8 Teams That Can Take Down College Basketball's Big Four

Syracuse, Kentucky, Ohio State and North Carolina have established themselves as elite college basketball teams this season. While some may think that this "big four" is miles ahead of anyone else, there are several teams that could knock them off.

The Indiana Hoosiers, for example, have already dismissed two of the big four this season.

There are a few other teams from the Big Ten, Big 12 and Big East that have the talent and the mindset to conquer the biggest beasts in the country.

Let's take a look at the eight teams that have the chops to take down the big four.

Kansas Jayhawks

Perennial national power Kansas has a couple of blemishes on its record, but the Jayhawks are a talented squad that have the horses to run with the nation's best.

Thomas Robinson has emerged as a dominant force in the paint, and Tyshawn Taylor is one of the most dynamic guards in the country. These two are aided by role players like Jeff Withey and Travis Releford who keep opponents on their toes.

When Taylor plays smart and limits his turnovers, this team is tough to handle.

Bill Self's club can run with big, athletic teams such as Syracuse, and they can also grind it out against teams like Ohio State, who they conquered earlier this season.

Georgetown Hoyas

John Thompson's Georgetown Hoyas are one of the most well-rounded teams in the Big East, and they have the weapons in each phase of the game to compete with the country's elite.

They're not in the upper-echelon of the NCAA—they may not even have top-10 talent—but they're a squad that has the ability to beat anyone, including the big four.

Buoyed by the outstanding play of Jason Clark and Hollis Thompson, the Hoyas have already registered several quality wins this season. They took down SEC contender Alabama along with Big East foes Louisville and Marquette. 

Clark and Thompson are complemented by center Henry Sims and guard Markel Starks, so they have the ability to play well inside and out.

Michigan State Spartans

When the Michigan State Spartans lost back-to-back games to North Carolina and Duke to start the season, Tom Izzo didn't worry at all. He knew he had a good team that would pull together and start playing to its potential.

Fifteen consecutive wins later, it looks like Sparty is back on track. Another Izzo Final Four venture is well within the realm of possibility.

MSU is strong on the defensive end, and they rebound extremely well, keeping other teams off of the offensive glass.

The Spartans have a true leader in senior Draymond Green, who averages nearly 16 points and 10 rebounds per game. Green has a supporting cast that shares the rock and shoots at a high percentage.

Connecticut Huskies

Connecticut's performance this season has been underwhelming for the most part, considering the collection of talent Jim Calhoun has at his disposal.

But if they start clicking, look out.

These three improvements could lead to another championship run:

1. More rhythm and continuity on offense

2. A better-coordinated perimeter defense

3. More assertiveness from Andre Drummond

The Huskies have started to progress in these areas, and, if they keep it up, they can beat anyone, including the likes of North Carolina and Syracuse.

Indiana Hoosiers

Not only does Indiana have the capability to take down the big four, but they have already toppled two of them. Wins over Kentucky and Ohio State served notice that Hoosier basketball is back.

Tom Crean's club can shoot the lights out, and that is ultimately what makes them dangerous enough to beat any team. They lead the nation in three-point shooting at nearly 48 percent, and they shoot well from inside the arc, too.

Freshman sensation Cody Zeller is a skilled young forward who's extremely difficult to guard. His interior threat combined with the perimeter shooters can give opponents fits.

Just ask the Wildcats and Buckeyes.

Baylor Bears

The undefeated Baylor Bears are the class of the Big 12 this season. Waco has a team loaded with athleticism and a chip on its shoulder.

Baylor hasn't been tested by a true powerhouse team yet, but the weapons are there to make a deep run in the big dance.

Perry Jones, Quincy Acy and freshman Quincy Miller are all forwards who can rebound and fill up the hoop, but the athleticism doesn't stop there. Five-foot-ten junior guard Pierre Jackson has blinding speed that helps him create plays for others.

I think Baylor matches up quite well with most of the "Big Four." It should make for some exciting showdowns in late March.

Missouri Tigers

Another deadly team representing the Big 12 are the Missouri Tigers. Frank Haith is in his first year as head coach of the program, and he leads one of the best teams Missouri has ever seen.

The Tigers lead the country in field goal percentage, thanks to guards Marcus Denmon and Kim English along with explosive power forward Ricardo Ratliffe.

For the most part, Missouri takes good care of the ball, as evidenced by an excellent assist-to-turnover ratio.

Missouri's efficiency on offense and overall talent gives them a great chance to ruin anybody's party.

Duke Blue Devils

North Carolina is the premiere team in the ACC, but that doesn't mean Duke can't trip them up.

Ohio State annihilated the Blue Devils in November, but that doesn't mean Duke wouldn't compete with them in a rematch. 

After a fine showing in Maui, Coach K's boys have been somewhat disappointing, but here's why I think Duke can take down any team:

1. They shoot the ball extremely well.

2. They're solid at the forward and center positions.

3. Austin Rivers is only going to get better this year.

Add that up, and it spells trouble for even the best of Duke's adversaries.