March Madness 2023: Who to Watch

By: Garret Kryzanowski

One of the most exciting times of the sports year is almost among us, March Madness. With "Selection Sunday" coming up on March 12 and the tournament starting March 14 I figured I would highlight four teams I consider to be favourites and one team I think will be the dark horse of the tournament.

Kansas Jayhawks

The 2022 Champions had a lot of turnover coming into this season, including losing the Final Four MOP Ochai Agbaji to the NBA draft. All of roster changes and an ongoing NCAA violations investigation would surely lead to a drop off, right? No. The Jayhawks are 24-5 this season so far and are atop of the deepest conference in college basketball, the BIG 12. Led by Jalen Wilson, a junior from Denton Texas, the Jayhawks are getting hot at the right time, winning their last six games against tough BIG 12 opponents. Now, no team had repeated as champions since the Florida Gators did it in the 2006 and 2007 tournament. I do believe the Jayhawks have the talent and coaching to make a run at repeating as national champions.

UCLA Bruins

Ever since there magical run from the First Four to the Final Four in 2021, the Bruins have been one of the best programs in the country. Following up there 2021 run with a trip to the Sweet 16 in 2022, falling to the eventual tournament runners up, North Carolina Tar Heels. This year the Bruins are 25-4 and have won 22 of there last 24 games, including a current eight game winning streak. Led by senior guard Jaime Jaquez Jr the Bruins have become one of the most dangerous teams in the country. One of the hottest teams in the country, the Bruins are a clear favourite to not only return to the Final Four but to win it all. If the Bruins are cutting down the nets in Houston as national champions it won't come as any surprise.

Arizona Wildcats

After being one of the top four seeds in last year's tournament and making a Sweet 16 appearance for the first time since 2017 the Wildcats have carried momentum into this season. With a 24-5 record this season the Wildcats, along with the UCLA Bruins, have been the prized jewels of the prestigious Pac 12 conference. Led by junior forward Azuolas Tubelis, the Wildcats are second place in the Pac 12 conference trailing the Bruins. However, the Wildcats did beat the Bruins 58-52 earlier in the season. With one more match up coming up on March 4 and a probable matchup in the Pac 12 tournament title game one thing is certain, the Wildcats will be battle tested. Battle tested isn't always a good thing for a team as they can begin to wear out later in the tournament. I don't believe this Wildcats team will tire out and it wouldn't surprise me if they made it to the Final Four for the first time since 2001. The Arizona Wildcats are for real.

Houston Cougars

The Cougars are current number one ranked team in the country and have a staggering 27-2 record this season so far. There biggest loss was a mere six points to Alabama. Now, the Cougars play much different basketball then the other teams on this list. They play a slow paced game, with the intention of out rebounding and out muscling teams into submission and it has worked. Led by head coach Kelvin Sampson, the Cougars have been a staple of the NCAA tournament in recent years, making the Elite Eight in 2022 and the Final Four in 2021. The Cougars are an experienced group and well deserving of a top four seed in the upcoming NCAA tournament. Being led by senior guard Marcus Sasser on the court, the Cougars should be in the Final Four and the title game. This could be the year the Houston Cougars finally win that elusive national championship and I believe they have the team to do it.

These teams are all ranked in the top 10 in the latest AP poll and for good reason, they all have been consistently dominant throughout there seasons. The dark horse of this upcoming tournament has been the opposite, inconsinentant.

UConn Huskies

The Huskies started the 2022-23 season a superb 14-0 including a dominant win over a ranked and very good Alabama team. Then came the downfall, the huskies would go on to lose six of there next eight games, seemingly falling off the map as a top team. The Huskies and head coach Dan Hurley had to figure out what they were going to let define them, the losses? Or the wins? The Huskies, sitting at 16-6 seemingly decided to take the latter rattling off six wins in the next seven and are currently sitting at 22-7. Led by leading scorer Adama Sanogo the Huskies are heating up at the right time. With the Big East tournament looming and Selection Sunday approaching the Huskies control their own fate. If any team can upset the favourites it's the UConn Huskies.

March Madness is truly one of the most exciting times of the sports year. It is on what seems like 24/7 and of course the attempt of completing the ever elusive perfect bracket. After Selection Sunday I will complete a bracket and I will share my final four picks and predictions once the bracket is released.

March Madness will start Tuesday March 14 and will conclude Monday April 3.