One of the most anticipated and exciting college sports events, the NCAA men’s basketball tournament bracket, is here. The audience can witness the country’s top 68 basketball teams competing for the national championship. For the 2023 season, several teams have emerged as contenders, all having their own playing styles and strengths. The NCAA is a single-elimination tournament, meaning a team must win each game to advance further into the NCAA top 25 and beyond.

Houston Cougars
The Houston Cougars are one of the most evenly-matched teams in the country and have a strong reputation for their consistent performance. Currently being led by head coach Kelvin Sampson, who joined the program in 2014, both ends of the court displayed a balanced offense and a strong defense by the team. With Marcus Sasser as the team guard, the Houston Cougars are a force to be reckoned with. One can keep the Cougars on one’s list of teams to watch out for, with their strong defense and deep roster.

UCLA Bruins
One of the most successful teams in the NCAA tournament bracket history, the UCLA Bruins have 11 national championships to their name. They are a Division I college basketball team representing the University of California, Los Angeles. The team is led by head coach Mick Cronin and anchored by the guard Jaime Jaquez Jr. With a talented roster and a history of excellence, expect the Bruins to make a far run in the tournament. Some notable names that emerged from the team include Bill Walton, Russell Westbrook, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Kansas Jayhawks
The Kansas Jayhawks have illustrated a long history of success in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament bracket. The team has four national championships to its name and is often spotted in the NCAA top men’s teams. Over the years, it has also made several appearances in the Final Four. Bill Self, who has been with the program since 2003, is the one coaching the team. Ochai Agbaji could be the next NBA rising star bringing pride to Kansas Jayhawks. The Jayhawks are well positioned to advance far into the tournament, given their talented squad and a strong legacy of success.

Alabama Crimson Tide
Notable names like Latrell Sprewell, Robert Horry, and Mo Williams were former players of the Alabama Crimson Tide. The team is a rising star in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament or the March Madness bracket. Being led by coach Nate Oats since 2019, Crimson Tide poses a fast-paced offense and has increasingly garnered public attention.

Purdue Boilermakers
The Purdue Boilermakers boast one of the strongest defenses and lethal offenses. The team has grown stronger under the leadership of head coach Matt Painter who joined the team in 2005. Their talented roster and strong defense will make the team matches hard to miss. In the past, Purdue Boilermakers have been home to some famous NBA players like Robbie Hummel, Glenn Robinson, and JaJuan Johnson.

Arizona Wildcats
One of the most exciting stories of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament brackets is of the Arizona Wildcats. With around 33 appearances, the Wildcats have entered the tournament’s Final Four four times. Their only national championship win was recorded in 1997 under the leadership of NBA stars Jason Terry and Mike Bibby. The team has been home to numerous successful NBA players, including Gilbert Arenas, Richard Jefferson, and Andre Iguodala. The team has continued to be a strong contender for the others, making its way to the Elite Eight multiple times. The Arizona Wildcats is led by head coach Tommy Lloyd who joined the program in 2021.

Gonzaga Bulldogs
A relatively new addition to the upper echelon of college basketball tournaments, the Gonzaga Bulldogs have been consistently making a name for themselves. The team has made it into the NCAA men’s basketball tournament bracket every year since 1999. In this period, they made it into the Elite Eight five times and twice in the Final Four. Gonzaga has had several standout players like the current NBA star Kelly Olynyk and Adam Morrison. The Bulldogs are known for their disciplined style and strong team effort. It is one of the teams to watch for this March Madness season. With a head coach like Mark Few and forward player Drew Timme, the team is set to leave a blazing trail.

Besides these teams, a few other squads to watch out for in the men’s NCAA basketball tournament are Texas Longhorns, Baylor Bears, Connecticut Huskies, Indiana Hoosiers, Virginia Cavaliers, and Kansas State Wildcats. The event is divided into four regions, each covering 16 teams. The winner of each of these regions will advance into the Final Four for two semifinals and, further, into the championship game. Like every year, the event is expected to garner millions of spectators. The tournament officially starts on March 13 and will last till April 4.