WHO TO WATCH IN THE BIG DANCE

The teams, players and games to watch in each region of the NCAA Tournament.

EAST

Get to know No. 1 — Villanova (30-4, RPI 2, SOS 19)

Jay Wright’s squad aims to get back to the Final Four for the third time in 10 seasons — and maybe duplicate the 2016 national championship. The Wildcats won the Big East tournament for the third time in four seasons and lead the nation in scoring with 87.1 points per game. National player of the year candidate Jalen Brunson directs an offense with a multitude of scorers; six average at least 10 points. NBA scouts rave about Mikal Bridges, a 6-foot-7 wing with a 7-1 wingspan who averages 18 points. Bracketologists are calling Villanova’s path to the Final Four the easiest among No. 1 seeds.

Cinderella — No. 11 St. Bonaventure

Despite getting tossed in the semifinals of the Atlantic 10 tournament, the Bonnies earned an at-large bid thanks to a strong RPI (tied for 23rd), road record (9-4) and victories against three top-50 opponents (Rhode Island, Buffalo and Syracuse). They have to advance from the play-in game against UCLA and then would face No. 6 Florida. The Bonnies’ guards are tough enough to keep them rolling, led by senior Jaylen Adams (19.8 points per game).

Best first-round matchup — No. 4 Wichita State vs. No. 13 Marshall

The Shockers aren’t the underdog and they’re not the top seed either — both of which they’ve experienced as their national reputation has risen over the years. Marshall coach Dan D’Antoni — like his older brother Mike — likes his team to zip up and down the court, and the Thundering Herd could cause some trouble for Wichita State.

Player to watch Brunson, Villanova

The junior guard has been integral to the Wildcats offense since his arrival as Illinois’ 2015 Mr. Basketball, and he’s having his best season. Brunson averages 19.4 points, 4.7 assists to 1.9 turnovers, shoots 53.1 percent from the field and hits 41.3 percent on 3-pointers.

MIDWEST

— Jalen

Get to know No. 1— Kansas (27-7, RPI 5, SOS 3)

This might be one of coach Bill Self’s least-touted teams, and he still guided the Jayhawks to Big 12 regular-season and tournament championships. Kansas lost four home games — more than any team during Self ’s tenure in Lawrence — but the Jayhawks know how to stage a comeback, beating West Virginia three times that way. Udoka Azubuike, a 7-foot sophomore center, missed the Big 12 tournament with a knee injury but has blossomed this season, averaging 13.7 points and 7.1 rebounds. With No. 2 Duke and No. 3 Michigan State in the region, it’s not a clear path to San Antonio for the Jayhawks.

Cinderella — No. 11 Arizona State

The Sun Devils earned double-digit wins over two No. 1 seeds, beating Xavier and Kansas, and own top-50 wins against USC and UCLA. Entering the tournament on a 15 stretch, they need to get their mojo back, but they have the talent to beat Syracuse in a First Four game and No. 6 TCU. No. 3 Michigan State looms as a probable second-round opponent. Senior guard Tra Holder rises to the occasion in big games: 40 points against Xavier, 29 versus Kansas and 31 against Arizona.

Best first-round matchup — No. 5 Clemson vs. No. 12 New Mexico State

Love defense? This is the game for you. Clemson gives up only 65.8 points per game, while the Aggies hold opponents to 63.9. The Tigers’ production fell with the seasonending knee injury to Donte Grantham in January. New Mexico State’s Zach Lofton shoots 40 percent on 3s and could be the difference if he gets hot.

Player to watch — Miles Bridges, Michigan State

Bridges returned to East Lansing for his sophomore season instead of turning pro. On a team loaded with options, he’s still averaging 16.9 points (the same as last season). The Spartans have had some sluggish stretches, and Bridges needs to help smooth them out.

SOUTH

Get to know No. 1 — Virginia (31-2, RPI 1, SOS 13)

Coach Tony Bennett’s Cavaliers once again boast the nation’s most intimidating defense, allowing only 53.4 points per game. The Cavaliers allow 0.84 points per possession and haven’t permitted an opponent to reach 70 points. Virginia held Clemson — a No. 5 NCAA Tournament seed — to 13 second-half points in a 61-36 victory in January. On offense, sophomore guard Kyle Guy — who returned from a sprained MCL in the ACC tournament — leads a balanced scoring attack with 14.1 points per game. As the ACC regularseason and tournament champions, the Cavaliers were the clear-cut overall No. 1 seed. Cinderella — No. 11 Loyola The Ramblers are back in the tournament for the first time since 1985. They share the ball, utilize spacing on offense and have a bulldog defense. With an offense that ranks third nationally in field-goal shooting (50.7 percent) and a defense that ranks fifth, giving up only 62.2 points per game, the Ramblers could pull off some upsets. No. 6 Miami is a similar team that plays with precision and solid guard play.

Best first-round matchup — No. 8 Creighton vs. No. 9 Kansas State

This game pits Creighton senior guard Marcus Foster against his former team. Foster transferred after two seasons with the Wildcats and is enjoying a banner season, averaging a team-high 20.3 points for the Bluejays.

Player to watch — Deandre Ayton, Arizona

The 7-foot-1 freshman center and national player of the year candidate will be one of the top picks in the NBA draft. The Bahamian star recorded 22 double-doubles this season, averaging 19.9 points, 11.3 rebounds and 1.9 blocks for the fourth-seeded Wildcats.

WEST

Get to know No. 1 — Xavier (28-5, RPI 3, SOS 20)

The Musketeers are celebrating their first No. 1 seed despite an upset loss in the Big East tournament to Providence. They don’t get counted with the blue bloods of college basketball, but they’ve been a model of consistency since 2009 under coach Chris Mack with three Sweet 16 runs and last season’s Elite Eight appearance. Xavier ranks in the top 20 nationally in scoring (84.3 points per game) and shooting percentage (49.1) and is led by a pair of experienced senior guards in Trevon Bluiett and J.P. Macura. The Musketeers’ road might be the toughest among No. 1 seeds with last year’s finalists, No. 2 North Carolina and No. 4 Gonzaga, plus a red-hot Big Ten tournament champion in No. 3 Michigan.

Cinderella — No. 10 Providence

The Friars should have caught everyone’s attention in the Big East tournament. They showed they’re fighters, coming back from 17 down to beat Xavier in the semifinals and overcoming a double-digit deficit against Villanova to force overtime in the championship game. They beat Creighton twice and Butler in the regular season. No. 7 Texas A&M’s size will be a challenge in the first round, as would facing experienced North Carolina in the second round.

Best first-round matchup — No. 5 Ohio State vs. No. 12 South Dakota State

Both teams feature elite players. Junior forward Keita Bates-Diop was the Big Ten player of the year and leads the Buckeyes with 19.4 points and 8.8 rebounds per game. South Dakota State’s Jim Daum had an All-Americacaliber season with 23.8 points per game. The Buckeyes are sputtering with three losses in five games, while the Jackrabbits have won 11 straight.

Player to watch — Trevon Bluiett, Xavier

Bluiett tested the NBA waters the previous two years but returned to Xavier for his senior season. He’s closing out his career as one of the best to play for the Musketeers, averaging 19.5 points and 5.7 rebounds and shooting 42.3 percent on 3-pointers.