For the next couple of nights, 68 teams will settle with visions of winning the NCAA tournament.
For a large majority, it’s just a dream.
And for a few, a clear opportunity.
Here are five teams (listed alphabetically) whose chance of lifting the trophy on Monday 7 April at Alamodome in San Antonio falls into the latter category.
Auburn (+350)
Big Man Johni Broome is in a close competition with Duke’s Cooper flag for this year’s players, and Tigers have four other players on average between 10.7 and 12.6 points per match. Auburn may not have any lottery in the NBA draft, but it has an experienced group with all five starters in at least their fourth season of eligibility. The tigers have the top crime in the country based on Kenpom rating (their defense is 12th). Auburn lost 70-65 to Tennessee in the Southeastern Conference semi-finals, which gave the tigers an extra day of rest this week. They had 16 Quad 1 victories in the season, mostly in the country. Coach Bruce Pearl looks to return to Final Four for the first time since 2019.
Duke (+350)
February 5, 2025; Syracuse, New York, USA; Duke Blue Devil’s head coach Jon Scheyer talks to guard Cooper Flagg (2) against Syracuse Orange during the first half at JMA Wireless Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-Imagn Pictures Blue Devils won both Atlantic Coast Conference regular season and tournament titles, doubled for the first time since 2006. And they won their last two tournament games without beginner Phenom Cooper flag, which was set by an ankle damage. Flag is expected back for NCAAS, although they could probably do the second weekend without him. The blue devils have one of the youngest rotations in the country, but they are full of talent. According to Kenpom ratings, their crime is the second best in the country and their defense is fourth. Two of Duke’s veteran players have to do with injuries, with forward Maliq Brown out with a dislocated shaft and guard Tyrese Proctor recently returned from a leg mark in the knee. Coach Jon Scheyer is looking for his first trip to Final Four in his third season since he succeeded Mike Krzyzewski.
Florida (+380)
March 15, 2025; Nashville, TN, USA; Florida Gators Guard Walter Clayton Jr. (1) reacts after a three -point basket against Alabama Crimson Tide during the second half at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Immagn Pictures Coach Todd Golden is still looking for his first NCAA tournament victory, but it shouldn’t take long. Gators have the country’s third best crime and No. 7 defense, according to Kenpom ratings. Florida starts two large men-Alex Condon and Rueben Chinyelu and all three starters shoot 35% or better from 3-point intervals. Walter Clayton Jr. Leads the team with 17.4 points per match, with three others on average in double numbers. The streets won 90-81 in Auburn in early February and blew out Alabama 104-82 in the Southeastern Conference semi-finals, so there is plenty of their CV that suggests that a deep driving is possible.
Gonzaga (+5000)
December 14, 2024; New York, New York, USA; Gonzaga Bulldog’s guard Ryan Nembhard (0) celebrates after a timeout is called by Connecticut Huskies during the second half in Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn images Everyone’s favorite in the middle of the Major has had a surprising during the season and enters the tour that is not ranked even though they have one of the deepest and most athletic lists from coach Mark Few’s service. Point Guard Ryan Nembhard leads the country in assists, and Graham Ike is a force inside, but Zags has come briefly in a number of close play – their eight losses have all been with eight points or fewer, with three of them coming to overtime. They came past Saint Mary’s 58-51 in the West Coast Conference Championship game, avenging a couple of defeat with regular season and ranked ninth offensive and 28th defensively by Kenpom. Gonzaga has done Sweet 16 nine straight times and reached the title game 2017 and 2021. Forgot Zags on your own danger.
Houston (+600)
15 Jan 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Cougars forward J’wan Roberts (13) dribbles against West Virginia rock climbers forward Amani Hansberry (13) during the first half at Fertitta Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Pictures Cougars have reached at least Sweet 16 in each of the last five tournaments but has been bitten by injuries. They are healthy now with a defense that is second nationally to St. John’s in Kenpom rating (Houston’s crime is 11th).
Cougars won his first Big 12 tournament championship and beat Arizona 72-64 in the title. Houston closed that game with an 11-2 driving and held Wildcats without field goals in the final 5:32. Point Guard Milos Uzan, a transfer from Oklahoma, has settled in the role and got a career pile of 25 points in the BIG 12 final. As long as Cougars can continue to chop offensively, they are founded for a deep NCAA driving. They shoot almost 40% from 3-point intervals and are good at getting extra possessions thanks to their offensive rebounding.
