Who will take this year’s March Madness by storm? Aaron Rose is on hand to assess the potential stars, favourites and any other business to look out for.
March Madness is finally here, bringing the most thrilling month in sports with it. For the next few weeks, the nation will be glued to the chaos as upsets break brackets, buzzer-beaters rewrite history, and big-time shot-makers rise to the occasion. Every game is win or go home, and every moment has the potential to change the course of a season.
Some teams will embrace the pressure and deliver unforgettable performances, while others will see their dreams slip away in heartbreaking fashion. By the time the nets are cut down, a champion will be crowned, and new legends will be born. One shining moment awaits.
Duke: The Blue-Blooded Bullies
Duke has everything you want in a championship contender. They have a transcendent star in Cooper Flagg, an elite shooter in Kon Knueppel, and a 7-foot-2 defensive anchor in Khaman Maluach. They’re big, athletic, and suffocating on defense. Jon Scheyer’s squad finished the regular season on a 19-1 run and ranked as one of the best defensive teams in the country.
Flagg is the centerpiece. The projected No. 1 pick is a 6-foot-9 Swiss Army knife, capable of switching onto any position, erasing shots at the rim, and making smart plays offensively. His passing is already elite, and his offensive game continues to grow. But Duke is more than just Flagg. Maluach is a true paint protector, Knueppel is a knockdown shooter who can create off the dribble, and Tyrese Proctor brings experience to the backcourt.
The biggest question is Flagg’s health. He injured his ankle in the ACC Tournament and missed most of Duke’s title run. Reports say he’ll be ready for the NCAA opener, but if he’s limited, it changes everything. If Flagg is at full strength, Duke has the highest ceiling in the field. If he’s not, we’ve seen loaded Duke teams struggle in March before.
Tennessee: Built for a Fight, but Not a Shootout
Tennessee is going to make you uncomfortable. That’s what Rick Barnes’ teams do. They play physical, grind the pace to a halt, and make every possession feel like a battle. The Volunteers have the best defense in the country, ranking first in adjusted defensive efficiency.
Chaz Lanier has stepped up as their go-to scorer, but he doesn’t have much offensive support. The Vols ranked barely inside the top 100 in effective field goal percentage over the final month of the season, and long scoring droughts have been a recurring issue. Their bench ranks 314th in minutes played, meaning they rely heavily on their starters. If foul trouble or fatigue becomes a factor, they could be in trouble.
Then there’s the Rick Barnes factor. His teams have a long history of underperforming in March, and while this Tennessee squad is tough and experienced, they’re still vulnerable to the wrong matchup. A fast-paced, high-scoring team that can win on the glass could send the Vols home early. If you’re looking for a high seed to fade, Tennessee has all the warning signs.
Gonzaga: The Dangerous Underdog
It feels weird calling Gonzaga an underdog, but this is not the typical Bulldogs powerhouse. They do not have a top seed, they do not have a surefire NBA star, and they have been flying under the radar all season. But this team still has the balance and experience to make a run.
Ryan Nembhard, the Canadian point guard, runs the show with poise and efficiency. Graham Ike gives them a steady scoring presence in the post, and Braden Huff has emerged as a dangerous stretch big. This is still a Mark Few offense. They push the pace, spread the floor, and find ways to score from everywhere. Gonzaga has not missed a Sweet 16 since 2014, and their offense is good enough to keep that streak alive.
The concern is defense. Gonzaga struggles against teams that attack inside, and their first-round matchup against McNeese is trickier than it looks. If they control the tempo, they will be a problem for anyone in their path. If they do not, this could be a rare early exit for a program that is used to playing in late March.
Memphis: Early Exit Alert
Memphis has the talent to make a run, but they might not make it past the first round. The Tigers have a backcourt that can take over games, led by PJ Haggerty, but their weaknesses in rebounding and turnovers have been an issue all season. Those flaws tend to get magnified in March, especially against a disciplined opponent like Colorado State.
The Rams are one of the hottest teams in the country and have the defensive structure to make Memphis uncomfortable. Nique Clifford is the type of defender who can take Haggerty out of his rhythm, and if Memphis can’t control the pace, they could be in trouble. Tyrese Hunter’s foot injury only adds to the concerns. If he’s not at full strength, the Tigers lose a key ball handler and secondary scoring option.
Memphis has the shooting to escape, but if they go cold or get beat on the glass, they could be walking into a first-round exit. This is one of the most vulnerable high seeds in the bracket.
NBA Prospects to Watch in March
March Madness is not just about the teams. It is a showcase for the next wave of NBA talent. This year’s tournament features several players with lottery aspirations, and how they perform could shape their draft stock.
Kasparas Jakučionis is a name to watch. The Illinois freshman is a crafty ball-handler and playmaker who controls the pace and can create for himself and others. Egor Demin, BYU’s 6-foot-9 point guard, has some of the best passing instincts in the class, but he will need to show he can handle physical defenders and a faster pace.
VJ Edgecombe and Tre Johnson are two dynamic scoring wings. Edgecombe is an explosive slasher, while Johnson has one of the smoothest offensive games in the draft. Their teams might not go far, but scouts will be watching every possession.
Duke features two other top prospects alongside the protected No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg. Kon Knueppel is a knockdown shooter with size, and Khaman Maluach is a 7-foot-2 rim protector with an NBA-ready frame. Some of these players will cement their lottery status. Others will raise questions. Either way, the tournament will shape their NBA outlook in a big way.