" I’d like to once get lucky and win one that we shouldn’t."
UK has already been there and done that, more than once, so...
"Anyone but dUKe or UNC" or UK for me.
I'll be rooting for Zags, Tenn, and Auburn. I'm not a big Pearl fan but I like their team this year.
Each of those teams are proof of the value of getting the players that stick around 4 years and mature physically and mentally. Houston has a couple of really good senior guards that will give UK fits. Unless you are getting the Zion’s, Barrett’s and the very top sure fire studs, you are better off with players ranked in the 30-88 range. I say 88 because Tyler Herro was a 4* who can play.
In my lifetime, UK has won 4. In 78, 96,98 and 12. 78 was the best team, 96 arguably the best ever, 98 was lucky I guess. 3 straight finals. Pitino left Tubby a team who just knew how to win. 2012 was not a doubt the best team. 38-2. Should have won 2015 38-1.
Unless UT gets hot again I don’t know about them. May have peaked early. Auburn is 5 point underdogs but can flat out play. Very athletic and can score in bunches. Gonzaga has just quietly blowing teams out and own a win over dUKe with Zion.
You have to hope the refs don’t blow many calls, in a close game it can be the difference in a win or a loss.