NCAA Tournament 2023: 10 biggest storylines to watch for 1st day of games

7. Battle of inconsistent teams with potential in Illinois and Arkansas

Had Illinois and Arkansas been placed in different sections of the bracket, there’s a case that many would pick either to make a run. At their peaks, both teams have Final Four potential. Yet at their floors are a quick and early exit.

For Illinois, they’ve been up and down all season. The point guard situation has been in flux, especially after losing Skyy Clark to the transfer portal midway through. But when Terrence Shannon Jr. and Matthew Mayer go off and make their shots, they’re capable of beating anyone, evident by the non-conference wins over UCLA and Texas.

Arkansas’ inconsistencies can be more explained. Early in the year, they lost double-digit scoring forward, Trevon Brazile, to an injury. They also have been without five-star freshman guard Nick Smith for half of the games and it’s taken him and the team a while to get fully acclimated. He’s averaging 14.0 ppg in the games he has played and when he, leading scorer Ricky Council (15.9 ppg), and versatile freshman Anthony Black are on, that’s a backcourt that can beat anyone.

The winner will take on likely Kansas so this could be a moot point when it comes to the long-term potential of these two. But whoever wins this game could very well give the Jayhawks a tough fight on Saturday.