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College basketball: 5 dark horse contenders for the national championship

By Nathaniel Reeves

Jan 31, 2016; Tempe, AZ, USA; Oregon Ducks forward Chris Boucher (25) looks on against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the second half at Wells-Fargo Arena. The Ducks won 91-74. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 31, 2016; Tempe, AZ, USA; Oregon Ducks forward Chris Boucher (25) looks on against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the second half at Wells-Fargo Arena. The Ducks won 91-74. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 31, 2016; Tempe, AZ, USA; Oregon Ducks forward Chris Boucher (25) reacts after making a three point basket against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the first half at Wells-Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 31, 2016; Tempe, AZ, USA; Oregon Ducks forward Chris Boucher (25) reacts after making a three point basket against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the first half at Wells-Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

In a wide-open college basketball season, a few under-the-radar teams have a legitimate shot to win the National Championship.

While the college basketball regular season is always filled with crazy games and huge upsets, this year seems to be particularly full of parity and unexpected twists.

This year’s NCAA Tournament is shaping up to be the most wide-open March Madness in recent history, with a long list of teams having a strong chance to reach the Final Four in Houston. If a double-digit seed or mid-major was ever going to win the whole thing, 2016 is the year to do it.

Helping that parity is the fact that powerhouses like the Kentucky Wildcats and Duke Blue Devils have faltered somewhat, at least compared to their usual levels. Meanwhile, just about every power conference team has struggled to win on the road, leading to huge shifts in the top 25 rankings week-to-week.

On Monday, the Villanova Wildcats became the sixth team to hold the No. 1  ranking this season. That’s just one team short of tying the all-time record, which seems likely to fall before Selection Sunday.

A few teams like the North Carolina Tar Heels, Kansas Jayhawks and Maryland Terrapins have lived up to their preseason ranking, and look like potential Final Four teams. They are joined by surprises like the Xavier Musketeers and Iowa Hawkeyes as the title favorites with five weeks to go until the tournament.

However, a number of teams currently flying under the radar have a solid chance at reaching the Final Four or even winning the whole thing. Filling out a bracket this season is going to be harder than ever, and these dark horse title contenders aren’t making things any easier.

Next: Notre Dame Fighting Irish