SAN JOSE, CALIF.—As March Madness is starting, what teams look the most competitive to play, and are there any underdogs to recognize before it begins? 

If you don’t know what March Madness is, it’s when the NCAA has a college basketball tournament throughout March where 68 teams compete in seven rounds for the National Championship to see which team is the best out of all 68 teams. 

The 68 teams are chosen by first the 31 teams that won their conference, who receive an automatic ticket to March Madness. While the other 33 teams compete in their respective conference tournament; as the 33 teams that win in the tournament advance and get a ticket to March Madness. If you want to learn more about March Madness then you can go to NCAA Men’s Basketball.

Auburn and Duke seem to be in the best position to win the national championship but Duke’s star player Cooper Flagg is still questionable for Duke’s first game so the team could still be in trouble. 

If Duke’s star Cooper Flagg can come back healthy for March Madness, then I believe they will win it all. Freshman Jaden Hernandez said, “I’m rooting for Texas A&M but I think Dukes gunna win it all”. Texas A&M isn’t a bad team but Duke is on another level so I understand Hernandez.

 For Auburn, although they are a first seed, I believe the Florida Gators who finished second in their conference behind Auburn have a greater chance of winning it all this year. with more overall wins in the season and coming into March Madness hot with a 6 game-win streak. 

Their senior guard Walter Clayton Jr led the team in points and assists, and along with the help of the sophomore Alex Condon leading the team in rebounds and blocks, and combine together as a great duo. The last two underrated teams that I think have a real chance at winning the championship are the Houston Cougars and Alabama Crimson Tide. 

I think the Houston Cougars have a chance at winning this year because they were the best team in their division this year and also coming into March Madness with a 14-game winning streak. They have key players with LJ Cryer leading the team in points, J’wan Roberts leading the team in rebounds and his winning mentality, Milos Uzan leading the team in assists, and overall is just a team with a lot of depth. 

I believe Alabama has a chance as well as they finished 3rd in their conference behind Auburn and Florida. Compared to Houston, Alabama has their star player  Mark Sears who leads the team in points and assists proving he can score while being able to share the ball, with as well having the help of the veteran Grant Nelson playing power forward leading the team in blocks and rebounds proving his prominence for the team. Freshman Jaden Hernandez said “I’m rooting for Texas A&M but I think Dukes gunna win it all.”