It’s that time of year when sports fans across the country submit their NCAA tournament brackets. Whether you’re a diehard college basketball fan or have never watched a game, March Madness will bring everyone together in a 64-team bracket of upsets and legacies. What is the most important part of a good bracket? Being able to predict which teams will unexpectedly rise to the top and which will fall off a cliff. As we near the bend towards the beginning of March, it’s time for you to prepare – will you beat the 1 in 1.9 quintillion odds and achieve the coveted perfect bracket? 

                                                               The Favorites

Coming off a fresh victory in last year’s tournament, UConn’s core is centered around a balanced attack—and it’s paying off. The Huskies offense under Dan Hurley has dominated the college basketball scene, ranking 1st in adjusted offense and 11th in adjusted defense in KenPom Rankings. As the overall number 1 seed in the tournament, UConn should be one of—if not the—safest pick when you fill out your bracket.

Led by senior guards LJ Cryer and Jamal Shead, Houston is one of four teams with multiple players named to the Naismith Trophy Player of the Year Midseason Team. Cryer is one of the most efficient shooters in the country (15 points on 38% 3pt splits), and his do-it-all backcourt counterpart leads the team in both assists and steals.  But what’s led the Cougars to the top is certainly not their 74.2 ppg offense – it’s their lockdown defense. Ranking first in ppg (points per game) allowed, Houston hopes to continue shutting down opponents in the big dance. 

Heading into the Big Ten, Purdue hopes to rewrite their legacy as one of the esteemed chokers in March. The Boilermakers will face an uphill climb in the eyes of the fans, becoming a part of one of the most exclusive clubs in sports (1 seed that has lost to a 16 seed) after last season’s loss to Fairleigh Dickinson. 7 ‘4 center Zach Edey is likely to win his second NCAA Player of the Year award, but even he can attest that inside forces don’t tend to fare well in March. Even with one of the easiest paths to the Sweet 16, there’s always the question of whether or not Purdue can play when it counts.

Sneaking into the last 1 seed is a North Carolina team coming off a brutal loss in the ACC championship to in-state rival NC State. The Tar Heels haven’t won the whole thing since head coach Roy Williams retired, with their highest finish being runners-up to Kansas two years ago. Locker room tension last year forced backcourt duo Caleb Love and RJ Davis to split up, with Love transferring to Arizona in the offseason. Davis took over the reins and never looked back, breaking the 20 ppg and 40 % 3pt% marks for the first time in his career. Still, UNC might struggle against a team that can match their offensive firepower if Davis isn’t producing.

                                                             Cinderella Watch

Every year, at least one team flies under the radar to build a deep run in the tournament. What is the key to these underdogs somehow sprouting wins against the best teams in the NCAA? – Shooting, defense, and experience. Whether you look at Davidson in 2008, Loyola in 2018, or St Peters in 2022, Cinderella teams snuck into the Sweet 16 and on by quickly catching fire with trusted players. This year, all signs point to Oregon, McNeese St, and Samford as teams that can defy the odds in the big dance. 

One of the keys to a team making a deep run in the tournament is hitting stride at the perfect times – and Oregon is doing just that. Winning their last 4 games, including a win against 2nd seed Arizona and the PAC-12 Championship,  the Ducks are hoping to keep their momentum going. They’re one of the more balanced teams in the nation, with 9 players averaging over 7.5 points per game. Senior N’Faly Dante has shut down the paint in several key wins for the Ducks, whose mission in March is to hound more skilled and top-heavy teams. Don’t be surprised when Oregon makes noise in their last season in the PAC-12.

McNeese has one of the best records in the NCAA at 30-3 and hasn’t lost a single game since November. Head Coach Will Wade has brought this basketball program back to life after being fired from LSU in the offseason, leading them to consecutive 20-point blowouts en route to a Southland Conference Championship.

Senior guard Shahada Wells has completely turned his career around after transferring from TCU in the offseason, becoming one of the more underrated players in the tournament. The 6 ‘0 magician can score at all 3 levels and annoy opposing guards on both ends of the floor, averaging 3 steals and shooting at a 40% clip from 3 a game.

The rest of the Cowboys aren’t far behind at almost 39%, which is good enough for the 8th most efficient team from deep in the nation. McNeese also ranks 4th in opposing PPG and steals per game, making them an elite force on the defensive end. Drawing a long time contender in Gonzaga in the first round isn’t easy for any team, but don’t count out the Cowboys.

A matchup McNeese could face in the 2nd round is a 13-seeded Samford team that completely fits the mold of a Cinderella. The Bulldogs can compete with anyone offensively, ranking in the top 10 in efg%, fast break points, and 3pt%. With no big name players on their roster, they’ll have to lean on a balanced attack from the perimeter in close matchups. Having no clear player to look to in the clutch can make or break Stamford’s chance at advancing against an injury-riddled Kansas team, but their shooting will always keep them in the rearview mirror of their opponents.