1. Gonzaga: There is a lot to like about this Gonzaga team. There frontcourt depth, their overall balance, and their defense. I understand why everyone is hesitant about this team. They always seem to breeze through the regular season and come up short in March, as if they aren’t battle tested. But they have legit players in Nigel Williams-Goss, Pryzemek Karnowski, Jonathan Williams, shooters in Josh Perkins and Jordan Matthews and Mcdonalds American Zach Collins coming off the bench. They check all the boxes, and even though their track record tells me not too, I believe they are national championship contenders.
2. Villanova: Reigning champions who have a NPOY finalist? Of course they are contenders. Josh Hart, Jalen Brunson, and Kris Jenkins have led the Wildcats to dominance once again. The system for Nova is like a repetitive clog and how they continue to be amazing year in and year out despite a lack of recruiting.
3. Kansas: Kansas has big positives but glaring holes. They have the best backcourt in the country. Frank Mason has been great, but when Devonte Graham plays well for them, the teanm plays well too. Josh Jackson has been terrific, and Landon Lucas has been their glue guy. But the lack of depth for them, especially in the Frontcourt is very concerning and so is their free throw percentage. But because of the ultra talented guards, they have to be looked at as contenders.
4. Arizona: One of those teams that I really like. They have so much Talent. Markkanen, Kobi Simmons, Allonzo Trier, and Rawle Alkins are all Mcdonald’s All Americans and future NBA players. They play offense, defense, and they have future Pros. Contenders.
5. UCLA: You can just watch them and see how gifted they are on offense. But just in case you haven’t seen them, they are number1 in offensive efficiency according to Kenpom and have 6 players average 10+. Lonzo Ball has brought a passing culture to the team and now they move the ball like the warriors. Their defense is sketch but their offense makes them Contenders.

6-10 Coming tomorrow