Bracketology 2024: UConn, Kansas, and Arizona with key matchups

Bracketology 2024: UConn, Kansas, and Arizona with key upcoming games

Nov 11, 2023; Hartford, Connecticut, USA; UConn Huskies head coach Dan Hurley talks with forward Alex Karaban (11), center Donovan Clingan (32) and guard Cam Spencer (12) from the sideline as they take on the Stonehill Skyhawks at XL Center. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /

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Kansas senior center Hunter Dickinson (1), graduate senior guard Nicolas Timberlake (25) and graduate senior guard Kevin McCullar Jr. /

No. 4 UConn (7-0) at No. 5 Kansas (6-1), Friday, Dec. 1, 9:00 PM ET, ESPN2

What better way to begin a post-holiday weekend than a top-5 matchup in Lawrence, Kansas between the last two national champions? Defending champs and No. 4 UConn do battle with No. 5 Kansas. The unblemished huskies took home the title in the Empire Classic by beating Indiana and Texas, while Kansas suffered their first and only defeat at the Maui Invitational falling to No. 3 Marquette in the semifinals.

So far this season both teams have certainly looked the part of national title contenders and probable No. 1 seeds. UConn (7-0) has been exhibiting the relentless depth that helped them cut down the nets last April. Dan Hurley’s team has eight guys averaging 18 minutes or more with five of them being double-digit scorers. As for the Jayhawks (5-1), they knew they had hit transfer-portal good when Hunter Dickinson arrived from Michigan, but the man in the middle has been as advertised and then some. The 7’2 big man is leading the Jayhawks in scoring, rebounding, and even in thefts with 1.6 per game.

Speaking of big men, this game is going to have an elite matchup in the middle with Dickinson battling Huskies’ sophomore Donovan Clingan who is averaging 15 points and six rebounds. Both of these squads are going to be near the top-seed line, if not on it and the winner of this one will have a slight leg up.

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