March Madness: Blue Bloods Collide

With March Madness excitement building, ResortsCasino.com looks ahead to Selection Sunday by profiling some of the traditional blue-blood programs, and how they shape up this year ahead of the big dance.

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UNC

One of the top programs in the country, and they have been for a long time. The stats make for impressive reading: six National Championships, five-time runners-up, and 20 final-four appearances. UNC has had some greats don the blue and white uniforms, including Michael Jordan. This season has had its growing pains, but with a couple of players surviving from their 2017 National Championship-winning side, not to mention superstar freshmen Coby White and Nassir Little, this team could very easily grow up in front of the nation’s eyes on the biggest stage.

Tough losses to Michigan and Virginia clearly put a cap on expectations, but UNC could easily bag a number-one seed if they end the season strongly. After all, Roy Williams has guided the Tar Heels to greatness before.

+2000: UNC moneyline to win the NCAA National Championship.

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Duke

The other North Carolina powerhouse, Duke is another institution steeped in basketball history. With five National Championships, as well as an all-time NCAA-best .755 tournament winning percentage, Duke always go deep in the Big Dance. With 25 former Blue Devils currently filling NBA-roster spots, Duke have built a behemoth under the leadership of Mike Krzyzewski. This season is no different, with a team fashioned around a superstar freshman core of Cam Reddish, R.J. Barrett and presumptive number-one overall pick, Zion Williamson.

Duke have only lost twice this season - both times in tight games, which have then been followed up by redeeming statement wins. The mental strength in this team is great for such a young side, and Coach K knows what to do in big tournaments.

+195: Duke moneyline to win the NCAA National Championship.

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Kansas

Kansas have won three National Championships, been runners-up six times, and have reached the final four an eye-catching 15 times, most recently in 2018. With the record for most consecutive NCAA tournament appearances at 29, Kansas have fostered a huge homefield advantage at Allen Fieldhouse. Some of their former players include Wilt Chamberlain and Joel Embiid. But this season has seen the Jayhawks struggle in patches, as they have had to deal with a season-ending injury to five-star center Udoka Azubuike. However, this team still sport plenty of talent, and could cause plenty of damage come March.

+2000: Kansas moneyline to win the NCAA National Championship.

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Kentucky

Kentucky has won eight National Championships, and leads all schools in NCAA tournament wins. Truly an elite program, in recent years they have transitioned into a ‘one and done’ focussed team under John Calipari, seeing high-quality freshmen take up key roles in the pursuit of another title. With 27 former Wildcats currently plying their trade in the NBA, Kentucky has become a veritable halfway-house for NBA talent. With impressive freshman talent, including standout guard Tyler Herro, Kentucky aren’t too far away from securing a one-seed come March. If not for a couple of sloppy losses around Christmas, this would be a two-loss team in the equation for number-one overall seeding. Their run-in will define their campaign ahead of the Big Dance.