Five Teams to Watch in the 2010 NCAA Tournament

The month of March is right around the corner and that means one thing for college basketball fans, the 2010 NCAA Tournament. While the field of 64 has not been finalized, here are five teams who will be in the tournament and make a run for the national championship.

Kentucky Wildcats

The Wildcats and their freshman sensation, John Wall, have at the top of the SEC this season. The Wildcats have been fueled by Wall's season performance of 16.8 points and 6.2 assists per game.

There is no doubt Wall is going to be impressive during the 2010 NCAA tournament, but if they want to cut down the nets to win the tournament championship, they will need freshman DeMarcus Cousins to continue his dominate play. Cousins averaged 16.2 points and 10.4 rebound per game this season from the forward position.

The one thing that can come back to bite the Wildcats is their inability to make key free throws. They only have one player above the 80% mark.

Kansas Jayhawks

What makes this team dangerous is their ability to rely upon a variety of scoring threats. Through 29 games, four players have averaged at least 11.4 points per game.

The Jayhawks have an underrated defense that has helped them clinch a share of the Big 12 title. In conference play, the Jayhawks have held their opponents to less than 40% shooting while letting them score only 66.7 points per game.

Barring a complete collapse in the Big 12 tournament, the Jayhawks should end the 2010 NCAA tournament with a number one seed, but don't think coach Bill Self will let his team coast.

Syracuse Orangemen

The Orangemen have turned things on lately and are making a run at a # 1 seed for the 2010 NCAA tournament. The main reason for their success in the Big East has been forward Wesley Johnson. Through 29 games, Johnson has averaged 15.7 points and 8.7 rebounds per game.

Guard Andy Rautins will play a pivotal part in the success of the Orangemen this year. He is second on the team from three point range and could make a three when needed.

Coach Jim Boeheim is one of the more underrated coaches in the game and will have his team prepared. Expect the Orangemen to make a deep run in the tournament with a chance at the championship.

MichiganState Spartans

Their recent troubles can be attributed to the loss of their star player Kalin Lucas went down with a sprain ankle. While they are currently sitting third in the Big Ten, the Spartans have the ability to play like a # 1 seed.

The strength of the Spartans, their fast break offense, has been limited due to the inconsistencies of the players. This should be fixed when Lucas is at 100%. The Spartans will need forward Raymar Morgan to step up come tournament time on both sides of the ball.

Coach Tom Izzo will have his team ready to go come tournament time and will be poised to make a deep run in the 2010 NCAA tournament.

Georgetown Hoyas

Though the Hoyas are out of contention for the regular season Big East title, they have the right personal on their squad that could prove troublesome in the tournament.

The team is led by guard Austin Freeman who has the ability to put up points when needed and is able to hit from beyond the three point arc. But if the Hoyas are going to make a deep run, they will need their big man Greg Monroe to continue his performance in the paint.

Throughout the season, the Hoyas have showed the ability to come back when they are down by double digits. You have to like this experience because it will help the Hoyas in the 2010 NCAA tournament.

Resources

http://www.ncaa.com/

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/