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NCAA Basketball: 4 teams that can absolutely win the 2023 NCAA Tournament

By Cooper Watson

HOUSTON, TEXAS - FEBRUARY 22: Tramon Mark #12 of the Houston Cougars and Marcus Sasser #0 react after a basket during the second half against the Tulane Green Wave at Fertitta Center on February 22, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS - FEBRUARY 22: Tramon Mark #12 of the Houston Cougars and Marcus Sasser #0 react after a basket during the second half against the Tulane Green Wave at Fertitta Center on February 22, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /
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NCAA Basketball Rodney Terry (R) of the Texas Longhorns instructs Tyrese Hunter (Photo by Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images)
NCAA Basketball Rodney Terry (R) of the Texas Longhorns instructs Tyrese Hunter (Photo by Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images) /

Texas

The Big 12 was by far the most difficult conference in college basketball this season, and Texas had a shot at winning the outright regular-season title until the next-to-last game of the season. Still, they finished second in the league with an impressive 16-point win over Kansas to close out the regular season.

The Longhorns are led by Marcus Carr, who is averaging 16.2 points per game and earned All-Big 12 First Team honors. They also have one of the nation’s best transfers in Sir’Jabari Rice, who has not started a game this season, yet he ranks second on the team in scoring with 12.6 points per game and has scored at least 20 points in five of his last 11 games.

Texas ranked second in the Big 12 in 3-point percentage during the regular season and ninth in the country in adjusted offensive efficiency on KenPom. The Longhorns are an elite offensive team but are still known for their hard-nosed defense, which has been the driving force in wins over Kansas, Baylor, and Kansas State.

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Rodney Terry has done a phenomenal job in a difficult situation this season. Former head coach Chris Beard was arrested for domestic violence in December, which led to his firing in early January. Losing a head coach in that fashion could have easily derailed Texas’ season, but Terry has stepped in and kept the train on the rails and headed for a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.

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