The NCAA Tournament is more exciting when there is an underdog to root for. What makes this tournament so great every single year are the upsets that happen.
When Cinderella teams show up in the NCAA Tournament, they capture the hearts of America. Last year, that team was NC State, led by D.J. Burns. He helped take the Wolfpack all the way to the Final Four as an 11-seed.
This year, there are a few teams that can be this year’s version of that and make a deep run in the Big Dance. These three teams have the best chance of doing that.
Read more: Top Teams to Watch Out For in 2025 Men’s NCAA Tournament
1. Louisville Cardinals
Louisville is one of the more fascinating stories in all of college basketball. They had a complete turnover of their roster in the offseason. They didn’t have a single player from last year’s team play this year.
First-year coach Pat Kelsey has found a way for this team to play together as if they all have been playing together for three years. They are led by Chuck Hepburn, who transferred in from Wisconsin.
Hepburn leads the Cardinals in both scoring and assists. He has really elevated his game in his first year in Louisville. This team has a chance to make a deep run with the momentum they have earned.
Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images
2. Creighton Blue Jays
The Blue Jays have been a really good team out of the Big East for a while. What Greg McDermott has been able to do in his tenure as their head coach has been remarkable.
This year, they aren’t as dangerous on offense as they have been in years past. Perhaps that’s why they haven’t been able to make a Final Four; they were leaning too heavily on their offense.
The Blue Jays are still led by Ryan Kalkbrenner. He leads them in scoring and rebounding, and he can get hot in a hurry. He helped lead Creighton to the Big East Tournament final, meaning they have a ton of momentum heading into the NCAA Tournament.
3. Marquette Golden Eagles
Another team from the Big East has a chance to surprise the nation. The reason why is pretty simple; Kam Jones.
Jones is one of the most exciting players in the country. He averages over 19 points per game and can get blistering hot at any point.
In the NCAA Tournament in a one-and-done scenario, that’s all you need in this tournament. Jones is someone who can captivate the country with his play.
These three teams have a chance to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament if they get a good draw.
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