3 teams that are candidates to go far in March Madness

1) Missouri (projected 6th seed).

Returning minutes: 89.0%. Returning starters (4) Dru Smith, Kobe Brown, Javon Pickett, Mark Smith.

Key Victories: 1) vs Alabama 68-65 (Alabama’s only SEC loss). 2) @Oregon 83-75 (top 3 pac-12 team). 3) @Tennessee 73-64 (one of the 4 ranked SEC teams). 4) vs Illinois 81-78 (top 5 team right now, 2nd in Big 10)

7th in ppg in SEC (75.0) last year they were 12th (67.1)

Coach: Cunozo Martin (defensive minded) 64-52 record with Missouri (.552)

2) Loyola Chicago (projected 8 seed)

Returning minutes: 91.7%. Returning starters (5) Cameron Krutwig, Tate Hall, Lucas Williamson, Aher Uguak, Keith Clemons

Key victories: @ Drake 81-54

4th in MVC in scoring (72.3 ppg)

1st in MVC in assists (15.8 apg)

Coach: Porter Moser (quality shots, spacing and ball movement). 4-1 career record in NCAA tournament. Missouri Valley Conference coach of the year (2018). 2018 final four appearance.

3) Texas (projected 4 seed)

Returning minutes (#1 in the nation): 99.9% only loss is Drayton Whiteside who played 6 minutes last year as a walk on. Returning starters (4) Matt Coleman, Courtney Ramey, Jericho Sims, Jase Febres

Key victories: @West Virginia 72-70, @Kansas 84-59, @North Carolina 69-67, vs Oklahoma State 77-74

Coach: Shaka Smart (best man to man defense in the Big 12). 7-7 March Madness record. Final four with VCU in 2011

Texas has 3 outstanding guards: Matt Coleman (senior), Courtney Rainey (senior), Andrew Jones (junior)

Texas has 3 outstanding big men: Jericho Sims (senior), Kai Jones (sophomore), Greg Brown (freshman)

Texas also has a very deep bench which isn’t as important in CBB as it is in the NBA.

The Longhorns have a lot of chemistry and trust for Shaka Smart’s system. This year is their best chance to go far in March, if not they will be looking to rebuild next year.

Source: heatcheckcbb.com