Who can win it all? Eight teams that could win the NCAA tournament

Like most sports fans at this time of year, I've caught college basketball fever.  The NBA and NHL are at somewhat of a lull at this time of year, as the playoffs do not start for another month or so, and the MLB season is just around the corner, so naturally March Madness is something to get excited about!  It's almost time to start filling out brackets and throwing money into NCAA pools with your friends, family, and co-workers.  That also means it's almost time to start lamenting about how your sister, girlfriend, or woman at the desk next to you picked a better bracket then you because she picked zero upsets or liked the colors a team wore or a spelling of a team's name.  However, I hope that I can give you the lowdown on teams that have a chance to win this tournament.  Teams will be placed into three categories: Favorites, Contenders and Darkhorses.

Favorites

David Lights seeks the NCAATitle
 that eluded him as a freshman

#1 Ohio State University - This team has gelled around the emergence of standout freshman Jared Sullinger.  An experienced supporting cast including Jon Diebler, William Buford, Dallas Lauderdale, and David Lighty makes the Buckeyes, in my opinion a favorite to win this tournament.  Lighty has been to the Final Four before, as he was a freshman on the Buckeye's team with Greg Oden, Mike Conley Jr, and DaeQuan Cook that lost to Florida in the NCAA Tourney final back in 2007.  Freshman Aaron Craft plays big minutes for this team and leads the team in assists.  In addition to Craft, fellow freshman Deshaun Thomas and Jordan Sibert also contribute.  Expect this Buckeyes to be a lock for the Final Four, and have a chance at winning it all!

#2 University of Kansas - The Jayhawks lost arguably their top three players from last season and are still in the mix for the national title.  Although Cole Aldrich, Sherron Collins, and Xavier Henry left for the NBA, this Kansas team has carved out an impressive resume and should be looking to avenge their poor performance in the NCAA Tournament last year.  The Morris brothers, Markieff and Marcus headline a talented roster that scores 82 ppg.  Tyshawn Taylor, Brady Morningstar, Tyrel Reed, and freshman Josh Selby gives this Kansas team a talented roster that can put up a lot of points.  The Jayhawks have not lost a game in a month and are heading into the NCAA Tournament on a hot streak.  Although Kansas does have a habit of losing early round games, expect this team to ride to the Final Four and maybe the title if they don't get tripped up early on.

Nolan Smith and Duke
hope to repeat!

#5 Duke University - Fresh of their third straight ACC Tournament victory, the Duke Blue Devils looked really impressive against an improving North Carolina time that should be a #2 seed in the NCAA Tournament.  Kyle Singler and Nolan Smith captain the Blue Devil ship that includes strong role players such as Andre Dawkins and Seth Curry, who are deadly from behind the arc.  Ryan Kelly is a hybrid big man / outside shooter, and the Plumlee brothers provide a strong presence down low.  Some may stereotype Duke as a team that lives and dies by the three ball, but this team is solid in all facets of the game.  Expect Duke to make another run to the Final Four and possibly the title game, although there is a slight chance they get tripped up by a team with superior athleticism and strength down low like a Syracuse.

Contenders

Harrison Barnes and the Tar Heels
ended the regular sesaon strong
and could put together a
deep run in the NCAA tourney

#7 North Carolina - wow has this team grown up throughout the season!  Led by superstar freshman Harrison Barnes this team closed the season strong, with its only two losses in the past two months being against Duke.  Tyler Zeller and John Henson create a strong presence in the paint that will only get stronger, and a core of Dexter Strickland, Leslie McDonald, and Kendall Marshall at the guard positions gives UNC strong athleticism.  This team is not very good from behind the arc, which in my opinion makes the difference between a Favorite and a Contender for the NCAA title.  However, Barnes and Marshall do have the ability to hit threes as well as Reggie Bullock off the bench.  This team has unlimited potential and plays beyond its year's but it may be too soon to put this team in the NCAA title game, but with such a girth of talent you never now.  The Final Four is realistic for this group as it has improved dramatically throughout the year.

#10 University of Texas - After watching this team tear apart Michigan St this past December I knew this Texas team was special.  Considering they are an extremely athletic squad, it's no surprise that they are top-five in the nation in rebounding.  This team is led by swingman Jordan Hamilton, forward Gary Johnson, and super freshman Tristan Thompson.  Point Guard Cory Joseph is an accomplished freshman and handles very well for a player his age.  Role players include J'Covan Brown and Dogus Balbay.  This team, like North Carolina, is pretty young, but athletic and talented enough to make a deep run in the tournament, maybe even to the title if everything goes right.  One red light for this Texas team: they are only 4-4 in their last eight games, and may be running out of steam heading into the tournament.  Expect this team to either bounce out early or make a very deep run.

#4 University of Pittsburgh - The Panthers have quietly amassed a 27-5 record and won the Big East title outright, despite a lack of superstar talent.  This team is very solid defensively and is one of the top rebounding teams in the nation.  Guard Ashton Gibbs leads a strong backcourt with senior Brad Wanamaker, and Gary McGhee is an excellent defender at Center.  Gilbert Brown is an experienced and well-rounded player at the 3, and role players Nasir Robinson, Travon Woodall, and Dante Taylor fill out the team.  This team isn't flashy, but knows how to win and has a lot of senior leadership.  The Panthers are well coached and primed to make a deep run in the NCAA tournament.  Not sure how this team would hold up against the likes of Ohio St or Duke, but you have to like their chances at making a run

Darkhorses
Before I mention these teams I want to say a few words about the term "darkhorse."  These teams are very good teams, but are considered darkhorses because they won't (assumedly) be receiving a #1 or #2 seed.  However, I think they have the drive and skill to play with the best teams in the nation and make a run.

Unbelievable? Walker and
UConn are Kemba-lievable!

#19 Connecticut - Ok, so maybe this team will be ranked five or six spots higher after their performance in the Big East tournament this week, but clearly there isn't a hotter team in college basketball right now.  Kemba Walker's performance throughout the Big East tournament was impressive, and that's an understatement.  He showed in the semifinal against Syracuse and final vs. Louisville that he is the top player in the country.  However, he also has a supporting cast that could take Connecticut on a ride to the NCAA Title.  Jeremy Lamb and Alex Oriakhi are strong contributors down low, and Shabazz Napier has impressed at point guard.  This team can go as far as Kemba can carry them, and the sky (NCAA Title) could be the limit if things continue to go well for this team

#11 Syracuse - The Orange started off the season hot, but were underwhelming throughout Big East play.  However, this team looked impressive against UConn Friday night, and I believe they have the necessary parts to give them a glimmer of hope to win the NCAA Tournament. Rick Jackson is a force in the paint, and Fab Melo continues to receive more playing time and develop on the inside.  Kris Joseph is versatile at forward and knows how to score, while Scoop Jardine (great name!) is clutch at the point guard position.  This team is pretty deep and explosive, and isn't afraid to shoot the trey, even though they don't shoot a very high percentage.  Strong rebounding and athleticism could take this team all the way, but they could falter early on as well as mistakes may plague them.

Brackets are available tonight so make sure you fill them out, and I hope you are as excited about the NCAA tournament as I am.  I will assuredly be filling out several different brackets, but within those brackets only teams mentioned here will be included in the Final Four.  Best of luck toeveryone with their brackets, and check back in a few days for more previews of the NCAA tourney.