Midwest regional capsules, analysis,

1. WICHITA STATE

Nickname: Shockers. Location: Wichita.

Record: 34-0, 18-0. Bid: Missouri Valley champ.

Last appearance: 2013, lost to Louisville in Final Four.

Coach: Gregg Marshall, 5-9 in nine appearances.

Overview: The Shockers are the first team to enter the NCAA tournament unbeaten in 23 years. Wichita State’s weak strength of schedule (97th nationally) and its midmajor tag have led to skepticism. The Shockers are efficient in a lot of areas. It starts on the defensive end — where the players’ chip-on-their-shoulder toughness comes out best. Twitter: @GoShockers Did you know? Shockers reflects the university’s heritage: Early students earned money by shocking, or harvesting, wheat in nearby fields.

Starters: F Cleanthony Early, 6-8, Sr. (15.8 ppg, 5.9 rpg); G Ron Baker, 6-3, So. (13.1 ppg, 3.1 apg); G Fred VanFleet, 5-11, So. (12.1 ppg, 5.3 apg); G Tekele Cotton, 6-2, Jr. (10.8 ppg, 4.1 rpg); C Kadeem Coleby, 6-9 Sr. (2.6 ppg, 2.9 rpg).

2. MICHIGAN

Nickname: Wolverines. Location:

Ann Arbor.

Record: 25-8, 15-3. Bid: Big Ten

at-large.

Last appearance: 2013, lost to Louisville in national title game.

Coach: John Beilein, 13-8 in eight appearances.

Overview: The Wolverines won the Big Ten regular-season crown, overcoming the injury to star sophomore Mitch McGary, who played in eight games. A deep and experienced team, Michigan won seven in a row before falling in the Big Ten title game. Twitter: @UMichBball

Did you know? Guard Spike Albrecht earned the nickname Spike because he never took off his baseball cleats when he was young.

Starters: G Nik Stauskas, 6-6, So. (17.4 ppg, 3.4 apg, 45.8 3FG%); G Caris LeVert, 6-6, So. (13.4 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 41.0 3FG%); G Derrick Walton Jr., 6-1, Fr. (8.1 ppg, 2.9 apg, 2.9 rpg); F Glenn Robinson III, 6-6, So. (13.2 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 49.7 FG%); F Jordan Morgan, 6-8, Sr. (5.5 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 69.0 FG%).

3. DUKE

Nickname: Blue Devils. Location:

Durham, N.C.

Record: 26-8, 13-5. Bid: ACC

at-large.

Last appearance: 2013, lost to Louisville in Elite Eight.

Coach: Mike Krzyzewski, 82-25 in 29 appearances.

Overview: Jabari Parker lived up to his billing as one of the nation’s top freshmen. He and Rodney Hood are part of an athletic frontcourt that lacks size and depth to match up with more physical opponents. Foul trouble caused them problems during the season. The Blue Devils’ explosive offense avoids turnovers and relies on three-point shot. Twitter: @ Duke_MBB

Did you know? Duke is the only school not named after a city or state to win a national title since 1985.

Statistics: F Jabari Parker, 6-8, Fr. (19.2 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 48.7 FG%); F Rodney Hood, 6-8, So. (16.5 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 42.5 3FG%, 81.9 FT%); F Amile Jefferson, 6-9, So. (6.5 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 65.1 FG%), G Rasheed Sulaimon, 6-4, So. (9.5 ppg, 2.6 apg, 42.4 3FG%) G Tyler Thornton, 6-2, Sr. (3.1 ppg, 83.3 FT%).

4. LOUISVILLE

Nickname: Cardinals. Location:

Louisville.

Record: 29-5, 15-3. Bid: American Athletic champ.

Last appearance: 2013, national

champion.

Coach: Rick Pitino, 48-16 in 18 appearances.

Overview: Russ Smith has made his game less, well, Russ-diculous this year and cut down his turnovers. The defending champs miss the steadying influence of Peyton Siva in the back court, but the rapid development of Chris Jones has helped. Twitter: @GoCards.

Did you know? The tradition of the Louisville marching band performing My

Old Kentucky Home at the Kentucky Derby began in 1936. Bold Venture, a longshot ridden by apprentice jockey Babe Hanford, won that year.

Starters: G Russ Smith, 6-0, Sr. (17.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 4.8 apg, 2.0 spg); F Montrezl Harrell, 6-8, So. (14.0 ppg, 8.3 rpg); F Luke Hancock, 6-6, Sr. (11.9 ppg, 82.3 ft%); G Chris Jones, 5-10, Jr. (10.3 ppg, 2.9 apg, 2.2 spg); F Stephan Van Treese, 6-9, Sr. (2.9 ppg, 5.3 rpg).

5. SAINT LOUIS

Nickname: Billikens. Location: St.

Louis.

Record: 26-6, 13-3. Bid: Atlantic 10

at-large.

Last appearance: 2013, lost to Oregon in third round.

Coach: Jim Crews, 2-5 in five appearances.

Overview: The Billikens start five seniors, almost unheard of in this oneand-done era. They claimed their second consecutive regular-season title but were shocked by St. Bonaventure in the quarterfinals of the A-10 tournament. After starting 24-2, including 19 consecutive wins, SLU has dropped four of its last five. Twitter: @SaintLouisMBB

Did you know? Crews was a senior on Indiana’s 1975-76 squad that went 32-0, the last undefeated national champion.

Starters: F Dwayne Evans, 6-6, Sr. (14.0 ppg, 6.4 rpg); G Jordair Jett, 6-1, Sr. (13.8 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 4.7 apg); F Rob Loe, 611, Sr. (10.0 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 76.5 FT%); G Mike McCall Jr., 6-0, Sr. (9.6 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 75.7 FT%); F Jake Barnett, 6-5, Sr. (4.9 ppg).

6. UMASS

Nickname: Minutemen. Location: Amherst, Mass.

Record: 24-8, 10-6. Bid: Atlantic 10 at-large.

Last appearance: 1998, lost to Saint Louis in first round.

Coach: Derek Kellogg, first appearance.

Overview: UMass rocketed to a 16-1 start in Kellogg ’s sixth season, helping propel the Minutemen back to the tournament after a 16-year absence. UMass relies on energy but doesn’t have a deep bench. Twitter: @CoachKellogg Did you know? In Kellogg ’s four years as a UMass player (1992-1995), the Minutemen became the second team to win four consecutive regular-season and tournament titles.

Starters: G Chaz Williams, 5-9, Sr. (15.8 ppg, 7.1 apg); F Cady Lalanne, 6-10, Jr. (11.9 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 57 FG%, 2.4 bpg); F Sampson Carter, 6-8, Sr. (10.7 ppg, 4.7 rpg); F Raphiael Putney, 6-9, Sr. (9.5 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 76 FT%); G Derrick Gordon, 6-3, So. (9.4 ppg, 3.5 rpg).

7. TEXAS

Nickname: Longhorns. Location:

Austin.

Record: 23-10, 11-7. Bid: Big 12

at-large.

Last appearance: 2012, lost to Cincinnati in second round.

Coach: Rick Barnes, 18-14 in 14 appearances

Overview: The Longhorns are back after a missing last year’s tournament for the first time since 1998. If Texas makes a run, it will be on defense and rebounding. Opponents shoot 39.8%, putting Texas at the top of the Big 12. The Longhorns also lead with 41.8 rebounds a game. That includes 14.8 offensive boards, fifth in the country. Twitter: @texassports

Did you know? The campus’ iconic tower has a variety of different lighting combinations for different events, including one for national titles.

Starters: G Javan Felix, 5-11, So. (12 ppg, 2.8 apg); G Demarcus Holland, 6-2, So. (5 rpg, 7.3 ppg, 2.4 apg); G Isaiah Taylor, 6-1, Fr. (12.6 ppg, 3.9 apg, 3.4 rpg); F Jonathan Holmes, 6-8, Jr. (13 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 51.3 FG%); C Cameron Ridley, 6-9, So. (11,5 ppg, 2.2 bpg, 54.5 FG%, 8.1 rpg).

8. KENTUCKY

Nickname: Wildcats. Location:

Lexington.

Record: 24-10, 12-6. Bid: SEC

at-large.

Last appearance: 2012, national

champion.

Coach: John Calipari, 38-13 in 14 appearances.

Overview: With Calipari at the helm since the 2008-09 season, the Wildcats have gotten to at least the Elite Eight three times. His young team lost three of four heading into the SEC tournament, but they rallied to reach the final against No. 1 Florida and had a chance to win at the end. They might be maturing. Twitter: @ KentuckyMBB

Did you know? Calipari is one of two coaches to lead three different schools to a No. 1 ranking. Calipari also is one of two coaches to lead three different schools to a Final Four.

Starters: G Aaron Harrison, 6-6, Fr. (13.5 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 2.1 apg); G Andrew Harrison, 6-6, Fr. (10.8 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 3.7 apg); G James Young, 6-6, Fr. (14.6 ppg, 4.2 rpg); F Julius Randle, 6-9, Fr. (15.4 ppg, 10.6 rpg, 51.3 FG%, 71.2 FT%); C Dakari Johnson, 7-0, Fr. (5.0 ppg, 3.8 rpg).

9. KANSAS STATE

Nickname: Wildcats. Location:

Manhattan.

Record: 20-12, 10-8. Bid: Big 12

at-large.

Last appearance: 2013, lost to La Salle in second round.

Coach: Bruce Weber, 11-9 in nine appearances.

Overview: The Wildcats have been looking worse for wear late in the season, losing their last three games, but Marcus Foster’s big-game potential could singlehandedly sink a mightier team. They also can rely on their defense, tops in the Big 12 in points at 65.7 a game, but they only score 69.7. They also shoot poorly, eighth in the league at 43.6%. Twitter: @kstatesports

Did you know? Kansas State grad Herbert Diamond is famous for inventing the snooze alarm.

Starters: G Marcus Foster, 6-2, Fr. (15.4 ppg, 3.3 rpg); G Will Spradling, 6-2, Sr. (8 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 2.9 apg); F Nino Williams, 6-5, Jr. (51.4 FG%, 6.5 ppg, 3.6 rpg); F Thomas Gipson, 6-7, Jr. (55.9 FG%, 11.8 ppg, 6.6 rpg); F Wesley Iwundu, 6-7, Fr. (41.2 3FG%, 6.8 ppg, 4.3 rpg).

10. ARIZ. STATE

Nickname: Sun Devils. Location:

Tempe, Ariz.

Record: 21-11, 10-8. Bid: Pac-12

at-large.

Last appearance: 2009, lost to Syracuse in second round.

Coach: Herb Sendek, 7-7 in seven appearances.

Overview: The Sun Devils enter the tournament having lost their final three games and five of their last seven. Arizona State boasts one of the country’s best diminutive players in 5-10 Jahii Carson, last season’s Pac-12 co-freshman of the year. Jordan Bachynski leads the country in blocks per game, at 4.13. Twitter: @SunDevilHoops

Did you know? Sendek has more 20-win seasons (5) than the school does in the 26 years prior to his arrival (4).

Starters: G Jahii Carson, 5-10, So. (18.9 ppg, 4.5 apg), C Jordan Bachynski, 7-2, Sr. (11.2 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 4.2 bpg, 55.1 FG%), G Jermaine Marshall, 6-4, Sr. (15.4 ppg, 41.1 3FG%), G Shaquielle McKissic, 6-3, Sr. (8.9 ppg, 5.4 rpg), F Eric Jacobsen, 6-10, So. (2.6 ppg).

11. IOWA

Nickname: Hawkeyes. Location:

Iowa City.

Record: 20-12, 9-9. Bid: Big Ten

at-large.

Last appearance: 2006, lost to Northwestern State in first round.

Coach: Fran McCaffery, 2-5 in five appearances.

Overview: Ranked as high as No. 10 in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll at one point, the Hawkeyes were in the running for the Big Ten title but collapsed down the stretch. They have lost six of their last seven, including to No. 11 seed Northwestern in the conference tournament. McCaffery is coaching his fourth different team in the NCAAs. Twitter: @IowaHoops

Did you know? Guard Roy Devyn Marble’s father, Roy, starred at Iowa from 1985 to 1989 and is the program’s all-time points leader with 2,116.

Starters: G Roy Devyn Marble, 6-6, Sr. (17.0 ppg, 3.5 apg); G Mike Gesell, 6-1, So. (8.3 ppg, 3.9 apg); F Melsahn Basabe, 6-7, Sr. (7.7 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 57.5 FG%); F Aaron White, 6-9, Jr. (13.3 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 58.8 FG%); C Adam Woodbury, 7-1, So. (5.6 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 50.0 FG%).

11. TENNESSEE

Nickname: Volunteers. Location:

Knoxville.

Record: 21-12, 11-7. Bid: SEC

at-large.

Last appearance: 2011, lost to Michigan in the first round.

Coach: Cuonzo Martin, first appear

ance.

Overview: Since former coach Bruce Pearl was let go in 2011, the Vols failed to reach the NCAAs until now. They won five of their last six, the loss to No. 1 Florida in the SEC semifinals. They rely on strong defense, as exemplified by holding South Carolina scoreless for the first six minutes of their SEC quarterfinal. Twitter: @ Vol_Hoops

Did you know? Martin is one of two coaches in the SEC who has defeated every team in the league at least once the last two seasons. This is the 35th anniversary of UT’s last SEC title.

Starters: G Josh Richardson, 6-6, Jr. (9.4 ppg, 2.9 rpg); G Jordan McRae, 6-6, Sr. (18.7 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 2.6 apg); G Antonio Barton, 6-2, Sr. (7.7 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 2.1 apg); F Jeronne Maymon, 6-8, Sr. (10.1 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 52.8 FG%); F Jarnell Stokes, 6-8, Jr. (14.8 ppg, 10.4 rpg, 2.1 apg, 52.9 FG%).

12. N.C. STATE

Nickname: Wolfpack. Location:

Raleigh.

Record: 21-13, 9-9. Bid: ACC

at-large.

Last appearance: 2013, lost to Temple in the second round.

Coach: Mark Gottfried, 7-9 in nine appearances.

Overview: Late wins at Pittsburgh and against Syracuse in the ACC tournament helped the Wolfpack after an upand-down season. ACC Player of the Year T.J. Warren is an explosive scorer on a team that doesn’t shoot from outside or rebound well. Warren will need scoring help from Ralston Turner and reserve Anthony Barber. Twitter: @PackMensBball

Did you know? Gottfried is only the third ACC coach to lead his team to the NCAA tournament in his first three seasons.

Statistics: F T.J. Warren, 6-8, So. (24.9 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 1.7 spg, 52.7 FG%); F Kyle Washington 6-9, Fr. (4.8 ppg, 4.0 rpg); G Ralston Turner, 6-5, Jr. (10.3 ppg, 37.6 3FG%); G Tyler Lewis, 5-11, So. (4.3 ppg, 3.5 apg); C Jordan Vandenberg, 7-1, Sr. (4.5 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 67.4 FG%).

12. XAVIER

Nickname: Musketeers. Location:

Cincinnati.

Record: 21-12, 10-8. Bid: Big East

at-large.

Last appearance: 2012, lost to Baylor in the Sweet 16.

Coach: Chris Mack, 6-4 in four appearances.

Overview: Xavier returns to the tournament for the 11th time in 13 seasons despite losing eight of their last 14. The backcourt of Semaj Christon and Dee Davis leads the offense. Matt Stainbrook provides size in the frontcourt, but he came off the bench in the Big East tournament because of a knee injury. Twitter: @XUAthletics

Did you know? Proposed in 1925, the school’s Musketeers mascot was intended to promote the importance of chivalry and accentuate the school’s ties to its French origins and culture.

Statistics: G Semaj Christon, 6-3, So. (17.0 ppg, 40.5 3FG%, 4.1 apg); G Dee Davis 6-0, Jr. (7.7 ppg, 4.8 apg, 84.2 FT%); F Justin Martin, 6-6, Jr. (11.5 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 38.1 3FG%); F Isaiah Philmore, 6-8, Sr. (8.7 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 52.4 FG%); F Jalen Reynolds, 6-9, Fr. (3.6 ppg, 54.5 FG%).

13. MANHATTAN

Nickname: Jaspers. Location: New

York.

Record: 25-7, 15-5. Bid: Metro Atlan

tic champ.

Last appearance: 2004, lost to Wake Forest in second round.

Coach: Steve Masiello, first

appearance.

Overview: Masiello is a Rick Pitino disciple, so expect a player rotation that goes nine or 10 deep and plenty of pressure defense. Backstopping everything for the Jaspers is Rhamel Brown, who at 6-7 is one of the nation’s top shot blockers. Twitter: @GoJaspers.

Did you know? Masiello served as a New York Knicks ball boy in his youth.

Starters: F Ashton Pankey, 6-10, So. (7.1 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 57.3 FG%); F Rhamel Brown, 6-7, Sr. (9.4 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 3.8 blocks, 52.8 FG%); G Michael Alvarado, 6-2, Sr. (12.4 ppg, 4.2 apg); G RaShawn Stores, 5-11, Jr. (5.0 ppg, 75.0 FT%); G George Beamon, 6-4, Sr. (19.7 ppg, 6.7 rpg; 84.9 FT%).

14. MERCER

Nickname: Bears Location: Macon,

Ga.

Record: 26-8, 14-4. Bid: Atlantic Sun

champion.

Last appearance: 1985, lost to Georgia Tech in the first round.

Coach: Bob Hoffman, first

appearance.

Overview: The Bears beat No. 1 seed Florida Gulf Coast, which returned four starters from last year’s Sweet 16 team, in the conference title game. The experienced Bears have seven seniors and have won 77 games over the last three seasons. Twitter: @MercerMBB Did you know? Junior guard Darious Moten’s pregame ritual is washing his hands.

Starters: G Langston Hall, 6-4, Sr. (14.7 ppg, 3 rpg, 5.5 apg, 40.1 3FG%, 86.5 FT%); F Daniel Coursey, 6-10, Sr. (9.9 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 58.6 FG%, 2 bpg); F Bud Thomas, 6-6, Sr. (9.1 ppg, 4.1 rpg); F Jakob Gollon, 6-6, Sr. (7.8 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 75 FT%); G Anthony White Jr., 6-2, Sr. (8.3 ppg, 80 FT%).

15. WOFFORD

Nickname: Terriers. Location: Spartanburg, S.C.

Record: 20-12, 11-5. Bid: Southern

champ.

Last appearance: 2011, lost to Brigham Young in the second round.

Coach: Mike Young, 0-2 in two appearances.

Overview: If the Terriers are to get their first NCAA tournament win, they must control the tempo and slow the game down to play to their strength. Wofford plays solid defense and is efficient with the three-point shot. With no regular taller than 6-8, it lacks size to handle bigger teams. And first-round opponent Michigan is coming off a Big Ten title game loss to Michigan State. Twitter: @WoffordMBB

Did you know? The entire 170-plus acre Wofford campus has been designated as an arboretum.

Statistics: G Karl Cochran, 6-1, Jr. (15.5 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 3.1 apg); G Spencer Collins, 6-4, So. (13.4 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 78.9 FT%); G Eric Garcia, 5-11, Fr. (7.0 ppg, 45.6 3FG%); F Lee Skinner, 6-6, Jr. (11.1 ppg, 8.5 rpg); F C.J. Neumann, 6-7, So. (4.4 ppg, 59.0 FG%).

16. CAL POLY

Nickname: Mustangs. Location: San Luis Obispo, Calif.

Record: 13-19, 6-10. Bid: Big West

champ.

Last appearance: None. Coach: Joe Callero, first appearance.

Overview: The Mustangs had lost nine of their previous 11 games before a three-game run to the Big West title. Every previous Cal Poly team in five seasons under Callero had matched or improved its win total from the previous year, but none of those made the NCAA tournament. The Mustangs, a No. 7 seed in the Big West, are the lowest seed from a conference to make the field of 68. Twitter: @CPMustangs

Did you know? Cal Poly alumni include the designer of the Voyager spacecraft, Bob Rutan, as well as John Madden, former UFC champ Chuck Liddell and the late Las Vegas entertainer Danny Gans.

Starters: F David Nwaba, 6-4, So. (11.7 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 51.6 FG%); G Jamal Johnson, 6-0, Sr. (4.7 ppg); F Chris Eversley, 6-7, Sr., (13.4 ppg, 7.2 rpg); F Brian Bennett, 6-9, So. (6.1 ppg, 3.1 rpg); G Kyle Odister, 6-0, Sr. (9.5 ppg, 75.0 FT%).

16. TEXAS SOU.

Nickname: Tigers. Location:

Houston.

Record: 19-14, 12-6. Bid: Southwestern Athletic champ.

Last appearance: 2003, lost to UNC-Asheville in opening round.

Coach: Mike Davis, 7-5 in five appearances.

Overview: Texas Southern has won nine in a row. Davis, who took Indiana to the 2002 Final Four, can call on a wealth of experience. The top eight players in the rotation are juniors or seniors, led by Aaric Murray (the SWAC player of the year and defensive player of the year). Twitter: @TXSOTigers

Did you know? Former New York Giants star defensive lineman and current daytime TV host Michael Strahan is an alum. He’ll be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in August.

Starters: C Aaric Murray, 6-10, Sr. (21.2 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 2.4 bpg); G Madarious Gibbs, 6-1, Jr. (8.8 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 5.1 apg, 51.1 FG%); F D’Angelo Scott, 6-7, Sr. (7.2 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 80.2 FT%); G D’Aris “D.D.” Scarver, 6-2, Sr. (14.5 ppg, 3.4 rpg); G Lawrence Johnson-Danner, 6-4, Sr. (7.8 ppg, 87.3 FT%, 43.4 3FG%).