By Liam O’Brien
Selection Sunday is only three weeks away, and I am absolutely bursting with anticipation. Filling out brackets, watching incredible upsets unfold at all hours of the day: no other sporting event comes close to what March Madness has to offer. Every year the tournament is filled with implausible stories and unthinkable victories, and this March’s spectacle has the potential to be one of the greatest in recent memory. Storylines include an undefeated, second-ranked squad from the obscure Missouri Valley Conference, a cloudy slate of potential one-seeds and a number of upstarts who could possibly bust your bracket.
Just in the last few weeks we have witnessed tournament favorites such as Syracuse and Michigan State fall to perennial cellar-dwellers, proving that this year any upset is possible. While BC and Nebraska may not be participating in the tourney, there are a plethora of potential bracket breakers. Arkansas is a perfect example, a team who looked excellent in its defeat of star-studded Kentucky on February 27th. The Razorbacks have knocked off the preseason No. 1 Wildcats twice this season, beat SMU and Minnesota and come oh-so-close to giving No. 1 ranked Florida its only conference loss as well, becoming en route to the 35th rank in the BPI. Other teams with upset potential include include Pac-12 squads California and Arizona State, A-10 squads UMass and St.Joseph’s, Minnesota, Oklahoma State (Marcus Smart is back), Pittsburgh, Providence, SMU, VCU and Harvard.
These squads, however, will have to topple the favorites if they wish to make a run at the Final Four. For me, Kansas, who already clinched a share of the Big 12 title, is the team to beat this spring. Featuring two astonishing freshman, Andrew Wiggins and Joel Embiid, the Jayhawks have overcome the nation’s toughest schedule en route to a 13-3 conference record and the No. 5 ranking in the nation. Veterans Perry Ellis and Naadir Tharpe provide the leadership and stability needed to sustain a long tourney run, and Roxbury native Wayne Selden rounds out the stellar starting lineup with his exceptional playmaking skills.
Another contender is undefeated Wichita State, which has followed up its Final Four run last spring with a 31-0 regular season, the most regular season wins without a loss. Some will argue that the Shockers deserve less than a No. 1 seed due to their underwhelming schedule; however, this team has proved itself capable of outlasting its competition, regardless of the opponent. My other No. 1 seeds are the obvious favorite Florida, whose defense is absolutely stifling, and Arizona, the No. 3 team in the nation. The Wildcats are pioneered by the high-flying freshman Aaron Gordon, guard Nick Johnson,and big man Kyle Tarczewski. Having lost only twice this entire season while defeating both Duke and Michigan, this squad is poised for a deep run.
Other contenders include Duke, Michigan, Virginia and Creighton. Lead by the anticipated No. 1 draft pick Jabari Parker, who averages 19 points and 9 boards per game, as well as knockdown shooters Rodney Hood, Rasheed Sulaimon, Quinn Cook and Andre Dawkins, this year’s Blue Devils are one of the best squads throughout Coach K’s tenure. Michigan, last year’s runner-up, may have lost Trey Burke and Tim Hardaway Jr.; however, sophomore Nik Stauskas, college’s best shooter, and forwards Glenn Robinson III and Caris LeVert make the Wolverines a threat in the tournament. Another dangerous team is Virginia, who capped off an outstanding season with a convincing victory over Syracuse, clinching the regular season ACC championship. A well-coached group led by senior sharpshooter Joe Harris and low-post threat Akil Mitchell, the Cavaliers have impressed many with their 16-1 conference record and have emerged as a Final Four favorite.
Creighton is another team with high expectations, featuring Doug McDermott, one of the best scorers in college history. A Naismith Award candidate and the 10th highest scorer in NCAA history, the senior is concluding his collegiate career with 26 points per game, the nation’s leading mark. Despite his outstanding personal achievements, McDermott’s sole goal is to cut down the nets on the first Monday of April, something every player on each of the 64 teams in this year’s tournament will compete for.
