The first weekend of the NCAA Tournament was packed full of surprises. Buzzer-beating game-winners were falling left and right as 64 teams battled it out for a spot in the Sweet 16.
When the dust settled, 16 teams emerged, all from major conferences. With a few days before the next round begins, which squad should be viewed as the top team?
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While the Duke Blue Devils are the No. 1 overall seed on paper, they haven’t been in full health thus far and haven’t completely dominated teams like they did during the regular season.
Luckily, they have college basketball’s best player in Cameron Boozer. Thanks to strong play from his brother Cayden Boozer, he’s helped Duke stay on track. Additionally, with Caleb Foster out due to an injury and Patrick Ngonba II only playing 13 total minutes so far, Isaiah Evans has stepped up on both sides of the ball.
As a result, the Blue Devils are still one of the best teams in the tournament.
Two other teams have proven to be on the same level, with the Michigan Wolverines currently firing on all cylinders.
Do-it-all forward Yaxel Lendeborg has continued to prove that he doesn’t need to be a 20-PPG scorer to be one of the best players in the nation, and he’s led the Wolverines to two blowout wins to start the tournament.
With three players likely to be drafted in the first round, Michigan has a strong argument as the best team remaining.
The Arizona Wildcats are the third team with a legitimate case as the top squad.
They come into the third round with a 34-2 overall record and one of the deepest rosters in college basketball. With a relentless offense that pounds the paint alongside a tough and physical defense, the Wildcats have suffocated teams all season.
Koa Peat leads a trio of freshmen that have shown an impressive level of patience and poise. With a heightened ability to reach the free throw line to boot, Arizona may have the strongest argument for being the top team heading into the Sweet 16.
James Parker is a sports writer for Ball Exclusives, follow him on X @TheJames_Parker
