March Madness: North Carolina, Arizona, Auburn basketball deemed by one analyst's formula top title contenders

Rivals' Jackson Collier revealed that his formula -- which he claims has been a truthful bellwether during tournament play -- has the North Carolina, Arizona, and Auburn basketball programs are the three top March Madness contenders.

"I’ve used a formula the past three years and gone 3-0 in bracket competitions in that span," Collier prefaced before saying, "The formula I use hasn’t predicted a ton of early tournament upsets, but it’s been consistent with Elite Eights, Final Fours, and has picked two of the last three champions.

"That formula at this point of the season has three favorites to win the national championship: Arizona, Auburn, (and) North Carolina."

Jaylin Williams' good injury news means Auburn basketball will remain a March Madness contender

Jaylin Williams' good injury news, that being that he won't be missing much time with a knee injury, even making the trip to Athens this weekend to play Georgia though likely being a lineup scratch, means the Tigers will remain contenders in 2024.

"Source: Auburn's Jaylin Williams isn't expected to need surgery and will return soon after a knee injury against Kentucky," On3's Justin Hokanson wrote. "Williams underwent his MRI. That's great news for the Tigers. We'll see how long Williams is out, that'll be up to Bruce Pearl and Williams."

Williams has been one-half of the Tigers' offense's one-two punch with frontcourt counterpart Johni Broome, but his absence would put perhaps too much pressure on the guard rotation; which Bruce Pearl is still shuffling just weeks ahead of the SEC Tournament in Nashville.

Luckily, the Tigers will (seemingly) be whole when they vie for another conference championship before attempting to become national champions for the first time in program history.