NCAA Men’s College Basketball: Can UConn win their third straight title?

The last time we tuned into college basketball, we were celebrating UConn’s back-to-back NCAA Men’s Basketball victories, having defeated the Big Ten powerhouse Purdue by the score of 75-60. UConn Dan Hurley began to contemplate a third consecutive title, a feat not achieved since John Wooden’s UCLA teams dominated college basketball by winning titles seven in a row from 1967-1973

A UConn threepeat is possible but not a lock

Can UConn make it three in a row

Despite the absence of a significant center presence without Donovan Clingan and several top draft picks, the Huskies boast depth, scoring prowess, and the resolve to clinch a third straight title. Alex Karaban, Samson Johnson, Liam McNeeley, Solo Ball, Hassan Diarra, Jayden Ross, and Aidan Mahaney are anticipated to step up as leaders for Coach Hurley’s squad.

Although the Alabama football team may not be in contention for a CFP Championship, there’s a strong possibility that the Tide could win an NCAA Men’s basketball title. Having made their inaugural Final Four appearance in 2024, the Tide is not only favored to return but also to potentially clinch the championship. Alabama has retained key players Mark Sears, Grant Nelson, Latrell Wrightsell Jr., Chris Youngblood, and Jarin Stevenson. The addition of Cliff Omoruyi, Houston Mallette, and Derrion Reid positions the Tide as one of the most formidable contenders in the nation.

What conference can get the most NCAA Tournament slots?

It might be surprising, but a more precise description would be that the SEC boasts a plethora of outstanding teams that are legitimate contenders for the tournament. Alongside Alabama, there are Auburn, Tennessee, Arkansas, Kentucky, Florida, Texas, Texas A&M, Ole Miss, and Mississippi State, making up ten teams. South Carolina and Georgia could also join this list if the stars align in their favor.

I understand that Big 12 enthusiasts are quick to declare, “Not so fast, Williams; we’re the premier college basketball conference in the nation, period.” There are compelling cases for Kansas, Iowa State, Houston, and Baylor to not only clinch the league but also vie for the national title. Meanwhile, Cincinnati, Texas Tech, and Kansas State have the potential to secure a spot in the field of 68. However, the issue with having so many top-tier teams is that they often end up outplaying each other, which might leave some tournament-deserving teams out due to their records.

Is Grand Canyon the new Gonzaga?

We might witness another Gonzaga, a small college team that emerged onto the national stage as a mid-major school with a Cinderella story. Following that unexpected journey to the NCAA Tournament, the Bulldogs have flourished in the WCC, making it to the NCAA Tournament every year since 1998, boasting two Final Four appearances and eight seasons with at least 30 wins.

In Phoenix, Grand Canyon University has been steadily building a commendable basketball resume, catching the attention of major conferences. The PAC-12 considered adding them before the Mountain West successfully recruited them as a non-football member, starting in 2026. Under the guidance of Coach Bryce Drew, Grand Canyon has emerged as one of the nation’s top mid-major basketball programs, making it to three of the last four NCAA Tournaments and advancing to the second round last season after defeating the No. 5 seed Saint Mary’s.