College basketball 2017-18: Five championship sleepers

Last season had its fair share of Cinderella stories, including South Carolina and Xavier. March Madness tends to bring out great intrigue, which should continue again this season.

Here are five teams lurking behind the favorites to cut down the nets:

TCU — The Horned Frogs are not known for their basketball exploits, but this season could be different. Led by senior forwards Vladimir Brodziansky (6-11) and Kenrich Williams (6-7), TCU returns all five starters from a 24-win team. Coach Jamie Dixon has infused this program with a winning mentality to the point that TCU could contend in the loaded Big 12.

Outside shooting is one concern for the Horned Frogs. Sophomore Jaylen Fisher and Desmond Bane shot 38 percent from beyond the arc last season, but TCU needs someone to become a consistent threat from deep.

Cincinnati — The Bearcats often convey a negative stigma as a grind-it-out, win-ugly type of team. That should not be the case this season. Sacred Heart transfer Cane Broome averaged 23.1 points per game two seasons ago, when he last played. He is the kind of explosive guard Cincinnati has lacked in recent years.

Cincinnati also returns two-way star Gary Clark, who averaged 10.8 points and 7.9 assists per game last season. Kyle Washington is another post presence, and wings Jarron Cumberland and Jacob Evans III showed promise last season. This Bearcats squad should improve significantly upon last season's 148th-ranked scoring offense.

Minnesota — Amid his father's scandal at Louisville this offseason, Richard Pitino was preparing one of the best teams in the nation. Senior point guard Nate Mason averaged 15.2 points and 5.0 assists per game last season, spearheading Minnesota's offense. The Golden Gophers return their entire starting lineup.

Like TCU, Minnesota faces outside shooting questions entering the season. Sophomore forward Amir Coffey is a smooth scorer, but he shot just 33.7 percent from beyond the arc. Dupree McBrayer, a 6-5 guard, is the Gophers' most dangerous threat from beyond the arc, but they need another 3-point weapon to help keep defenses honest.

Texas A&M — Hidden in the SEC, where basketball usually starts and ends with Kentucky, the Aggies have cultivated a roster filled with potential NBA stars. Sophomore forward Robert Williams, a 6-10, 241-pound athletic freak with a 7-4 wingspan, could play his way into No. 1 overall pick contention.

Tyler Davis is also back after averaging 14.1 points and 7.0 rebounds per game last season. The two frontcourt stars will be joined in the starting lineup by forward DJ Hogg (12.0 ppg) and guard Admon Gilder (13.7 ppg). The Aggies need to find a point guard, but they have some time early in the season to work through any lumps that may occur.

Texas — Few teams can compete with the Longhorns in terms of raw talent. However, names on rosters don't win championships, and Texas is fresh off a 22-loss season. Shaka Smart's Texas project has not gone to plan thus far, but this is his most talented roster to date. Texas has five incoming freshmen, all four-star or higher, including five-star 7-foot center Mohamed Bamba.