NCAA March Madness 2019: Who could challenge the Duke Blue Devils?

The madness of March has arrived, as 68 NCAA basketball schools fight for a chance to play in the NCAA 2019 Men’s Basketball Tournament. As we start to focus on the 2019 NCAA tournament, this year’s crop of top-tier teams is an interesting group with no one team standing above the rest during the season as well as down the stretch.

One team that looks great on paper if healthy is the Duke Blue Devils. The problem, however, is that currently, Zion Williamson continues to battle a knee injury that could force him to skip the remainder of the season including both the 2019 ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament as well as the NCAA Tournament.

Other reports indicate Williamson is ready to return to practice as well as to return to the Blue Devils starting lineup in the ACC tournament, but his participation must be considered to be in doubt.

Prior to his injury, Williamson had emerged as one of the top stars of the NCAA, averaging 21.6 points a game to go with 8.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists while garnering national attention.

As the Blue Devils prepare for another National Title run, here are a few of the other top teams to watch during March Madness.

Kentucky Wildcats

The Wildcats posted a 26-5 record during the regular NCAA basketball season after having somewhat of a roller-coaster season that saw the team blowout top-ranked Tennessee by double digits before being blown out by double digits just a week later by the same team. While this Wildcats side might not stack up to some of the past, the team has four players averaging double figures and a very talented freshman class who could shine during postseason play. Look for PJ Washington and Tyler Herro to continue to carry the load for the Wildcats.

Michigan State Spartans

As long as Tom Izzo is on the Spartans sideline, this team has to be watched during postseason play. While the Spartans only have Cassius Winston (19 ppg), Nick Ward (15.1 ppg) and Joshua Langford (15 ppg) averaging in double figure, the team has talent from top to bottom, with three other players averaging over eight points per contest. Along with that, the Spartans have the leadership in guard play with Winston as well as Matt McQuaid to carry the team deep during March Madness. Each year, we have seen teams make a run based on the play of their guards.

Houston Cougars

While the Cougars might not be the ideal team to land on this list, the team has dominated this season, rolling to a 29-2 season. The team is led by senior guard Corey Davis Jr, who is averaging 16.6 points a game, to go with 3.2 rebounds and 2.9 assists. While the Cougars lack a big-man presence, the club has a ton of talent at the guard position as well as speed to force issues on their opponents in the NCAA tournament.

Other notable teams to watch include: North Carolina Tarheels, Florida State Seminoles, Tennessee Volunteers and Purdue Boilermakers.