The NCAA Tournament is already underway as the First Four started last night, though we still have a day until the full first round kicks off. Most of the buzz around the tournament centers around first round upsets and potential Cinderella teams, and while that is fun and important, the tournament is about determining college basketball's national champion.
I think there are only six teams that have the potential to win the title, but obviously, only one team can - and I believe the Arizona Wildcats are that team. Here is why:
1) They're the most complete team in the country
Every top one or two seed in this NCAA Tournament has a very serious flaw - expect for Arizona. They play the hard-nosed defense you would expect from a Sean Miller coached team, and their offense is kicking into high gear of late thanks to the return of Allonzo Trier (more on him later). They have three legitimate, versatile big men led by projected top 10 pick Lauri Markkanen, dynamic scorers in Trier and Kobi Simmons, and perhaps the best defender in the country in Kadeem Allen.
In the 15 games in which Trier has been back, Arizona is 13-2, with the only losses coming at Oregon and to UCLA - both teams the Wildcats handily beat in the Pac-12 Tournament. Their offense has also been elevated by Trier's return, averaging 77.8 points per game with him vs. 75 points per game without him. Arizona virtually has no holes in their roster and can beat teams in a variety of ways. No one else in the country can say that.
2) Re-emergence of Allonzo Trier
Trier, one of the best scorers in the entire country, was suspended for the first 19 games of the season after testing positive for a "trace amount" of a performance-enhancing drug stemming from medication he was given after being involved in a car crash during the summer.
Having him back in the fold is the biggest reason why Arizona has become that well-rounded team. He has the ability to shoot from distance, making nearly two three-pointers per game, and it excellent a finishing around the rim. Most importantly, he gives Arizona a true go-to guy and someone who can create their own offense (leading the team with 17.3 ppg). It took the Wildcats some time to adjust to having him back on the court, but are now clicking on all cylinders.
3) Fairly easy path
Arizona narrowly missed out on getting a No. 1 seed, but they did get a break by being placed in arguably the easiest region in the tournament. North Dakota shouldn't give the Wildcats much of a test, and their projected matchups after that are all very winnable as well. Saint Mary's won't be able to defend Arizona, and VCU can't shoot from the outside. Florida State also struggles mightily on the defensive end, and Gonzaga is the weakest one seed in the bracket.
Of course, the Zags beat Arizona earlier in the season, but the Wildcats were playing without Trier - which will make a huge difference this time around. And if Gonzaga loses before the Elite 8, Arizona would face a much easier matchup. All things considered, Arizona couldn't have asked for a better path to make their first Final Four under Sean Miller. And, with the Final Four being in Glendale, they'll have a major advantage there.
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