NCAA TOURNAMENT
REGIONAL ANALYSIS A look at players and teams to watch for, region by region
East The teams
Thursday, Buffalo, N.Y. (1) Villanova vs. (16) LIU Brooklyn/Radford (8) Virginia Tech vs. (9) Alabama Friday, San Diego (5) West Virginia vs. (12) Murray State (4) Wichita State vs. (13) Marshall Thursday, Dallas (3) Texas Tech vs. (14) Stephen F. Austin (6) Florida vs. (11) St. Bonaventure/UCLA Friday, Detroit (7) Arkansas vs. (10) Butler (2) Purdue vs. (15) Cal State Fullerton
The favorite
Villanova: The Wildcats are tested, and have two potential All-America selections in Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges. And in a welcome sign, veteran Phil Booth turned in a pair of solid games at the Big East tournament after not being much of a factor since returning from injury.
The sleeper
Florida: The Gators have run hot and cold this season, and they followed up a strong closing kick to the regular season with a quarterfinal flameout in the SEC tournament. Can Chris Chiozza and Jalen Hudson get Florida back on track in the field of 68?
All-mascot team
Alabama Crimson Tide and Cal State Fuller ton Titans: This bracket has dudes with guns (Texas Tech’s Red Raider and West Virginia’s Mountaineer), lumberjacks (Stephen F. Austin), hogs (Arkansas) and a thundering herd (Marshall). The edge, though, goes to two schools with an elephant as their mascot.
Best matchup
Wichita State vs. Marshall: Landry Shamet and the Shockers thrived in their first year in the American Athletic Conference, while Jon Elmore leads the up-tempo Thundering Herd, which claimed the Conference USA crown. Expect some good offense run on both sides.
Breaking it down
Predicted regional champ: Purdue. The Boilermakers are so smooth at the offensive end thanks to guard Carsen Edwards and forwards Vince Edwards and Isaac Haas. Their defense dropped off a bit as the regular season wore on, but this is a team unlikely to do itself in.
Midwest The teams
Thursday, Wichita, Kan. (1) Kansas vs. (16) Penn (8) Seton Hall vs. (9) N.C. State Friday, San Diego (5) Clemson vs. (12) New Mexico State (4) Auburn vs. (13) College of Charleston Friday, Detroit (3) Michigan State vs. (14) Bucknell (6) TCU vs. (11) Arizona St./Syracuse Thursday, Pittsburgh (7) Rhode Island vs. (10) Oklahoma (2) Duke vs. (15) Iona
The favorite
Duke: The Blue Devils get the nod even over Big 12 regular season and tournament champion Kansas. Duke has a player of the year contender in Marvin Bagley III and started to piece things together in February before dropping two of its final four coming into the tournament.
The sleeper
Rhode Island: While the Rams did lose four of seven down the stretch, they’re a tested, older team that played multiple games in the tournament last season. The maturation of point guard Jeff Dowtin and the program’s overall depth makes Dan Hurley’s team a dangerous commodity.
All-mascot team
Texas Christian Horned Frogs: Seriously, how do you top a horned frog? You don’t, at least not in this bracket. Other contenders included Iona’s feisty Gael, the diabolical options from Arizona State (Sun Devils) and Duke (Blue Devils) and men with swords (Seton Hall Pirates) and guns (New Mexico State Aggies).
Best matchup
Clemson vs. New Mexico State: The WAC champion Aggies already have defeated one ACC team this season (Miami), and the well-traveled Zach Lofton will surely make an impact on offense. Clemson has a superb backcourt anchored by Marcquise Reed.
Breaking it down
Predicted regional champ: Michigan State. The Spartans deserve no better than the No. 3 seed they earned, and there’s a case to be made they should have been a No. 4 seed. Nonetheless, there’s no lack of talent on a roster featuring Miles Bridges, Nick Ward and Jaren Jackson Jr. and a proven coach in March in Tom Izzo.
South The teams
Friday, Charlotte, N.C. (1) Virginia vs. (16) UMBC (8) Creighton vs. (9) Kansas State Thursday, Boise, Idaho (5) Kentucky vs (12) Davidson (4) Arizona vs. (13) Buffalo Thursday, Dallas (3) Tennessee vs. (14) Wright State (6) Miami vs. (11) Loyola Chicago Friday, Nashville, Tenn. (7) Nevada vs. (10) Texas (2) Cincinnati vs. (15) Georgia State
The favorite
Virginia: The Cavaliers were the most consistently excellent team all season and were rewarded with the No. 1 overall seed. Between all-ACC guard Kyle Guy, defensive ace Isaiah Wilkins in the post and do-everything senior Devon Hall, Virginia has a chance to reach its first Final Four since 1984.
The sleeper
Kentucky: How much of a sleeper can the Wildcats ever be? While it won’t be as sneaky a pick after claiming the SEC title over the weekend, John Calipari’s bunch has shown it can play at a high level on occasion this season. Can they do it for four, five or even six games?
All-mascot team
UMBC Retrievers: The Chesapeake Bay retriever was named the official state dog of Maryland in 1964. Two years later, UMBC (Maryland-Baltimore County) opened in the southwestern Baltimore suburbs. This is the Retrievers’ second NCAA appearance and first since 2008.
Best matchups
Kentucky vs. Davidson: Both teams are on a roll, with Kentucky coming off an SEC title and Davidson playing its way in with a sweep through the Atlantic 10 tournament. Bob McKillop’s Davidson bunch spaces the floor exceptionally well and creates great pressure for defenses.
Breaking it down
Predicted regional champ: Virginia. A potential Sweet 16 game against Arizona or Kentucky would be very tricky and if the Cavaliers face Cincinnati in a regional final it might be first-to-50 wins given the defenses on the floor. But the Cavs have maintained a high level all season and will be a tough out.
West The teams
Friday, Nashville, Tenn. (1) Xavier vs. (16) N.C. Cent./Texas So. (8) Missouri vs. (9) Florida State Thursday, Boise, Idaho (5) Ohio State vs. (12) South Dakota State (4) Gonzaga vs. (13) UNC Greensboro Thursday, Wichita, Kan. (3) Michigan vs. (14) Montana (6) Houston vs. (11) San Diego State Friday, Charlotte, N.C. (7) Texas A&M vs. (10) Providence (2) North Carolina vs. (15) Lipscomb
The favorite
Michigan: The Wolverines are sizzling as they come into the tournament, having closed the regular season with a blowout at Maryland and followed it up with another four-wins-in-four-days run at the Big Ten tournament. Will the layoff of more than a week and a half hurt John Beilein’s team?
The sleeper
Missouri: The return of Michael Porter Jr. didn’t amount to much in the SEC tournament, but with an extra week he might be able to contribute more. When the Tigers defend — not always a sure thing — they can play with anyone.
All-mascot team
South Dakota State Jackrabbits: No matter how many times South Dakota State emerges as the winner from the Summit League — and this is fifth time in seven years they have — their nickname never gets old.
Best matchup
Ohio State vs. South Dakota State: Even with their three losses to Penn State, the Buckeyes enjoyed a stellar year as Keita Bates-Diop blossomed into a star. As for South Dakota State, Mike Daum has more than 2,000 career points — as a junior. This could be one of the best round of 64 games.
Breaking it down
Predicted regional champ: North Carolina. This would be an exceptionally fun regional if the top four seeds make it through. Xavier is tough, Michigan is skilled and Gonzaga is always a good variable. 2017 Final Four star Joel Berry II doesn’t want to end his college career with an early exit.