3 NBA greats pick the same national champion in NCAA Tournament

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Three former NBA stars are aligned on one prediction heading into the NCAA Tournament. Arizona is cutting down the nets in Indianapolis. 

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During a recent bracket discussion on the NBA on NBC broadcast, Vince Carter, Tracy McGrady and Carmelo Anthony each had the Wildcats as their national champion pick, citing a balance and depth under coach Tommy Lloyd. 

Carter said Arizona’s completeness as the deciding factor. While he considered contenders such as Houston and Michigan, he ultimately sided with a team he believes has no glaring weaknesses.

“I was kind of torn,” Carter said. “But at the end of the day, Arizona is a complete basketball squad. I just couldn’t pick against them.”

McGrady agreed with his cousin, saying Arizona’s resume and consistency throughout the season was tough to argue against. Though he praised programs like UConn under Dan Hurley and Houston’s defensive identity under Kelvin Sampson, McGrady said Arizona’s cohesion stood out.

“I’ve watched Arizona this year,” McGrady said. “They’re tough. They’ve beaten some really good teams. I’m going with Arizona. I think we’re all locked in.”

Anthony offered perhaps the most detailed breakdown, highlighting Arizona’s production. He noted the Wildcats’ ability to score from multiple positions, rebound effectively and maintain balance across the lineup.

“They’ve got four or five guys averaging in double figures,” Anthony said. “They rebound, they defend, and they’ve got experience. To me, they’re the most complete team in the tournament.”

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Anthony also acknowledged the difficult path ahead but believes Arizona is equipped to handle it. “It’s their turn,” he added.

Arizona enters March Madness with both momentum and high-profile belief behind it. However, they're going up against history. No team west of Kansas has taken home a title since 1998. 

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