NCAA Basketball: UNC’s title hopes, to-do list for bubble teams and more weekly takeaways

1) Is North Carolina the national title favorite?

I have been on record multiple times saying that, when healthy, Duke is the best team in the country and I still believe that. However, given Zion Williamson’s uncertain status, we don’t know if or when that will happen.

The Blue Devils are clearly flawed without him and I think the Tar Heels team that just swept them should be the national title favorite if Duke doesn’t return to full strength.

North Carolina might be the most versatile team in the country and it’s one of the biggest reasons why I picked them to win the title in the preseason.

They’re the nation’s best rebounding team and can beat you playing big with Garrison Brooks, Luke Maye, and Sterling Manley on the inside. We know they love to play fast, but that size gives them the ability to be effective in a half-court game, too. They also have a roster full of talented shooters, meaning they can space the floor with Maye or Nassir Little at the five, which they’ve also done with success.

Cam Johnson emerged as a first-team All-ACC player this year and freshman point guard Coby White is a bona fide stud who is averaging over 18 points per game in conference play. Those two give the Heels legitimate go-to offensive options with Maye (who is averaging a double-double) serving as one of the nation’s best third options.

UNC also has experience and that is always crucial in NCAA Tournament action.

All of those things are why they have won 14 of their last 15 teams, showing that they’re playing their best basketball at the right time. Every team has at least one flaw this year, but the Heels have erased theirs – inconsistency – right as the stakes are being raised.