NCAA Region Breakdowns

We've already shared our initial reactions to the bracket, and those reactions were based off of our first glances and based on what stuck out instantly. Then, Andrew studied it more and more. Some opinions changed, some didn’t. Either way, I wanted to go more in depth.

In this blog I will go through and break down each region. The main focus will be on the first weekend of games (or potential games), and we’ll save discussion on further games for next weekend. Below are Andrew’s thoughts on the favorites, the upset potentials, the best matchups, and five players from each region to watch. Tomorrow we will reveal our actual picks.

South

Region Favorite

Andrew: Clearly this is Florida. They are the #1 overall seed and haven’t lost since early December.

Region Darkhorse

Andrew: I’m going with Syracuse. They aren’t playing their best so people are writing them off. But they have talent, experience, and that zone which devastated teams last year in the NCAA.

Team Most Likely to Pull a 2013 Wichita State (low seed to Final Four)

Andrew: If New Mexico is considered a low seed at 7 then them for sure. They have multiple studs and a lot of experience. They have motivation too after losing their first game last year. They other team is Stephen F. Austin who has only lost two games the entire season.

Best “Round of 64” Matchup

Andrew: This has to be VCU vs. Stephen F. Austin. Both teams are playing well and both are mid-majors that have great potential in this tourney. It’s a shame the committee paired them up.

Best Potential “Round of 32” Matchup

Andrew: I’m excited for New Mexico vs. Kansas. New Mexico has two big boys inside that will tear Kansas up (since Embiid won’t likely play). Kansas will counter with terrific perimeter guys led by Andrew Wiggins. Should be amazing to watch.

Best Individual Matchups This Weekend (Actual/Potential)

Andrew: I like point guards Aaron Craft (Ohio State) vs. Tyler Ennis (Syracuse) potentially in third round. It would be senior vs. freshmen and would feature a ball hound in Craft vs. the calm, cool, and collected handler Ennis.

Upset Potential? (For both second and third round games)

Andrew: I think SFA can make some noise not just against VCU, but against UCLA also. I also think Kansas should be on notice if Embiid misses both games this weekend.

Five Players to Watch in This Region

Andrew: Tyler Ennis (Syracuse) in his first March Madness. Aaron Craft (OSU) in his last. Kyle Anderson (UCLA) is probably the most diverse player in college basketball. Andrew Wiggins (Kansas) is likely the biggest name in the land. And Scottie Wilbekin (Florida) is the most important player in this tourney.

West

Region Favorite

Andrew: Again pretty clear-cut: Arizona. Wouldn’t have said that though after they lost Brandon Ashley earlier this season. But they have recovered nicely.

Region Darkhorse

Andrew: Creighton. When playing their best, there isn’t a team in college basketball that can beat them. A perfect example is the game they hit 21 3’s against Villanova on the road. Who can touch that? McDermott could lead them all the way.

Team Most Likely to Pull a 2013 Wichita State (low seed to Final Four)

Andrew: Nebraska or Oklahoma State. Nebraska plays great defense and they have a lot of versatile players, led by Petteway. Oklahoma State has Marcus Smart, who currently is playing with a chip on his shoulder.

Best “Round of 64” Matchup

Andrew: Baylor vs. Nebraska. Both teams started conference play rough but ended in a flurry. Baylor was supposed to be here but Nebraska was not. Both teams have some NBA talent.

Best Potential “Round of 32” Matchup

Andrew: Arizona vs. Oklahoma State. Arizona is one of the best teams in the country while Marcus Smart is one of the best players. Should be very entertaining.

Best Individual Matchups This Weekend (Actual/Potential)

Andrew: The scoring battle between Doug McDermott (Creighton) vs. Elfrid Payton (LL). Both are projected to be Top 20 picks in this summer’s draft. They play different positions, but they’ll go back and forth scoring in this one.

Upset Potential? (For both second and third round games)

Andrew: I think North Dakota State has a shot. They beat Notre Dame (when ND was good) on the road earlier this season and I’m not sold on Oklahoma, whom they play.

Five Players to Watch in This Region

Andrew: Marcus Smart (OK. St.) obviously. Doug McDermott (Creighton) obviously. Terran Petteway (Nebraska) is a player massively under the radar, but he’s very good. Xavier Thames (SD State) has made a case to be an All-American, but most people don’t know who he is. And Tyler Haws (BYU) is an explosive scorer that can drop 30 at any time. Elfrid Payton (LL) too.

Midwest

Region Favorite

Andrew: Many believe it’s Louisville despite the 4-seed next to their name. I’ll stick with Wichita State though, since they are 34-0.

Region Darkhorse

Andrew: I don’t like them much, but I’ll say Kentucky, because the talent is obviously there.

Team Most Likely to Pull a 2013 Wichita State (low seed to Final Four)

Andrew: I’ll say Iowa. I’m shocked they were seeded as low as 11, as they were a top ten team earlier this season. They are deep and score as well as any team in the country.

Best “Round of 64” Matchup

Andrew: I’ll tweak the question and say the First Four game between Iowa and Tennessee is extremely balanced. I thought highly of both squads entering the year, and both are likely motivated by the low seed.

Best Potential “Round of 32” Matchup

Andrew: Kentucky vs. Wichita State. Wichita State hasn’t been challenged much this season, but hasn’t seen the talent that Kentucky has. It would be a privilege to watch this one.

Best Individual Matchups This Weekend (Actual/Potential)

Andrew: Call me a sucker for this game, but Cleanthony Early (Wichita St.) vs. the NBA athletes that Kentucky has. I love Early’s game and think he’s going to play in the NBA. This would allow me to better evaluate him.

Upset Potential? (For both second and third round games)

Andrew: Both First Four winners could pull upsets as I’m not in love with St. Louis or UMASS. Based on seeds, Louisville could pull the upset on Wichita State down the road.

Five Players to Watch in This Region

Andrew: As I mentioned already, Cleanthony Early (Wichita State). I also want to see how Julius Randle (Kentucky) responds to his first, and only, NCAA Tourney experience. Russ Smith (Louisville) is a locked in senior hungry for another Final Four. Jabari Parker (Duke) is #1 on my NBA Big Board. Can he cement his place? And Nik Stauskas (Michigan) comes in as the Big Ten POY. Can he live up to it?

East

Region Favorite

Andrew: I’ll go with Michigan State. They were #1 early in the year when healthy. They slid due to injuries, but they are now healthy again. Coming off the Big Ten Tourney title, it’s their region to lose.

Region Darkhorse

Andrew: Why not North Carolina? They beat the top 4 preseason teams this year, the first team ever to do that. So obviously they can beat anyone. For them, it’s if they can avoid the bad loss.

Team Most Likely to Pull a 2013 Wichita State (low seed to Final Four)

Andrew: I love Harvard. They pulled off one of the biggest upsets a year ago, and they are a better team now. That win last year should give them better confidence this time around.

Best “Round of 64” Matchup

Andrew: Memphis vs. George Washington is pretty even if you ask me. Memphis is a team with so much talent, but they couldn’t sustain elite play throughout the season.

Best Potential “Round of 32” Matchup

Andrew: North Carolina vs. Iowa State would be a great shootout. Both teams can get up and down the floor and put points up on the scoreboard.

Best Individual Matchups This Weekend (Actual/Potential)

Andrew: Shabazz Napier (UCONN) vs. Ryan Arcidiacono (Villanova) in the Round of 32. Both points guards are critical to the success of their team and can fill up the stat sheet in a variety of ways.

Upset Potential? (For both second and third round games)

Andrew: Harvard is clearly a team capable of pulling an upset. Providence is hot, so watch out for them too.

Five Players to Watch in This Region

Andrew: Joe Harris (Virginia) is the main reason that Virginia is a 1-seed. Sean Kilpatrick (Cincinnati) is one of my favorite players in the country, and can score at will. Gary Harris (MSU) may end up going pro after the season, especially if he leads them to a Final Four. Marcus Paige (UNC) is leaned on heavily in the Tarheel system. The same is true for Shabazz Napier (UCONN). Must play his best!

That’s it! Feel free to make comments if you agree or disagree. Tell me what your thoughts are on these topics. Remember, we’ll reveal our picks tomorrow…

By: The Sports Guys