After two rounds, who is your NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Champion?

Dylan: Texas Longhorns. While the three-point shot was not there for the Longhorns in their win over Penn State, they showed their strong ability to close out games. Going forward look for the Longhorns to up their shooting percentages. It seems that the Big 12 was destined to have a team in the final, and the Longhorns will be that squad.

Luke: Houston Cougars. The injuries are definitely a concern but after battling through Auburn Saturday night I still believe they are the best team in the country. Furthermore, the guard play remains elite and if they stay healthy they are the toughest team to play all around for any team in the country.

Chris: Houston Cougars.After struggling in the first half vs Auburn, Houston finally turned into form with a dominant second half. Even with their top guards in Marcus Sasser and Jamal Shead in foul trouble, the Cougars’ depth shined. Houston is 8th and 4th respectively in KenPom offensive and defensive efficiency, and they are well balanced and battle tested. The Cougars will bring home the hardware.

Who can win the championship that no one is talking about?

Dylan: UConn Huskies. The two conferences that came into the tournament with a plethora of talent were the Big12 and the Big East. UConn has ranked high in the KenPom rankings all year, and they have a complete squad. With scoring off the bench, size, and playmakers in the backcourt, UConn is looking poised to make a run.

Luke: Michigan State Spartans. Tom Izzo is an experienced coach in the tournament and has reached multiple Final Fours with Michigan State and once as a #7 seed before. Therefore, their path right now to the championship is a little more clear with the many upsets we have had in this tournament so far..

Chris: Creighton Blue Jays. The last 20 NCAA champions have been inside the top 40 in offense and top 22 in defense on KenPom. Creighton fits the bill, even though they are just the #6 seed in their region. This team boasts a great defense, great guard play and a dominant defensive big man. The Blue Jays could very well end up in the Final Four, and they may have a shot to cut down the nets at the very end.