NCAA MARCH MADNESS SLEEPERS

I think that everyone believes that 1Kentucky and 2Virginia (both out standing defenses) has the best chance at winning the tournament, but I want to talk about the sleepers that could creep up and make a run at the NCAA championship. 8Notre Dame is a big sleeper that nobody really has an eye on. Jerian Grant the leader and floor general of the team is truly a reamarkable talent. With him not being able to play last year Notre Dame was not able to make a serious run and contend for NCAA championship, but with Jerian Grant in the swing of things this season he has the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at a whopping 8 seed in the NCAA Rankings. Of course he's not the the only standout on that team; along side him are sophmore Demetrius Jackson and senior Pat Connaughton. Another sleeper that could make a big run during March Madness is 5Wisconsin. 5Wisconsin is a team that likes to get up and down the floor and run a high tempo kind of game, but lets not forget that they can settle down and run halfcourt sets as well. The 7-0 forward Frank Kiminsky is a big reason they are having lots of success. He can step out and hit a jumper as well as score in the post with a variety of post efficient moves. Also, lets not forget about the fast pace 13North Carolina Tar Heels. 13UNC didn't quite get off to a good start with a struggling Marcus Paige (an all american point guard at sesons start), but they managed to pull it together winning 11 of their last 12. Along side Marcus Paige he has help with the athletic forward Brice Johnson, the much improved forward Kennedy Meeks (who lost 50+ pounds during offseason), and a young talented freshman Justin Jackson, with Nate Britt coming off the bench providing another ball handler on the floor to help with the high tempo game 13UNC likes to play. Of course nobody can count out 4Duke with the outstandling play of freshman Jhalil Okafor (maybe freshman and player of the year), freshman Tyus Jones (another freshman standout who can attack, shoot, and pass) and senior guard Quinn Cook. With the the help of key role players 4Duke has the potential to be a very scary team come March. 3Gonzaga also looks like they could make a push towards the NCAA championship as well. With the play of Kyle Wiltjer (Kentucky transfer) and senior guard Kevin Pangos (who just recently broke a school record with most 3pt field goals made). The last team i believe that could make a push are 6Arizona Wildcats. Stanley Johnson is playing really great basketball for the Wildcats and has proven he can be reliable player down the stretch for them. Brandon Ashely is also a remarkably player for the Wildcats (who has a skilled post set and can step out and hit mid-range with a unreliable 3pt shot, but he can hit the 3pt at times).
     -Brandon Murray