Now that the football season is over, it’s time for basketball and March Madness. Unlike football, any basketball team has a chance to win as long as they get hot at the right time. This will be a list of who I think will have a chance to win and be major contenders.

   While this list is my opinion, I will do my best to not use any biases I may have, as well as basing my predictions off of what I have personally seen and how I think the season will end. 

Auburn Tigers:

I know that picking the current number one team in the nation is kind of lame, but the selection is extremely justified. The Tigers have been the team to beat this season with an amazing squad of players. This group is a great mix of veteran leadership and young energy coached by Bruce Pearl.  

   Johni Broome leads this team in the front court, and is also in the running for national player of the year. Even though Broome has dealt with injuries this season, Auburn has continued to win games without their best player. 

   A group of senior guards led by Chad Baker-Mazara has held down the fort as this team prepares to roll into the tournament. With the senior presence on this team, it’s championship or bust. 

   Duke Blue Devils: 

   Another bland pick because it’s pretty self explanatory. Cooper Flagg is a young superstar who trained with basketball legends over the summer for team olympics. The team still has star guard Tyrese Proctor manning the point guard spot, as well as young three point shooter, Isaiah Evans. 

   Aside from that, the front court is anchored by 7’2 freshman Khaman Maluach who is averaging over six rebounds and one block per game this season. While this team has had some struggles against a top tier team like Auburn, if they can all click and win the ACC, they could go on a huge tournament run. 

    Florida Gators:

   This team has gone from rags to riches in a short time frame. This team would have just been happy to make the tournament in 2021. Now, they look to secure the title for the first time since 2007. 

   This team starts in the backcourt where guard Walter Clayton Jr. leads the team in scoring. Fellow guard Will Richard has shown the ability to shoot the basketball from anywhere and from any distance. 6 ‘2 junior Elijah Martin has had two games this season where he was able to crack 20 plus points which has been very helpful when others have been struggling. 

   Looking towards the front court, this gators squad does not lack any talent. Near seven footer Alex Condon, leads the team in rebounds where he averages almost eight per game, and blocks, averaging just over one per game. Sophomore Thomas Haugh has been his running mate in the paint while also improving his three point shot by almost 10 percent from last year. 

   This team has the shooting size and defense to take it all the way. It will just depend on if they can dethrone the tigers when the time calls for it. 

Missouri Tigers:

   Another tiger has hit the ground running and doesn’t look like they are going to stop. Missouri has previously been stuck in the basement of college basketball over the past couple of years, but this year not only has a different feel, but they are finally producing results. If you thought Florida’s team was very guard heavy you should take a look at Missouri, where the top four players in terms of playing time are guards. Duke transfer Mark Mitchell is number one on the team in scoring and has added a much needed winning mentality to the program. Senior guard Tomar Bates has seen it all with this program and chose to return this season albeit at a much smaller role. However, he still continues to knock down threes at a nice 40 percent and is another stable veteran presence for this team. 

   Anthony Robinson II is also hitting three pointers at around 40 percent but is also playing with great two-way intensity, averaging over two steals per game. This team has relied on its small ball lineup to wins against two major teams, former number one Kansas and recently, stomping current top 10 Alabama by 13. 

   While this team only has one true bigman, the physical guard play has more than made up for the small lineup that is built to run the floor, potentially to a title. 

Memphis Tigers:

   This is my dark horse for this list. While currently ranked at just number 18 in the country, the Tigers schedule has been incredibly impressive. Their week one win against Missouri looks better and better with each week and they have been competitive with Michigan State and Auburn, two top 10 teams. This team is coached by former NBA star Penny Hardaway, whose pro experience has shown through when in sticky situations. 

   This team starts with sophomore guard PJ Haggerty, whose 21 points per game is currently ranked sixth in the entire nation. Both he and fellow guard Tyrese Hunter are hitting three-point jump shots above the 40 percent mark, which other teams have found to be very lethal. 

   Illinois transfer Dain Dainja provides some championship experience from his time at Baylor, as well as adding some more size to a team that needs it. This big three, plus an abundance of good role players, has led me to believe that they have an outside shot of making a deep March Madness run.