SOUTH REGIONAL CAPSULES
1. Virginia
Nickname: Cavaliers.
Record: 29-3, 16-2.
Coach: Tony Bennett
Overview: On the wrong end of an historic upset a year ago, the Cavaliers are determined to shed that pesky “Can’t win in March” label. Unfortunately, the vibe from their loss in the ACC tournament semifinal to Florida State will keep that storyline front and center. They still defend relentlessly but are ill-equipped to mount a comeback if quick points are needed.
2. Tennessee
Nickname: Volunteers.
Record: 29-5, 15-3.
Coach: Rick Barnes
Overview: The Vols were projected to have a good season but surpassed most expectations with a four-week stay at No. 1 and a run to the SEC tournament title game. The team is blessed with a starting lineup full of upperclassmen. Grant Williams does a little bit of everything, while the offense and defense both rank in the top 20 in field-goal percentage. A lack of consistent threepoint shooting looms as a possible concern the deeper they get in the tournament.
3. Purdue
Nickname: Boilermakers.
Record: 23-9, 16-4.
Coach: Matt Painter
Overview: After starting the season 6-5, the Boilermakers rebounded to earn a share of the Big Ten regular-season title. Coming off back-to-back Sweet 16 finishes, this version of Purdue isn’t as strong. Much of its success depends on Carsen Edwards, who can score in bunches (40 points vs. Texas and 38 vs. Wisconsin). But he shoots 34% from beyond the arc compared with 41% last season.
4. Kansas State
Nickname: Wildcats.
Record: 25-8, 14-4.
Coach: Bruce Weber
Overview: The Wildcats grabbed a share of the Big 12’s regular-season championship with defense – they rank fourth nationally, holding opponents to 59.1 points per game – and play a patient offensive game led by junior guard Barry Brown Jr. They’ve been very consistent. After losing their first two Big 12 games, they haven’t lost consecutive games. Dean Wade’s health – he’s been hampered by a foot injury and missed the Big 12 tournament because of it – is a key. His all-around presence makes the Wildcats much better. The postseason return of guard Cartier Diarra from a hand injury could provide a boost.
5. Wisconsin
Nickname: Badgers.
Record: 23-10, 14-6.
Coach: Greg Gard
Overview: The Badgers quietly finished fourth in a crowded Big Ten and are back in the NCAA field as a contender after missing last year’s tournament. As usual, they play exceptional defense, ranking with the best in the nation in points allowed. D’Mitrik Trice and Brad Davison have combined with All-American Ethan Happ to form a nice inside-out attack. But offense can go cold, and an inability to make free throws is another potential Achilles heel.
6. Villanova
Nickname: Wildcats.
Record: 25-9, 13-5.
Coach: Jay Wright
Overview: It hasn’t been the usual version of the Wildcats this season after winning two of the last three national championships. And even if it was an off year for a team that lost three players to the NBA, it still ended up with in Big East regular season and conference tournament titles. The Wildcats are excellent from beyond the arc, averaging nearly 11 three-pointers a game. The problem: When they go cold, they can lose to just about anyone as evidenced in losses to Furman and Penn earlier in the season.
7. Cincinatti
Nickname: Bearcats.
Record: 28-6, 14-4.
Coach: Mick Cronin Overview: Cincinnati is a tournament regular – this marks the ninth appearance in a row under Cronin, the head coach since 2006 – but an annual tournament underachiever. Not since 2012 have the Bearcats escaped the first
weekend; each of the program’s last two teams won at least 30 games but failed to advance past the second round. Why should this year’s tournament be any different?
8. Mississippi
Nickname: Rebels.
Record: 20-12, 10-8.
Coach: Kermit Davis
Overview: After arriving from Middle Tennessee, Kermit Davis worked wonders in his first season, given Ole Miss was picked to finish last in the SEC. Using a four-guard lineup, the Rebels are willing play up-tempo. When they get to the free-throw line, they make 78.3% of their attempts, third in the nation. Cause for concern: losing four of their last five.
9. Oklahoma
Nickname: Sooners.
Record: 19-13, 7-11.
Coach: Lon Kruger
Overview: After a first-round exit in the Big 12 tournament, the Sooners received an at-large bid despite a late-season swoon and a sub-.500 conference record and because of a stout nonconference resume. When Oklahoma is playing well, defense is the reason. The Sooners don’t have a consistent offensive threat.
10. Iowa
Nickname: Hawkeyes.
Record: 21-10, 10-10.
Coach: Fran McCaffery
Overview: The Hawkeyes lost four in a row to close out the regular season to slip way down in the seeding line after entering February poised to land a top-6 seed. The culprit in those losses? Defense, a category where Iowa ranks 243rd nationally by allowing opponents 74 points a game; the Hawkeyes allowed Ohio State to score 90 in a Feb. 26 loss, Rutgers to score 86 in a March 2 loss, and Nebraska to score 93 in a March 10 loss. When this team can stop people, however, it has a very good chance of advancing — evidenced by a 74-59 win over Michigan on Feb. 1. When Iowa wins, Jordan Bohannon usually has a heavy hand in it — either shooting well from deep or facilitating for Iowa’s big men.
11. St. Mary’s
Nickname: Gaels.
Record: 22-11, 11-5.
Coach: Randy Bennett
Overview: A fringe bubble team at best entering the WCC tournament, the Gaels put together their best performance of the season to topple Gonzaga in the title game. They don’t have the overall talent of recent Saint Mary’s teams. They have enough three-point prowess to stage a comeback, but they’re far more effective when they’re able to establish a deliberate tempo and play half-court sets at both ends.
12. Oregon
Nickname: Ducks.
Record: 23-12, 10-8.
Coach: Dana Altman
Overview: A switch to a large starting lineup – 6-2 point guard Payton Pritchard with four players standing at least 6-9 – helped fuel a hot closing stretch. Oregon won four in a row to finish the regular season, then added four more victories in four days to clinch the Pac-12 tournament championship and the league’s automatic bid.
13. UC Irvine
Nickname: Anteaters.
Record: 30-5, 15-1.
Coach: Russell Turner Overview: UC-Irvine has been the class of the Big West all season and comes into the tournament riding a 16-game winning streak. A smothering defense has been the key for the Anteaters, who led the conference in points per game allowed (63.3).
14. Old Dominion
Nickname: Monarchs.
Record: 26-8, 13-5.
Coach: Jeff Jones
Overview: This is a veteran team with three senior starters and players who know their roles. B.J. Stith and Ahmad Caver provide the scoring. The others focus on defense and rebounding. The concern is what happens if Stith or Caver have off nights.
15. Colgate
Nickname: Raiders.
Record: 24-10, 13-5.
Coach: Matt Langel
Overview: The Raiders enter their third NCAA tournament in program history riding an 11-game winning streak, ending Bucknell’s two-year reign as Patriot League champs in the process. The big stage will be a new experience for everyone, so they’ll certainly be huge underdogs.
16. Gardner-Webb
Nickname: Runnin’ Bulldogs. Record: 23-11, 10-6.
Coach: Tim Craft
Overview: The fourth seed in the Big South tournament, the Bulldogs knocked off the top two seeds to earn their first NCAA tournament berth. The leadership of G David Efianayi and F DJ Laster is key.
— USA TODAY