@LB_Dirtbags
Let’s keep this thread rolling… recent injuries have already put some squads now relying on depth.
My Current Top 5 which can change any day 
1. Houston (problem is they’re not going to be battled tested by a strong conference Feb-March) still the best team in the country and not close.
2. Bama Final 4 
3. Arizona (Balance & Length)
4. Baylor - The best of the BIG12 imo…it could be Baylor/TCU/Kansas/KState/IowaSt/Tex 
I could see all 6 making Sweet 16.
5. Wildcard Teams : UCLA - Battlers, UConn (can matchup with anyone), Providence (another tough out), Tennesee (don’t underestimate Coach Barnes)
Coogs are on a mission, great to have home court…also brings a lot of pressure however, and lack of value.
@wolfeman3
Yes sir, always a good conversation heading into February.
Good list. Tempo and defense are 2 big factors in winning the ship. LY’ KU vs NC ws an exception. Prior ships were Nova, Virginia, Baylor…all really good defensive teams that relies on 1/2 court offense. Bama & Zona are top 10 in tempo, and Baylor is ranked 75 in defense.
Tenn, UCLA, St Mary’s, & Houston meets the criteria
@Kristijan11
Teams I like to hear. There are 8-9 teams out of 10 in the B12 that can make the tourney. Unreal. Baylor and Kansas both won it recently, no reason to believe a team like TCU can make it all the way. They meet KP statistics, and they just beat a decent WV squad without their best player. Like it.
Brining this back as teams are shaping up some more…
My Top 5 revised:
1. Houston…slow team, and their SOS hasn’t been great. Still a team with a lot of grit that I would back over any team.
2. Kansas…They’re playing the best right now. Smaller, fast tempo team that’s not as talented as LYs squad, but definitely as competitive.
3. UCLA…Defense is strong and imo they’re a better version of LYs squad, but team can also struggle offensively down the stretch…Cronin is the only one I don’t trust in a big game.
4. Gonzaga… they’re back and they’ve got a deep bench. Young back court, but if they can play confident they’ll be back in the Final 4.
5. Alabama…I don’t like their back court, but every other position is solid, including their coach. They’ve never gotten into the Final 4, so motivation will be factor.
Go Bruins!!
@LB_Dirtbags
Bags - I’ve always liked Houston but not sure they have enough. Would make AZ, UCLA, and Kansas my top 3 picks for now.
I think this tournament is wide open. Took a 300/1 flier on my wolverines last weekend. Only because I’ve payed pretty close attention and have seen a pretty drastic improvement from multiple players since November. It’s hard to match Hunter Dickinson at 7’1” he can stretch the defense or be a dominant scorer down low. Two freshman who barely played are now huge contributors - Dug McDaniel is the starting PG now and has been great. Slippery player who can shoot it as well. Kobe Bufkin is emerging as a star, can score in buckets. Jett Howard is the best pure scorer and likely lottery pick in either 23 or 24, he’s been injured and should be back soon. Maybe most importantly has been the breakout from Tarris Reed up front. Defensively, early in the year Mich was awful at keeping guards out of the lane, there was zero ability to get stops. I still don’t think they’re great on the D end but Reed has brought a new element. The guy is a pogo stick out there, swallows up shots near the rim, has provided a spark offensively on the glass and with some big hoops of his own.
They’ve made 5 or 6 straight sweet 16’s, and I think they have the talent to be a team that gets hot at the right time and make a deep run. The teams been tested by a top 30ish schedule, have played a bunch of good teams tight but ultimately haven’t been able to finish. Think they’re getting better really quickly the last month or so.
Not trying to be a homer, Im completely aware that they could lose out, lay an egg in the opener of the B1G and head to the NIT. Just saying at 300/1 right now, I think they’re a more talented team than recent years with multiple guys emerging at just the right time. Worth a look if you want a little lotto ticket.
@HockeyNight11
Agree, Michigan has been playing better ball as of late, but…. B10 hasn’t impressed m3 much. IU & MState caught my attention some, but they’ve got some obvious flaws. Also, imo Michigan’s young back court, and inexperienced coach is a recipe for disaster when playing on a big stage.
@LB_Dirtbags
Probably true, but again it’s a 300/1 flier, not exactly a “favorite.” Lol.
In the B1G I think Indiana has shown the most to make a run. Would put Purdue and Michigan as the next two though. i like MSU’s guards but they’re way to soft down low for a Tom Izzo team. Don’t think they’re making much noise this March, he’s got a great class coming in next year though.
glad they moved up your list
@theMatrix24
as requested w/ what worries me abouth these teams…
1. Houston…bigs ability to score. Not much production from their 3 bigs. Walker is the only guy who can score, but he’s still young and inexperienced.
2. Kansas…fast break points won’t get them far…Slow tempo, good defensive teams, or faster teams are what worries me with KU…Houston/Virginia…slow teams, Zags/Bama fast teams.
3. Gonzaga…Defense. If they can’t play defense within their conference, will they ever w/ top tier D1 teams?
4. UCLA…Jaylen Clark. He’s the heart & strength of this team. Their ability to play vs physical teams is already low, without Clark it’s even more so.
5. Alabama…Turnovers & guard play. They play fast, but they also give up a lot of TO’s. Their guards isn’t their strong suit and that almost is always key to winning the ship.
Closing in… Texas, Xavier, & Virginia.
3 remaining with Creighton, Houston, and UCLA.
I really can see Arkansas making the final four. Eric Musselman has that team believing. Devo Davis is the HEART AND SOUL of that team
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