Top 10 College Basketball National Championship Picks for 2017-18

It's college basketball time once again, which means March will be here before we know it, and a champion will be crowned. Here are my picks for the season, and they differ from ESPN's, in case you're wondering.

These teams are just my predictions, so take them with a grain of salt. Also, keep in mind that it's November, so there's a good chance this list will look very different by the time March rolls around.

The voting period for this list has ended.
The Top Ten

  1. Villanova Wildcats

    The obvious favorite of the two teams left. If they shoot like they did against Kansas, then you can start making those championship shirts now because this game is over. But I'm expecting a worse shooting day for Nova, so it should be close.

    February Update: I still agree here. They will likely be a #1 or #2 seed. They could absolutely win it all.

  2. Duke Blue Devils

    Based in Durham, North Carolina, the Blue Devils are part of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). They are renowned for their men's basketball program, which has won multiple NCAA championships. Their team colors are Duke blue and white.

    February Update: This team is likely second in the ACC, but I think they can beat anyone in the tournament. I still think they are a good pick.

    Duke is loaded with talent, including Trevon Duval, with a returning, more mature Grayson Allen led by Coach K. They look poised for a championship run.

  3. Kansas Jayhawks

    The Kansas Jayhawks, commonly referred to as KU, are the athletic teams representing the University of Kansas. They compete in the NCAA Division I and are members of the Big 12 Conference. The Jayhawks are especially known for their successful men's basketball program.

    February Update: I'm actually unsure about this Jayhawks team. This team is so Jekyll and Hyde that I really don't know how they will do. They could beat anyone or be beaten by anyone.

    Of course, I think my Jayhawks have a chance. They lost Josh Jackson and Frank Mason, but knowing Bill Self's recruiting skills, they absolutely have a chance. Devonte Graham leads a solid backcourt, and Udoka Azubuike could be a good center.

    Now that they got over the Elite Eight hump, I think they can do it. If they can survive Villanova, they should win.

  4. Kentucky Wildcats

    The Kentucky Wildcats are the athletic teams of the University of Kentucky, located in Lexington, Kentucky. They compete in the Southeastern Conference and are especially known for their successful men's basketball program. The Wildcats' official colors are blue and white.

    February Update: Okay, Kentucky is somewhat decent, but they are looking at being in the middle of a loaded SEC conference and likely a 6-seed. This team is nowhere close to championship caliber. I think this team is too young and inexperienced, even with the coaching skills of Calipari.

    A very young team, but they had arguably one of the best offseasons, recruiting 7 top 100 players. This is an extremely young team, even by Kentucky standards. We've seen young talent succeed before. With Calipari, Kentucky is always good.

  5. Gonzaga Bulldogs

    The Gonzaga Bulldogs are the athletic teams that represent Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington. The school's basketball team has become especially prominent in NCAA Division I competition. Gonzaga's basketball program has made consistent appearances in the NCAA Tournament since the late 1990s.

    They lost to the Tar Heels in the championship last year. We've seen losers come back to win it the next year before. Can Gonzaga pull it off?

  6. Michigan Wolverines

    The Michigan Wolverines represent 27 varsity sports teams at the University of Michigan. These teams compete in NCAA Division I and are members of the Big Ten Conference.

    All Wolverine teams participate in the Big Ten except for women's water polo, which competes in the NCAA interdivisional Collegiate... read more

    RIP Michigan. Came up short of Nova in the championship game. Still a good season.

    I think they have a good chance.

  7. Michigan State Spartans

    Michigan State University is a public research university in East Lansing, Michigan, United States. It is widely known for its men's basketball program, which has won two NCAA national championships. The university also has a strong academic reputation, particularly in education, business, and agriculture... read more

    February Update: Another pick that I somewhat agree with. Sparty is likely the Big Ten regular season champion. They have won 11 straight games, so they are getting into a groove at the right time.

  8. Arizona Wildcats

    The Arizona Wildcats are the athletic teams representing the University of Arizona, based in Tucson, Arizona. They compete in the NCAA Division I as a member of the Big 12 Conference. The school is especially known for its men's basketball and baseball programs, with both achieving national success.

    February Update: I feel like Arizona is still a good pick. They are looking to be PAC-12 regular season champions and likely a 3-seed. They are definitely a team to watch. However, they do have a lot of drama at the moment with Trier being ineligible due to a team violation, and Sean Miller facing the FBI over a recruiting scandal involving Deandre Ayton. Depending on how that plays out, they might be in trouble down the stretch if they are without their head coach for multiple games.

  9. Texas Tech Red Raiders

  10. West Virginia Mountaineers

    The West Virginia Mountaineers are the athletic teams that represent West Virginia University in Morgantown, West Virginia. They have been part of the Big 12 Conference since 2012. The university's athletic program includes teams in football, basketball, and several other sports.

    Press Virginia is an undeniably aggressive team. Jevon Carter leads a great team with talent on offense and defense.

    11. The Newcomers
  11. ?

    Loyola-Chicago Ramblers

    If they can make it to the Final Four, they have a chance.

  12. ?

    Clemson Tigers

    The Clemson Tigers are the athletic teams representing Clemson University. They compete at the NCAA Division I level, with their football team playing in the Football Bowl Subdivision. Clemson has been a charter member of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) since the 1953-54 academic year.

    13. The Contenders

  13. Virginia Cavaliers

    The Virginia Cavaliers football team represents the University of Virginia in American college football. The Cavaliers compete in the Football Bowl Subdivision of the NCAA and are members of the Coastal Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference. They play their home games at Scott Stadium in Charlottesville... read more

  14. Wichita State Shockers

    The Wichita State Shockers are the athletic teams that represent Wichita State University. They compete in NCAA Division I as members of the American Athletic Conference. The school is particularly known for its strong men's basketball program.

    A bit obscure, but a move to the American Conference really helps the Shockers. They now have the resume they lacked before. Definitely a team to watch. Gregg Marshall has done a phenomenal job turning the program around.

  15. North Carolina Tar Heels

    A good team, in all honesty. They have potential. However, being defending champions, they have to overcome a hangover.

  16. Purdue Boilermakers

    The Purdue Boilermakers represent Purdue University, located in West Lafayette, Indiana. They compete in the Big Ten Conference and are especially known for their successful men's basketball program. Their team colors are black and gold, and their mascot is named Boiler Pete.

  17. Wisconsin Badgers

    The Wisconsin Badgers are the athletic teams representing the University of Wisconsin - Madison. They compete in NCAA Division I and are members of the Big Ten Conference. The program is recognized for its achievements in multiple sports, including football, basketball, and hockey.

    They have made some noise in the tournament before. You just never know with Wisconsin. They could surprise us all.

  18. Arizona State Sun Devils

    Situated in Tempe, Arizona, the Sun Devils compete in the Pac-12 Conference. Known for their accomplishments in sports like wrestling and baseball, they have a long history of athletic success, including multiple NCAA championships. Maroon and gold are their official colors.

    One of three unbeaten teams left. Definitely a team to watch.

  19. Cincinnati Bearcats

    The Cincinnati Bearcats are the athletic teams representing the University of Cincinnati in Ohio. They compete in the American Athletic Conference and are especially known for their football and basketball programs. The teams also excel in other sports and wear red and black as their primary colors.

    February Update: I kind of agree with Cincinnati. However, they could lose to someone like Xavier or Wichita State. They have also had some really close wins against teams they should have beaten by a lot. I don't know if they are a national championship team or even a Final Four team.

    They are the favorite to win the American Conference. Who knows? They're bound to be good.

  20. Auburn Tigers

    The Auburn Tigers football program represents Auburn University in the sport of American college football. The team competes in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Southeastern Conference. Auburn's football program has won national championships and produced numerous NFL... read more

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