Although there’s still a few weeks left until ‘March Madness’ makes its way into the sports world, college basketball (CBB) is heating up with conference play beginning in January. This is a unique year in the CBB world, as there isn’t a dominant team. Nevertheless, the spotlight is shining on several programs.
Defending champions Connecticut reached #1 in the Associated Press (AP) Poll on Jan. 15. The Huskies are 17-2 as of Jan. 25, which is impressive considering they’ve gone through a few injuries. Last season, Connecticut didn’t heat up until March, yet they rode that streak to the championship. With three players averaging over 15 points a game, the Huskies have a well-balanced offense that will give them the opportunity to be the first back-to-back champions since 2006/07 Florida.
In 2023, the University of North Carolina had the most disappointing season the program had seen in quite some time. This year, the Tar Heels have bounced back in big fashion, reaching #3 in the AP Poll on Jan. 22. Led by player of the year candidate R.J. Davis and five-star freshman Elliot Cadeau, UNC is in a prime position to grab a 1-seed come Selection Sunday, one year after completely missing out on the tournament.
The Kansas Jayhawks are another big threat to cut down the nets. The senior duo of Kevin McCullar Jr. & Hunter Dickinson is arguably the best in the country, and while their defense has regressed in January, it is never safe to bet against them. As a member of the Big 12 Conference, KU will get many opportunities to boost their resume to earn a 1-seed.
The Kentucky Wildcats have been a letdown as of late; a prestigious program like theirs shouldn’t be on a nine-year Final Four drought. This year, the Wildcats have a different identity to their playstyle, as it is a top offensive unit compared to being a more balanced team previously. While this could backfire in a single elimination game if the offense goes cold, they can score 80+ at any given time.
The next few weeks will be a fascinating time in the sport as conference play reaches its climax, and the contenders will separate themselves. Who will cut down the nets in Phoenix come April 8?