As the 2023-24 college basketball season approaches, there is a palpable sense of excitement as teams prepare to vie for the national championship in Phoenix on April 8.
Renowned FOX Sports bracket forecaster, Mike DeCourcy, has revealed his preseason NCAA Tournament projections. In a fascinating turn of events, the top seeds in DeCourcy’s projections are held by Kansas (South), Purdue (Midwest), Duke (East), and Marquette (West). Kansas leads the way, claiming the coveted top spot in FOX Sports’ preseason top 25 poll, closely followed by Duke under the leadership of Jon Scheyer.
Kansas is poised for a remarkable season with the return of their talented trio – Dajuan Harris, Kevin McCullar, and KJ Adams, along with the addition of highly sought-after transfer, Hunter Dickinson. Meanwhile, Duke is set to welcome back preseason All-American Kyle Filipowski, along with Tyrese Proctor, Mark Mitchell, and leader Jeremy Roach. The Blue Devils also have the nation’s No. 2 recruiting class, featuring guard Jared McCain and forward TJ Power.
Purdue has secured the top spot in the Midwest region, with their 7-foot-4 powerhouse, Zach Edey, reigning as the national player of the year. Additionally, Purdue is supported by preseason All-American Tyler Kolek, while the Marquette Golden Eagles, the reigning Big East regular-season and tournament champions, round out the No. 1 seeds in DeCourcy’s bracket projections.
UConn, the defending champions, are placed as a No. 2 seed in DeCourcy’s projections, alongside Michigan State, Tennessee, and Texas. On the bubble, teams such as Boise State, Missouri, VCU, and Kansas State are listed as the last four teams in the tournament, with Florida, Rutgers, Xavier, and Texas Tech making up the first four teams out.
The Big Ten leads the pack with the most representatives in DeCourcy’s compilation, boasting eight teams, followed by the SEC with seven. The Big East and Big 12 feature six teams each, while the Pac-12 and ACC follow closely with five representatives each. The Mountain West holds three teams, and the WCC, A-10, and AAC each boast two apiece.
In other significant news, the highly anticipated commitment announcement from top-ranked recruit Cooper Flagg is expected to take place this week, generating a buzz among basketball enthusiasts.
As the college basketball season draws near, it is evident that the 2023-24 NCAA Tournament is shaping up to be an exhilarating and fiercely competitive event. Amidst the speculation and anticipation, it is clear that fans are in for an action-packed season, filled with thrilling matchups and outstanding performances.