The College Basketball season is in full swing. The beginning of January is the start of conference play for all of the nation. This is when teams find out what they are truly made of. The atmosphere for in-conference play is just better for the home team. It’s that time of the season to find out who is contending or pretending. With that being said, here are the top 10 teams with the best shot at the National Championship as of now.
- Texas A&M
This Texas A&M Aggies team was fortunate to bring back most players eligible for the 2024-25 season, while also adding two key impactful players in the transfer portal. The Aggies are a team with great depth this year, but the centerpiece of the team is Point Guard, Wade Taylor IV.
- Marquette
Marquette is a high energy, high intensity team. Star player Kam Jones is an on-and-off ball scorer who is currently averaging 20 points per game and shooting an astounding 51.9%. The Golden Eagles also have guys like Stevie Mitchell and David Joplin who provide an energy spark and hit big shots when Marquette needs it. This team’s energy all comes from coach Shaka Smart, who turned this team’s culture around ever since taking over.
- Duke
Duke is either a team that college basketball fans love or hate, there is almost no in-between. Freshman Cooper Flagg may be the biggest prospect name since LeBron James. He hasn’t yet disappointed, averaging 17 points and 8 rebounds. The Blue Devils have once again brought in a strong freshman class. Relatively new head coach John Scheyer has this team pointed in the right direction.
- Houston
Good luck scoring on Kelvin Sampson’s Houston Cougars. Houston by far has the best defense in the country, and they also shoot the ball really well. The Cougs might possibly have the most bench depth in the country on top of that. Three notable players who get it done night in and night out include Emanuel Sharp, L.J. Cryer, and J’Wan Roberts. All three of these players not only produce defensive tenacity, but also fun to watch offense. At the current moment, Emanuel Sharp is shooting nearly 49% from beyond the three point arc.
- Kansas
This season seems a little out of the ordinary for Kansas Jayhawks basketball. However, opponents should still be struck with fear by this team, as they have added more pieces in the transfer portal than usual. They have had to spread the ball around quite a bit because they have five or six scorers. AJ Storr, Rylan Griffin, and Zeke Mayo are among the transfers brought in. Seven-foot-two-inch big man Hunter Dickinson is shooting a high percentage, but his points per game has taken a hit from all the options on the team. All these other teams should know you can’t count out a Bill Self coached Kansas Jayhawks team. No doubts that they will overcome an underwhelming beginning.
- Alabama
Alabama in back-to-back seasons is the highest scoring team in the nation. Almost every athlete on the team can score the basketball. Usually, the ball will be in the hands of Point Guard Mark Sears or the all-around big man Grant Nelson. The best way to knock off Alabama is match their shot making or guard the perimeter tight. Rebounding is also a super important part of Alabama’s success. Coach Nate Oats and his team are one of the juggernaut teams.
- Tennessee
Tennessee is the only undefeated team left in the country. They brought in Chaz Lanier, the North Florida transfer who flew under the radar. Lanier is averaging 20 points as it stands right now. The Tennessee Volunteers also have the number two rated defense, thanks to players like Zakai Zeigler and Jahmai Mashack who provide a great energy spark. Zeigler is also a great distributor, finding his open teammates from anywhere on the floor, giving him an average of 8 assists per game.
- UConn
Connecticut University (UConn) are the back-to-back National Champions under coach Dan Hurley. Hurley might be the best in business right now, he is putting players in the NBA after their college careers and building players up from the bottom to the top. UConn earlier this season dropped 3 games in a row and left fans scratching their heads. Ever since, UConn has utterly dominated and has found a way back into the AP Top 10 rankings, done by the committee. Alex Karaban is the Huskies leading scorer with helpful playmaking from Hassan Diarra. Freshman Liam McNeeley is also contributing to the rebounding and scoring aspects.
- Iowa State
Iowa State is highly impressive thus far, as they’re one of two teams in the top 10 for both offensive and defensive efficiency. Coach T.J. Otzelberger was able to maintain many of last season’s impactful players. The Cyclones are a great team simply because every player is in sync while on the court. There isn’t just one player you can say is the best on this team and that’s what makes them special. To find an Iowa State team in the past that is better than this year’s team, you would have to dive deep into Cyclones history. Notable players on this team include: Tamin Lipsey, Keshon Gilbert, Milan Momcilovic, and Curtis Jones.
- Auburn
The Auburn Tigers are steamrolling right now, bashing nearly every opponent that steps onto the hardwood. Led by All-American and early Naismith award Candidate, Johni Broome, the Auburn Tigers look phenomenal. Bruce Pearl, since taking the coaching job at Auburn in 2014, has now tied the Auburn program wins record for a coach. Auburn looks like they are finally ready to make that quantum leap. Of course, Johni Broome has a great supporting cast around him, like defensive specialist Chad Baker-Mazara, as well as getting scoring assistance from Chad himself, Tahaad Pettiford, and Denver Jones. Right now, the Auburn Tigers are the biggest threats to win it all.
