March Madness is right around the corner, and the question everyone wants to know is who is going to win it all. We will be breaking down my four favorite teams to win the national championship this March. Take a look at each breakdown to pick out your winner for this year’s March Madness.
UConn, the current favorite to repeat as March Madness national champions, comes in at +650. The Huskies lost star players Adama Sanago and Jordan Hawkins, who both scored over 15 points per game. Cam Spencer, the transfer from Rutgers, has been a key addition to this Huskies roster, averaging 15 points a game on 45% shooting from three. Along with Spencer in the backcourt is 5th-year senior Tristen Newton, who is averaging 15 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 6 assists. Having two experienced star guards is a huge advantage for a deep run in March. Along with those two in the backcourt, you have the sophomore frontcourt of Alex Karaban, who averages almost 15 points per game while shooting 40 percent from three, and Donovan Clingan, who averages 12 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2 blocks a game. Rounding out the starting lineup is 5-star freshman Stephon Castle, who is averaging 11 points per game. With three quality bench players, Samson Johnson, Hassan Diarra, and Solomon Ball, this UConn roster is something the coach’s dream of going into March Madness. Currently, UConn is ranked number 3 in the Kenpom rankings, with a 3rd-rated offense and 17th-rated defense. The only weakness of this team is the fact that the last team to win back-to-back national championships was Florida in 2006 & 2007. Right now, the UConn Huskies are my favorite to win the national championship at +650.
Houston, the third favorite to win the national championship, comes in at +900. The Cougars lost their two star players, Marcus Sassor and Jarace Walker, to the NBA draft, but added key players through the portal to pick up the slack. Starting off with arguably their best player this season, senior L.J. Cryer, who transferred from Baylor, is averaging 15 points per game. Along with him in the backcourt is senior Jamal Shead, who is averaging 13 points, 6 assists, and 2 steals. Similarly to UConn, the Cougars have two experienced star guards to control the games in March. Houston’s two other key players in the starting lineup are senior J’wan Roberts, who is averaging 9 points and 7 rebounds, along with sophomore Emanuel Sharp, who is averaging 12 points and 4 rebounds a game. Kelvin Sampson utilizes their depth well, as do Damian Dunn, Javier Francis, Terrance Arceneaux, and Joseph Tugler, who all average over 15 minutes a game. We have all seen in previous March Madness runs that Houston wins from their defense and offensive rebounding, which has been extremely good this season. Houston is currently ranked number 1 on defense from Kenpom and 6th for offensive rebounds. Not only have those two areas stood out, they are currently ranked number 1 overall and 14th offensively on Kenpom. This could be the best overall team that we have seen from Kelvin Sampson and the Cougars in recent years. Getting the Cougars at +900 is great value, and they are my 2nd favorite pick to win the national championship in 2024.
Arizona currently has the 4th best odds to win the national championship at +100. Like the two others that have been discussed, Arizona also lost their best player from last season. Azuolas Tubelis averaged almost 20 points a game last season, but that production has been replaced by a star transfer from UNC, Caleb Love, who is averaging 19 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists. Kylan Boswell, the 5-star freshman, has made a huge impact this season, averaging 10 points and leading the team in assists and steals. Another key part of the team are the forwards Pelle Larson and Keshad Johnson, who are both seniors. Johnson is averaging 11 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 steal, with Larson averaging 13.5 points, 4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists. Larson has been an outstanding three-point shooter at 42.6 percent this season. Not only has he been shooting the ball well, Johnson and Boswell are both shooting 38 percent from three, and Love is at 35 percent from three. Their shooting is going to be key when it comes to how far they go in March. Rounding out the starting five is the big man, Oumar Ballo, who is averaging 13 points, 10 rebounds, and 1 block. Off the bench, the freshman duo of KJ Lewis and Motiejus Krivas have given the Wildcats key minutes when needed. Jaden Bradley, the Alabama transfer, has also made an impact off the bench, shooting 43.8 percent from three. Currently, the Wildcats are sitting at 4th overall in the Kenpom rankings, with a 4th-rated offense and a 15th-ranked defense. The Wildcats can be an inconsistent team at times, but if they get hot at the right time, the +1100 value is worth it.
My last team is UNC, who currently have the 6th best odds to win the national championship at +2000. Everyone remembers Caleb Love’s insane 2022 March Madness run; the same did not happen in 2023 as they missed the tournament. Most of the blame went to the chemistry problems between teammates Caleb Love and RJ Davis after rumors of them having the same girl. That led to the departure of Caleb Love, but it worked out for the best for both teams, as UNC is 19-5 and leading the ACC. It also led to the emergence of star senior guard R.J. Davis, who is averaging 21.5 points on 41 percent three-point shooting. He and freshman guard Elliot Cadeau, who are averaging 8 points and 4 assists, have been leading the Tar Heel backcourt this season. UNC also added two upperclassmen transfers: Cormac Ryan, averaging 10.5 points and 3 rebounds, and Harrison Ingram, averaging 12.5 points and 9 rebounds. RJ Davis and Harrison Ingram’s three-point shooting has been key to the Tar Heels success this season, both shooting over 40 percent. Finishing off the starting lineup is veteran senior center Armando Bacot, who is averaging 14 points, 10 rebounds, and almost 2 blocks per game. North Carolina has three key players coming off the bench: Seth Trimble, Jalen Washington, and Jae’Lyn Withers. As of now, UNC ranks 10th in Kenpom overall, with the 23rd-rated offense and the 12th-rated defense. With its veteran presence and highly talented youth, UNC has the potential to win the national championship this March with great odds at +2000.
The key factors to take into account when picking your March Madness winner includes star guards, especially veterans, coaches with March Madness experience, three-point shooting, and a consistent defense. March is the most unpredictable time of the year, especially when it comes to picking your March Madness brackets, but the best way to win your bracket challenge is to get the winner right.
