Probably the most exciting side of the bracket will be the South Region with the Kentucky Wildcats, North Carolina Tar Heels and the UCLA possibly clashing in the Final Eight.
# 1 North Carolina Tar Heels vs. # 16 Texas Southern Tigers
Line: North Carolina Tar Heels -27 (-105)
Total: 154.5 points (-106 over/under)
Quick Matchup Preview:
The #1 North Carolina Tar Heels (27-7) are loaded with talent this year and it is no surprise that they were handed the #1 seed. However, their side of the bracket has them potentially going against the Kentucky Wildcats or UCLA in the Final Eight round, all of the teams that could/should be in the final four. The Tar Heels were defeated by Duke twice this season, including the ACC semifinals 83-93 loss.
The #16 Texas Southern Tigers (23-11) will not have it easy when they go against the #1 Tar Heels in their opening round of the Big Dance. The Tigers hoped to finally improve their 0-6 tournament record but got disappointed after the final selection was revealed. However, this does not mean that the SWAC conference champion will go down that easily and without a fight. Look for the Tigers to stick in the game for at least the first period.
# 8 Arkansas Razorbacks vs. # 9 Seton Hall Pirates
Line: Arkansas Razorbacks -1 (-106)
Total: 146 points (-105 over; -103 under)
Quick Matchup Preview:
The #8 Arkansas Razorbacks (25-9) was unable to complete their SEC tournament title run after being stopped by the Kentucky Wildcats with 65-82. However, the Razorbacks will open their first round with a lot of confidence after winning 8 of their last 10 games. This will be the Razorback 31st Final tournament appearance.
The #9 Seton Hall Pirates (21-11) suffered a narrow 53-55 loss to the Villanova Wildcats in the semifinals of the Big East Conference tournament. Prior to the loss, the Pirates were on a 6-game winning streak, defeating the #13 ranked Butler Bulldogs. Going against the fast-paced Razorbacks team, the Pirates will need to slow down the game and try to set up the tone offensively.
# 5 Minnesota Golden Gophers vs. # 12 Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders
Line: MTS Blue Raiders -1 (-106)
Total: 136 points (-106 over/under)
Quick Matchup Preview:
The #5 Minnesota Golden Gophers (24-9) are set to make their 10th NCAA final tournament appearance but they will not have it easy as they will face the Blue Raiders in the opening round. The Golden Gophers took down Michigan State but came up short against the Michigan Spartans in the Big Ten conference semifinals game.
The #12 Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders (30-4) are considered by many as the team that will pull the first upset in the opening round. Although the Golden Gophers are ranked higher, the Blue Raiders are favored by mostly all bookies and could easily end up upsetting the Gophers. Going into this contest, the Blue Raiders are on a 10-0 run, which includes the C-USA conference championship title game.
# 4 Butler Bulldogs vs. # 13 Winthrop Eagles
Line: Butler Bulldogs -11 (-108)
Total: 144.5 points (-106 over; -105 under)
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The #4 Butler Bulldogs (23-8) have had some respectable wins throughout the season, most notable the season series swept over the Villanova Wildcats. However, in the opening round of the Big East conference tournament, the Wildcats suffered a 57-62 blow to Xavier and will look to gain some momentum against the Eagles in their third straight trip to the Final tournament.
The #13 Winthrop Eagles (26-6) went on an 8-game winning streak including the Big South Conference tournament title game in which the Eagles dominated Campbell with 76-59. This was the schools 11th overall Conference title and a much needed booster for their opening round against the Bulldogs.
# 6 Cincinnati Bearcats vs. # 11 Kansas State Wildcats
Line: Cincinnati Bearcats -3 (-109)
Total: 130.5 points (-105 over; -105 under)
Quick Matchup Preview:
The #6 Cincinnati Bearcats (29-5) will go against the play-in game winner Kansas State Wildcats in the first round of the NCAA tournament. The Bearcats were on a nice run in the conference play but were put down in the finals of the AAC tournament, suffering a 56-71 loss to the SMU Mustangs. The Bearcats are above average offensive unit, but their biggest strength is the defense as they allow only 60.5 points per game.
The #11 Kansas State Wildcats (21-13) will not have a lot of time to rest after playing in the First Four Round on Tuesday against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons and defeating them with 95-88, advancing into the Round of 64. Their strong offensive performance on Tuesday is not something that we are used to seeing from the Wildcats as they are averaging only 71.7 points per game. The Wildcats came up short in the semifinals of the BIG 12 tournament losing to West Virginia with 50-51.
# 3 UCLA Bruins vs. # 14 Kent State Golden Flashes
Line: UCLA Bruins -18 (-103)
Total: 161 points (-106 over; -105 under)
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The #3 UCLA Bruins (29-4) have been one of the most talked about teams in college basketball, mostly because of their freshman sensation Lonzo Ball. But put aside Ball, and you can see that the Bruins are well covered in all positions. The Bruins offense is brought them wins as they are the nation’s leading team in scoring, and when you put Ball, TJ Leaf and Bryce Alford into the mix, suddenly you have a title contender. They will certainly have much to prove and live up to the expectations, especially after being put to ground by Arizona in the semifinals of the Pac 12 conference tournament.
The #14 Kent State Golden Flashes (22-13) took down Akron with 70-65 winning the MAC Conference tournament in style and claiming the first NCAA big since 2008. The Flashes have made the tournament mostly because of their defensive style of play, but it is a big question how they will coup with the nation’s best offensive unit?
# 7 Dayton Flyers vs. # 10 Wichita State Shockers
Line: Wichita State- 6 (-102)
Total: 145.5 points (-108 over; +100 under)
Quick Matchup Preview:
The #7 Dayton Flyers (24-7) will dance for the 4th consecutive year. The Flyers were on a great run in the conference play but dropped their final game heading to the conference tournament, where they were knocked down by Davidson with 64-73 in the quarterfinals. They have a pretty solid unit that is capable of upsetting some strong opposition.
The #10 Wichita State Shockers (30-4) will go into the tournament riding a 15-game streak and a 30-win season. Still not impressed? Well, check this…The Shockers have reached the 30 wins mark for the 4th time over the last 5 season. In the history of the program, the Shockers have faced the Flyers only twice, losing both times, with last one dating back to 1962. The Shockers most recently claimed the MVC conference title, defeating Bradley, Missouri State and Illinois State in the title game with 71-51.
# 2 Kentucky Wildcats vs. # 15 Northern Kentucky Norse
Line: Kentucky Wildcats (-105)
Total: 153.5 points (-105 over; -108 under)
Quick Matchup Preview:
The #2 Kentucky Wildcats (29-5) are once again being mishandled by the selection committee, so do many think. This is not the first time that the Wildcats feel like they should have been ranked higher or at least have an easier route to the Final 4. Despite all, the Wildcats are still one of the top contenders for the title and come into this contest as a clear favorite. This will be their 56th BIG DANCE appearance, most of all teams in the nation.
The #15 Northern Kentucky Norse (24-10) will go against their in-state rivals in the first round of the NCAA tournament. The Norse are entering this contest as the underdogs but still claiming the Horizon League Championship title which gives them a lot of confidence facing the mighty Cats.
