Relating to March Insanity, the seed is merely a quantity. Within the males’s faculty basketball event, No. 16 seeds can beat No. 1 seeds and double-digit seeds could make the Closing 4.
It is referred to as “Insanity” for a purpose.
As convention tournaments start, there are a number of Energy 5 groups which have failed to satisfy expectations, however are lurking within the Nos. 7-10-seed vary.
Listed here are 4 groups that would shake up the Huge Dance, regardless of a disappointing common season.
UConn | 20-9, 12-6 Huge East
Three-peats are just about remarkable in faculty basketball. Solely John Wood’s UCLA groups have completed the feat. However it will be ill-advised to jot down off this UConn staff regardless of just a few bumps within the street this season. The Huskies shoot the ball properly (48%, 35th in nation as of Wednesday morning) and rank twelfth in adjusted offensive effectivity, according to KenPom.
Additionally they have a go-to participant on the offensive finish in freshman Liam McNeely. In a win-or-go-home event, groups with playmakers have the chance to thrive. UConn’s had its fair proportion of heroes in Kemba Walker and Shabazz Napier. Can McNeely be that man in 2025?
Protection might be UConn’s challenge. After rating within the prime 10 of KenPom for defensive effectivity every of the previous two seasons, UConn ranks 109th this season.
Kansas | 19-11, 10-9 Huge 12
One thing is not proper for this Jayhawks staff. It is by no means clicked for Invoice Self’s bunch they usually’ve gone from preseason No. 1 to a projected No. 7 seed in the latest Bracketology.
However the Jayhawks have weapons — if they will all come collectively. Most not too long ago, Zeke Mayo has struggled, whereas AJ Storr has been relegated to single-digit minutes performed every of the final three video games. Nonetheless, on paper there’s extra firepower on Kansas’ roster than most.
Consistency has been exhausting to return by. KU hasn’t received three video games in a row in 2025. However a staff coached by Self and led by Hunter Dickinson will not be a staff anyone desires to see in March.
Illinois | 19-11, 11-8 Huge Ten
Illinois seemed like a Closing 4 contender in early January, getting out to a 12-3 file with wins over Missouri, Wisconsin and Oregon. However since Jan. 11 the Illini are 7-8.
Illness has plagued the roster, resulting in key gamers lacking video games, however there have been crimson flags in different areas. Illinois shot 33% from three within the first 15 video games of the season. Within the final 15 it has shot simply 27%. Even worse, its opponents shot 27% from three within the first 15 video games, however have shot 37% since.
How does Illinois recapture its play from the primary half of the season? Getting wholesome is essential. “Irritating. Difficult,” coach Brad Underwood said following a loss to Wisconsin on Feb. 18. “We’ve been going into video games not understanding who we’re even beginning.”
Indiana | 18-12, 9-10 Huge Ten
The Hoosiers have been a punchline again in January after shedding seven of eight video games. Head coach Mike Woodson introduced he would step down at season’s finish on Feb. 7 and since then the Hoosiers have been reinvigorated.
Indiana has expertise. Its frontcourt of Oumar Ballo, Mackenzie Mgbako and Malik Reneau is greater than formidable. The Hoosiers have reduce down on turnovers these days, averaging 9 per sport over the past six video games in comparison with 12 per sport within the earlier eight.
Defensively, IU is permitting 68 factors per sport within the final six video games, which is 12 factors higher than the earlier eight. This can be a staff that’s placing all of it collectively on the proper time.
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