Top 5 College Basketball Championship Contenders
As the college basketball season approaches, it is time to look at the teams that are built to win in March. These are my top five contenders to cut down the nets in Houston next year.
Houston
Houston Guard Marcus Sasser, Photo Courtesy of Houston Athletics
Houston has made it to back-to-back Elite 8 appearances including a Final Four run back in 2021. Kelvin Sampson may be the best coach in the country and he has a talented squad to get him back to a Final Four in their home city. Guard Marcus Sasser missed most of last season with a foot injury, and he looks to be one of the best players in the country this season. Guards Tramon Mark and Jamal Shead also return to solidify one of the best backcourts in the country. The Cougars also bring in freshman Jarace Walker, the 12th recruit in the country. This Houston team has the talent and coaching to cut down the nets in front of their home fans.
2. North Carolina
UNC Center Armando Bacot, Photo Courtesy of UNC Athletics
The Tar Heels came up just short last season, losing to the Kansas Jayhawks in the National Championship game. UNC returned four starters including Armando Bacot who could very well win Player of the Year. Guards RJ Davis and Caleb Love return to rival Houston’s backcourt as the best in the country. The Heels also add transfer Pete Nance to replace Brady Manek. UNC has the most talented starting lineup in the country, and have some talented pieces off the bench to help them get to Houston. Tar Heel fans are hoping for a redemption season similar to 2017 when they won it all the year after losing the National Championship at the buzzer.
3. Gonzaga
Gonzaga Forward Drew Timme, Photo Courtesy of Dallas Morning News
It seems like we say this every year, but this looks like the Gonzaga squad that finally wins their first championship. The Bulldogs lost Chet Holmgren to the NBA, but Drew Timme returns as arguably the best player in the country. Former five-star guards Nolan Hickman and Hunter Sallis look poised to breakout this year. Also, the Zags added two big time transfers in Malachi Smith, the 2022 SOCON Player of the Year, and Efton Reid, a former five star recruit from LSU. Add in the return of key starters Rasir Bolton and Julian Strawther and Gonzaga looks destined to get to Houston.
4. Kentucky
Kentucky Forward Jacob Toppin, Photo Courtesy of a Sea of Blue
Kentucky hopes to have success in March after falling to Cinderella team Saint Peters in the first round this past season. The Wildcats return last year’s AP Player of the Year in Oscar Tshiebwe. Kentucky added elite scorer Antonio Reeves via transfer to a backcourt that features Sahvir Wheeler, one of the best playmakers in the country. Forwards Jacob Toppin and Damion Collins look to breakout this season after showing glimpses last season. CJ Fredrick is healthy this season after missing all of last year, and should add elite shooting. Add in five star freshmen Chris Livingston and Cason Wallace and Calipari has one of his deepest, and oldest rosters since taking over at Kentucky.
5. Creighton
Creighton Forward Arthur Kaluma, Photo Courtesy of WOWT News
Surprised? Well you shouldn't be, as this Creighton team is easily one of the most talented squads in the country. They return four starters from a Bluejays team that had the eventual champion Kansas Jayhawks to the ropes in the tournament. Ryan Nembhard, Trey Alexander, and Arthur Kaluma all showed flashes of greatness last season as freshmen, and they should all have excellent sophomore seasons. Junior big man Ryan Kalkbrenner, the reigning Big East Defensive Player of the Year, also returns to anchor the paint. The Bluejays also added Baylor Scheierman, the 2022 Summit League Player of the Year and arguably the top transfer this past season. A more experienced and deeper Creighton team hopes to build on a surprisingly successful season last year and get to Houston.
