Versatile Heels team to beat
Best first-round matchup
Wofford vs. Seton Hall. The selection committee rewarded No. 7 Wofford for a terrific season with a nice seed. Can the Terriers capitalize against a more athletic firstround opponent? Seton Hall, meanwhile, has been erratic, which is why it found itself on the bubble in the final weeks. But the Pirates beat Kentucky and went 3-1 against Big East rivals Marquette and Villanova.
Potential upset
It’s never a bad idea to pick a No. 12 to beat a No. 5, and New Mexico State fits the bill as a dangerous No. 12. The Aggies have won 19 consecutive games behind defense, rebounding and a big dose of three-pointers. No player averages as many as 12 points. Included on their résumé is a near upset of Kansas. After a midseason swoon, Auburn got hot late and played very well in winning the SEC tournament. But the Tigers’ reliance on the threepointer can be problematic. This might come down to which team is hot from deep.
The sleeper
Iowa State is as hard to decipher as any team in the country. The Cyclones are talented offensively, but their defense rarely has been able to match their offense. They lost six of their last eight regular-season games, then won the Big 12 tournament. For a glimpse of what’s possible, look no further than the way Iowa State dominated Kansas in the championship game.
The winner
North Carolina. It’s tempting to take Kentucky, which morphed into something very formidable by the end of the season. But the Tar Heels were close to beating Duke three times this season, including with Zion Williamson healthy in the ACC tournament. North Carolina prefers a fast pace and has the athletes to run away from most opponents. But the Tar Heels can slow down, play physically and win that way, too. It’s that versatility that will make the difference.