Busting Brackets
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NCAA Basketball: Examining title contenders, Texas Tech’s return & more takeaways

By Brian Rauf

LUBBOCK, TX - FEBRUARY 23: Jarrett Culver #23 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders goes in to dunk the basketball during the first half of the game Kansas Jayhawks on February 23, 2019 at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TX - FEBRUARY 23: Jarrett Culver #23 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders goes in to dunk the basketball during the first half of the game Kansas Jayhawks on February 23, 2019 at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images) /
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SYRACUSE, NY – FEBRUARY 23: RJ Barrett #5 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts to a play against the Syracuse Orange during the second half at the Carrier Dome on February 23, 2019 in Syracuse, New York. Duke defeated Syracuse 75-65. (Photo by Rich Barnes/Getty Images)
SYRACUSE, NY – FEBRUARY 23: RJ Barrett #5 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts to a play against the Syracuse Orange during the second half at the Carrier Dome on February 23, 2019 in Syracuse, New York. Duke defeated Syracuse 75-65. (Photo by Rich Barnes/Getty Images) /

4. Only 5 teams have legitimate national championship hopes

How exclusive is that select group of national championship favorites? I only think there are five teams that have a legitimate chance to cut down the nets in Minneapolis.

Duke clearly makes the cut for reasons I shouldn’t have to explain to you. I’ve also mentioned Kentucky given the extremely high level of play they’ve been able to maintain for the past month and a half.

Then there’s North Carolina, Virginia, and Gonzaga.

Like Kentucky, UNC has raised their level of play over the last month and were dominant in blowout wins over Duke and Florida State this week. I picked them to win the national championship in the preseason because of the different ways they can win a game, and I still think that’s the beauty of this team. One night it’s Coby White dropping 33 points to beat Miami. Another night, Luke Maye steps up with 30 points and 15 rebounds. The next night, Nassir Little steps into the spotlight with 20 points off the bench. Other teams can’t match that and, now that the Tar Heels appear to have figured themselves out, they’re extremely dangerous.

Gonzaga has a similar balance and might be the No. 1 team in the country when the AP poll comes out on Monday. They have an elite frontcourt in Rui Hachimura and Brandon Clarke (both projected first-round picks) and two star guards in Zach Norvell Jr. and Josh Perkins. Yes, they have not played elite competition in a while, but they are rolling everyone they’ve played and have one of the best non-conference resumes in the country.

And roll your eyes if you want to but, yes, Virginia is on the shortlist. Their defense is still elite, Kyle Guy and Ty Jerome are stars, De’Andre Hunter is a projected top-10 pick, and they have more depth than in year’s past. If you want more on why UVA will make a long run this year, I explain that in detail here.

Other top teams are certainly capable of making very long NCAA Tournament runs, but all have at least one fatal flaw that I think will keep them from winning a title.

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