Building an NCAA Tournament team is one of the hardest things to do in college sports. The one-and-done rule brought about an age of massive roster turnover in the sport, and it’s only been compounded in recent years by the introduction of NIL and the transfer portal. Still, multiple blue bloods have modernized their approach while other smaller programs have positioned themselves to compete. Heading into March, eight teams have the build to survive March Madness.
This list features several teams atop the latest AP Top 25. Still, we expect several teams further down the rankings, including North Carolina (No. 9) and Kentucky (No. 16), to have what it takes to mount a deep tournament run. The Tar Heels boast one of the oldest rosters in the nation, while the Wildcats leaned into one-and-done talent, assembling arguably the nation’s best group of pure shot-makers.
Purdue and Marquette were the only top-5 teams to make this list. The Boilermakers became the second one-seed to lose in the Round of 64 last season, and there’s concern they’re too reliant on Zach Edey again this season.
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Here are eight teams built to survive in March:
