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NCAA Basketball: 10 teams most likely to win their first National Championship in 2019

By Tristan Freeman

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - DECEMBER 31: Devon Hall #0 of the Virginia Cavaliers goes to the basket during Virginia's game againt the Florida State Seminoles at John Paul Jones Arena on December 31, 2016 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Chet Strange/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - DECEMBER 31: Devon Hall #0 of the Virginia Cavaliers goes to the basket during Virginia's game againt the Florida State Seminoles at John Paul Jones Arena on December 31, 2016 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Chet Strange/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – MARCH 22: Cody Martin #11 and Josh Hall #33 of the Nevada Wolf Pack look on after being defeated by the Loyola Ramblers during the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament South Regional at Philips Arena on March 22, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. Loyola defeated Nevada 69-68. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – MARCH 22: Cody Martin #11 and Josh Hall #33 of the Nevada Wolf Pack look on after being defeated by the Loyola Ramblers during the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament South Regional at Philips Arena on March 22, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. Loyola defeated Nevada 69-68. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

4. Nevada Wolf Pack

Highest program finish: Sweet Sixteen in 2004 and 2018

No team has more hype from its fan base than the Nevada Wolf Pack for next season. For some, the Sweet Sixteen is the floor in terms of expectations, with the elusive first-ever Final Four appearance more within grasp than ever. Everyone returns except Kendall Stevens, including Jordan Caroline and both Cody and Caleb Martin. Five transfers and five-star forward Jordan Brown gives this team a ton of depth to work with.

Why Nevada can win it all

Head Coach Eric Musselman loves to use a “positionless” lineup, using the five best players at his choosing. With 10 guys with starter experience and a five-star recruit coming in, that’ll allow him to use a variety of lineups at his choosing. This was a team that already could score, that could end up unstoppable in 2019.

Why Nevada can’t win it all

With so many new pieces coming in, it’ll take a while for the staff to create the best lineup and minute allocation for the players. That kind of experimentation could cost them early with an upset or two, which could haunt them come March. The Mountain West has become a one-bid league as of late, and the see the Wolf Pack get will show it. Just like the Gonzaga Bulldogs, their conference affiliation more than anything could derail their postseason hopes.

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