WEST REGIONAL CAPSULES
Bulldogs.
30-3, 16-0.
Mark Few
Notwithstanding a lackluster performance in the WCC tournament finale that saw their 20-game win streak end, the Zags, Sweet 16 fixtures in recent years, are quite capable of a deep run. They defend relentlessly, generate fast-break points and space the floor well. This group gets the bulk of its points from the frontcourt, led by WCC player of the year Rui Hachimura. They have capable perimeter shooters, but they’re more effective when the ball goes inside first.
Wolverines.
28-6, 15-5.
John Beilein
Carry-overs from last year’s national runners-up and the emergence of freshman Ignas Brazdeikis helped make up for key losses. This team started the season 17-0 but hit some stumbling blocks in a tough Big Ten schedule. Michigan’s defense is top-notch, third nationally in points allowed (58.8), but its offense can fall under cold spells. Still, this is a group that hammered Villanova by 27 and North Carolina by 17.
Red Raiders.
26-6, 14-4.
Chris Beard
After losing the bulk of the team that made a run to the Elite Eight last season, the Red Raiders rebuilt with key transfers and the emergence of sophomore guard Jarrett Culver, Big 12 player of the year. The Red Raiders’ stifling defense – they lead the nation holding opponents to 36.8% shooting and rank second in scoring defense, holding opponents to 58.6 points a game – is the backbone.
Seminoles.
27-7, 13-5.
Leonard Hamilton
Despite coming up short in the ACC title game, the Seminoles did themselves a world of good in the tournament. Their win against Virginia improved their seed as well as their confidence. Hamilton is not afraid to use his bench; leading scorer Mfiondu Kabengele (12.9 ppg, 5.7 rpg) hasn’t started a game all year. Opponents will have a hard time keying on a particular scoring threat, but on the flipside FSU sometimes struggles to find a take-over guy when the game gets close.
Golden Eagles.
24-9, 12-6.
Steve Wojciechowski
It’s been a breakthrough season in the Steve Wojciechowski era at Marquette. The difference-maker is national player of the year candidate Markus Howard, an explosive guard who had 45 points against Buffalo and Kansas State in December and 53 vs. Creighton in January. But this team saw how too much reliance on Howard can hurt in a four-game losing streak to close the regular season.
Bulls.
31-3, 16-2.
Nate Oats
The tournament is becoming old hat for the Bulls. With four appearances in five seasons, they’re hoping to go farther after upsetting Arizona in the first round last year. This might be their best team in recent history as evidence by road wins at West Virginia and Syracuse.
Wolf Pack.
29-4, 15-3.
Eric Musselman
With most of the team back from last year’s deep tourney run and five seniors starting, the Wolf Pack spent much of the season ranked in the top 10. Their late-season slump, however, is concerning. Their ability to come back from big deficits on display last March is still there, but so is the alarming tendency to fall behind.
Orange.
20-13, 10-8.
Jim Boeheim
With its trademark zone de- Bears.
19-13, 10-8.
Scott Drew
The Bears, who enter on a four-game losing streak, lost big man Tristan Clark in January, forcing a radical shift toward a more guard-oriented attack. Makai Mason, a graduate transfer from Yale, has been the offensive catalyst.
Gators.
19-15, 9-9.
Mike White
The Gators equaled the record for most losses by an at-large team in the tournament, proving their worthiness with two defeats of SEC regularseason champion LSU. If they are to advance, their defense is going to have be at an elite level.
Sun Devils.
22-10, 12-6.
Bobby Hurley
Talented but enigmatic, the Sun Devils own non-conference victories against Kansas, Mississippi State and Utah State, but also lost to Vanderbilt (which lost 20 consecutive games to end the season). Guard Luguentz Dort is Pac-12 freshman of the year. Sun Devils average 77.7 points and hold opponents to 41.1 percent shooting.
Red Storm.
21-12, 8-10.
Chris Mullin
St. John’s seemed to be cruising into the NCAAs as the thirdbest team in the Big East before dropping three consecutive games to end the regular season and then suffering a 32-point loss to Marquette in the Big East tournament. This team doesn’t usually have any issue scoring, averaging more than 78 points a game thanks to Shamorie Ponds’ playmaking and an offense that features all starters averaging double figures.
Racers. 27-4, 16-2. Matt McMahon
Catamounts.
27-6, 14-2.
John Becker
Vermont has benefited from the ascent of Anthony Lamb, 21.1 ppg and 7.8 rpg in his junior year. The Catamounts have more than held their own on defense as well, leading the conference in points allowed per game (63.1).
Norse.
26-8, 13-5.
John Brannen
Horizon player of the year Drew McDonald is the catalyst for the offense but gets help from three other double-figure scorers. Free-throw shooting is a major concern. The Norse make just 66.5% of their attempts, 312th in Division I.
Grizzlies.
26-8, 16-4.
Travis DeCuire
Montana repeated as regularseason and conference champs, despite senior stalwart Jamar Akoh being limited to just 15 games. He has not played Feb. 7. The team gets by with great shooting: The Grizzlies have knocked down 49.6 percent of their shots, among the top 10 in the nation.
Knights.
18-13, 12-6.
Greg Herenda
The Knights head to the tournament confident on all sides. Despite a turnover rate of 13.4 per game in their conference, they led the Northeast in steals and ranked among the top 30 in the country. Look for how often the Knights shoot from the three-point line. They lead their conference with a 40.3% shooting from beyond the arc.
Panthers.
22-12, 17-1.
Byron Smith
Prairie View on Jan. 2 was 1-11, thanks in part to a brutal nonconference slate that didn’t see the team play at home until the New Year. The Panthers have lost just once since. — USA TODAY