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NCAA: College Basketball’s Best Teams With Most To Prove

By Nathan Giese

Mar 20, 2014; Raleigh, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Mike Krzyzewski speaks during a press conference during practice before the second round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 20, 2014; Raleigh, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Mike Krzyzewski speaks during a press conference during practice before the second round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 5, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari talks to guard Andrew Harrison (5) on the sideline against the Wisconsin Badgers in the first half during the semifinals of the Final Four in the 2014 NCAA Mens Division I Championship tournament at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 5, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari talks to guard Andrew Harrison (5) on the sideline against the Wisconsin Badgers in the first half during the semifinals of the Final Four in the 2014 NCAA Mens Division I Championship tournament at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

Kentucky Wildcats

You can almost put Kentucky at the top of this list every year. It’s the blessing and the curse to having the most NBA talent and the best recruiting class year after year. John Calipari has worked miracles before, but this may be his tallest order to fill, even if it does seem a little easier this year.

Kentucky returns all but two players from the team that made it to the national championship game last season. Julius Randle and James Young went for the money, but Andrew and Aaron Harrison and Willie Cauley-Stein decided to return for another crack at winning it all. They will be joined by highly touted freshmen Karl Towns Jr., Trey Lyles, Devin Booker and Tyler Ullis.

The Wildcats have the luxury of being able to go 10-deep every game if they so choose, which makes them a heavy favorite to win it all. However, the same was said last year. Websites and T-shirts were dedicated to their projected 40-0 record and were obsolete after a week of action. Kentucky faithful have quieted themselves this time around, but the expectations are still very high.

Winning a title would not be surprising, but neither would them losing before getting their chance. It’s an interesting paradox and Kentucky has set the bar very high on depth and team makeup this season. Anything short of a return trip to the Final Four would be considered a failure.