While it's fun to believe that every men's college basketball team in the United States has a chance to win a national title and compete in March, we all know that's not true. However, the NCAA tournament's 68-team field offers an opportunity to participants from every league in the United States. That welcoming atmosphere of sports' biggest postseason event is what captivates the country for three weeks each year.
However, there is still a lot to digest (currently at 364) the number of teams in Division I men's college basketball. To help everyone, ESPN's Myron Medcalf and Jeff Borzello have separated a portion of them into tiers. Some of these programs may survive the chaos of March and win the national title. We know (mostly) who they are. Then there are the squads that deserve more cautious projections. What's up with those sleepers and Cinderellas? They are here too.
Here's a rundown of 99 teams that might, or might not, make a postseason this season.
Jump to:
The locks | Final Four contenders | I can go dancing | Possible offer thieves | Mystery teams | Family names | Two outliers | Cinderellas | Sleepers
Level I: favorites for the national championship
Kansas Jayhawks
Alabama Crimson Tide
University of Connecticut Huskies