NCAA Basketball: Buy or Sell Arizona, Baylor, and Houston as 2024 national title contenders?

We're down to just seven unbeaten teams in NCAA Basketball after several took losses this past weekend. Among those I think we can split into two groups; those who are genuine national title contenders that can win it all, and those who are just trying to make it to the Big Dance.

This piece will focus on the trio of programs with aspirations to cut down the nets in Phoenix a few months from now.

Arizona Wildcats

The Wildcats were a 2 seed last season and had one of the best players in NCAA Basketball in Azoulas Tubelis. But despite not having him and losing the backcourt core, this team not only hasn't lost a beat, but they could be even better this time around.

What's interesting about this team is that it's not one player that's shouldering the load for the offense. All five starters are currently averaging double figures, led by UNC transfer, Caleb Love. He's not putting up the same gaudy numbers he did a year ago but 14.1 ppg and a career-high 4.5 apg is more than enough for the team right now. Kylan Boswell has taken the sophomore leap, while Pelle Larsson continues to be the all-around playmaker for him.

Without Tubelis, the frontcourt for Arizona remains great. Senior Oumar Ballo is one of the top two-way bigs in NCAA Basketball, while San Diego State transfer Keshad Johnson is not only an upgrade on the defensive end, but is a double-digit scorer on career-high numbers.

There just isn't any real weakness on this team, which includes real depth behind the bench. Maybe a poor shooting game from Love dooms them but Ballo/Johnson could just get the offensive board. This roster looks to be the best coach Tommy Lloyd has had since he arrived and they could be the favorite to win it all in March.

Buy