NCAA Tournament 2012: Elite Teams Facing Key March Madness Questions

The NCAA Tournament is right around the corner, which means teams hoping to emerge victorious in New Orleans early next month are trying to iron out any issues they may have. Several title contenders are facing important questions that will need to be addressed.

Here are three squads currently ranked inside the Top 10 that still have some work to do before tip-off in the opening round.

Kansas Jayhawks

Question: Can the Jayhawks overcome recent March disappointments?

Kansas lost a grand total of six games in the previous two seasons, but neither one ended with a trip to the Final Four. Shocking losses to mid-majors Northern Iowa and VCU prematurely ended what should have been deep tournament runs and maybe even a national title.

The Jayhawks are back in contention and will likely face off with another upstart Cinderella team along the way. Thomas Robinson and Tyshawn Taylor know the feeling that comes with getting eliminated, so they will need to make sure Kansas is prepared for every test.

After all, in a one-game battle for survival, it doesn't matter what the name on the front of the jersey is, both teams are going to leave everything on the floor.

North Carolina Tar Heels

Question: Will the Tar Heels get enough production from their guards?

The frontcourt trio of Harrison Barnes, Tyler Zeller and John Henson will be a matchup problem for just about every other team in the tournament. If North Carolina is going to win it all, however, the team's guard play will need to improve.

Dexter Strickland started 19 games before a knee injury ended his season, which made a thin group even thinner. Reggie Bullock and Kendall Marshall are the two players with the best chance of becoming impact players on the outside.

They are knocking down a combined two three-pointers per game. If they are able to increase that average during the tournament while playing strong defense, North Carolina will be a tough out.

Duke Blue Devils

Question: Will the Blue Devils' defense be able to make key stops?

Defense has been Duke's Achilles heel so far this season. The team's lack of ability to make stops at crucial points was on full display in the regular-season finale against North Carolina when the Blue Devils couldn't stop a UNC run in the first half.

Players like Austin Rivers and Seth Curry, who lead the charge on offense, will need to significantly increase their defensive intensity in the tournament. Making big plays on that end of the floor is often more about a will to do it than actual talent.

Every college basketball fan knows how close games tend to be during March Madness, especially at the business end of the tourney. Duke will need to make several big stops to survive the journey.