NCAA Basketball: Top 10 teams most likely to win 1st title in 2022-23

6. Creighton Bluejays

Highest NCAAT finish: Sweet 16 (4 times)

The greatest recruiting class in program history already has paid off for Creighton, making the NCAA Tournament and arguably being a year early. And they’re looking like a preseason top-15 team and getting their highest ranking in program history as well. Not only has the sophomore core (Arthur Kaluma, Trey Alexander, Ryan Nembhard) all looked good in year 1 but center Ryan Kalkbreener already had his own breakout season last year and is a quality center.

And if Summit League Player of the Year and South Dakota State transfer Baylor Scheierman can produce anywhere near his production last season with the Bluejays, Creighton may have the best starting lineup in NCAA Basketball. But are they too young to win it all, especially the second-year backcourt of Nembhard and Alexander? They may just be a year too early to be definite title contenders but they certainly have the pieces to knock one of those other contenders out.

5. Texas Longhorns

Highest NCAAT finish: Final Four (3 times)

From a talent standpoint, the Longhorns are as good as anyone. Marcus Carr returns and is joined by Iowa State transfer Tyrese Hunter, one of the best freshmen players from last season. Leading scorer Timmy Allen returns and they also have a pair of incoming five-star freshmen in Arterio Morris and Dillon Mitchell.

This is a roster and defense that should be capable of making a run in the Big Dance but as Texas itself showed last year, the pieces have to fit in this unique and slow-paced offensive system. If it works out, they can beat just about anyone. If it doesn’t between Carr and Hunter in the backcourt, they’ll be a top-25 squad with a low ceiling.