I’m going to be writing about who I think are the best and worst ranked college basketball teams. Who I think will be in contention for a national title or not. I will also include who I think might be able to pull off a Cinderella story. Here are the best contenders.
Kentucky Wildcats
1. The University of Kentucky is one of my best bets to win the national championship because of the experience on their team and the team chemistry. Guards Koby Brea and Otega Oweh lead the pack in scoring each with 16 ppg. Center Amari Williams is an amazing rebounder who averages 9 ppg and 10 rpg. Forwards Brandon Garrison and Andrew Carr are also great players who know their role on the team.
2. Kansas Jayhawks
Kansas University is also a definite contender in the college basketball world. The No. 8 ranked Jayhawks are led by center Hunter Dickinson who averages almost a double double with 15 ppg and 9.6 rpg. Dujuan Harris Jr. is an amazing, experienced guard who averages 10.7 ppg and 5.9 assists per game. They are also complemented by amazing role players that round out their team .
3. Auburn Tigers .
The Tigers have one of the best players in the country in Johni Broome who averages almost 20 ppg and 11 rpg. Guards Chad Baker - Mazara, Miles Kelly, and Tahaad Pettiford all average over 10 ppg.Center Dylan Cardwell is a great defender and role player who rounds out their team almost perfectly. Coach Bruce Pearl gets his team playing harder than any team in the country.
These are my top 3 contenders, and here are the top 3 pretenders.
1. UConn Huskies
The Huskies have lost to three unranked teams! 3 unranked teams and they’re still ranked! In a span of four days Uconn lost to Dayton, Memphis, and Colorado. On Saturday the 14th Uconn and Gonzaga faced off , and Uconn came out with the win. That’s a good win, but I don’t think they can beat great teams down the stretch.
2. Purdue Boilermakers
Purdue has three losses to Texas A&M, Marquette, and Penn State. Texas A&M and Marquette are both ranked teams, but Penn State is an unranked team. The Boilermakers also lost star center Zach Edey to the NBA. Only having one win against a ranked opponent puts Purdue, in my mind, out of the conversation of a national championship.
3. Houston Cougars
Houston has a record of 6 wins and 3 losses. Those 3 losses are all to ranked teams in San Diego State, Auburn, and Alabama. They also haven’t beaten a ranked team yet, making a pretty bad resume. They also have lost a good guard in Jamaal Shed. Again, I believe that this ranking is just based on last year’s success making them come out of the national championship conversation.