Houston Cougars, Purdue Boilermakers, and Others – Top 10 NCAA Men’s Basketball Teams That Can Make It to the March Madness

The outgoing regular season is slowly paving way to March Madness. Fans are excited to know whether their favorite team will make the cut. It’s this curiosity that’s making the upcoming month a period of great din and drama. 

Essentially Sports curates a list of the top 10 men’s basketball teams who might be able to make the cut and enter the much-anticipated tournament. 

Houston Cougars

Houston Cougars are placed at the top spot both in the Big 12 and the AP men’s basketball polls. They’ve a 24-3 regular season record with an 11-3 conference tally. There are chances that Cougars will ultimately win the conference title and will automatically qualify for the March Madness.

The other teams in the Big 12 that can soil Cougars’ plans are Iowa State and Kansas Jayhawks, but even if that happens Cougars can win at a large bid.

Purdue Boilermakers 

Purdue are a force to reckon with this season. Especially riding on the exceptional display by their center Zach Edey, Boilermakers have a 25-3 stat and are ranked first in the Big Ten. They even won the Maui Invitational this year and therefore have a good record in single-elimination tournaments.

Thus, they are the favorites to win the Big Ten title and earn themselves a spot in the March Madness. If for some reason that is not possible, the team will surely earn a spot due to large bids. 

University of Connecticut Huskies

Huskies are going for back-to-back titles. Their head coach Dan Hurley looks to be in perfect shape to help the Huskies register a consecutive title track. They are currently placed at the numero uno position in the Big East with a 25-3 record and a 15-2 conference tally. 

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The one team that can obstruct Huskies’ plan to enter the March Madness with a conference title are the Marquette Golden Eagles. Nonetheless, Huskies are poised to win at large bid to the March Madness since no one can ignore their hard work this season. 

Tennessee Volunteers

Tennessee Volunteers have a 21-6 tally and an 11-3 conference record that has helped them cement the top spot in the SEC. They will most probably emerge victorious in the conference title competitions.

However, if for some reason that becomes impossible, going by their exceptional record, Volunteers will earn at-large bid to the much-anticipated tournament.

Marquette Golden Eagles

Marquette Golden Eagles have a 21-6 tally and a 12-4 record in the Big East. They are placed at the second spot just next to UConn Huskies. The Eagles are top contenders to the Big East title.

They might have a neck-to-neck competition with the Huskies and if they can beat them on the match day, then nothing better for the fans to watch their team enter the tournament. They will also be on the radar of the selection committee to get their at-large bids in case of any unfortunate events.

Arizona Wildcats

Arizona Wildcats have a 21-6 record along with a 12-4 tally and are placed at first spot in Pac-12. With an alpha in their guard Caleb Love, Wildcats have come together as a team and shown a comprehensive team effort.

They are favorites to win the Pac-12 tournament and automatically qualify for the March Madness. Else the selection committee might get them at large bids.

Kansas Jayhawks

Kansas Jayhawks haven’t performed as was expected of them. Nonetheless, they are in contention for the March Madness. They have a 21-6 regular season record with a conference tally of 9-5. This places them at the third position in the Big 12.

They might get the conference title or can also have major problems on their path considering Cougars are placed in the same conference. Taking cognizance of that, the selection committee can come to their rescue and help them secure a place in the March Madness with at large bid.

Iowa State Cyclones

This name comes as a surprise to all particularly because they weren’t the favorites in the Big 12. But with their hard work, they have proven that they cannot be considered any less by the pundits.

Cyclones are placed in the same conference with Houston Cougars and Kansas Jayhawks. But taking a look at their dedication, they deserve a place in the March Madness even if that is through at large bids.

North Carolina Tar Heels

Tar Heels have a 22-6 record with a conference tally of 14-3. This has helped them get the first spot in the ACC. They are one of the major teams who can win the conference title.

Taking note of their brilliant display, Tar Heels will definitely be considered by the selection committee for an at-large bid.

Duke Blue Devils

The tenth and last team on the list for being the probable of making it to the March Madness are Duke Blue Devils. Devils have a 21-6 tally and are placed at the second spot in the ACC below UNC.

Considering their new coach Jon Scheyer, Devils need a major win to prove that they are as lethal under Scheyer as they were with Coach K. And a conference title will help them show their worth.