College Basketball: Why the Nation's Best Will/Won't Go Deep in the Tournament
Very few outcomes in the NCAA Tournament are a sure thing, and this includes even the best of the best putting all the pieces together and making a deep tournament run.
Just a year ago, college basketball fans were stunned as the mighty Kansas Jayhawks were upset in the second round by an unlikely Norther Iowa team.
Showing just how unpredictable March Madness can be.
And while it's impossible to know for sure how this year's tournament is going to unfold, there are plenty of reasons for and against some of the nation's top teams navigating their way through what figures to be another extremely competitive bracket.
There's about a month until Selection Sunday which means that anyone who has any desire to be informed about their bracket is currently looking at the best teams in the nation with a critical eye.
Like a stalker digging through Kim Kardashian's trash, we're all looking for that one nugget of information that may set our bracket apart from everyone else at the office.
The truth is, at this point in the season no one really knows which teams are going deep into the tournament and as we saw last year, even the best teams can suffer unlikely losses in the early rounds.
This list isn't going to tell you which teams will be going deep into the tournament, instead, it will tell you why the best teams in the nation are capable of having success in this year's tournament and why they may come up a little bit short.
The question becomes, do the positives outweigh the negatives?
You'll have to decide that for yourself.
Kansas
1 of 22
Why They Will
Kansas might be the most balanced team in the nation and the Jayhawks supreme depth has been on display all season as they've established themselves as one of college basketball's elite teams.
The Morris twins are a challenge for anyone to handle down low and when you combine them with Thomas Robinson coming off the bench, it's hard to think of a better frontcourt in college basketball.
Josh Selby has played in only 13 games this season, but he's definitely shown the ability to carry this team and when he's on his game, he can play with any perimeter player in the nation.
Bill Self is an experienced coach and he presides over a veteran lineup which is extremely efficient on offense and doesn't figure to be overwhelmed by the bright lights of the tournament.
Why They Won't
Despite their impressive 24-2 record, Kansas has played its share of close games this season against teams that they may have taken a little too lightly.
You could look at narrow escapes against USC, UCLA, Michigan, Nebraska, and Colorado as a sign that this team knows how to win close games, or you could look at it as evidence that the Jayhawks might have gotten caught sleeping on a few occasions this season.
This certainty isn't a knock on any of the aforementioned teams (because they're pretty good) and over the course of a season close games happen, but coming out flat against solid teams in the tournament can absolutely spell disaster.
Kansas features a deep and multi-talented backcourt which includes the likes of Josh Selby, Tyrel Reed, Tyshawn Taylor, Mario Little, and Brady Morningstar. All of these guys are capable of making plays for Bill Self, but none of them have really distinguished themselves as go-to scorers who could carry the offensive load should the Jayhawks frontcourt stumble in the tournament.
As I've already mentioned, Selby is probably the leading candidate to take on this role and while he has looked unstoppable at times this season, he's also had his share of letdowns.
It's hard to doubt the talent that this Kansas backcourt has, but it remains to be seen if they will be able to carry this team deep into the tournament if they need to.
Texas
2 of 22
Why They Will
It's pretty incredible that the star power on this Texas roster has managed to outshine how good this team has been defensively.
Then again, when you have guys like Jordan Hamilton, Tristan Thompson, and Cory Joseph carving up opponents on a nightly basis, it's understandable that their superb play would grab most of the headlines.
At the same time, the Longhorns have almost definitely been the best defensive team in the nation thus far and it's helped them post an undefeated record in the Big 12 through the middle of February and has them in position to grab a number one seed come March.
Rick Barnes and his boys seem to have learned a lot from last seasons collapse during conference play and thanks to the maturation of Jordan Hamilton and the immediate contributions from Thompson and Joseph, Texas has three players who can dominate many aspects of a given game.
When you throw in what guys like J'Covan Brown, Dogus Balbay, and Gary Johnson can bring to this team, there might not be a more talented roster in all of college basketball right now.
Texas can score inside and out, hit the three, and they're one of the best rebounding teams in the country all of which will pose problems for whoever they meet in the tournament.
Why They Won't
If Texas is going to make a deep tournament run they will be powered by the play of Hamilton, Joseph, and Thompson, all of whom are underclassmen and have very little (if any) tournament experience.
This isn't the biggest deal in the world but it wouldn't be entirely shocking if their inexperience reared its head at some point during March.
Free throw shooting has been a big issue for Texas this season, especially for Tristan Thompson who is currently hitting less than 50 percent of his foul shots and the talented freshman could end up hurting this team more than helping it in the last three minutes of a hotly contested tournament game.
Dogus Balbay has been an extremely important part of the Longhorns success, playing great defense and setting up his teammates for easy buckets.
But when you have a point guard who struggles to hit open shots and isn't the best free throw shooter, it opens the door for an inventive coach to take advantage of a player who constantly has the ball in his hands and can't shoot.
Ohio State
3 of 22
Why They Will
The Buckeyes boast an extremely talented roster which features one of the best players in the country in Jared Sullinger, who has been nearly unstoppable for most of his freshman season.
Their three-headed swing/guard combo of Buford, Diebler, and Lighty can matchup with pretty much anyone and each player gives Thad Matta a little something different.
Diebler is one of the best three point specialists in the country, Buford can be a dominant go-to scorer when necessary, and Lighty's versatile, all-around defensive style of play can change games.
But before you think that Ohio State is only four players deep, the likes of Aaron Craft, Deshaun Thomas, and Dallas Lauderdale have all given the Buckeyes valuable minutes and make this team deep and dangerous.
On top of all of the individual talent they have, Ohio State is big, physical, great on defense, and one of the best three point shooting teams in the nation.
Why They Won't
There really aren't too many flaws on this team but surprisingly, rebounding isn't one of their strong suits.
The Buckeyes have been out rebounded in almost half of their conference games this season and although Sullinger's been a beast on the glass, he hasn't gotten much help from his teammates.
In fact, no one on Ohio State besides Sullinger averages more than four rebounds per game and if this team does have a weakness, it could be that the Buckeyes are susceptible on the glass.
The play of Sullinger and Craft has been tremendous this season, and while both guys have performed more like upperclassmen than freshmen, the tournament can be an all together different beast than the regular season.
When Ohio State isn't at its best, Sullinger doesn't get enough touches in the post and he can be silent for prolonged periods of action which definitely hurts the Buckeyes.
While it might not be surprising that a team this good has played quite a few close Big Ten games, the fact that they've let inferior competition like Michigan, Penn State, Northwestern, and Iowa hang around could lead to trouble when the tournament starts.
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Pittsburgh
4 of 22
Why They Will
Pittsburgh is the best team in what is arguably the best conference in the country.
Their 12-1 record in the Big East is extremely impressive and includes wins over; UConn, Marquette, Georgetown, Syracuse, West Virginia, and Villanova, so you know this lineup is battle tested.
The Panthers are about as tough and physical as they come and while they're always tenacious on defense, Pittsburgh's offensive proficiency is what has many people thinking this is their season to finally take home a championship.
Ashton Gibbs and Brad Wanamaker can hang with any backcourt in the country and they give this Pittsburgh team two players that can make big shots down the stretch.
Jamie Dixon's squad is also one of the best rebounding teams in the country and specifically excels on the offensive boards which gives Pittsburgh extremely valuable extra possessions.
To top it all off, the Panthers bench features guys like Travon Woodall and Dante Taylor, both of whom give this team quality minutes while the starters are resting.
Why They Won't
Although it's becoming a bit of cliche at this point, the constant pounding that Pittsburgh has endured during Big East play may very well limit their potential come tourney time.
The Panthers recent game against Villanova is the perfect example of the kind of extremely physical play that can really take it's toll over the course of a given season.
Because the Big East Tournament has so many rounds and generally has teams playing on consecutive days, it can really wear down a team both mentally and physically just a few days before the NCAA Tournament begins.
Another issue that may prevent Pittsburgh from a deep tournament run is their relative lack of a low post scoring option.
Gary McGhee, Nasir Robinson, and Dante Taylor give this team a very physical post presence who can bang with the biggest players in the nation, but none of these players can really give the Panthers a consistent low post threat.
If the Panthers find themselves up against a team that plays good perimeter defense and is suspect inside, they may not be able to take full advantage of the situation because they don't have a true back to the basket scorer that plays big minutes.
Duke
5 of 22
Why They Will
An extremely well coached and experienced Duke roster which features two of the top players in the country will absolutely be a threat to play deep into the tournament.
Nolan Smith and Kyle Singler present a number of matchup problems for most opponents and they have proven this season that they're capable of carrying the Blue Devils against tough competition.
Duke relies on the long range shot more than most squads, but they're shooting nearly 40 percent from three as a team and can quickly erase any deficit or extend any lead thanks to their stable of three-point shooters.
In addition to one of the highest scoring offenses in the nation, Duke's defense is also elite and their intensity on that end of the floor is matched by very few other teams in the country.
Kyrie Irving's absence has given other players on this Duke roster a chance to play bigger minutes, and Seth Curry has made the most of this opportunity.
Curry might have struggled early on but his recent performances against Boston College, North Carolina, and Miami have shown that he can be nice complementary piece for Duke and even propel this team to victory.
Why They Won't
Like any team that relies as heavily as Duke does on the three-pointer, one off shooting day in the tournament can spell doom for their chances at another deep run.
Another issue for this Blue Devils team may very well be their lack of production from their post players.
Mason Plumlee has been solid under the basket but he's disappeared at times this season, and neither his brother Miles nor Ryan Kelly have consistently shown that they have the physicality to make a difference for this team in the paint.
When looking at their two losses this season which came at the hands of Florida State and St. John's, it's clear that athletic teams can also cause problems for Coach K's squad and although they ended up defeating North Carolina last week, it was pretty evident that the Tar Heels athleticism gave them problems as well.
San Diego State
6 of 22
Why They Will
San Diego State might not play in a traditional major conference, but they're athletic, tough on defense, and have compiled an impressive 26-1 record.
Kawhi Leonard is a legitimate star at the collegiate level and has the kind of all-around talent that can take the Aztecs deep into March.
San Diego State is far from a one man show however, and contributions from guys like D.J. Gay, Malcolm Thomas, and Billy White have helped this team stay balanced on the offensive side of the floor.
Despite how much talent this team has, perhaps one of the biggest factors that may help the Aztecs make a deep tournament run lies in the fact that they will almost definitely get a high seed come Selection Sunday.
Most projections have San Diego State as a 2 seed right now, which makes their chances of a deep tournament run that much better than if they had to do navigate their way through the bracket with a worse seed.
Steve Fisher has been around college basketball for a long time and has had his share of success in the tournament, so you can bet he will have his team ready to prove that they belong with some of the elite teams in the country.
Why They Won't
San Diego State isn't exactly an offensive juggernaut and they're just an average three point shooting team which limits their ability to come from behind and steal a game should they find themselves trailing in the tournament.
The fact that they're not very well equipped to come from behind gives San Diego State a smaller margin of error than most of the better teams in the tournament and may put some pressure on the Aztecs to perform well right out of the gate.
While their wins over Gonzaga, Saint Mary's, Wichita St., UNLV, Colorado St, and New Mexico are impressive, none of these teams can be considered elite. San Diego State has played and beaten a lot of very good teams but they lost to the only great team they've played this season when BYU bested them 71-58 in late January.
The Aztecs might have one of the best RPI's in the country but they haven't faced the level of competition that some of the other Top 10 teams in the nation have up to this point in the season and their schedule could come back to hurt them come March.
Notre Dame
7 of 22
Why They Will
Notre Dame is both talented and experienced and they might be one of the only teams in the nation whose starting five can legally celebrate with a couple of beers after a hard fought win.
Tim Abromaitis, Tyrone Nash, Scott Martin, Carleton Scott, and Ben Hansbrough have seamlessly moved on from the Luke Harangody days and this Fighting Irish team is definitely a force to be reckoned with come March.
Mike Brey's team can beat you in a number of ways, and whether they're running uptempo and shooting the lights out or utilizing their boring-but-effective burn offense, they've proven to be one of the best teams in the Big East this season.
They've already notched impressive wins over Georgetown, Connecticut, Pittsburgh, and Louisville thanks to their poise down the stretch and ability to execute in half court sets.
Ben Hansbrough is having one of the best individual seasons in the nation that few people are talking about and the fact that he's going to have the ball in his hands when things get tight in the tournament, has to inspire confidence that this Irish team can make a deep run.
Why They Won't
Tyrone Nash and Carleton Scott are solid options under the basket but neither player is a dominant force down low and while the Irish do a good job of rebounding as a team, they can be taken advantage of by bigger, more physical front lines.
Notre Dame is a great shooting team but they're often at their best on offense when guys like Hansbrough and Eric Atkins are penetrating and working the ball around for the best possible shot.
However, this team can become enamored with the long distance shot which is fine when it's falling, but could hurt this team if they get lazy on offense and have an off shooting day in the tournament.
BYU
8 of 22
Why They Will
When you have a player as dynamic as Jimmer Fredette, who is capable of putting up 30 or more points against pretty much anyone, a deep tournament run is never out of the question.
Because Fredette is one of the premier go-to scorers in the nation and has shown the ability to make plays down the stretch of close games, this BYU squad is well equipped to make some noise in this season's tournament.
The Cougars also have a nice supporting cast of players like Jackson Emery, Brandon Davies, and Noah Hartsock who can make opposing teams pay if they're focusing too much on Fredette.
BYU does the little things right; they don't turn the ball over, are one of the best free throw shooting teams in the nation, and they're an efficient offensive team which generally makes good decisions with the ball.
Much like San Diego State, the Cougars will likely get a high seed in the tournament which only furthers their chances of making a deep run thanks to what should be an easier road.
Why They Won't
BYU relies on Fredette for over 30 percent of their scoring and when you factor in his 4.3 assists per game, his actions are responsible for over 40 percent of the teams points.
This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but relying this heavily on one player opens the door for an early round upset should Fredette have an off game.
This team has shown that they are capable of overcoming a down game from Fredette, but the question becomes can they overcome a down game from Fredette in the tournament against some of the toughest competition the Cougars will see all season?
Georgetown
9 of 22
Why They Will
The Hoyas have a veteran roster that features one of the best three guard combos in all of college basketball.
As many teams in the Big East have already found out, the play of Chris Wright, Austin Freeman, and Jason Clark can will this team to victory with their gritty perimeter heroics.
Because the three best players on this Georgetown roster always have the ball, they are capable of overcoming almost any deficit and can quickly take a close game and put it out of reach.
The Hoyas are a threat to heat up from behind the three-point line at any time and Wright, Freeman, or Clark can not only create their own shot but they also make life easier for the rest of the players on this roster.
John Thompson III's squad might not always look like one of the best teams in the nation but they're a very good shooting team that knows how to win close, ugly games and they've been doing a lot of that this season.
The fact that either Wright, Freeman, or Clark will undoubtedly have the ball in their hands when the game is on the line has proven to be a recipe for success this season and is the main reason why Georgetown can make a deep run this season.
Why They Won't
Julian Vaughn has been a steady contributor for Georgetown but the rest of the Hoya bigmen haven't given this team very much production.
Guys like Hollis Thompson, Nate Lubick, and Henry Sims have been solid, but their play hasn't been a huge difference maker this season.
If Vaughn is the only post player who gives this team any real production down the stretch, they could be in some serious trouble in the tournament against some of the bigger teams in the country.
Furthermore, Julian Vaughn can't play the whole game and when he's on the bench, it puts a lot of pressure on the guards to make plays and also makes the Hoyas a team that can be taken advantage of on the boards.
Another area of concern for Georgetown is their depth, especially in the backcourt.
This isn't the biggest of problems when you have three extremely talented guards, but players like Vee Sanford, Jerrelle Benimon, and Markel Starks haven't given this team much of a lift when they're in the game.
This lack of production hasn't afforded the team's three best players much margin for error and could hurt them once the tournament starts.
Wisconsin
10 of 22
Why They Will
Wisconsin does a lot of things very well and they're an incredibly disciplined team that won't beat themselves.
The Badgers take very good care of the ball, and because of this they rarely have empty offensive possessions or allow opposing teams to push the tempo against them.
In addition to their always tough defense, Bo Ryan's team is one of the most efficient offensive teams in the country this season.
They're the best free throw shooting team in college basketball and they're also very good from behind the arc with the likes of Leuer, Taylor, and Nankivil all hitting over 40 percent of their long range shots.
Jordan Taylor and Jon Leuer are legitimate stars and as we've seen all season and specifically against Ohio State, either or both of these guys can takeover a game and lead the Badgers to victory.
The biggest factor that may help Wisconsin make a deep tournament run could be the ability of Taylor and Leuer to score in bunches and give a traditionally low scoring team the ability to emerge from a high scoring game victorious.
The fact that nearly everyone on this roster, including Leuer and Nankivil, can shoot the three makes for some serious matchup problems and could very easily have Wisconsin playing deep into the tournament.
Why They Won't
If the NCAA Tournament was played in the Kohl Center, Wisconsin would probably win the National Championship.
As it stands, the Badgers will have to make their run through the tournament away from home where they haven't been nearly as good this season.
The Badgers have been a great three-point shooting team this season but their most recent game against Purdue showed what can happen to them when their shots aren't falling.
Like many great long range shooting teams, Wisconsin sometimes settles for deep shots rather than working the ball around and this could come back to haunt them in the tournament.
Jon Leuer and Jordan Taylor have been great this season, but they will invariably need some help from their supporting cast if this team is going deep into the tournament. The other players on this Wisconsin team are capable of doing their part but their production is far from a sure thing.
Purdue
11 of 22
Why They Will
E'Twaun Moore and JaJuan Johnson are talented enough to give this Purdue team a chance to beat anyone in the country.
In addition to their two superstars, Matt Painter's squad can beat you with their experience, hard nosed defense, and three point shooting, all of which generally give them an advantage over most teams they're matched up against.
Purdue doesn't make a habit of turning the ball over and although guys like Lewis Jackson, Ryne Smith, and Kelsey Barlow don't have eye popping numbers, each player brings something valuable to the table in support of Moore and Johnson.
At the end of the day, this team will probably go as far as their two stars can take them and that has to have Boilermaker fans feeling pretty good about their chances to make a deep tournament run.
Why They Won't
Purdue hasn't been able to find a reliable third scorer after Johnson and Moore and it doesn't seem like this team will be able to overcome a bad shooting day from either of their star players in the tournament.
E'Twaun Moore is in the midst of another very impressive season, but the senior shooting guard has struggled in some big games this season which has really hurt Purdue.
In the Boilermaker's five losses, Moore is shooting under 30 percent from the field and it's clear that they need him playing at a high level if they're going anywhere in March.
Matt Painter's squad has one of the premier bigmen in the country, but after JaJuan Johnson the team is a little thin up front.
Besides Johnson, no player on this Purdue roster who is over 6'5'' averages more than 10 minutes per game and although JaJuan has been very productive during his senior season, frontcourt depth is a concern for the Boilermakers.
Connecticut
12 of 22
Why They Will
As we found out earlier in the season, Kemba Walker is one of the premier players in the country and can beat anyone when he's at his best.
Walker's not only a great scorer who is downright unstoppable when he's feeling it, but the 6'1'' guard is an above average playmaker who creates easy scoring opportunities for the players around him.
As for the rest of the team, UConn might not have elite players lining their roster but youngsters like Jeremy Lamb, Rosoce Smith, and Shabazz Napier have all continued to improve as their freshmen year has progressed.
These three players have endured their share of growing pains, but they figure to be battle tested by the time the tournament rolls around thanks to their experience in the Big East.
The Huskies are also solid on defense, attack the offensive glass, and limit their turnovers, all of which have helped them stay competitive in the Big East.
When you combine these characteristics with an elite player like Kemba Walker and a blossoming bigman like Alex Oriakhi, the Huskies should have a solid chance to make a run in March.
Why They Won't
Kemba Walker can be stopped and the rest of this team isn't experienced enough to pull out a victory.
Since Big East play has started we've seen teams like Pittsburgh, Syracuse, and St. John's limit Walker's effectiveness.
Relying on multiple looks and defenders, all of which focus on getting the ball out of Walker's hands or making him take contested shots, these teams essentially forced Walker to be lights out or defer to teammates if the Huskies were going to win.
Of course, even the best defensive tactics don't work when a player like Walker is at his best, but when he's not on fire, a sound defensive game plan can put a lot of pressure on Lamb, Napier, and Smith who would have a hard time carrying this team very far into the tournament.
Arizona
13 of 22
Why They Will
Arizona might be ranked a little high right now, but three of their four losses came away from home against very good teams and they've got one of the best players in the nation on their roster.
Derrick Williams continues to have an impeccable season for the Wildcats and his presence around the rim gives this team as dynamic an offensive threat as there is in college basketball.
On top of Williams, Arizona is one of the best three-point shooting teams in the country and they're also very good at preventing their opposition from hitting long range shots.
This has allowed Arizona to remain competitive in almost every game they've played this season and will no doubt serve them extremely well come tournament time.
Thanks in large part to what Williams gives this team on the offensive end of the floor, the Wildcats are one of the most efficient offensive teams in the nation and they can score with pretty much any team in the country.
Why They Won't
Arizona has a lot of depth and a true star in Williams, but the Wildcats have yet to find a consistent second option to take some pressure off their leading scorer.
MoMo Jones seemed to be the most likely candidate after a recent stretch in which he hit double figures for six straight games, but his performance against Arizona State which saw him score just 2 points on 0 of 6 from the field, once again displayed the kind of inconsistency which has plagued him for most of the season.
Over the years it's been established that great guard play is usually a big part of most deep tournament runs and while Jones, Fogg, and Parrom have been solid contributors for Arizona, they will have to step their games up a notch if Arizona is going to make a deep run.
The Wildcats also haven't won a game against a ranked opponent this season which isn't a very encouraging sign that they'll be able to make a deep tournament run.
Villanova
14 of 22
Why They Will
You've heard this story before; a guard-oriented Villanova team runs circles around the competition and plays deep into the tournament.
This season might not be much different when you consider their backcourt consists of Corey Fisher, Corey Stokes, and Maalik Wayns.
This three-guard lineup brings experience, scoring, and play making to a Villanova team that can be difficult to matchup with because of how quick and talented their backcourt is.
Villanova is very good at controlling the tempo of most games and playing to their strengths, which is always valuable come tournament time.
Pena and Yarou can wreak havoc on the offensive glass and it's hard to bet against a team that should be able to execute down the stretch of close games.
Why They Won't
For starters, this Villanova team has very little depth.
Only three players see more than 10 minutes of action off the bench and Dominic Cheek has been the only consistent scorer that isn't in the starting lineup.
This will put an immense amount of pressure on Jay Wright's starters in the tournament and because this team doesn't have a reliable spark off the bench, Villanova will be in trouble if they get an off shooting night from any of their main contributors.
Despite what their three guards bring to the table, the Wildcats are just an average shooting team and none of their primary offensive contributors are even close to hitting 50 percent of their shots.
One of the biggest things that is irksome about this Villanova team is the fact that Fisher, Stokes, and Wayns seem to be better individually than they are together.
No one is doubting their talent, but most people expected more from this trio and when things are going poorly, their offensive sets have a tendency to become stagnant and generally end up with one of their three guards trying to do it all themselves.
If this type of play takes hold of the Wildcats during the tournament they won't be dancing for very long.
Florida
15 of 22
Why They Will
The Gators get solid contributions from every player in their starting five, and on a given night any of these guys can be the one who leads this team to victory.
Billy Donovan's team has a chemistry and cohesiveness that few in the country can match, which comes from using the same starting five for most of the last two seasons.
This allows Florida to compete with, and even beat, teams that may have more pure talent than them due to how well the Gators play together.
Their inside tandem of Vernon Macklin and Alex Tyus can beat opposing teams in many different ways and they combine with Chandler Parsons to make one of the most ferocious rebounding trios in the country.
Kenny Boynton and Erving Walker are the engine that make this team go and the two diminutive guards have proven that they can perform in the clutch.
In addition to their individual talent, this is a gritty Florida team that knows how to win close games and should play with plenty of poise when the going gets tough in the tournament.
Why They Won't
Walker and Boynton do some great things for Florida but neither player shoots even 43 percent from the field and they take the most shots of anyone on the team.
Boynton's sub 30 percent shooting from long distance is a big reason why the Gators are just an average three-point shooting team and because guys like Parsons, Tyus, and Macklin all struggle from the charity stripe, Florida is hitting just 65 percent of their free throws.
This lack of efficient shooting has hurt the Gators this season and could very well be the reason that they're sent home early from the tournament.
All of the balance on Billy Donovan's team is great, but the case could be made that this Florida team is full of very good players but missing that elite guy who could potentially carry them through the tournament.
Louisville
16 of 22
Why They Will
This Louisville team might not look all that impressive on paper but they seem to play better than the sum of their parts.
Rick Pitino's squad has dealt with many injuries over the course of the season but this hasn't stopped them from being a competitive team in the Big East and and a fixture in the Top 25.
The Cardinals look to push the tempo whenever possible and their frenetic pace and pressure defense generally causes problems for opposing teams.
With guys like Preston Knowles, Kyle Kuric, and Chris Smith all hitting over 40 percent of their three-pointers, Louisville is a dangerous team from deep that can put up a lot of points in a short period of time.
Their relentless style of play can keep them within striking distance of pretty much any team in the nation and Louisville has shown that they are capable of beating more talented squads because they play together.
Finally, Peyton Siva is an ex-factor for Rick Pitino whose speed and quickness make it difficult for anyone to keep him out of the lane. When you combine his ability to drive to the basket with the Cardinals clutch shooters on the perimeter, you have a team that could make a deep tournament run.
Why They Won't
Louisville doesn't really have a post player on this roster who can score effectively with their back to the basket, which limits what they can do in their half court sets.
The Cardinals are also just an average rebounding team and if they're not able to push the tempo, they can definitely be taken advantage of down low.
The team's most lethal three-point shooters are all 6'4'' or under and it seems like the potential is there for the shooting ability of Knowles, Smith, and Kuric to be offset by the longer more athletic teams they figure to see in the tournament.
This could spell disaster for a Louisville team that relies on the three-pointer to power a large percentage of their offense.
The Cardinals also aren't great from the free throw line and considering how many close games they seem to be involved in, this could definitely hurt them in the first few rounds of the tournament and combine with some of the above factors to send them home early.
Texas A&M
17 of 22
Why They Will
When you can control the tempo of most games and defend the way Texas A&M does, you always have a chance to play deep into the tournament.
A recent slide that's seen the Aggies lose four of their last eight games has certainly raised some doubts about how good A&M really is, but because of this team's ability to slow things down and grind out wins, it's hard to see them going quietly in the tournament.
Texas A&M is also one of the best offensive rebounding teams in the country, which affords Mark Turgeon's squad valuable extra offensive possessions and helps to make up for the fact that the Aggies are just an average shooting team.
Khris Middleton has emerged as the team's go-to scorer during his sophomore season and while his numbers may appear modest, he's a very tough player to matchup against and the 6'7'' swing man has that star quality which could propel the Aggies on a tournament run.
Why They Won't
Any way you slice it, Texas A&M is an average offensive team at best.
They're not great from behind the arc nor are they especially efficient from the field overall.
The Aggies inability to score has reared its head during their recent slide and it's been clear that this team can go through prolonged stretches in which they have trouble finding an offensive rhythm.
If these types of offensive droughts happen to A&M in the tournament there's little chance that they will make it very far.
Vanderbilt
18 of 22
Why They Will
Vanderbilt is a complete team that also has the necessary star power to make a run in the tournament.
The Commodores have five legitimate players in their starting lineup who give Kevin Stallings exactly the kind of production he's looking for.
The big guys rebound and play tough around the basket, the guards can make teams pay from deep, and Jeffrey Taylor is the swing man who provides this team with a lock down defender that can pretty much do it all.
Festus Ezeli, Lance Goulbourne, and Steve Tchiengang are a strong presence around the basket and ensure that Vanderbilt won't be pushed around when the tournament starts.
Vandy's offense can put points on the board in a hurry which allows them to score with any team in the nation and they get solid minutes out of their bench.
John Jenkins is one of the premier three-point shooters in the collegiate game whose recent performance against Kentucky showed that he's capable of getting hot from behind the arc and carrying this team to victory.
Why They Won't
Vanderbilt can look like one of the best teams in the nation one night and be average the next.
Inconsistent play has been an issue for the Commodores this season and it seems that you never know which team is going to show up on a given night.
Jeffery Taylor has been as guilty of this as any player on the Vandy roster and his no shows against West Virginia, Florida, Georgia, and Kentucky have really hurt this team and could potentially derail any chances of them making a deep tournament run.
The last two times Vanderbilt has made the tournament, they've been upset by mid major teams in the first round and looked fairly shell shocked in the process.
Both of those Vandy teams also had the potential to make some noise in the tournament but didn't execute and play up to their potential when the time came. That could be an issue for this year's team as well.
North Carolina
19 of 22
Why They Will
After a slow start, North Carolina has suddenly become a team that many think will make a deep tournament run, and with good reason.
Speaking strictly from a talent standpoint, the Tar Heels are one of the most dangerous teams in the country thanks to their athleticism and a menacing frontcourt.
John Henson and Tyler Zeller are a tough matchup in the paint and both players are capable of being game changers on either the offensive or defensive side of the court.
Thanks in large part to Zeller and Henson's play around the basket, North Carolina is one of the best rebounding teams in the nation and should thrive on the glass come tournament time.
Meanwhile, Harrison Barnes has been playing much better of late and gives Roy Williams a dynamic swing man who adds another viable option to this high flying Tar Heels offense.
North Carolina finally got some stability from the point guard position when freshman Kendall Marshall emerged as the team's floor general and he has shown an uncanny ability to setup those around him with easy scoring opportunities.
It seems that this relatively young but extremely talented North Carolina squad has finally found their stride and this could spell big trouble for the rest of the country and lead to a deep tournament run.
Why They Won't
For as well as they've played in the last few weeks, North Carolina is a young team that still has some growing pains ahead of them.
The Tar Heels will be depending on Barnes and Marshall to play huge roles for this team come tournament time and while you can't doubt either players talent, they could easily crack under the pressure.
Furthermore, North Carolina is a below average three point shooting team and although it's not what their offense is predicated upon, it could limit their ability to quickly make up a deficit come tournament time.
Free throws have also been an issue for the Tar Heels this season and John Henson's shooting makes him a huge liability down the stretch of close games.
Syracuse
20 of 22
Why They Will
It's become clear that Jim Boeheim's squad probably wasn't as good as their 18-0 start indicated, but there's too much talent on this Syracuse team to rule out a deep tournament run because of their recent struggles.
Syracuse's zone is still a huge challenge for most offenses to figure out and more often than not teams end up settling for a contested three rather than moving the ball for a higher percentage look.
Rick Jackson has been a monster down low and his scoring, rebounding, and shot blocking give the Orange an elite low post presence who can make up for a lot of mistakes.
Due to all of the steals that their zone can generate, players like Brandon Triche, Scoop Jardine, and Kris Joseph have seen plenty of easy buckets in the open court which has been virtually impossible for most teams to stop.
Syracuse has lost six of their last nine games but they still have a Hall of Fame coach, a talented roster, and a suffocating defense, all of which make them a threat to play deep into the tournament.
Why They Won't
As I mentioned above, Syracuse has thrived in transition this season but their half court offense has been much less successful.
During their recent slide, the Orange have looked disjointed in their half court sets and because their three-point shooting isn't nearly what it was last year, they can't get away with not executing on offense in the tournament.
Jardine and Triche are good players but both have struggled with consistency this season and when that's happened it's spelled disaster for the Orange.
The story has been the same for most of Syracuse's role players, who sometimes play great off the bench but sometimes don't bother showing up.
Jackson and Joseph have adapted well to their expanded roles on this team, but they're not good enough to carry the Orange on a deep tournament run by themselves should the rest of the guys on this roster not give them enough support.
Missouri
21 of 22
Why They Will
Missouri is one of the deepest teams in the country and their uptempo style of play can be extremely effective against teams who have never faced this kind of pressure before.
Mike Anderson has the Tigers ready to run from the opening tip and because this team goes eight or nine deep, they can sustain this style of play for an entire game.
Missouri is an above average shooting team that definitely isn't afraid to let it fly from behind the arc and they have four players on their roster who shoot over 38 percent from three.
The Tigers ball pressure and swarming defense creates plenty of turnovers and generally forces the opposing team to make poor decisions with the ball.
Marcus Denmon headlines an impressive backcourt which features five guards who can all put the ball in the basket and are the driving force behind Missouri's success.
The Tigers can absolutely score with anyone and they have the personnel to parlay the fastest 40 minutes in basketball into a deep tournament run.
Why They Won't
When you have a team like Missouri that relies primarily on it's shooters to win games, they can be due for a letdown if the shots aren't falling.
It would be nice if the Tigers could run and gun against every team they played in the tournament, but they will undoubtedly face some very good defensive squads that will force them to play at a slower pace.
It remains to be seen if the Tigers are capable of winning slower paced games that are predicated on defense and if they can't, it doesn't seem very likely that they will have much success in the tournament.
Despite the fact that Ricardo Ratliffe and Laurence Bowers have played pretty well this season, Missouri can be exploited in the paint, especially if either player gets into foul trouble.
Kentucky
22 of 22
Why They Will
The best players on this Kentucky roster might not have much experience but they're about as talented as any trio in the nation. Terrence Jones, Brandon Knight, and Doron Lamb have all played well during their freshmen season and have kept the Wildcats in the Top 25 for most of the year.
When you combine their talented freshmen class with veteran role players like Harrellson, Miller, and Liggins this team can do some damage come tournament time.
Kentucky has a very long and athletic roster that can cause matchup problems and they also have the ability to beat many teams down the floor which leads to easy transition buckets.
The Wildcats are also a great long distance shooting team and they never seem to be out of a game thanks to their ability to quickly put points on the board.
Why They Won't
A Kentucky team that relies so heavily on three freshmen can definitely have their struggles in the tournament and the fact that their top three players have no tournament experience can't help their chances of making a deep run.
Regardless of how talented they are, you never know what you're going to get from freshmen in the tournament, and it would be hard to imagine some of the veterans on this Kentucky roster leading a deep tournament run should the Wildcats freshmen play like freshmen.
This team has also struggled mightily away from home and their 2-6 road record has disappointed the Kentucky faithful this season. Obviously, the games Kentucky will be playing in the tournament will be at neutral sites, but their lack of success on the road might be a red flag for how well this team handles adversity and there figures to be plenty of adversity when the tournament starts.
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