NCAA Basketball: 10 teams with most to prove during 2023 Feast Week

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 13: Head coach Hubert Davis talks with R.J. Davis #4 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during the second half of their game against the Miami Hurricanes at the Dean E. Smith Center on February 13, 2023 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

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NCAA Basketball Arkansas Razorbacks guard Khalif Battle Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /

6. UCLA Bruins

MTE: Maui Invitational

UCLA is a unique team in that everyone trusts Coach Mick Cronin and his defensive system, as the team ranks third with 50.7 ppg allowed. Adem Bona has been an early breakout star so far but everyone else is a question. There’s the new-look backcourt of Sebastian Mack and Dylan Andrews that hasn’t been tested as of yet, along with the international freshmen.

7’3 freshman forward Aday Mara has had NBA talks, while Berke Buyuktuncel has been cleared to make his debut. This is a team that could have a Final Four ceiling if these pieces work out but they’re going to have a big test, starting with a veteran Marquette team with plenty of experience and cohesion. Maui will be telling on whether the Bruins can be a contender or just a team capable of making the postseason.

5. Arkansas Razorbacks

MTE: Battle 4 Atlantis

The Razorbacks wouldn’t have been mentioned in this piece until a few days ago, when they took a bad loss at home to UNC Greensboro. The biggest problem for the team was the 4/23 shooting from three-point range, a weakness of the roster of transfers that can scorer but not be pure shooters.

There are questions about the overall pecking order, the bench production outside of Khalif Battle and other things Arkansas needs to sort out. These are the first true tests of real competition for the Razorbacks, starting with Stanford. If they can’t get multiple wins in this event, their overall ceiling could be in doubt.

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