EAST REGIONAL CAPSULES
1. Duke
Nickname: Blue Devils.
Record: 29-5, 14-4.
Coach: Mike Krzyzewski
Overview: With Zion Williamson showing no ill effects from his shoe-caused knee sprain in a run to the ACC tournament title, the Blue Devils will be a popular choice to go all the way. His return gives them two lottery picks, rejoining classmate R.J. Barrett, in a young but dynamic lineup. The team’s late-season injury issues could prove to be a blessing in disguise as several role players contributed quality minutes down the stretch. Duke does not shoot the three well, so they can expect to see opponents pack the paint on a regular basis. This is Duke's 14th time as a No. 1 seed.
2. Michigan State
Nickname: Spartans.
Record: 28-6, 16-4.
Coach: Tom Izzo
Overview: The Spartans were saddled with injuries but still found a way to be Big Ten regular-season co-champ, thanks largely to sparkplug point guard Cassius Winston and a stout defense that ranks fourth nationally in field goal percentage defense (37.6%). This is one of the most unselfish teams chemistrywise, ranking third nationally in assists and 11th in assist-to-turnover ratio. Xavier Tillman (9.3 ppg, 7.1 rpg).
3. LSU
Nickname: Tigers.
Record: 26-6, 16-2.
Coach: Will Wade
Overview: Picked to finish near the middle of the SEC, the Tigers surprised everyone by winning the regular-season title. But the recent suspension of Wade as part of the FBI investigation into college basketball corruption and a firstround loss in the conference tournament leaves some doubt about where the team stands. The Tigers shoot just 32.4% beyond the arc, which could be an issue if they get behind.
4. Virginia Tech
Nickname: Hokies.
Record: 24-8, 12-6.
Coach: Buzz Williams
Overview: The Hokies needed to reinvent themselves on offense late in the season when senior point guard Justin Robinson (13.7 ppg, 5.2 apg) was sidelined by a foot injury. His return is possible, but it was not clear Sunday night. Still, the team has at least been able to devise workarounds. That usually means letting Kerry Blackshear initiate from the high or low post. Still, Tech must make three-pointers if it hopesto stay in the tournament for a while.
5. Mississippi State
Nickname: Bulldogs.
Record: 23-10, 10-8.
Coach: Ben Howland
Overview: Ben Howland has the Bulldogs in the field in his fourth season at the school. He knows what it takes to succeed in the tournament with three Final Four appearances at UCLA. Quinndary Weatherspoon has the ability to break down defenses but can’t do everything himself. Defensively, the Bulldogs have a strong interior presence with Abdul Abo and reserve Aric Holman (1.6 bpg). They’ll need to slow down the perimeter scoring of other teams.
6. Maryland
Nickname: Terrapins.
Record: 22-9, 13-7.
Coach: Mark Turgeon
Overview: The youthful Terrapins were hot and cold throughout the latter part of the Big Ten schedule. They use their size to an advantage and excels on the glass, ranking in the top 10 in rebounding margin (8.8 ppg) to go with allowing opponents only 65 points a game — both of which combine for a good recipe to advance.
7. Louisville
Nickname: Cardinals.
Record: 20-13, 10-8.
Coach: Chris Mack
Overview: The Cardinals were something of a mystery team as Mack took over the troubled program. But he wasted little time instilling the scrappiness his Xavier squads exhibited over the years. This group has good frontcourt depth and defends the paint well.
8. Virginia Commonwealth Nickname: Rams.
Record: 25-7, 16-2.
Coach: Mike Rhoades
Overview: The Rams’ rapid resurgence after a one-year tournament absence was a bit unexpected as a largely unproven set of pieces came together quickly to claim the A-10 regular-season crown. There isn’t much margin for error, however, as the injury to leading scorer Marcus Evans in their tournament quarterfinal loss demonstrated.
9. Central Florida
Nickname: Knights.
Record: 23-8, 13-5.
Coach: Johnny Dawkins
Overview: It was a banner regular season: UCF’s 23 wins set a program record while the 13 conference wins were the Knights’ most since joining the American. Where the Knights are strongest is on defense, with a unit that ranks in the top 40 nationally in points allowed per game and opposing field-goal percentage.
10. Minnesota
Nickname: Golden Gophers.
Record: 21-13, 9-11.
Coach: Richard Pitino
Overview: Gophers went 2-6 in February but did enough in March including two defeats of Purdue, to make the field. For Minnesota to make a run, it has to rebound and play defense to offset an offense that would fare better if there were no three-point line.
11. Belmont
Nickname: Bruins.
Record: 26-5, 16-2.
Coach: Rick Byrd
Overview: Belmont is a surprise as an at-large pick after losing in the Ohio Valley conference tournament title game. The Bruins did have quality wins during the season at UCLA and Murray State. Dylan Winder and Nick Muszynski provide size that can hold their own against bigger teams.
11. Temple
Nickname: Owls.
Record: 23-9, 13-5.
Coach: Fran Dunphy
Overview: Temple scores at a nice clip (74.8 points a game) but is subpar overall defensively (174th nationally in points per game) and among the worst in the American – and the country – in blocks and rebounds. So how did the Owls make it back to the tournament? In large part thanks to an aggressive and gambling defense.
12. Liberty
Nickname: Flames. Record: 28-6, 14-2.
Coach: Ritchie McKay
Overview: Liberty won its way in the field by beating Belmont in the conference tournament championship game. Their defense and field-goal (49.0%) and free-throw shooting (77.2%) are two big factors in their success.
13. Saint Louis
Nickname: Billikens.
Record: 23-12, 10-8.
Coach: Travis Ford
Overview: Most A-10 observers figured the Billikens would be among the league’s top teams heading into the season. They eventually put together a run through the tournament, but the path they took was quite circuitous. The surprising transfer of touted freshman Carte’Are Gordon and a spate of injuries led to a mid-pack finish.
14. Yale
Nickname: Bulldogs.
Record: 22-7, 10-4.
Coach: James Jones
Overview: Yale rebounded from a sluggish close to the regular season to capture a second Ivy League title in the past four seasons. The Bulldogs are balanced, with four players in double figures, and the most consistent shooters inside of 3-point range.
15. Bradley
Nickname: Braves.
Record: 20-14, 9-9.
Coach: Brian Wardle
Overview: Bradley won its way into the tournament with defeat of Loyola-Chicago in the semifinal and a comeback defeat of Northern Iowa in the MVC tournament. Defense is the team’s strong suit as the Braves allow just 65.0 points per game and opponents shoot 41.1% from the field.
16. N.C. Central Nickname: Eagles. Record: 18-15, 10-6 Coach: Kevin Keatts Overview: They defeated the No. 1 Norfolk State to clinch their third appearance in program history. 16. North Dakota State
Nickname: Bison.
Record: 18-15, 9-7.
Coach: Dave Richman
Overview: Known for its dominant FCS football program, NDSU won its way in after finishing the Summit regular season tied for third. To advance, they will have to rely on shooting. NDSU averages 9.5 three-point field goals a game.
— USA TODAY