The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Regional previews for fifirst round of NCAA games,
EAST REGIONAL 1. Michigan
Record: 20- 4, 14- 3. Bid: Big Ten at- large. Coach: Juwan Howard ( first appearance). Overview: In his second year, Juwan Howard has elevated his alma mater to one of the best teams in the country after winning the Big Ten regular- season title. While there is a veteran presence on the roster, the team is led by Big Ten freshman of the year Hunter Dickinson. What makes this team special is their efficiency on the offensive and defensive end. The loss of forward Isaiah Livers to a stress fracture in his right foot will hurt the Wolverines' chances.
2. Alabama
Record: 24- 6, 16- 2. Bid: SEC champion. Coach: Nate Oats ( 2- 3 in three appearances).
Overview: While the prevailing impression of Alabama in its second season under Oats is that of a fast- tempo, 3- point shooting team, the Crimson Tide is the No. 1 team in the nation in defensive efficiency. Alabama has not advanced past the second round since 2004, when it made the Elite Eight, the best showing in its NCAA history.
3. Texas
Record: 19- 7, 11- 6. Bid: Big 12 champion. Coach: Shaka Smart ( 7- 7 in seven appearances).
Overview: Blessed with a veteran threeguard lineup that makes up its top three scorers, Texas has the potential to knock off anyone. The key question: Are the Longhorns consistent enough shooting the ball to avoid a bad game and premature exit?
4. Florida State
Record: 16- 6, 11- 4. Bid: ACC at- large. Coach: Leonard Hamilton ( 12- 10 in 10 appearances).
Overview: The Seminoles came up short in the ACC tournament final but might nevertheless be the league representative best constructed to make a deep run. They have a plethora of scoring options and a deep bench led by Scottie Barnes ( 10.4 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 4.3 apg) and Anthony Polite ( 9.6 ppg, 4.1 rpg).
5. Colorado
Record: 22- 8, 14- 6. Bid: Pac- 12 at- large. Coach: Tad Boyle ( 1- 4 in four appearances). Overview: The Buffaloes have one of the nation's best point guards in Mckinley Wright, who is making his first NCAA Tournament appearance after becoming the first Pac- 12 player to make 1,700 points, 600 assists and 600 rebounds.
6. BYU
Record: 20- 6, 10- 3. Bid: West Coast at- large. Coach: Mark Pope ( first appearance). Overview: The Cougars could be a tough out, especially if their hot shooting from the WCC tournament carries over.
7. Connecticut
Record: 15- 7, 11- 6. Bid: Big East at- large. Coach: Dan Hurley ( 2- 2 in two appearances). Overview: Guard James Bouknight is a legitimate takeover threat, though the team could benefit from having to play without him for a stretch while he recovered from an elbow injury.
8. LSU
Record: 18- 9, 11- 6. Bid: SEC at- large. Coach: Will Wade ( 3- 3 in three appearances). Overview: Guard Cameron Thomas averaged 23.1 points a game ( fourth in the nation) and became first freshman to lead SEC in scoring since LSU'S Chris Jackson.
9. St. Bonaventure
Record: 16- 4, 11- 4. Bid: Atlantic- 10 champ.
Coach: Mark Schmidt ( 1- 2 in two appearances).
Overview: Osun Osunniyi, the league defensive player of the year, is also a huge help to the offense facilitating from the post. There isn't a ton of help on the bench, so avoiding foul trouble will be a must.
10. Maryland
Record: 16- 13, 9- 11. Bid: Big Ten at- large. Coach: Mark Turgeon ( 9- 9 in nine appearances).
Overview: Maryland was on the verge of missing the tournament after a slow start to conference play, but five consecutive wins to close February proved to be just enough to sneak into the tournament.
11. Michigan State
Record: 15- 12, 9- 11. Bid: Big Ten at- large Coach: Tom Izzo ( 52- 21 in 22 appearances). Overview: A second- round exit in the Big Ten tournament may have dropped their seed, but it wouldn't be that much of a surprise if they make it into the second weekend of the tournament.
11. UCLA
Record: 17- 9, 13- 6. Bid: Pac- 12 at- large. Coach: Mick Cronin ( 6- 11 in 11 appearances). Overview: The Bruins lost star senior guard Chris Smith for the season in late December, when he suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his knee. Kentucky transfer Johnny Juzang has stepped into the void and last month scored 32 points at Washington. He also made 42 of 45 free throws this season.
12. Georgetown
Record:, 13- 12, 7- 9. Bid: Big East champion. Coach: Patrick Ewing ( first NCAA appearance).
Overview: It is undeniable that the Hoyas caught a bit of a break catching a short- handed Villanova early in their run through the Big East tournament. It is equally undeniable that the job Patrick Ewing did this season putting together a competent roster after last year's spate of departures and transfers has been nothing short of phenomenal.
13. UNC Greensboro
Record: 21- 8, 13- 5. Bid: Southern Conference champion.
Coach: Wes Miller ( 0- 1 in one appearance). Overview: Miller, who won a national championship as a player at North Carolina, has built one of the top programs in the Socon, winning 78 percent of its conference games over the last five seasons. The Spartans' formula largely revolves around their depth, their defense — they held opponents to 41.4 percent shooting this season — and winning the turnover battle.
14. Abilene Christian
Record: 23- 4, 13- 2. Bid: Southland champion Coach: Joe Golding ( 0- 1 in one appearance). Overview: The Wildcats will be making their second consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance after winning 12 of their last 13 games. With the exception of all- Southland first team member and 7- footer Kolton Kohl, they are one of the smallest teams in the tournament.
15. Iona
Record: 12- 5, 6- 3. Bid: MAAC champion Coach: Rick Pitino ( 39- 16 in 17 appearances). Overview: In less than one year, the decision to hire Rick Pitino ( and the accompanying baggage) paid off for the Gaels. And Pitino, who proved he didn't lose his touch, was a leading voice in wanting to push the season back due to coronavirus fears.
16. Mount St. Mary’s
Record: 12- 10, 9- 7. Bid: Northeast champion. Coach: Dan Engelstad ( first appearance). Overview: The Mountaineers dealt with major adversity early as leading scorer Jalen Gibbs opted out after four games, and several games were canceled due to COVID- 19 before losing five of their first seven games. They rallied to make the 4- team Northeast tourney and won their way into the field.
16. Texas Southern
Record: 16- 8, 10- 3. Bid: Southwestern Athletic champion.
Coach: Johnny Jones ( 0- 3 in three appearances).
Overview: The Tigers finished third in the SWAC, but knocked out the two higher seeds to win the league's NCAA berth, led by tournament most valuable player Michael Weathers. Texas Southern makes 27.6% from three- point range and needs to stretch defenses to open up their inside game.
SOUTH REGION No. 1 Baylor
Record: 22- 2, 13- 1. Bid: Big 12 at- large. Coach: Scott Drew ( 11- 8 in eight appearances).
Overview: The Bears ran off 18 consecutive wins to start the season before a couple of late bumps in the road against Kansas and Oklahoma State in the Big 12 tournament. Still, they captured one of the toughest conferences with five fewer losses than any team and are a favorite to reach the school's first Final Four since 1950.
No. 2 Ohio State
Record: 21- 8, 12- 8. Bid: Big Ten at- large Coach: Chris Holtmann ( 6- 5 in five appearances).
Overview: After a blazing start to the season that saw them rise to No. 4 in the Ferris Mowers Coaches Poll, Ohio State stumbled toward the end of the regular season with four consecutive losses to finish fifth in the Big Ten. However, they still are one of the best teams in the country with 12 quad one and two wins.
No. 3 Arkansas
Record: 22- 6, 13- 4. Bid: SEC at- large. Coach: Eric Musselman, ( 2- 3 in three appearances).
Overview: There may have not been a hotter team the last seven weeks of the season than Arkansas. The Razorbacks won 12 straight Southeastern Conference games from the middle of January until losing to LSU in the SEC semifinals on Saturday. Arkansas' six losses is the least for the program in a single season since the national championship squad in 1994.
No. 4 Purdue
Record: 18- 8, 13- 6. Bid: Big Ten at- large. Coach: Matt Painter ( 15- 12 in 12 appearances) Overview: After a decent start, Purdue had a strong second half of the season, going 11- 3 to end the regular season. They have one of the most underrated freshmen in the country in Jaden Ivey, but big man Trevion Williams' dominance in the paint is why he was an all- conference team member.
No. 5 Villanova
Record: 16- 6, 11- 4. Bid: Big East at- large. Coach: Jay Wright ( 28- 14 in 16 appearances). Overview: Though the Wildcats spent much of the season ranked in the top 10, they limp into the tournament on a two- game losing streak after losing veteran floor leader Collin Gillespie ( 14.0 ppg, 4.6 apg) to a seasonending knee injury. Already somewhat undersized, they'll now be even more reliant on 3- point accuracy and generating points in transition.
No. 6 Texas Tech
Record: 17- 10, 9- 8. Bid: Big 12 at- large. Coach: Chris Beard ( 9- 3 in three appearances).
Overview: The Red Raiders look very different from the last NCAA Tournament when they reached the championship game. Kyler Edwards is the only significant player left from that run. They still win the same way as that team – with defense that forces turnovers and holds opponent to a low shooting percentage.
No. 7 Florida
Record: 14- 9, 9- 7. Bid: SEC at- large.
Coach: Mike White ( 5- 3 in three appearances).
Overview: The Gators were picked to finish fourth in the conference – although that was with junior Keyontae Johnson, the SEC'S preseason player of the year. After Johnson's shocking collapse in UF'S fourth game of the season, Florida managed to regroup and go 11- 8 down the stretch in his absence.
No. 8 North Carolina
Record: 18- 10, 10- 6. Bid: ACC at- large. Coach: Roy Williams ( 79- 26 in 29 appearances).
Overview: Despite coming up a bit short in the ACC semifinals, the Tar Heels were showing signs of becoming the team fans were hoping to see. They'll present one of the deepest frontcourts in the field and will be a tough draw for a middle seed. Carolina is at its best when running the court and crash the boards relentlessly.
No. 9 Wisconsin
Record: 17- 12, 10- 10. Bid: Big Ten at- large. Coach: Greg Gard ( 4- 3 in three appearances) Overview: A rocky finish to the regular season resulted in Wisconsin finishing sixth in the Big Ten standings, but this still is a solid squad led by a starting unit with four seniors. The experience is a major reason why they lead the nation in fewest turnovers with 8.9 turnovers per game. The defense is one of the best in the country, allowing 64 points per game, and teams need to out shoot the Badgers because they are 12- 0 when finishing games with a better field goal percentage.
No. 10 Virginia Tech
Record: 15- 6, 9- 4. Bid: ACC at- large.
Coach: Mike Young ( 1- 5 in five appearances). Overview: The Hokies' brief stay in the ACC tournament can't truly be attributed to the team's limited action over the last month of the season due to COVID- 19 challenges. It did, however, show how a strong rebounding opponent can make their lives difficult. The Hokies do play solid half- court defense, and they have a variety of options on the offensive end.
No. 11 Utah State
Record: 20- 8, 15- 4. Bid: Mountain West atlarge.
Coach: Craig Smith ( 0- 1 in one appearance). Overview: The Aggies were on the bubble until they went on another run in the Mountain West tournament under coach Craig Smith, now in his third season after coming over from South Dakota. After winning the past two league tournaments, this time they lost in the final against San Diego State, 68- 57.
No. 12 Winthrop
Record: 23- 1, 17- 1. Bid: Big South champion. Coach: Pat Kelsey ( 0- 1 in one appearance). Overview: Winthrop is a sum of its parts. The Eagles enter the NCAA Tournament one of the deepest teams in the field with 11 players averaging 10 or more minutes per game. They excel on the boards ranking 10th nationally in rebounding ( 40.6) and eighth in offensive rebounding ( 13.5). They do this the same way they score 79.5 points per game — as a team, with 10 players averaging at least two rebounds.
No. 13 North Texas
Record: 17- 9, 9- 5. Bid: Conference USA champion.
Coach: Grant Mccasland ( first appearance). Overview: North Texas can stretch the floor on offense behind four starters with 3- point range. The ability to shoot from deep combines with one of Conference USA'S top scoring defenses to make the Mean Green a potentially pesky opponent in the opening round.
No. 14 Colgate
Record: 14- 1 ( 11- 1). Bid: Patriot League champion
Coach: Matt Langel ( 0- 1 in one appearance) Overview: They've played only 15 games but Colgate dominated the Patriot League once more as they'll make their second straight tournament appearance. Led by conference player of the year Jordan Burns, they rank in the top 25 nationally in multiple categories, including second in points per game ( 86.4) and first in defensive rebounds per game ( 30.5).
No. 15 Oral Roberts
Record: 16- 10, 10- 5. Bid: Summit League champion.
Coach: Paul Mills ( first appearance). Overview: Led by conference player of the year and the nation's top scorer Max Abmas, the Golden Eagles can put up points as they're in the top 15 in points per game and lead the nation with 11.3 3- pointers per game. They know how to convert from the free- throw line as well; their 82.3% free throw percentage is second- best in the country.
No. 16 Hartford
Record: 15- 8, 8- 6. Bid: America East champ. Coach: John Gallagher ( first appearance). Overview: Hartford plays at one of the slowest paces of any team in college basketball. The Hawks are 307th of 347 teams in possessions per game as they dictate the speed at which they want their opponents to play. This led to Hartford allowing the 36th fewest points per games at 63.9.