WEST REGION
No. 1NORTH CAROLINA: Second-year coach Hubert Davis bounced back from missing last year’s tournament by steering the Tar Heels to a top seed.
No. 2ARIZONA: Wildcats have been inconsistent, mixing big wins with losses to underdogs such as USC. Arizona pushes the tempo and has a balanced collection of stars that includes North Carolina transfer Caleb Love.
No. 3 BAYLOR: Bears have six players who average double-figure scoring, but defense and turnovers caused problems during the final stretch of the regular season. Baylor needs guard RayJ Dennis to be more dependable.
No. 4ALABAMA: Crimson Tide lead the nation in scoring, averaging 90.8points, and are an especially strong 3-point shooting team. Alabama has scored 100 points in at least nine games this season.
CINDERELLA SEARCH
Guard Tyon Grant-Foster (19.8ppg, 1.4 bpg) leads a potent Grand Canyon team that beat fellow NCAA Tournament team San Diego State earlier this season.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Aidan Mahaney, guard, Saint Mary’s:
Sophomore averages 13.9points and has played a key role in the Gaels’ two wins over Gonzaga.
Mark Sears, guard, Alabama: Senior is one of many players who help the Crimson Tide push the tempo, averaging 21.1points. RJ Davis, guard, North Carolina: Dynamic
playmaker averages 21.4points and put up 30in ACC championship game loss.
RIM SHOTS
• Rick Pitino protested St. John’s missing out on a bid, but his son, Richard Pitino, is in. His New Mexico team won the Mountain West tournament title.
• Long Beach State is arguably the best story of the tournament, with players rallying around coach Dan Monson after the school announced it would part ways with him at the end of the season.
• Clemson is an inconsistent but dangerous team that has wins over Alabama and North Carolina but paired them with a string of forgettable ACC losses. Senior center PJ Hall could help the Tigers make a surprise run.
— Iliana Limón Romero, Los Angeles Times
There’s still one Pitino in the tourney: Rick Pitino’s son, New Mexico coach Richard Pitino.