Kristian Ferrell
The 2023 March Madness men's tournament saw several upsets, with all four No. 1 seeds eliminated before the Elite Eight. The Final Four—featuring No. 4 UConn, No. 5 SDSU, No. 5 Miami (FL), and No. 9 Florida Atlantic (FAU)—included zero top three seeds. Houston was the fans' top pick to win, with Alabama as the second most popular choice. In 2025, the SEC has been the most dominant force of the season, with Oklahoma and Texas also making it into the tournament.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 2023 |
| Fans' top pick | Houston |
| ESPN's top picks | Alabama, Houston, Kansas, Purdue |
| DraftKings' top picks | Houston, Alabama, Purdue, UCLA, Kansas |
| Teams with double-digit picks | Houston, Alabama |
| Teams with at least 5% of picks | Seven teams |
| Team with the highest percentage of picks in 2022 | Gonzaga (30.26%) |
| Team with the highest percentage of picks in 2021 | Gonzaga (38.82%) |
| Team with the highest percentage of picks in 2019 | Duke (39.12%) |
| Team with the lowest percentage of picks to win | UConn (0.23%) |
| Team with the most appearances in the Sweet 16 | Matt Painter's Boilermakers |
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What You'll Learn
Duke Blue Devils: the favourite to win
The Duke Blue Devils are a force to be reckoned with in college basketball, and their historic success makes them a favourite to win March Madness. With 5 National Championships, 13 Final Four appearances, and 28 conference titles, they are a dominant force in the sport.
The Blue Devils have a rich history in college basketball, with their first National Championship coming in 1991, and their most recent in 2015. They have appeared in the Final Four an impressive 13 times, including five consecutive appearances from 1988 to 1992. This consistent success has made them one of the most feared teams in the tournament.
The 2023 March Madness tournament saw the Blue Devils seeded at No.5, facing off against Oral Roberts University in the first round, a game they won decisively with a score of 74-51. In the second round, they took on the Tennessee Volunteers, a tough SEC team, and advanced to the Sweet Sixteen. With less pressure than the top seeds, the Blue Devils had the talent and cohesion to make a strong push for the championship.
Duke's success can be attributed to their talented players and experienced coaches. The 1991 championship-winning team was led by Christian Laettner, Bobby Hurley, Grant Hill, and Thomas Hill. The team was also coached by the legendary Mike Krzyzewski, who was at Duke from 1980 to 2022 and helped the team win 5 National Championships. The current head coach, Jon Scheyer, took over in 2021, and in his first season as coach, he won the ACC tournament title, showcasing the program's ability to develop talented coaches.
The Blue Devils also have a well-known rivalry with the North Carolina Tar Heels, which is considered one of the top rivalries in college basketball and all of North American sports. This rivalry adds to the excitement and intensity of the Blue Devils' season, as the two teams face off twice each year during ACC play.
With their impressive history, talented players and coaches, and ability to consistently perform at a high level, it's no wonder that the Duke Blue Devils are considered a favourite to win March Madness. Their experience and skill position them well to overcome challenges and make a strong push for the championship.
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Florida Gators: up-tempo pace
The Florida Gators have not been known for their fast pace of play over the last several years. In 2020, Gators coach Mike White stated that the team would be playing fast in the upcoming season, a style that he was known for during his time at Louisiana Tech. However, this statement was met with some skepticism due to the team's slower pace in previous years.
While the Gators' pace of play has been criticized in the past, it is important to note that offensive possession length is a more accurate measure of a team's pace than the commonly used KenPom tempo metric. According to this metric, the Gators ranked 88th in offensive possession length in the 2019-2020 season, suggesting an acceleration in their pace.
In 2025, Gators coach Todd Golden emphasized the team's fast pace, stating that they play with control. At the time, the Gators were ranked in the top 60 nationally in tempo. However, they struggled with turnovers, averaging over 10 per game.
The Gators' up-tempo style of play can be a strategic advantage, especially when facing slower-paced teams. In 2023, the Gators prepared for their NCAA Tournament game against Norfolk State, a team known for their controlled, slow-tempo offense. Golden recognized the importance of dictating the terms and tempo to increase their chances of winning.
While the Gators have shown glimpses of an up-tempo style, their pace of play has been a topic of discussion and scrutiny among fans and analysts. Their ability to maintain a fast pace while reducing turnovers remains a key focus for the team.
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Tennessee Volunteers: best defences
For the 2023 March Madness men's basketball tournament, Houston was the fans' top pick to win, according to NCAA.com. Alabama, Kansas, and Purdue were also among the top picks. However, none of these teams ultimately made it to the Final Four, which included No. 4 UConn, No. 5 SDSU, No. 5 Miami (FL), and No. 9 Florida Atlantic (FAU).
Now, onto the Tennessee Volunteers' best defences. The Tennessee Volunteers, or Vols, had a strong defensive showing in the 2023 season, allowing only 264 points against them and holding opponents to 20.3 points per game. This defensive prowess placed them 23rd out of 133 teams in terms of points allowed per game. Their success can be attributed to a solid defensive strategy and strong individual performances.
One key defensive strategy employed by the Vols was their ability to force turnovers. Creating turnovers can disrupt an opponent's offensive flow and generate scoring opportunities for the defence. The Volunteers likely focused on techniques such as applying pressure, anticipating passing lanes, and actively pursuing loose balls to force these turnovers.
In addition to their turnover-generating tactics, the Vols' defence also excelled in limiting their opponents' scoring opportunities. Holding teams to 20.3 points per game is a remarkable feat, as it indicates a consistent ability to prevent high-scoring outputs from their competition. This success can be attributed to strong defensive schemes, effective communication, and individual defensive skills.
The Vols' defence was also supported by a well-rounded team effort. While specific player statistics for the 2023 season are not readily available, it is safe to assume that multiple players contributed to the team's defensive success. This includes strong defensive displays from players in various positions, such as defensive backs, linebackers, and defensive linemen, all working in tandem to shut down their opponents' offences.
Lastly, the Vols' coaching staff played a pivotal role in the team's defensive achievements. Head coach Josh Heupel and his assistants likely devised intricate defensive schemes, scouted opposing offences, and made strategic adjustments throughout the season to improve the team's performance on the defensive end.
In conclusion, the Tennessee Volunteers' defence in the 2023 season was characterised by a combination of effective strategies, strong team effort, and skilled individual performances, ultimately resulting in their impressive defensive statistics and a successful season.
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UConn Huskies: 2024 champions
The UConn Huskies are the nation's top pick to win the 2024 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament, also known as March Madness. This would be the first time the tournament has had a repeat champion since Florida achieved it in 2006 and 2007.
The UConn Huskies entered the 2024 tournament as the No. 1 overall seed after a huge season that culminated in a Big East tournament championship. UConn won its second consecutive national championship and sixth overall in 2024, beating Purdue 75-60. Tristen Newton won Most Outstanding Player of the tournament, posting 20 points, seven assists, and five rebounds in the title game.
UConn's victory marked the first time a program had repeated as champions since Florida in 2006 and 2007. UConn's win gave them their sixth NCAA title, tying them with North Carolina for the third-most Division I men's titles behind Kentucky (eight) and UCLA (11).
The Huskies rolled through the 2023 tournament as a No. 4 seed, but their strong 2024 season saw them enter the tournament as the top seed. UConn's victory over Purdue in the final was preceded by wins over San Diego State, Illinois, and North Carolina.
With their 2024 championship, the UConn Huskies solidified their place in the history of March Madness, becoming only the third program to win back-to-back titles in the 21st century.
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Texas Longhorns: lacking quality wins
The Texas Longhorns are an intercollegiate team representing the University of Texas at Austin in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision. They compete in the sport of American football and have a rich history in the game. With over 900 wins and a win percentage of .704, they are tied for fourth place in all-time wins and rank 12th in win-loss records.
The Longhorns have claimed four national championships, 33 conference championships, 100 First Team All-Americans, and two Heisman Trophy winners. They have a strong record in post-season appearances, ranking second in the number of bowl game appearances (55) and fourth in bowl game victories (29). They also hold the most Southwest Conference football championships (27) and Cotton Bowl Classic appearances and victories.
However, the Texas Longhorns have also faced some challenges. In 2005, they won the national title, but more recently, their performance has been less consistent. In 2021, for example, they suffered a narrow loss to the Sooners, despite a 21-point first-quarter lead. While the Longhorns have a strong historical record, they may be lacking in recent quality wins to make them a top contender for March Madness.
The 2023 March Madness tournament did see some upsets, with all four No. 1 seeds eliminated before the Elite Eight. However, the top picks to win, according to ESPN, were the No. 1 seeds: Alabama, Houston, Kansas, and Purdue. Houston was the fans' top pick, but their percentage of votes was lower than previous years' top teams.
While the Texas Longhorns have a proud football history, their recent performance may not put them among the top contenders for March Madness. Their lack of recent quality wins suggests that they may need to work harder to regain their former glory.
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Frequently asked questions
The top picks to win the March Madness 2023 tournament are Houston, Alabama, Kansas, and Purdue.
Houston was the fans' favourite to win the March Madness 2023 tournament.
Alabama, Kansas, Gonzaga, Duke, and UConn were picked by fans to win the March Madness 2023 tournament.
Gonzaga received 30.26 percent of picks in 2022 and 38.82 percent in 2021.
