The dust has barely settled on the 2021/2022 NCAA college basketball season, with the Kansas Jayhawks beating North Carolina in the final of this year’s March Madness tournament.
The Jayhawks’ fourth National Title was won in dramatic circumstances, with the Jayhawks able to turn around a fifteen-point half-time deficit. It was a fitting end to yet another wild March Madness tournament where we witnessed shocks and upsets galore.
Despite the start of the new season still being a few months away and the NBA Draft slowly creeping into view, teams are already planning on how they can wrestle the Jayhawks crown away. The 2022/2033 NCAA Championship is already looking tough to predict, with many teams in with a chance of winning it all. Make Flashpicks your go-to site for any college basketball wagering.
Here we preview some of the teams who will fancy their chances of lifting the National Championship next year.
2022/2023 NCAA Basketball Preview
Kansas
It wouldn’t be right to start any preview without starting with the National Champions. The Jayhawks look to have a tough task in defending their title, having lost the trio of Ochai Agbaji, David McCormack, and Christian Braun to the NBA draft. McCormack and Braun were the driving force behind the Jayhawks’ dramatic comeback and will certainly be difficult to replace. There is excitement over Gradey Dick and MJ Rice, with both being rated as 5* recruits.
North Carolina
The Tarheels are many pundits’ favourites to go one step further this season and win it all. North Carolina is set to welcome back Armando Bacot, Leaky Black, RJ Davis, and Caleb Love. All made significant contributions last year, and fans of the Tarheels will be hoping they can do so again.
Kentucky
A powerhouse in NCAA basketball, Kentucky has won eight national titles, which ranks them second overall. Kentucky can welcome back current player of the year Oscar Tshiebwe. Tshiebwe was a beast last season. He top-scored for the side with 17.4 points per game and was also the nation’s top rebounder with 15.1 per game. Kentucky also welcomes back Sahvir Wheeler and the exciting CJ Frederick, who is returning from injury. Kentucky certainly has the team to go all the way.
UCLA
The most successful team in NCAA basketball history, UCLA leads the way with eleven national titles. However, the Bruins’ last title came back in 1995, and fans of the team will be hoping their long wait for title number twelve might come to an end next season. Much of the Bruins’ hopes will rest on the returning duo of Tyger Campbell and Jaime Jaquez JR. 5* recruit Dylan Andrews will add some much-needed depth to the roster.
Baylor
The Baylor Bears are recent winners of the NCAA Championship, having won the national title back in 2021. Baylor was unable to repeat the feat last year following a defeat to North Carolina in the second round. LJ Cryer has announced that he will skip this year’s draft and stay with Baylor for one more season. Baylor was also able to secure the transfer of Caleb Lohner, which makes them live contenders this season.
Duke
It would be wrong not to mention Duke in any NCAA basketball preview. Duke has won five NCAA titles ranking them fourth all-time. Duke lost five of their roster to the upcoming NBA Draft, so they have had to do some serious rebuilding. Hopes will center around the returning Jeremy Roach, and fans of the Blue Devils will be hoping superstar recruit Dariq Whitehead can push the team towards what currently looks like an unlikely 6th national title.
