March Insanity 2024 bracket: Listed here are all 68 NCAA males’s groups

Effectively, right here we go. The 2024 males’s NCAA event area has been introduced, and the best three-week stretch in sports activities is ready to start.

How we bought right here was a journey, too. The bubble collapsed over the weekend due to a handful of surprising convention event runs (see: Oregon, NC State, Duquesne, UAB). The highest groups additionally had their challenges: 1-seeds Purdue and Houston did not win their respective convention tournaments, whereas the likes of Arizona, Tennessee and North Carolina additionally fell.

All of this units up what’s going to be a superb NCAA event.

Earlier than we get to the primary video games — the First 4 ideas Tuesday, and the primary spherical begins Thursday — we wish to give you this information to all 68 groups.

Our objective right here, like with yearly, is to supply data on each program. We’re not providing you a promise of success as you fill out your brackets.

Nonetheless, for many who wish to learn about attainable upsets, we have created the “ceiling” system. With every staff, we’ll let you know how far we expect they will go … if every little thing goes proper.

Simply keep in mind: Plenty of issues can go mistaken, too. Benefit from the Insanity.

1-seeds

Area: East
File: 31-3
Match ceiling: Nationwide championship

The final staff to win back-to-back nationwide titles, Florida, achieved it with the identical nucleus of gamers: Joakim Noah, Al Horford and Corey Brewer. Reigning nationwide champion UConn misplaced its key pair final April — Adama Sanogo and Jordan Hawkins — however this yr’s group is simply as dominant. The rise of Donovan Clingan (12.5 PPG, 2.3 BPG) in his second season, the maturation of Tristen Newton into a possible All-American and projected first-round draft choose Stephon Fortress are offering the gasoline Dan Hurley wants for a shot at reducing down the nets once more. With the trio on the ground within the common season, UConn registered 120.5 factors per 100 possessions (for reference, the Boston Celtics, the NBA’s prime offense, generate 121.9 factors per 100 possessions) and held opponents to 87.2 factors per 100 possessions (Houston-like numbers).

Area: South
File: 30-4
Match ceiling: Nationwide championship

Up to now 4 NCAA tournaments, Kelvin Sampson has led Houston to the Candy 16 (twice), the Elite Eight and the Remaining 4. This yr’s Cougars — the Large 12 regular-season champions — are top-of-the-line groups within the nation. So what’s it about this staff that might lastly get Sampson a hoop? Scoring choices. Jamal Shead is a projected All-American and J’Wan Roberts is a key veteran. Former Baylor switch L.J. Cryer (15.3 PPG, 39.0% from past the arc) has added a brand new dynamic to a defensive juggernaut that held 11 opponents to below 50 factors this season, together with Kansas within the Large 12 season finale. Between Jan. 13 and March 9, Houston misplaced just one sport, and dedicated turnovers on simply 12.2% of its possessions, per barttorvik.com.

Area: Midwest
File: 29-4
Match ceiling: Nationwide championship

In 2018, prime seed Virginia fell to 16-seed UMBC within the first spherical of the NCAA event. The next yr, the Cavaliers leapt from their No. 30 rating in adjusted offensive effectivity on KenPom to No. 2 and gained the nationwide title. In 2023, prime seed Purdue fell to 16-seed Fairleigh Dickinson within the first spherical of the NCAA event. This yr, the Boilermakers boast the perfect offense in America — particularly on the 3-point line (going from 32.2% to 41.0%). Their star, reigning Wood Award winner Zach Edey (24.3 PPG, 11.8 RPG), is best too — Synergy Sports activities lists him as a “good” defender in comparison with “common” a yr in the past, whereas EvanMiya.com considers him probably the most “indispensable” participant in America. Points with turnovers stay, however Matt Painter’s squad has the expertise to imitate historical past and win a nationwide title, similar to Virginia.

Area: West
File: 27-7
Match ceiling: Nationwide championship

Hubert Davis had a superb debut as a head coach: North Carolina held a double-digit edge over Kansas at halftime of the 2022 nationwide championship sport. He then adopted it with a dud of a season, lacking the 2023 postseason altogether. However this season, the Tar Heels have returned to their successful methods, due to the return of Armando Bacot and the elevation of RJ Davis (21.4 PPG, 40.6% from past the arc), certainly one of America’s greatest guards. The ACC regular-season champs weathered a late-season slide however ended on a six-game successful streak, capped by a second win over rival Duke. If Harrison Ingram can get scorching once more — he is capturing 37% from 3 however was 4-for-25 in these last six regular-season video games — Davis and the Tar Heels may end what they began two years in the past.

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2-seeds

Area: East
File: 27-7
Match ceiling: Remaining 4

T.J. Otzelberger would not have a star. For the second-best staff within the Large 12 (behind Houston), six gamers common a minimum of 8.0 PPG; nobody averages greater than 13.5 PPG. The Cyclones made 32.4% of their 3-point makes an attempt in league play, however it’s their elite protection (second in adjusted defensive effectivity on KenPom) that has secured them a excessive seed for Otzelberger’s third NCAA event look in his third yr on the job. Keshon Gilbert (13.5 PPG) & Co. have wins over Houston (twice, together with the Large 12 event championship) and Kansas, too. This group appears able to making a run. The most important query now about this balanced squad is that this: Can it attain its ceiling outdoors Ames? Iowa State completed 4-5 in Large 12 highway video games, versus 9-0 at residence at Hilton Coliseum.

Area: South
File: 25-9
Match ceiling: Remaining 4

Final yr, Tyler Kolek suffered a hand damage in 2-seed Marquette’s opening-round win over 15-seed Vermont. He performed the following sport, in opposition to 7-seed Michigan State, however the Golden Eagles misplaced. This yr in all probability looks like déjà vu for Shaka Sensible. As soon as once more, Marquette is a excessive seed and as soon as once more Kolek is coping with an damage that might affect this staff’s progress by the event.

Getting into the Large East event, Kolek missed the earlier three video games with an indirect damage. Sensible instructed reporters not too long ago his star participant, who recorded 34 assists in his last three video games earlier than the damage, will “completely” play within the NCAA event. Considerations concerning the affect of one other Kolek damage are legitimate. However when he is obtainable, the Golden Eagles have recorded wins over Illinois, Kansas and Creighton. If wholesome, this staff may finish its season in Phoenix.

Area: Midwest
File: 24-8
Match ceiling: Nationwide championship

In 2019, Dalton Knecht averaged 13.3 PPG at a junior faculty in Colorado. He bumped up that quantity when he transferred to Northern Colorado, averaging 20.2 PPG final season. Then he transferred to Tennessee. Some mid-major gamers would fail to duplicate their manufacturing after they switch to an influence convention. Knecht has solely improved. The 6-foot-6 standout is averaging 21.1 PPG and 39.7% from past the arc and is now a projected lottery choose and Wood Award contender. He is given Rick Barnes one thing the Corridor of Fame coach hasn’t had with the Vols: a pure scorer to enrich an elite protection. It is a potent combo that might lead UT to its first nationwide championship. Knecht cannot do all of the work on offense alone, however he is the catalyst Tennessee will need to have to maintain up offensively with any opponent: In regular-season victories over Auburn, Alabama (twice), Kentucky and Illinois — all top-15 in adjusted offensive effectivity — the Vols averaged 90.6 PPG.

Area: West
File: 25-8
Match ceiling: Nationwide championship

Tommy Lloyd’s squad performs at a top-15 tempo. It related on 37.4% of its 3-point makes an attempt and 55% of its photographs contained in the arc in the course of the common season. And it might need gained the common season in a subpar Pac-12, however nonconference victories at Duke and over Alabama have proved these Wildcats can compete with anybody. Caleb Love (18.1 PPG) was a star at North Carolina and is a star within the hotter local weather of Tucson, too. He related on 37.3% of his photographs from past the arc in Pac-12 play and is certainly one of 4 gamers averaging double figures for Arizona. His teammates Oumar Ballo, Pelle Larsson and Jaden Bradley kind probably the most environment friendly three-man lineup in America after they’re on the ground collectively, per EvanMiya.com.

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3-seeds

Area: East
File: 26-8
Match ceiling: Candy 16

It is vital to inform a staff’s full story because the season reaches its last moments. A felony rape cost in December led to Terrence Shannon Jr.’s arrest and indefinite suspension, however the Illinois star subsequently sued the varsity and obtained a short lived restraining order that has allowed him to play with out extra interruption. On the courtroom, he leads a squad with an offensive effectiveness that helped it end second behind Purdue within the Large Ten. Nevertheless it’s additionally a staff ranked within the backside of the league in defensive effectivity: The Illini surrendered 97 factors in a win over Minnesota final month and have losses in opposition to Maryland and Penn State.

Area: South
File: 23-9
Match ceiling: Nationwide championship

That is the staff each opposing coach in America hoped they would not see of their area. Antonio Reeves (20.0 PPG, 44.1% from 3) needs to be an All-American. In ESPN’s newest NBA mock draft, freshmen Rob Dillingham and Reed Sheppard are top-five picks — who’ve come off the bench for many of the season. From their Feb. 10 loss to Gonzaga to the tip of the common season — which included beating Auburn and Alabama by 37 factors mixed — the Wildcats related on 57% of their 2s and 42% of their 3s, per barttorvik.com. Extra compelling nonetheless is that this staff, which has performed sub-100 protection for prolonged stretches of the season, was 53rd in adjusted defensive effectivity in these video games. In different phrases: the Wildcats can play good protection after they resolve to play good protection.

Area: Midwest
File: 23-9
Match ceiling: Nationwide championship

This can be a staff stuffed with confidence. Head coach Greg McDermott not too long ago signed a contract extension amid reviews that Ohio State and different colleges have been enthusiastic about luring him away. And, earlier than shedding to Windfall within the first spherical of the Large East event, the Bluejays completed the season 7-1, handing Dan Hurley one of many worst losses (85-66) of his UConn tenure alongside the way in which. Capturing 64.7% from contained in the arc, solely Houston and UConn carried out higher in that span, per barttorvik.com. There’s additionally an argument to be made that Baylor Scheierman (18.4 PPG, 37.2% from past the arc), Ryan Kalkbrenner (17.1 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 3.0 BPG) and Trey Alexander (17.6 PPG, 4.8 APG) are the nation’s prime trio. A Remaining 4 run a yr after a heartbreaking, last-second loss to San Diego State within the Elite Eight would vanquish some demons.

Area: West
File: 23-10
Match ceiling: Elite Eight

In a bigger, tougher Large 12, Scott Drew’s squad completed in a tie for third place. Ja’Kobe Walter (14.2 PPG) and Yves Missi (11.1 PPG, 5.8 RPG) are two projected first-round draft picks, and the Bears completed the common season prime 5 within the nation in 3-point capturing (40.4%). However in addition they completed 5-4 of their last 9 video games of the common season, due to taking part in a sub-100 protection. The play of RayJ Dennis (13.3 PPG, 6.8 APG) may finally resolve Baylor’s fortunes. The Toledo switch recorded 24 turnovers and related on simply 3 of 13 makes an attempt from past the arc in Baylor’s final 5 regular-season video games. He is significantly better than that.

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4-seeds

Area: East
File: 27-2
Match ceiling: Elite Eight

The metrics love Bruce Pearl’s staff. Auburn entered the postseason ranked top-10 on KenPom, evanmiya.com and barttorvik.com. It is also top-15 in adjusted offensive effectivity and defensive effectivity after managing to attach on 55% of its photographs contained in the arc whereas holding opponents to a nation’s greatest 43.1% mark contained in the 3-point line in the course of the common season. Johni Broome (16.2 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 2.1 RPG) can also be certainly one of America’s prime gamers.

However the Tigers additionally got here by these metrics taking part in a mediocre nonconference schedule and having fun with a good SEC schedule that included going through Tennessee and Kentucky simply as soon as. (They misplaced each video games.) A February residence win over rival Alabama was their solely top-30 KenPom victory within the common season. The NCAA event may very well be the stage for the Tigers and their undeniably explosive offense to set the report straight.

Area: South
File: 24-8
Match ceiling: Elite Eight

Jon Scheyer’s second season on the helm ended with a loss at residence to North Carolina. The Blue Devils’ NCAA event potential, nonetheless, is obvious. Kyle Filipowski is a Wood Award contender and projected lottery choose. Freshman Jared McCain has performed his approach into the primary spherical of NBA mock drafts. Jeremy Roach is the veteran who has led the ACC’s greatest offense and prime 3-point capturing staff (39% in league play).

Duke struggled at instances in opposition to elite bigs (ACC opponents related on 50% of their makes an attempt contained in the arc, per KenPom). However a profitable event from Mark Mitchell (12.3 PPG, 6.2 RPG) may gasoline a run. With Caleb Foster probably sidelined with a decrease leg damage that saved him out of the final 4 regular-season video games, Scheyer will want him to step up.

Area: Midwest
File: 22-10
Match ceiling: Candy 16

After Kevin McCullar Jr. suffered a bone bruise in his knee in early February, the Jayhawks completed 4-5 of their final 9 video games, their postseason hopes dwindling by the week. That report included falling to Cincinnati by 20 factors within the Large 12 event opener — proper after the 30-point loss at Houston, throughout which Invoice Self misplaced Hunter Dickinson (dislocated shoulder) and McCullar (once more). The excellent news? Self introduced his star gamers would return in time for the NCAA event. It is unclear if he really believes it, or if that is only a message to the choice committee to grade his staff on the thought will probably be at full power when it issues. It won’t matter: Dickinson and McCullar additionally performed in a number of video games the Jayhawks misplaced. A wholesome Kansas squad has wins over Kentucky, UConn and Houston. However a short-handed Kansas squad won’t survive the opening spherical.

Area: West
File: 21-11
Match ceiling: Elite Eight

Watching Alabama on the courtroom this season was like watching a drag race with a basketball, with a wreck just some moments from occurring. The Crimson Tide play at a top-15 tempo, and almost half of their photographs are 3-point makes an attempt. They’ve scored 100 factors or extra in 9 video games, and so they spent a portion of the season ranked first in adjusted offensive effectivity. Due to this, typically their stats appear like typos, like these of Mark Sears: 21.1 PPG 44.1% from 3, 86% on free throws — each top-10 marks within the SEC. However the wreck did come. In a late 9-5 stretch within the season, Alabama dedicated turnovers on almost 16% of its possessions, made simply 34% of its 3-point makes an attempt and performed a few of the worst protection amongst Energy 5 groups (163rd in adjusted defensive effectivity, per barrtorvik.com). Nonetheless, if you happen to’re feeling actually fortunate, wager on Alabama to go farther within the race and attain the Remaining 4.

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5-seeds

Area: East
File: 24-10
Match ceiling: Candy 16

A yr after making a run to the Remaining 4, SDSU returns to the sphere of 68 with related aspirations. Jaedon LeDee averaged 18.1 minutes per sport final season as a reserve. This yr, he is the Aztecs’ prime scorer, averaging 21.1 PPG, 8.4 RPG and 41% from past the arc. Nonetheless, this season’s staff completed 8-7 in its last 15 regular-season video games and made solely 30% of its 3-point makes an attempt in league play. Examine that to final season’s staff, which completed 12-3 in its last 15 regular-season video games and made 38% of its 3-point makes an attempt in league play.

Area: South
File: 22-13
Match ceiling: Candy 16

For the primary three months of the 2023-24 season, Wisconsin was nationally ranked, with aspirations to return to the Remaining 4 a decade after its back-to-back nationwide semifinal runs. AJ Storr (16.7 PPG) and the Badgers beat six top-50 KenPom squads on their solution to a 16-4 total report and 8-1 begin in Large Ten play. Then? The Badgers collapsed, ending with a 3-8 report of their last 11 video games of the common season, capturing 30% from 3 and taking part in subpar protection (99th in adjusted effectivity, per barttorvik.com). That rocky tumble is tough to neglect, however the run by the Large Ten event — scoring 87 factors within the win over Maryland, beating Purdue within the semifinal and going through Illinois within the last — is memorable.

Area: Midwest
File: 25-7
Match ceiling: Elite Eight

It is uncommon to see a Gonzaga squad on the bubble, however that is the place the Bulldogs lived by early February following their loss at residence to Saint Mary’s. Mark Few has by no means missed the NCAA event, although, and that will not change this yr. After that loss, Gonzaga hit the reset button and performed on a special dimension. Led by Graham Ike (16.5 PPG, 7.2 RPG), their newest dominant paint presence, the Zags gained 9 consecutive video games after that sport and related on 41% of their 3-point makes an attempt and 60% of their photographs contained in the arc. Additionally they beat Kentucky in Lexington throughout that stretch, which ended with the loss to Saint Mary’s within the WCC event title sport.

Area: West
File: 26-7
Match ceiling: Elite Eight

Randy Bennett’s squad follows Aidan Mahaney. The Gaels went 6-1 this season when he scored 20 or extra factors in a sport. He had 43 mixed within the win at Gonzaga within the common season and the win over the Bulldogs within the WCC event title sport. Within the 70-57 residence loss to the Zags on March 2, nonetheless, he completed 6-for-17 from the sphere. Fortunately, this staff that has misplaced simply two video games since Dec. 1 has different methods to win: Mahaney is only one of 5 gamers averaging double figures, and Saint Mary’s performs a top-20 protection.

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6-seeds

Area: East
File: 23-10
Match ceiling: Candy 16

After BYU’s come-from-behind win at Kansas on Feb. 27, Jayhawks head coach Invoice Self stated his staff had problem with its defensive assignments because the Cougars launched 34 photographs from past the arc within the second half — they made 38% of these makes an attempt. Mark Pope’s squad has an elite offense that has shot 58% from contained in the arc whereas capturing a barrage of 3-pointers. The staff has 4 gamers who’ve made a minimum of 37% of their 3s, together with 6-foot-11 senior Noah Waterman. This can be a tough group to scout due to its expertise and measurement — and simply how shortly it may possibly shift a sport in its favor.

Area: South
File: 23-10
Match ceiling: Candy 16

In his first yr on the job, Grant McCasland has needed to comply with the “subsequent man up” philosophy coaches usually flip to in robust instances. The difficulty is, most faculty groups haven’t got some unsung star sitting on the bench ready for a possibility to show himself. Normally. Early within the season, Devan Cambridge (10.5 PPG) suffered a year-ending knee damage. Final month, Warren Washington (9.9 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 1.5 BPG) was sidelined by a foot damage. With two starters unavailable, nonetheless, Probability McMillian has given the Raiders a lift off the bench, averaging 14.2 PPG within the staff’s four-game successful streak main as much as the Large 12 event semifinal in opposition to Houston.

Area: Midwest
File: 26-7
Match ceiling: Candy 16

Lamont Paris wasn’t the high-major head coach a few of South Carolina’s followers needed when he was employed in 2022. However he is definitely the fitting selection and this season proved as a lot. The SEC Coach of the 12 months, who orchestrated wins over Kentucky and Tennessee, led a staff that was picked to complete final within the league within the preseason ballot however completed in a four-way tie for second place. Since mid-January, SC has been within the prime 35 in offensive and defensive effectivity. And Collin Murray-Boyles (16.0 PPG in South Carolina’s final eight regular-season video games) is now an actual NBA prospect. Paris tends to exceed the percentages in opposition to him. May he do it once more within the NCAA event?

Area: West
File: 21-11
Match ceiling: Spherical of 32

PJ Corridor is arguably the perfect participant within the nation whom the nation would not appear to know — but. He had 14 factors, 8 rebounds and 4 blocks in a win over South Carolina. He completed with 21 factors, 8 rebounds and 4 blocks in a win over Alabama. He had 25 factors (4-for-10 from 3) in a win over North Carolina, too. At its greatest, Clemson has tussled with the highest groups in America and gained. Nevertheless it additionally completed 11-9 in ACC play, stumbled out of the primary spherical of the ACC event with a loss to Boston Faculty and can enter Choice Sunday not trying almost as imposing as anticipated.

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7-seeds

Area: East
File: 24-9
Match ceiling: Elite Eight

Kyle Smith deserves credit score for the unbelievable turnaround this staff has had. A yr in the past, the Cougars ended with a .500 report and no invitation to the NCAA event. This yr, they completed second within the Pac-12 standings, and bought an invite to the NCAA event. However how? A important transfer halfway by the season might need been a very powerful factor Smith did. On Jan. 10, Smith inserted Jaylen Wells, the 6-foot-8 ahead who’s averaging 12.2 PPG and connecting on 42.5% of his 3-point makes an attempt, into the beginning lineup. Washington State went on to complete 13-3 in its last 16 video games of the common season, a stretch that included a sweep of Arizona. Extra importantly, in addition they rose to rank twenty fifth in adjusted defensive effectivity, in one of the crucial important in-season turnarounds in faculty basketball this season.

Area: South
File: 24-11
Match ceiling: Candy 16

The Gators anchored their résumé with wins over Kentucky (at Rupp Enviornment), Alabama and Auburn. They’ve additionally performed a sub-100ish protection since mid-January. Regardless of this, Florida gained 11 of its final 15 video games coming into the SEC event quarterfinals in opposition to Alabama and manufactured an offense that produced 122 factors per 100 possessions, in line with barttorvik.com. Walter Clayton Jr. additionally hit his stride throughout that stretch, making 39% of his makes an attempt from the 3-point line. The one concern: how the Gators will alter within the postseason with out Micah Handlogten, who fractured his leg within the SEC event last.

Area: Midwest
File: 20-12
Match ceiling: Spherical of 32

That is when Max Abmas (17.1 PPG, 37% from past the arc) shines. The previous Oral Roberts star led the Golden Eagles to Summit League event titles in 2021 and 2023. Within the 2021 NCAA event, he scored 29 and 26 factors in wins over Ohio State and Florida, respectively, advancing to the Candy 16. Abmas transferred to Texas as a result of he needed to show he may compete at a Energy 5 degree, and he’ll hope to duplicate that manufacturing on this event. Per evanmiya.com’s defensive score system (DBPR), nonetheless, Abmas is ranked 98th within the Large 12 in particular person defensive affect. Opponents will assault the 6-foot guard due to these defensive vulnerabilities. However in addition they must cease him on the opposite finish of the ground, which has by no means been a straightforward activity.

Area: West
File: 24-7
Match ceiling: Spherical of 32

DaRon Holmes II (20.4 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 2.1 BPG, 39% from the 3-point line) has been the star for a Flyers squad that returns to the NCAA event for the primary time since 2016-17. Dayton was bounced from the Atlantic 10 event by Duquesne, which it had crushed by 26 factors mixed of their two regular-season matchups. Is the eight-point quarterfinal defeat to the Dukes a trigger for concern? Possibly. The Flyers have blown a handful of second-half leads of their latest losses. However this staff with a bunch of shooters (40.4% from 3) may very well be an issue for any event opponent.

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8-seeds

Area: East
File: 25-8
Match ceiling: Candy 16

A yr in the past, Dusty Might — one of many hottest names on the teaching circuit proper now — led the Owls to a Remaining 4. In doing so, his staff legitimately orchestrated a brand new campus identification, as curiosity within the faculty elevated, functions rose and donors signed large checks. Then, each key participant from probably the most shocking staff of the 2023 NCAA event returned. That features Vladislav Goldin, who has improved this season, together with stars Johnell Davis and Alijah Martin.

However there is a main distinction with this yr’s staff that may’t be missed. Getting into Choice Sunday a yr in the past, FAU was one of many prime defensive groups within the nation. This yr, it was ranked 191st from Feb. 9 by the tip of the common season after making the transfer to the American Athletic Convention.

Area: South
File: 23-10
Match ceiling: Spherical of 32

A large fan base 6,000 miles from Lincoln, Nebraska, will likely be rooting for the Cornhuskers within the NCAA event. Keisei Tominaga — a Japanese basketball star who will symbolize his nation on the 2024 Olympic Video games in Paris this summer time — is the most well-liked participant on Fred Hoiberg’s roster. He is additionally the staff’s main scorer (14.8 PPG) and one of many Large Ten’s prime 3-point shooters (38% from past the arc in league play). However Nebraska is greater than an excellent story. The Cornhuskers beat Purdue and ended the common season with an 8-1 report of their last 9 video games.

Area: Midwest
File: 27-6
Match ceiling: Elite Eight

There are rebuilds, after which there are rebuilds just like the one Danny Sprinkle had on his palms this season. Utah State didn’t return a participant who had scored a degree the earlier season when he arrived from Montana State. However he constructed his nationwide coach of the yr marketing campaign by having one of many biggest seasons in latest Mountain West historical past, successful the league within the course of. The turnaround started with including some acquainted faces. Nice Osobor (18.0 PPG) and Darius Brown II (12.4 PPG, 39.5% from 3) adopted Sprinkle from Montana State and helped anchor an offense that related on 49.3% of its photographs contained in the arc. This staff can go far. The one query is whether or not will probably be distracted by the reviews that Sprinkle is without doubt one of the hottest teaching candidates amongst Energy 5 colleges with vacancies.

Area: West
File: 21-13
Match ceiling: Spherical of 32

MSU has performed a few of America’s greatest protection on this last stretch of the 2023-24 season — rating twenty first in adjusted defensive effectivity from Feb. 7 by the 73-56 upset win over Tennessee within the SEC event, when Vols star Dalton Knecht shot 4-for-17 from the sphere. LSU star Jordan Wright (14.8 PPG) completed 2-for-15 in opposition to MSU a sport earlier. The Bulldogs have been a headache for opposing stars, however they have not confronted the identical challenges. Working example: star Josh Hubbard averaged 26.1 PPG in his staff’s final seven outings.

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9-seeds

Area: East
File: 21-11
Match ceiling: Spherical of 32

In a yr filled with groups that lacked signature wins, Northwestern by no means needed to fear. Extra time victories over each Purdue and Illinois in Evanston after beating Dayton solidified the Wildcats’ spot on the bracket. However the Northwestern squad that entered the postseason is just not the identical staff that notched these wins. Each Ty Berry and Matthew Nicholson have been starters in these key video games, however each may very well be unavailable for the NCAA event. Berry suffered a season-ending meniscus tear final month. And beginning middle Nicholson continues to be recovering from a foot damage that compelled him to overlook the Large Ten event. Getting into the Dance short-handed is just not best.

Area: South
File: 20-14
Match ceiling: Spherical of 32

Should you’re in search of probably the most difficult résumé within the area, you have discovered it. These are the highs for Buzz Williams’ squad this season: wins over Iowa State, Kentucky and Tennessee — the latter two at residence. And these are the lows: two losses to Arkansas and a highway loss at Vanderbilt that unfolded throughout a five-game shedding streak. Wade Taylor IV (18.9 PPG) is without doubt one of the greatest gamers within the nation proper now, however it’s simply tough to undertaking a better ceiling for a squad that has wins over prime seeds and losses to squads which may not get invited to the CBI.

Area: Midwest
File: 20-12
Match ceiling: Spherical of 32

Twenty years in the past, Jameer Nelson led Saint Joseph’s to an ideal common season, a prime seed within the NCAA event and an Elite Eight look. This season, his son, Jameer Nelson Jr., (11.3 PPG), will try to do the identical. Becoming a member of him will likely be Emanuel Miller (15.9 PPG), Micah Peavy (11.1 PPG) and the remainder of a TCU squad that survived a late-season slide to safe this at-large berth. The Horned Frogs entered Large 12 play 11-2 and recorded a 2-1 begin in opposition to convention opponents — together with beating Houston on Jan. 13. However they completed 7-8 of their last 15 regular-season video games.

Area: West
File: 19-14
Match ceiling: Candy 16

The season started with an 8-for-50 mark from past the arc in three video games — together with that residence loss to James Madison. However Tom Izzo, who has reached the second weekend of the NCAA event 15 instances, stated the photographs would ultimately fall. They usually did. Michigan State shot 38% from 3 the remainder of the way in which, regardless of stumbling to a 1-4 report to complete the common season. Do not rely out Izzo, although. His squads at all times shift gears in March. And this can be a group that returned the majority of final yr’s Candy 16 staff.

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10-seeds

Area: East
File: 28-6
Match ceiling: Spherical of 32

A yr in the past, Tucker DeVries — son of coach Darian DeVries — battled eventual Remaining 4 staff Miami within the first spherical of the NCAA event. He returned to Drake this season and has gotten higher, now capturing 38% from 3 in Missouri Valley play. This Drake staff, total, is totally different from final yr’s group: It has extra gaps on protection, however it’s extra environment friendly offensively. This explains how the Bulldogs managed to beat Nevada by 19 factors earlier this season and misplaced only one sport after Feb. 3.

Area: South
File: 22-10
Match ceiling: Spherical of 32

On Dec. 1, 6-foot-8 junior O’Mar Stanley was inserted into Boise State’s beginning lineup. The Broncos, who have been 3-3 on the time, completed 19-6 the remainder of the common season. Stanley related on 38% of his 3-point makes an attempt in league play. He and Tyson Degenhart (17.0 PPG, 6.2 RPG) will likely be a handful for any opposing staff within the bracket. The Broncos had the Mountain West’s most effective offense and completed in a tie for second place with Nevada behind first-place Utah State. However in addition they completed 1-3 in opposition to the Wolf Pack and the Aggies within the common season.

Area: South
File: 24-10
Match ceiling: Candy 16

That complete “it is not the way you begin, it is the way you end” philosophy? That is Colorado’s. The Buffaloes battled accidents all season solely to enter Champ Week on a six-game successful streak with the assistance of Tristan da Silva (15.8 PPG, 37.7% from 3) and KJ Simpson (19.6 PPG, 45.3% from 3). They have been the 14th-best staff in America throughout that successful streak, per barttorvik.com, and shot 44.4% from 3 total. Then there’s Cody Williams, a projected draft lottery choose who’s again for the postseason after lacking 4 video games with an ankle damage. Colorado is intriguing.

Area: Midwest
File: 24-10
Match ceiling: Spherical of 32

On Nov. 23, Colorado State met Creighton for a sport in Las Vegas. Three future all-Large East first- and second-teamers — Ryan Kalkbrenner, Baylor Scheierman and Trey Alexander — have been current, however the perfect participant on the ground that evening was Isaiah Stevens (16.6 PPG, 7.1 APG, 46% from past the arc). The purpose guard had 20 factors and 7 assists on the way in which to the 69-48 win, handing the Bluejays their worst lack of the season. Niko Medved’s squad has made 58.2% of its 2s and performed a top-40 protection all season. With Stevens on the courtroom, Medved is aware of he’ll at all times have one of many prime gamers on the ground, irrespective of whom the Rams face within the NCAA event.

Area: Midwest
File: 23-10
Match ceiling: Spherical of 32

It was bizarre to see Tony Bennett’s squad on the bubble. However the Cavs by no means discovered a rhythm outdoors a short eight-game successful streak throughout ACC play. This, regardless of taking part in a top-10 protection. Reece Beekman (14.3 PPG) and Isaac McKneely (12.5 PPG, 44.9% from the 3-point line) have led the way in which for the Hoos, and 6-foot-8 sophomore Ryan Dunn (8.2 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 2.3 BPG) is a legit NBA prospect. However Virginia doesn’t have a win on its résumé to recommend it is going to final lengthy.

Area: West
File: 26-7
Match ceiling: Candy 16

Almost six years in the past, Steve Alford was fired hours after his UCLA squad misplaced to Liberty at residence, his time in Westwood largely considered as a disappointment. However this sport may be forgiving, and Alford discovered his footing at Nevada, which employed him instantly. This season might need been the perfect of profession. The Wolf Pack completed second in a Mountain West Convention that has produced extra bids than some main conferences. With 6-foot-4 guard Jarod Lucas (17.8 PPG, 39.7% from past the arc) main the staff, Nevada completed 10-1 in its last 11 video games of the common season, made 42% of its 3-point makes an attempt and performed a top-15 protection.

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11-seeds

Area: East
File: 24-11
Match ceiling: First spherical

It was becoming that Jimmy Clark III led Duquesne, picked to complete fourth within the preseason, to the title sport in opposition to VCU, his former staff. Clark had averaged 17.0 PPG throughout his staff’s seven-game successful streak coming into the Atlantic 10 event title sport on Sunday. The Dukes discovered a rhythm on the excellent time. Weeks after they began the calendar yr by shedding their first 5 A-10 video games, Duquesne is within the NCAA event for the primary time since 1977.

Area: South
File: 22-14
Match ceiling: Spherical of 32

A 4-10 end to the common season solely intensified rumors about the way forward for Kevin Keatts at NC State, the place he has been the top coach since 2017. However the Wolfpack saved their greatest basketball of the season for the ACC event. A historic 5 victories in 5 days — over Louisville, Syracuse, Duke, Virginia, and eventually North Carolina within the championship sport — secured the third NCAA event berth of Keatts’ tenure. This run additionally gave America an opportunity to get to know DJ Burns Jr. (12.2 PPG), the 6-foot-9, 275-pound middle who stated he idolized Hakeem Olajuwon as a child however was born with a “Zach Randolph physique.”

Area: Midwest
File: 23-11
Match ceiling: Spherical of 32

The switch portal giveth, and the switch portal taketh away. For years, Oregon was a hub for prime gamers in America in search of a change of surroundings. Final yr, nonetheless, the Geese have been on the mistaken finish of that development as Kel’el Ware (Indiana), Rivaldo Soares (Oklahoma) and Quincy Guerrier (Illinois) all left. They stumbled in league play and completed tenth in defensive effectivity within the Pac-12, per KenPom. Then they defeated Arizona within the semifinals of the Pac-12 event on Friday to place them within the bubble dialog. That dialog ended after they defeated Colorado for the ultimate Pac-12 event championship in its present iteration. Dana Altman will go to his eighth NCAA event look with the Geese.

Area: West
File: 26-9
Match ceiling: Spherical of 32

If you wish to know the way outdated you’re, contemplate this: The sons of Rick Pitino and Jamal Mashburn have led New Mexico to its first NCAA event look in a decade. Head coach Richard Pitino and Jamal Mashburn Jr. (14.4 PPG) secured the Lobos a berth by successful the Mountain West championship. They completed 4-6 of their final 10 video games, 5-6 total in opposition to top-50 squads on KenPom in the course of the common season. However Mashburn missed the two-point loss to Utah State within the regular-season finale because of sickness. A wholesome New Mexico may advance.

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12-seeds

Area: East
File: 23-11
Match ceiling: Spherical of 32

On Jan. 7, UAB beat South Florida. Then Amir Abdur-Rahim’s staff gained 15 video games in a row, gained the American regular-season title, and the Bulls turned a nationwide story. That victory helped the Blazers, who misplaced to North Texas within the NIT title sport final yr, perceive its ceiling. So when the Blazers confronted South Florida within the convention event semifinals, they have been ready, and so they defeated USF once more earlier than the staff’s win over Temple within the AAC event title sport Sunday. Kennedy’s squad excels with a gritty model. It performs a tricky protection (see: Yaxel Lendeborg, AAC defensive participant of the yr) and will get to the free throw line at one of many highest charges in America.

Area: South
File: 31-3
Match ceiling: Candy 16

The magic started with a win at Michigan State, a matchup scheduled as a result of a James Madison staffer is Tom Izzo’s nephew. Mark Byington’s squad then went 14-0 to begin the season and earned at-large consideration. A few Solar Belt losses modified issues, however the Dukes nonetheless completed the season with the nation’s longest successful streak (13 video games). Terrence Edwards Jr. (17.4 PPG) leads a staff that shot 54% contained in the arc in league play.

It is an attention-grabbing profile for a staff. A yr in the past, Florida Atlantic gained a bunch of video games early, misplaced just a few in league play after which ended the season on a prolonged successful streak earlier than going to the Remaining 4. Simply saying.

Area: Midwest
File: 30-3
Match ceiling: Candy 16

A yr in the past, McNeese was an afterthought after successful simply 11 video games and ending second-to-last within the Southland standings. Then former LSU coach Will Wade arrived. In only one season, he has generated one of many biggest one-year turnarounds in faculty basketball. The Cowboys gained 30 video games, dominated the league and gained the convention event by a median margin of 17.5 PPG.

Area: West
File: 29-4
Match ceiling: Candy 16

After a nine-win 2018-19 season on the Vanderbilt helm, Bryce Drew — higher generally known as the participant who made the deciding shot in Valparaiso’s upset win over Ole Miss within the 1998 NCAA event — misplaced his job and dabbled in TV for a yr. However teaching is in his blood. And his stint with GCU, residence to one of many biggest pupil sections within the land, has been redemptive. On the again of the Lopes’ win over UT Arlington within the WAC title sport, Drew has an opportunity to tug off an upset or two with a squad that beat San Diego State earlier this season and went toe-to-toe with South Carolina, too.

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13-seeds

Area: East
File: 22-9
Match ceiling: Spherical of 32

It was no shock to see the Ivy League’s prime defensive staff reside as much as the hype after it was picked to win the convention crown within the preseason. In Danny Wolf (14.5 PPG, 9.7 RPG, 1.3 BPG), Yale coach James Jones has a singular matchup problem for opposing groups. Wolf, a 7-footer who has related on 37% of his 3-point makes an attempt this season (regardless of struggling from past the arc not too long ago), has scored 19 factors or extra in 11 video games this season. He is additionally certainly one of 5 gamers on this roster averaging double figures.

Area: South
File: 28-6
Match ceiling: Spherical of 32

John Becker’s dominance of America East continued along with his third consecutive league event title and his third consecutive NCAA event look (the sixth of his profession). Throughout their 10-game successful streak, the Catamounts have been ranked thirty sixth nationally in adjusted defensive effectivity and held their opponents to a forty five.8% clip contained in the arc. They play certainly one of America’s slowest paces and barely commit turnovers (eleventh within the nation, per KenPom). Plus, they gained 10 video games by double digits in league play.

Area: Midwest
File: 29-5
Match ceiling: Spherical of 32

Everytime you assess an underdog’s shot at an upset, the primary query needs to be this: Does this staff do one thing at a extremely excessive degree that might proceed within the NCAA event? For Samford, the reply is sure. This staff has related on 39% of its 3-point makes an attempt — Jaden Campbell (48%) is certainly one of eight Bulldogs who’ve shot a minimum of 38% from 3 — a top-10 mark in America. Bucky McMillan’s squad additionally performs at a top-15 tempo. Translation: This can be a quick staff that launches 3-pointers everywhere in the ground. It won’t be a enjoyable first-round sport for the opponent.

Area: West
File: 27-7
Match ceiling: Spherical of 32

Final yr, the Cougars nearly spoiled San Diego State’s Remaining 4 run. Matched in opposition to the Aztecs within the opening spherical, Ante Brzovic’s layup tied the sport at 53 with 3:27 to play. Charleston did not win, however the staff channeled that sport’s power all over this 31-win season, orchestrated by coach Pat Kelsey. Led offensively by Reyne Smith (12.8 PPG) and Brzovic (12.3), the Cougars are driving a 12-game successful streak into the NCAA event. They gained seven of these video games by double digits.

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14-seeds

Area: East
File: 26-8
Match ceiling: Spherical of 32

Coach Preston Spradlin appreciated his staff’s potential to safe this system’s second NCAA event berth since 2011. After which Mark Freeman — the reigning OVC participant of the yr and the preseason OVC participant of the yr — suffered a second-ending wrist damage in October. Shedding Freeman did not cease Spradlin and his squad, although, which then turned to former NAIA star Riley Minix (20.8 PPG, 9.8 RPG) and Milwaukee switch Jordan Lathon (15.4 PPG, 38% from the 3-point line), who led the Eagles to the Ohio Valley Convention event championship and that NCAA event berth.

Area: South
File: 23-11
Match ceiling: Spherical of 32

When Greg Kampe was employed in 1984, Kenny Loggins’ “Footloose” was a chart-topping hit and “Ghostbusters” was the largest film on the planet. It was additionally the beginning of a 40-year run at Oakland, and earlier than this season tipped, Kampe thought of retirement. It is a good factor he stayed. Main an Oakland squad that was picked to complete sixth within the league’s preseason ballot, Kampe pushed this staff to the Horizon League common season title, the convention event championship and now his fourth NCAA event berth. Trey Townsend (16.9 PPG) & Co. will attempt to make this season extra magical with an NCAA event win.

Area: Midwest
File: 24-10
Match ceiling: First spherical

The MAC has been a goal for Energy 5 colleges trying to find a mid-major switch who may change their program. RayJ Dennis, the 2022-23 convention participant of the yr, had a large number of affords earlier than he picked Baylor. Enrique Freeman, a 6-foot-7 ahead who has related on 63% of his photographs contained in the arc this season, would have drawn the identical consideration. However Freeman by no means entered the switch portal. Earlier this month, he gained MAC participant of the yr because the chief of this Akron squad. The return of Ali Ali (15.6 PPG), who began at Akron however left for Butler final season earlier than coming again, has been important, too.

Area: West
File: 25-9
Match ceiling: First spherical

Sure, the varsity is basically named after the toothpaste household. However this is one other enjoyable truth concerning the basketball program: Earlier than Matt Langel’s run of 5 consecutive NCAA event appearances, the varsity hadn’t been to the dance since 1996. Colgate made 39% of its 3-point makes an attempt in Patriot League video games and in addition owned the convention’s prime protection this season. It is a balanced staff. Braeden Smith (12.5 PPG) is certainly one of six gamers averaging a minimum of 6.8 PPG.

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15-seeds

Area: East
File: 22-12
Match ceiling: Spherical of 32

Some groups have been so enthusiastic about getting Zeke Mayo (18.8 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 3.5 APG), SDSU’s 6-4 star guard, to switch to their faculty that they contacted a few of his relations final summer time to attempt to attain him. However Mayo stayed put, and SDSU returned the nucleus of final yr’s staff, made 56% of its photographs contained in the arc this season and is coming into the primary spherical with severe upset ambitions.

Area: South
File: 22-11
Match ceiling: First spherical

First-year head coaches wish to put their stamp on a program instantly. Steve Lutz, who led Texas A&M Corpus-Christi to back-to-back NCAA event appearances in 2021 and 2022, determined that his new staff would play quick. Very quick. Per KenPom, the Hilltoppers are the speediest staff in faculty basketball. Typically, the model can look sloppy — WKU dedicated turnovers as soon as each 5 journeys down the ground. However it may possibly additionally overwhelm opponents. Don McHenry (15.2 PPG) and the Hilltoppers gained the Convention USA event by a margin of 19.3 factors per sport.

Area: Midwest
File: 19-13
Match ceiling: First spherical

They’re again! Two years after an Elite Eight run modified this system and the campus, the bracket-busting Peacocks are as soon as once more within the NCAA event. Throughout that magical run of 2022, Saint Peter’s beat Kentucky, Murray State and Purdue earlier than falling to North Carolina within the Elite Eight. Latrell Reid performed only one minute in that loss. This season, the 6-foot-3 guard (11.1 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 4.6 APG) is without doubt one of the prime gamers for a squad that hopes to make magic once more.

Area: West
File: 21-14
Match ceiling: First spherical

Six days in the past, Lengthy Seashore State introduced it had “mutually” agreed to half methods with longtime head coach Dan Monson — after a five-game shedding streak coming into the Large West event — however would permit him to educate by the postseason. His gamers appeared to make use of that information as motivation on their solution to the Large West event title, and the second NCAA event look of Monson’s tenure. Lengthy Seashore State has been one of many worst 3-point capturing groups in America however made 38% of its 3-point makes an attempt within the convention event. Everybody needs to be rooting for Monson and the Seashore.

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16-seeds

Area: East
File: 22-12
Match ceiling: First spherical

Donnie Jones has been a school basketball head coach because the 2007-08 season, when he led Marshall. He had stops at UCF and Wichita State, the place he was an assistant, earlier than Stetson employed him in 2019. Jones and Stetson have been related in some ways. He had by no means reached the NCAA event, and Stetson had by no means earned an NCAA event invitation as a Division I faculty. Till now. His star, Jalen Blackmon (21.5 PPG, 39% from past the arc), scored 43 factors in his staff’s win within the Atlantic Solar convention event title sport. Blackmon will likely be robust to comprise.

Area: South
File: 21-13
Match ceiling: First spherical

Earlier than coach Griff Aldrich arrived in 2018, Longwood had had one successful season since 2004-05 — when it turned a Division I faculty. Aldrich simply completed his third consecutive successful season and gained his second NCAA event berth. Not dangerous for a man who was a global legal professional and oil tycoon earlier than he took this job. This season, he achieved all of it with Walyn Napper (14.6 PPG), Michael Christmas (11.5 PPG) and Johnathan Massie (11.4 PPG), who helped the staff climate a 2-10 stretch to complete the season with seven wins in its final 9 video games coming into the NCAA event.

Area: Midwest
File: 20-14
Match ceiling: First spherical

For 3 consecutive seasons, Texas Southern represented the SWAC within the NCAA event. However a hefty nonconference schedule — Colorado, Iowa State, Dayton, Washington State, Florida — ready Donte Jackson’s Tigers squad. Grambling is 12-2 over its previous 14 video games. And Jourdan Smith, a 6-foot-7 ahead, scored 20 factors in his staff’s 75-66 victory over … Texas Southern within the SWAC event championship sport to safe this system’s first NCAA event look as a Division I program.

Area: Midwest
File: 17-17
Match ceiling: First spherical

When coach Danny Sprinkle left for the Utah State job after final season’s NCAA event look, key gamers left this system, too. RaeQuan Battle transferred to West Virginia, whereas Darius Brown II and Nice Osobor adopted Sprinkle. First-year coach Matt Logie needed to begin from scratch. He weathered a 14-17 common season (9-9 in league play), and his new star, 6-foot-6 guard Robert Ford III, scored 68 factors in three days to guide the Bobcats to the Large Sky convention event title.

Area: West
File: 18-16
Match ceiling: First spherical

Kenny Blakeney by no means needed to look too far for teaching recommendation all through his profession. In highschool, he performed for Morgan Wooten, a legendary prep coach. In faculty, he performed for Mike Krzyzewski at Duke. Now, he is carving out his teaching legacy at one of many nation’s most prestigious Traditionally Black Schools and Universities along with his second consecutive MEAC event championship and NCAA event look. Two starters (Dom Campbell and Shy Odom) have battled accidents this yr, however Seth Cities (14.2 PPG), an eighth-year senior — that’s not a typo — has been a pacesetter for this group.

Area: West
File: 16-15
Match ceiling: First spherical

In most non-Energy 5 leagues, solely the automated qualifier will get the prospect to play within the NCAA event. Groups which have dominated their conferences can usually be ignored, and groups which have struggled may be rewarded for a late run. The latter is the state of affairs for Melvin Council Jr. (14.6 PPG) & Co., who completed the common season with a 13-15 report total and 7-9 mark in NEC play — good for sixth place – earlier than successful the event championship over prime staff Merrimack for the league’s auto bid.