NCAA Basketball: 10 teams most likely to win 2022 NCAA Tournament

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - APRIL 05: (L-R) MaCio Teague #31, Jackson Moffatt #13, Jared Butler #12, Matthew Mayer #24 and Mark Paterson #35 of the Baylor Bears dance on the court after defeating the Gonzaga Bulldogs 86-70 in the National Championship game of the 2021 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 05, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

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Collin Gillespie Villanova Wildcats NCAA Tournament (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

7. Villanova Wildcats

Jay Wright’s team has the experience factor that always helps teams go far. The Villanova Wildcats have been there and done that, one of the more successful NCAA Tournament teams in the past decade or so.

Some were surprised Villanova was named a No. 2 seed, especially over a deserving SEC Tournament champion in the Tennessee Volunteers. The Wildcats are not to blame for their placing, though, and they aren’t going to take it for granted.

After Villanova likely disposes of Delaware in the First Round, they’ll either get Ohio State or Loyola Chicago in the Second Round; the former has struggled down the stretch, while the latter was on the bubble prior to winning its conference tournament. Following that, the Wildcats will potentially face the Vols in the Sweet Sixteen.

Last year’s team made it to the Sweet Sixteen before falling to eventual champion Baylor. There are several differences between the two years, the biggest being Big East Player of the Year Collin Gillespie. While he was around last season, Gillespie tore his MCL in March, missing the NCAA Tournament. He’s been even better this year after his recovery and should be a difference-maker in big games.

Villanova is also the best team in the nation at the charity stripe, which should not be overlooked. The team is hitting 82.3 percent of their free throws and won’t cough up close leads at the end of games.

While the Wildcats have underwhelmed at times this season, they also have wins over Tennessee, UConn (twice), and Providence (twice). Count them out at your own risk.

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