March Madness field lacks team to fear even with Cooper Flagg expected to suit up

Last year, UConn became the first repeat national champion in 17 years, the first No.1 overall seed in a decade to win it all and the owner of the largest average margin of victory (23.3 points) in NCAA Tournament history, winning every game by double digits.This year?There is no one to fear.Because even in a field where the nation’s top-ranked team has the nation’s top player, Duke enters the NCAA Tournament with uncertainty, following the ankle injury that knocked freshman superstar Cooper Flagg out of the ACC Tournament.Duke informed NCAA officials that Flagg will suit up for the NCAA Tournament, but even if the projected No.

1 pick in the NBA draft returns at — or near — full strength, the National Player of the Year favorite is in no stronger position to win it all than the past four Blue Devils who played on a No.1 seed and were drafted first overall (Elton Brand, Kyrie Irving, Zion Williamson and Paolo Banchero), each falling short of a national title.Duke coach Jon Scheyer, 37, is looking to become the youngest head coach to win a national championship in 42 years (Jim Valvano) by guiding the first freshmen-led title team since the Blue Devils’ most recent triumph a decade ago, with Jahlil Okafor, Justise Winslow, Tyus Jones and Grayson Allen.“I think it’s trending in a great way where Cooper will be ready to go right away in the NCAA Tournament,” Scheyer said after winning the ACC Tournament.Senior-led Auburn entered March looking like a juggernaut, widely considered the team to beat after earning 10 wins over ranked teams.

The Tigers, led by National Player of the Year candidate Johni Broome, claimed the No.1-overall seed but suffered more losses in the past two weeks (three) than in the first four months (two) and are one year removed from a first-round upset to Yale.The SEC — which earned a record 14 bids, breaking the mark set by the Big East (11) in 2011 — picked up another No.

1 seed via Florida, who claimed their first SEC Tour...