: A recent surge, including a key victory over Maryland, has elevated Michigan State to a No. 2 seed in the latest bracket projections. Their momentum could carry them deep into the tournament. Always a good team under their legendary head coach, Tom Izzo, their style of play has been aggressive, and they look like Izzo’s coaching has paid off this year, this late in the season. 

Teams that I like, however, which could be fun to see in the tournament:

1. Any team that beats Kentucky, because let’s face it, Kentucky basketball losing in the tournament seems to be a fairly familiar outcome. 
2. Boise State. Their resume includes a 3-5 record against Quadrant 1 (Q1) opponents and a 6-6 record against combined Q1 and Quadrant 2 (Q2) teams. This includes notable victories over Saint Mary’s, Clemson, and New Mexico. These achievements have positioned them as a team to watch in the final stretch of the season. However, they will need to keep on pushing their luck and keep winning these next couple of games to not be on this fringe
3. Texas. This is, unfortunately, one of my favorite teams to see, just so I can see if I can do Horns Down.

These are the teams that I have as contenders, risers, and the last are the fringe teams. Of course, any team that beats Kentucky can be anyone. I left that up to interpretation for one reason: Any team can beat any other team in the tournament or from week to week. It’s called March Madness for a reason, and that’s why we sleep in May. Never be secure in your favorite team winning this season. 

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