By: JJ Lanier

TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services

As the college basketball season winds down and teams on the outside looking in began to focus on what they can do to make the tournament, there are a handful of teams that will begin their preparation for a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.

Below is a list of those teams I believe have a legitimate shot at cutting down the nets on April 8. Most teams will seem obvious, but there may be one or two surprises thrown in.

My Projected #1 Seeds: Duke, Gonzaga, Virginia, Tennessee

Duke- Two of their three losses this year have been accompanied with an injury to one of their freshmen (Syracuse- Tre Jones, UNC- Zion). When healthy, Duke has the most talent in the country and their best will beat everyone else’s best.

Problem is they’re as top heavy in talent as a weightlifter who has never used a leg machine. If any of the four freshmen are injured or in foul trouble, they’re vulnerable.

Gonzaga- Tell me if you’ve heard this before: “They’re an experienced team without any glaring weaknesses, but will their weak conference schedule hinder them come tournament time?” This team may be better than one that played UNC for the title a few years ago.

Virginia- Go ahead and get the UMBC jokes out of your system now, this team isn’t losing in the opening round.

They’re pace is slow and they’re not the most exhilarating team to watch, but they may be the best.

Tennessee- Probably one of the deepest, most complete teams in the country. Unfortunately, their coach is as allergic to winning tournament games as my teenage daughter is to cleaning her room.

In 20 NCAA Tournament appearance with Clemson, Texas, and Tennessee, Rick Barnes has made it past the opening weekend six times- none in the last seven tries. The talent is there to make a run, but is the coaching?

If the Bracket Fits: UNC, Kentucky, Michigan State

UNC- Think of a less talented Tennessee team, but with much better coaching. Obviously, I think there’s enough talent for the Tarheels to win or I wouldn’t list them here, but after their win in Durham I may be suffering more from “prisoner of the moment” syndrome than anything.

Kentucky- One of Calipari’s less talked about teams, in recent years at least. Yet, he always seems to have his players ready come tournament time, and this year’s squad is no different.

A lot is going to be riding on PJ Washington’s shoulders, but if any one of the Keldon Johnson, Tyler Herro, or Reid Travis trio can step up and play consistently, they are as dangerous as anyone.

Michigan State- I’ll be honest, I’m including the Spartans because of Tom Izzo; I just assume his team is going to make tourney run every year. If Izzo doesn’t have to face Duke or North Carolina (I’m pretty sure he’s a combined 1-2387 against them) Michigan State will probably be in the mix.

Visit from the Fairy Godmother: Marquette

Marquette- It’s not always the best team that wins, sometimes it’s the team whose best player has the hot hand. Dwayne Wade came close to pulling it off when he carried the Golden Eagles to the Final Four in 2003; could Markus Howard be that guy in 2019?

If Duke is completely healthy by the start of the tournament, they’re my pick to win it all in Minneapolis. Of course, if my past predictions are any indication, you’re better off betting the field.