March Madness 2023: Five Top Contending Teams Looking to Cut Down the Nets Halfway Through the Season
Photo by Tim Warner
We are right at about the halfway point of the college basketball season, and March Madness is just around the corner. Some teams have begun to hit their stride, while others struggle to find a rhythm and consistency. While there’s still a lot of basketball to be played, here are five teams with high hopes of winning the National Championship along with a key player to watch from each team.
1. Kansas Jayhawks
Kansas looks like the real deal yet again this season, which is pretty normal under Head Coach, Bill Self. A great combination of experienced upperclassmen along with some top freshmen recruits has Kansas ready to make another run at a title. They’re currently tied for first in this year’s stacked Big 12 Conference, and are ranked at number two in the latest AP Poll.
Key Player: Jalen Wilson is a junior for the Jayhawks averaging 20.0 points per game (PPG) and 8.8 rebounds as one the nation’s best offensive weapons. He’s a legitimate three level scorer and is making his case as an All-American player.
Why They Could Win It All: Well for one, Kansas won the National Championship last year, and so why can’t they do it again? They did lose last year’s Final Four Most Outstanding Player in Ochai Agbaji, but freshman and McDonald’s All-American, Gradey Dick, has played a major role in filling the absence for the Jayhawks at the position. They’re arguably the best overall team in the country, and it’s tough to argue against them as the reigning champions.
2. Houston Cougars
Houston jumped back into the number one spot in the AP Top 25 College Basketball Poll this week, marking the second time this season they’ve held the spot. Despite playing in the slightly weaker American Athletic Conference, Houston has proven to be a tough out in the NCAA tournament in recent years, including a Final Four appearance in 2021 followed up by an Elite Eight appearance in 2022.
Key Player: Senior guard Marcus Sasser leads the Cougars on the court at 15.8 PPG, and he recently scored a career-high 31 points against South Florida. He has been one of the best players in the country, and came back to Houston after an injury suffered in December 2021 that ended his 2021-2022 season.
Why They Could Win It All: Houston prides itself on the defensive end of the court under their Head Coach Kelvin Sampson. They’re an aggressive and balanced team that creates a tough matchup for every team they face. The Final Four is also in Houston this year, so that’s some added motivation for the Cougars to reach the Final Four show out in their home city.
3. UCLA Bruins
As one of the most historic college basketball schools, UCLA has gotten back to playing a high level of basketball under Head Coach, Mick Cronin. He has done a great job reviving the program and getting the most out of his players. The Bruins have been quite successful in Pac-12 Conference play thus far. Their 5-0 record leads the conference as they’re looking like the top dogs and team to beat in the Pac-12. UCLA is currently ranked seventh in the AP Poll.
Key Player: He’s not their leading scorer, and he’s actually not second either, but the Bruins’ success on the court runs through senior point guard, Tyger Campbell. At 13.3 PPG, he’s the team’s third leading scorer and also leads the team in assists. Campbell is a small but crafty player with a great understanding of the game and impressive fundamentals on both offense and defense.
Why They Could Win It All: UCLA nearly did it as an 11 seed in 2021 and lost in the Sweet Sixteen last year to the eventual runner up in North Carolina. This year’s UCLA still has several key players from those teams like Tyger Campbell and Jaime Jaquez, and they have the experience and poise to make another run this year. If the Bruins can prove they’re a better team than the other powerhouse in the conference, Arizona, they would be putting themselves in prime position for a good spot as a top seed in the tournament.
4. Purdue Boilermakers
Purdue looks to be the best team in the Big Ten Conference, and they are currently ranked at number three in the AP Poll. With only two players averaging double-figure points, Purdue is a balanced team that also plays very well together on the defensive end of the court. Head Coach Matt Painter always does a great job of preparing his team to compete with any team in the country.
Key Player: If you haven’t heard of or been able to watch the Boilermakers’ center Zach Edey, I highly recommend catching a Purdue game. The 7’4” junior is the most dominant player in college basketball averaging 21.9 PPG and leading the nation in rebounds at 13.2 per game. He’s putting up these numbers with opponents consistently sending double teams at him, and if the season ended today, he would almost certainly win several major awards for Player of the Year.
Why They Can Win It All: They’ve had some tough tournament losses in recent years, including a historic upset by the 15-seeded Saint Peter’s Peacocks in the Sweet Sixteen, but Edey’s emergence this year just might get this Purdue team over the hump. If Edey can continue his dominance, he will draw so much attention from opposing teams that other players will have plenty of great opportunities on offense. This Purdue team is very well-rounded, and with a 7’4” star in Edey that’s nearly impossible to simulate and prepare for, they will be a tough out come March.
5. Connecticut Huskies
The Huskies have struggled recently in Big East play, dropping three of their last four, but the number six ranked team in the country will still be a dangerous team come March. They have one of the most energetic and emphatic coaches in the country in Dan Hurley, and they’re play on the court emulates that. This UConn team is very deep and features standout performances from different players nearly every game.
Key Player: Forward, Adama Sanogo, is the Huskies’ leading scorer at 17.9 PPG. While they have many options that can put points up in any given game, Sanogo has been their most consistent option. The junior has grown into his role well and is having a terrific season.
Why They Can Win It All: Despite the recent slump from the Huskies, it’s not time to sound the alarm just yet. Their recent 3 losses all came on the road in a tough stretch versus the other three ranked teams in the Big East, so it’s not like they were losing to far inferior teams. A lot of their players are tough matchups for opposing teams. They also boast several great individual defenders, which is always important to have come tournament time. Their best win came early in the year in a dominant 15 point win over Alabama, the current number four ranked team in the country. The Huskies haven’t made much noise in the tournament since they won it all in 2014, but this UConn team is a solid all-around team with a better roster than the last few years.
Honorable Mentions: Alabama, Arizona, Gonzaga, and Tennessee are all having great seasons and deserve recognition, but just missed this list as one of the top five contenders at this point.
It will be exciting to see which team can put it all together at the right time and be crowned as the 2023 National Champions!
