5 Reasons Why Your Team Will Win The 2026 NCAA Tournament

Georgia Bulldogs

• The Bulldogs lead the nation in fast-break points, averaging 20 per game, essentially turning every possession into a track meet.

• Sophomore sensation Kanon Catchings is a human microwave, headlining an offense that ranks 5th nationally with 90 points per game.  He might be catching(s) fire at the right time.

• Coach Mike White has the most boring name in all of college basketball but his teams are fantastic to watch.  He led UGA to a program-record 22 regular-season wins by bringing a fast-paced, aggressive style of basketball to Athens.

• The fanbase recently learned that the school features other sports besides football and the fans are very excited by the novelty of rooting for players that don’t have significant head injuries.

• After beating ranked powers like Alabama and Arkansas this season, this squad has already shown they can play with some of the best teams in the country.  No off-nights in the SEC.

By Keith Spillett

High Point Panthers

1. Even Better Offense Than Last Year

Last year, under former head coach Alan Huss, HPU scored 81.7 points per game (23rd in the country) and had an offensive rating of 121.4 (3rd). New head coach Flynn Cayman has made those already great numbers even better. High Point scores 90 points a game, good for fourth in the country, and improved their offensive rating to 124.5, behind only Purdue and Illinois.

2. Understanding the Big Ten

Not only have the Panthers returned to the dance, but they’ll be taking on the Big Ten once more, this time against Wisconsin. As President George W. Bush only famously sputtered, “Fool me – you can’t get fooled again.” High Point’s been fooled once by the Big Ten (last season against Purdue); now they know what kind of team they’ll be taking on this tournament and could be much better prepared.

3. New-Look Starting Five

Cayman had to retool with an entirely new group, and the results were even better than expected. The Panthers are led by a dangerous scoring duo of Terry Anderson and Rob Martin, averaging over 30 points a game combined. Behind them are two solid offensive pieces in Braden Hausen and Scotty Washington. And to fill the defensive need is Owen Aquino, who averages 5.9 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 1.7 blocks.

4. Create Havoc on Defense

The Panthers finished 19th in the country with a defensive rating of 97.2, particularly excelling in turnovers. High Point ranks third in opponent turnovers per game with 16.4. While 98th in the country in blocks, they are first out of all 365 Division-I squads in steals per game with 10.9. Six players on the team average at least one steal or higher per game, so dribbling the ball anywhere around a High Point defender already puts you in the lion’s den.

5. Facing Heartbroken Wisconsin

Many tout the Badgers as a dangerous five seed, considering their formidable offense. However, Wisconsin’s last game was a big punch to the gut. They fell 68-65 to Michigan after Yaxel Lendeborg hit a game-winning three with 0.4 seconds left, robbing the Badgers of the Big Ten title game. That kind of loss can really take the winds out of a team’s sails, so High Point coming into this game could have the mental advantage.

By Colin Bish

Iowa Hawkeyes

• After winning four Division II national titles, McCollum has immediately brought wins to Iowa, becoming the first coach since Dr. Tom Davis in 1987 to lead the program to the tournament in year one.

• The Hawkeyes rank No. 30 in the nation in turnovers, giving away only 9.7 per game, ensuring they don't beat themselves in high-stakes March games.

• Former MVC Player of the Year Bennett Stirtz leads the offense with 20.0 points and 4.5 assists, providing the kind of high-level guard play that is historically essential for a deep tournament run.

• With a starting lineup largely composed of veteran transfers who followed McCollum from Drake and from D2, this squad possesses a rare level of chemistry and big game experience.

• Having developed a reputation as a team that considers defense the brief and annoying interval between taking shots under Fran McCaffrey, this team surprisingly ranks 17th nationally in scoring defense, allowing just 66.0 points per game and proving they can grind out close wins.

  
  

By Keith Spillett

Iowa Hawkeyes (Women)

• Sophomore transfer “Chit-Chat" Wright leads a high-octane offense that scores with alarming regularity. Between her playmaking and Taylor Stremlow in the backcourt, it’s almost possible to forget that Clark kid who played there a few years ago.

• Senior forward Hannah Stuelke has played in two National Championship games and is at her best when the lights are brightest.

• In her second year as head coach, Jan Jensen has already racked up 49 wins and was the 2025 National Rookie Coach of the Year.  In a sport dominated by legendary coaches, she is very likely the next great name to add to that formidable list.

• Sophomore center Ava Heiden was a First Team All-Big Ten monster this year.  Her size and tenacity leaves most opponents runnin’ and Heiden.

• They got hot down the stretch, winning 8 of their last 9, which is a stat that could prove predictive if you can forget their one loss was a 51-point drubbing at the hands of UCLA.  Which sounds alarmingly like, “besides that Mrs. Kennedy, what do you think of the Dallas Cowboys this year?”

By Keith Spillett

Iowa State Cyclones (Women)

• I’ve only fallen in love twice in my life.  First time was when I met my wife, second was the first time I saw Audi Crooks use her drop step move going to the basket.

• Audi Crooks is unstoppable on offense (25.5 ppg) and would have a lot more than 8 rebounds a game if she ever missed.

• Did I mention Audi Crooks?

• Are people who steal popular German cars known as Audi Crooks?

• Crooks, Audi

By Keith Spillett

Kennesaw State Owls

1 In just his third season, Antoine Pettway has increased the team's win total every year, culminating in a 21-win season and a return to March Madness.  The Owls have been inspired by his infectious positivity and are peaking at the right time.

2 The Owls annihilate opponents on the glass ranking 7th nationally in offensive rebounds (13.9 per game) and 15th in total rebounds, ensuring they get plenty of second-chance looks.

3 Guard RJ Johnson has emerged as the heart of the team, averaging 14.5 points and 4.0 assists while shooting a lethal 43.3% from beyond the arc.  Johnson’s physical presence makes him look like a genetically created mashup between Mark Jackson and Brian Urlacher and presents significant matchup problems for smaller guards.

4 The Conference USA All-Tournament freshman has been unstoppable lately, scoring in double figures in six straight games and providing a massive interior presence to go with his Flock of Seagulls haircut.

5 This team was left for dead after star guard Simeon Cottle left the team due to a federal indictment for point shaving.  Their ability to overcome adversity is unquestionable and they are in the midst of a genuinely magical season.

By Keith Spillett

Louisville Cardinals

• Star freshman Mikel Brown Jr. is expected back from injury, and when he's on, he’s historic—literally, he broke the ACC freshman scoring record with 45 points earlier this year.

• Ranking 20th nationally with nearly 85 points per game, this team can simply outscore anyone on a given night.

• With seniors like Ryan Conwell and Isaac McKneely, the roster is packed with experienced guards who "shoot the cover off the ball."

• Louisville is one of only eight teams in the country to rank in the Top 25 for both offensive and defensive efficiency per KenPom.

• Reserve Vangelis Zougris (aka "Clark Kent") proved in the ACC Tournament that he can step up as a high-impact starter when the pressure is highest.  As long as he can get to a phonebooth.

By Keith Spillett

McNeese State Cowboys

• Under first-year coach Bill Armstrong, McNeese has maintained its elite status, entering the Big Dance on a scorching 10-game winning streak.  Unlike his predecessor, the only show-cause associated with him is that he shows other teams his players can cause havoc.

• They rank in the top 50 nationally in offensive efficiency, averaging 80.0 points per game while shooting an efficient 47% from the floor.

• Freshman phenom Larry Johnson is averaging 17.5 points per game and has already proven he can carry the load on the biggest stages.  He’s not Grandmama, but he’s a heck of a player.

• They rank 2nd in the nation in turnover margin, forcing opponents into nearly 17 turnovers per game with a relentless, high-pressure defense.

• History loves a No. 12 seed upset, and, coincidentally, they were a 12-seed last year when they held Clemson to 13 first half points on the way to victory.  And once a team gets rolling, you never know how far they can take it.

By Keith Spillett

Michigan Wolverines

1. Dusty May has turned the Wolverines into a mirror image of their football program (historically) elite size, balanced scoring, and clutch execution when it matters.  He is the rare coach who can adapt to anything mid-game.

2. Michigan showed remarkable dominance in the regular season. They were 19-1 in regular season conference play.

   
   

3.  They have size and versatility inside and out. Towering bigs with skill, guards who can defend and stretch the floor, and have a physical edge over most opponents.

   
   

4. They are battle tested, handling tough Big Ten wars, blowing away the field in the Players Era Festival, and nearly getting revenge against Duke for the Fab 5.  They showed late game poise in close contests, positioning them to thrive when the lights are brightest in the tournament.

   
   

5. They play with a chip on their (our) shoulder. This group is thinking title and nothing less. They have fire and leadership that is not typical of portal transfers. They believe in their coach and have a loyal well traveled fan base that can take over any arena. 

   
   

By Justin Matteo

Justin is a host of the "Sports Live With Steve and Justin" which is available every week at Steveandjustin.com or on any Podcast platform.

NC State Wolf Pack

• In just his first season, Coach Wade has revitalized Raleigh by leading the Pack to a 20-win season and a return to the Big Dance.  If they can get past “The COINTELPRO Bowl”, a battle between coaches who have appeared on FBI wiretaps (Sean Miller at Texas being the other), they can get some momentum going.

• They rank 12th nationally in 3-point percentage (38.8%), with Paul McNeil Jr. leading the charge with a near-program-record 102 triples.

• The roster is built for March, featuring five key transfers who combined for nearly 400 minutes of NCAA Tournament action just last season.  Darrion Williams was a huge part of the run Texas Tech made last year and has shown the ability to shine in March.

• The Wolfpack offense features four different starters averaging nearly 14 points-per-game.  Balanced scoring is tough to stop.

• It seems like it should be harder to have to play in an 11-seed play-in game, but several teams have launched deep tournament runs from that spot including VCU (2011) and UCLA (2021) who made it from the First Four to the Final Four. Getting the momentum of a tough early win can propel teams a long way.

Queens Royals

1.  Queens can be extremely powerful.  Queen Victoria reigned over England for 80 years or something like that.

2.  Unless your playing blackjack, Queens are better than Kings.  

3.  Because their mascot Buddy the Street Dog sounds really mean and German Shepherds are likely tougher than Boilermakers, whatever those are.

4.  Because their school motto is "Not To Be Served, but to Serve", they will likely serve their opponents a can of whoop-a$$.

5. They rank 20th nationally in Effective Field Goal Percentage (56.5%) and 13th in Two-Point Percentage (59.2%).  Which is good.

Keep Calm and Dribble On,

Shannon McGinty-Spillett

St. Louis Billikens

1. Variety of Offensive Weapons

The Billikens were one of the hottest teams in the country up until recently, but the offense still has some sparks left. They’re one of the premier offensive units in the country, averaging 87.2 points a game (11th) and an offensive rating of 121.1 (14th), but not based off one star. Their leading scorer is A-10 Player of the Year Robbie Avila, who averaged 12.9 points a game. Including Avila, seven Billikens average nine points or more, which gives head coach Josh Schertz a lot of different options to outsmart opposing defenses.

2. Making ‘Em Miss

While the offense has been elite as it gets, the defense was just as effective in the Billikens’ incredible year. They held opponents to 69.5 points per game, 63rd in the country, but their defensive rating of 96.5 ranks 13th in the country. Their strength is making opponents miss shots, ranking first overall in opponent field goal percentage at a 37.9% clip. Avila and fellow frontcourt members Amari McCottry and Paul Otieno play a big role in closing off the paint while Dion Brown, Trey Green, Kellen Thames, Ishan Sharma, Brady Dunlap and Quentin Jones help shrink the three-point line, holding opponents to 29.4% from beyond the arc.

3. Team Full of Currys

I didn’t find it possible to have a college basketball team full of Stephen Currys. That was until I watched Saint Louis absolutely torch St. Bonaventure at the Reilly Center a couple of months ago. It felt like they never missed, and it was reflected in the stat sheet. Well, they did miss. Everyone misses. But the Billikens are the best at not missing more shots than the other team… something like that. Of the seven players who shoot at least two threes a game (with 20 or more games played), five of them shoot over 40% from three. The best of the bunch is Green, who led the A-10 in three-point percentage at 45.7%.

4. Much-Needed Rest and Recuperation

A couple of months ago, Saint Louis was far and away the hottest team not named Miami (Ohio), reaching 24-1 as recently as February 13th. Now? They’ve lulled as of late to a 4-4 stretch, with a close loss to Rhode Island and blowouts to Dayton and George Mason to end the regular season. They then lost on a game-winning shot to the Flyers again in the A-10 Tournament and limped their way to a nine seed. They’ll take on Georgia late Thursday night, so those few days off to reset can be the difference between an early exit and a Day One win. It could even be the difference for a national title.

5. Their Mascot Will Scare Off Everyone Else

Okay, I wish I was the person I was a few hours ago before I knew what a Billiken was. Thanks to my forever friend Wikipedia, I now will likely see the little creep in my nightmares for the next week. Basically, the Billiken is a charm doll created by Kansas City art teacher Florence Pretz. Pretz said that she saw this figure in her dreams, describing it with pointy ears, a tuft of hair on its pointed head and a devious smile. Saint Louis made it their official mascot because they believed it resembled former football coach John R. Bender. End of history lesson. But yeah, if I saw a Billiken in an alleyway, I’d run the other way and implore the other 67 teams to run for the hills and give Saint Louis the title by default. Better losing out on a championship than suffering an eternity of nightmares with your shiny trophy.

By Colin Bish

St. Mary’s Gales

• Paulius Murauskas is a walking double-double who led the WCC in rebounding, making the Gaels one of the most difficult teams to guard in the paint.

• Saint Mary's ranks No. 1 in the nation in free-throw shooting at 80.5%, which is essentially a cheat code for winning close games in March.  With games often coming down to the fire, that’s a nice thing to have in your back pocket.

• Randy Bennett took over a 2-27 team in 2001 and turned them into a perennial tournament powerhouse.  Take the Covid year out of the equation and they have 18 consecutive 20-win seasons.

• They boast the 7th-ranked scoring defense in the country, allowing just 64.6 points per game and making every possession feel like an eternity for opponents.

• The Gaels play at one of the slowest paces in college basketball, a which can frustrate the hell out of more talented teams that like to play up-tempo.  Snails regularly consult Bennett for advice.

By Keith Spillett

SMU Mustangs

• Senior guard Boopie Miller is a certified star, averaging 19.2 points and 6.4 assists while leading a high-octane offense that ranks 23rd nationally.

• The Mustangs are an offensive powerhouse, ranking 13th in the nation in efficiency and averaging nearly 85 points per game.

• Their 7-foot-2 sophomore center Samet Yiğitoğlu is a dominant force in the paint, leading the team in blocks and ranking 1st in the ACC in offensive rebounds.

• In just his second season at SMU, the former mayor of “Dunk City” has shown he can put together March Magic.

• Despite an 8-10 conference record, SMU must stand for “See...Math is Useful”, building a strong tournament resume almost entirely based on analytics.  Maybe the computers know something we don’t.

By Keith Spillett

South Carolina Gamecocks (Women)

• Sophomore sensation Joyce Edwards leads the team with 19.6 points per game on a hyper-efficient 58.7% shooting. She's the most remarkable Joyce since the one who wrote Ulysses.

• SEC Defensive Player Raven “Nevermore” Johnson of the Year is elite at taking care of the ball, ranking 4th nationally with a 3.41 assist-to-turnover ratio. 

• South Carolina leads the nation in field goal percentage defense, holding opponents to a dismal 33.5% from the floor. They allow only 56.0 points per game, which is the basketball equivalent of raising the height of the rim to 70 feet.

• The Gamecocks dominate the boards with an average of 41.9 rebounds per game and a +8.8 rebounding margin.  They make Windex look like WD 40.

• The five best teams in the country are UCLA, UConn, Texas South Carolina and South Carolina’s bench.

By Keith Spillett

Texas Longhorns

• In his first year at the helm, Sean Miller has already secured Texas's sixth consecutive tournament bid, bringing the veteran coaching experience needed for high-stakes elimination games, in spite of the fact that he has fat fingers.

• Texas is an elite scoring unit, ranking 13th nationally in offensive efficiency and averaging 83.8 points per game, their highest mark since the mid-90s.

• As the SEC Newcomer of the Year and a Julius Erving Award finalist, Dailyn Swain is a versatile who leads the team in points, rebounds, assists, and steals.

• Texas already proved they can take down their First Four opponent, NC State, in a 102-97 shootout earlier this season, giving them a psychological edge right out of the gate.

• Since the First Four began, a team from Dayton has reached the Sweet 16 or further in almost every tournament, proving that being a No. 11 seed can be more of a help than a hindrance.

By Keith Spillett

Texas Longhorns (Women)

• Two-time All-American Madison Booker is averaging 18.9 points per game and shooting 51.6% from the field, proving she can carry the offense against elite competition.  If you are looking for someone to step in and get a key basket, Book-her.

• Texas ranks 5th in the nation in field goal percentage (.500) because they prioritize high-percentage looks in the paint. In an era where everyone seems to be obsessed with the three-point-shot, the Longhorns play old-school, bang the ball into the paint and turn around basketball.

• The Longhorns hold opponents to a miserly 56.6 points per game. You have a better chance of scoring with chronic halitosis and the inability to stop talking about your X-men bobblehead doll collection than Texas opponents do.

• After missing time with an injury, senior guard Rori Harmon is back doing her best Leonard Bernstein impression averaging 6.2 assists per game.

• Coach Vic Schaefer has led teams to the Elite Eight or further in seven of the last eight tournaments, including a Final Four run in 2025.  

By Keith Spillett

Texas Tech Red Raiders

• Texas Tech is potent from international waters, ranking 5th nationally in 3-point percentage (39.3%) and averaging over 11 made triples per game.

• Their star guard, Christian Anderson, is a certified bucket-getter, averaging 18.9 points and 7.6 assists who can get the whole team involved.  Like his great-great-great uncle Hans Christian Andersen, he can create a legend with the best of them.

• Coach Grant McCasland has a .709 winning percentage at Tech and has already proven he can orchestrate deep March runs with his disciplined, tough-nosed style.  His teams grind you harder than a well-compensated exotic dancer.

• They have already beat two #1 seeds in Duke and Arizona at neutral sites.  They are built to topple giants.

• JT Toppin is so good that even injured and unable to play or even walk, other teams still have to account for him on defense.

By Keith Spillett

Troy Trojans

Troy is a university in Troy, Alabama, which happens to be the worst city in America. With that fact stated, here is why Troy will win the whole thing.

1) Defense - Troy players excel at defense. Being defensive is part of the character of people in and from the city. Imagine having to answer the question, “you chose to go to school where?” constantly.

2)Rebounding - Troy is elite at rebounding. Much like the mythical city that bounced back from an embarrassing loss at the hands of a wooden horse only to become a town in Alabama with multiple Piggly Wiggly locations, this Troy team rebounds with a ferocity that is truly the stuff of legends.

3)Pace - Much like the people of Troy when they hear there’s a sale down at the Piggly Wiggly, the Trojans move fast.

4) Excitement - Have you ever taken in the atmosphere at the ole field house in Troy? Of course you haven’t. Outside of a prison sentence or having to buy a car from your uncle’s shady truck driver friend (sorry, I digress), no one goes to Troy on purpose. They are used to playing in a state and town that’s lucky to have electricity. Get them in the bright lights of Oklahoma City and watch these guys come to life!

5) X Factor - If they lose, they have to go back to Troy. If they win, they get to leave Troy again next weekend.

By Matt Bailey

UCF Knights

• Now in his 10th season, Dawkins has built a veteran squad that just set a program record with three wins over Top 25 opponents in a single season.

• Senior guard Themus Fulks is a wizard with the ball, ranking 10th nationally in assists (6.7 apg) and providing the steady leadership needed for a deep March run.

• UCF boasts one of the most productive benches in the Big 12, averaging over 23 points per game from their reserves to keep the starters fresh for 40 minutes.

• 7 foot 2 Sophomore  John “The Wall After Tacko Fall” Bol Ajak has emerged as a defensive anchor, shooting a ridiculous 76% from the floor while altering every shot that enters the paint.  

• After surviving the rigors of a Big 12 schedule —including an early-season upset of No. 17 Kansas—the Knights are officially immune to being intimidated by higher seeds.

By Keith Spillett

UCLA Bruins

• After a surprisingly sluggish regular season, the senior guard has shown significant growth in the past month including his first-ever triple-double in the Big Ten Tournament, showing that all of the transfer portal hype around him was legit.  

• UCLA ranks 7th nationally in turnovers, a safety net that ensures they won’t gift-wrap easy transition buckets to their opponents in elimination games.

• The Bruins are shooting a lethal 38.2% from three-point range (18th in the nation), giving them the floor-spacing needed to punish teams that collapse on their bigs.

• This isn’t your standard laid-back, West Coast basketball team.  They play with the grit and grime of a 1980s Big East Squad.

• Mick Cronin is clearly on the brink of a massive psychotic break.  His team will do everything they can to win in hopes of keeping him from writing love letters to Jodie Foster and trying to bite the ear off of a reporter.

By Keith Spillett

UCLA Bruins (Women)

• Senior center Lauren Betts anchors the nation’s second-best field goal percentage (51.3%) while averaging 16.4 points and 1.9 blocks per game. At 6 foot 7, she might well be the greatest interior defender in the history of the game.

• All-American guard Kiki Rice is an outstanding guard, contributing 15.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per contest. Her ability to control the tempo ensures the Bruins' offense stays organized even under heavy tournament pressure.

• UCLA features four players averaging double figures, including Utah transfer Gianna Kneepkens who shoots a lethal 37.5% from deep. 

• The Bruins rank 1st nationally in defensive rebounding (28.3 per game) and 11th in total rebounds.

• With Lauren and freshman sister Sienna on the roster, UCLA has the highest "Betts per game" average in America. Not only are they the best team in the country, they are the Betts team in the country.

UConn Huskies

• They currently ranks 1st nationally in scoring defense, allowing a stingy 50.4 points per game. They force opponents into a hideous 33.3% field goal percentage, effectively turning the basket into a ringlet for 40 minutes a night.

• Finally healthy for a full season, Azzi Fudd is averaging 17.7 points per game. Her presence helps the team maintain the nation's best effective field goal percentage at 59.8%.

• I’m three bullet points in and I haven’t even mentioned Sarah Strong yet.  18.5 and 7.6 every night, with four assists to boot.  

• Coach Geno Auriemma has led this group to 50 consecutive wins, which would be remarkable for other coaches, but for him, it’s just two seasons of unremarkable excellence.  Over the course of his career he’s got a 1284-165 record and has won 11 National Championships.

• Danny Hurley is not their coach, so it’s possible to root for the team without wanting to watch their coach fed to alligators.

By Keith Spillett

Vanderbilt Commodores (Women)

• AP First-Team All-American Mikayla Blakes leads the nation with 27.1 points per game and became the first SEC player this century to average over 30 points in conference play. 

• They rank 7th nationally in assists per game (19.4) and boast a top-20 assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.49. Freshman point guard Aubrey Galvan is the most impressive young Commodore since Lionel Richie.

• Vanderbilt went a perfect 16-0 at home this season. Coincidentally, the first two rounds will be at Memorial Gymnasium in Nashville where they haven't lost since the Biden administration.

• Coach Shea Ralph’s offensive schemes are fantastic, ranking the school 8th in scoring offense at 84.7 points per game. Ralph learned something about winning championships when she was carrying UConn to one in 2000 as a player.

• Anderson Cooper (himself a descendant of the great robber barron Cornelius) recently released a best selling book called “Vanderbilt:  The Rise and Fall of an American Dynasty”.  As far as the women’s basketball team goes, we are very clearly on the “rise” portion of that formulation.

VCU Rams

1. Atlantic-10 Family Ties

Rams head coach Phil Martelli Jr.  continues a legendary lineage of A-10 coaching royalty. Phil Martelli Sr. is one of the most successful coaches in conference history, amassing over 400 wins in 24 seasons with at Saint Joseph’s while reaching the Elite Eight in 2004 with Jameer Nelson and Delonte West. No doubt Junior has inherited that A-10 to March Madness success from his pops. But maybe he can go where his father hasn’t: a national title.

2. Trophies, Trophies and More Trophies!

In what was believed to be a transition year after Ryan Odom left, the Rams have won back-to-back conference tournament championships. But VCU wasn’t done with the awards in 2026. Leading scorer Terrence Hill Jr. won A-10 Most Improved Player and Sixth Man of the Year, Nyk Lewis was named A-10 Rookie of the Year, Lazar Djokovic made All-A-10 First-Team and Martelli Jr. won the A-10 Coach of the Year. With all these trophies, what more room will there be for the eventual VCU national championship?

3. Deep Bench Unit with Hill Jr.

As mentioned above, Terrence Hill Jr. has had an unbelievable year for the Rams. He despite Odom’s departure and led VCU in scoring this season, but he’s not the only integral bench piece for this team. Michael Belle and Tyrell Ward provide frontcourt flexibility and Ahmad Nowell is a sharpshooter from three. If the going gets rough for the starting five, Martelli Jr. can rely on his bench to produce productive minutes.

4. Getting in Opponents’ Heads to the Line

One offensive factor that doesn’t get a lot of attention (at least, not positively, if you hate the OKC Thunder) is free throw shooting. And the Rams excel at getting to the line; VCU’s opponents commit 20.1 fouls per game, ranking 18th in the country. Points are points, no matter how they come. Should the Rams continue to force that same level of fouls, getting in the head of the opposing team will give them that mental advantage.

5. Different Sport, Same Djokovic Mindset

Even if you’re not a tennis fan, you likely recognize the name Novak Djokovic. He’s one of the greatest tennis stars of all time, with multiple tournament victories, Grand Slam titles and an Olympic gold medal. Is there any sort of genetical relation between Novak and VCU’s Lazar Djokovic? Not at all. But the name “Djokovic” alone carries the aura of a champion. Maybe Novak’s championship aura somehow, spiritually or whatever else, flows to VCU and the Rams win the national championship thanks to Novak voodoo magic. That’d be a fun conspiracy.

By Colin Bish