First Four West #16: Norfolk State
Starting off with one of the teams competing for one of the final four spots in the tournament, we have the Norfolk State Spartans. Last appearing in 2012 where they pulled off the biggest upset in the tournament's history by beating #2 Missouri in the first round, Norfolk State and head coach Robert Jones will look to replicate their success from that year and make another Cinderella run. Led by sophomore DeVante Carter, who averaged 15.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4 assists per game while shooting 43%, the Spartans finished the regular season with a 14-7 record before winning the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Tournament, partially thanks to North Carolina A&T having to pull out due to a positive COVID test before beating Morgan State in the finals.
First Four West #16: Appalachian State
Norfolk State will take on another team looking to make the main tournament for the first time in a long time in the Appalachian State Mountaineers. Last appearing all the way back in 2000, the Appalachian State will be making just its third appearance overall, and will be looking for the first tournament win in the school's history behind head coach Dustin Kerns. Led by junior Adrian Delph, who averaged 13.2 points and 4.5 rebounds per game while shooting 41% from the field and 36% from three-point range, the Mountaineers ended the season on a rough 1-6 run to give them a 13-11 record at the end of the regular season. However, they'd rebound big in the Sun Belt Tournament, winning two hard-fought overtime wins over Texas State and Coastal Carolina before besting Georgia State in the finals.
First Four East #16: Mount St. Mary's
Moving over to the East side of the First Four we have the Mount St. Mary's Mountaineers, who are making their 6th appearance in school history and their first since 2017, where they advanced past the First Four but fell in the first round. Head coach Dan Engelstad and junior Damian Chong-Qui, who averaged 15.1 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 5.5 assists will look to secure Mount St. Mary's first main tournament win in the school history. After losing their leading scorer in senior Jalen Gibbs early in the year, the Mountaineers had an up and down season and ended with a 10-10 record, giving them the lowest seed in the Northeast Conference Tournament. Despite the struggles, Mount St. Mary's upset top-seeded Wagner in the first round and beat Bryant in the Finals to secure their spot in the tournament.
First Four East #16: Texas Southern
Competing against Mount St. Mary's for the 16th seed is Texas Southern University. The Tigers will be making their 9th appearance in the tournament, their first since 2018 where they advanced past the First Four, but have yet to win a game in the actual main tournament. Much like their opponents on March 18th, Texas Southern, led by head coach Johnny Jones, will be looking to snap that streak this year. After a rocky start to the season, the Tigers and senior Michael Weathers, who transferred after a troubled stint at Oklahoma State, rebounded in a big way, winning 12 of their last 13 to finish 13-8. From there, Texas Southern would coast to the semifinals of the Southwestern Athletic Conference Tournament, where they'd knock off Jackson State in overtime. They cap off the tournament with a dominant win over top-seeded Prairie View A&M.
First Four West #11: Wichita State
Back to the West side of the First Four, as Wichita State will compete for the 11th seed. Making their 16th tournament appearance in school history, the Shockers will look to not only enter the main tournament but advance past the second round for the first time since 2015. Leading the way for Wichita State are first-year head coach Isaac Brown, who has taken over for longtime coach Gregg Marshall, and sophomore Tyson Etienne, who averaged 17 points and 3.5 rebounds per game and was named Co-American Athletic Conference Player of the Year. The Shockers had a strong year, going 15-4 in the regular season, and pulled off a big upset over conference rival & 6th ranked Houston. However, the top-seeded Wichita State came up short in the AAC Tournament, falling in the semifinals to Cincinnati, but still have one last chance to make the main tournament.
First Four West #11: Drake
Standing in the way of Wichita State for the 11th seed are the Drake Bulldogs. Drake makes its 5th appearance in the tournament this year, and it's first since 2008, where they were upset in overtime by 12th seeded Western Kentucky. Having not made it past the first round since 1971, the Bulldogs and head coach Darian DeVries will look to make a serious run in this year's tournament. Drake boasted a solid starting five led by senior ShanQuan Hemphill, who transferred from Green Bay and averaged 14.1 points and 6.3 rebounds per game while shooting 59% from the field and 33% from three. However, a broken foot has kept Hemphill out of action since February, and his status for the tournament is questionable. In his absence, the Bulldogs will look to sophomore Joseph Yesufu and senior Roman Penn to lead the way. After a strong season that saw Drake win their first 18 games and even crack the top 25, the Bulldogs finished the regular season 24-3. After advancing to the finals of the Missouri Valley Conference tournament, they fell to top-seeded and 20th ranked Loyola-Chicago, but still found their way into the tournament.
First Four East #11: Michigan State
In our final match-up of the First Four, Michigan State will be one of the teams competing for the 11th seed in the East. Entering their 34th NCAA Tournament, the Spartans are led by legendary head coach Tom Izzo, who just completed his 26th season with the team, and will look to go on a Cinderella run to win their third National Championship and their first since 2000. On the court, Michigan State is led by junior Aaron Henry, who averaged 15.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game while shooting 45% from the field. Michigan State started the season strong, winning their first six games and reaching #4 in the country, but a 2-7 run combined with COVID issues tanked their season, knocking them completely out of the top 25. They'd end the season with a 15-12 record and fell in the second round of the Big Ten Tournament to Maryland but have a chance to rebound in the First Four.
First Four East #11: UCLA
Standing in the way of Michigan State's shot at redemption is UCLA, another big-name school that had a shakey season. Making their 50th appearance in the tournament, UCLA has been one of the most dominant schools in the history of March Madness, with a record 11 National Championship to their name. If they want a 12th, they'll have to step up their game behind head coach Mick Cronin and put this rough season behind them. Initially ranked 22nd in the country to start the season, the Bruins quickly fell out of the top 25, coinciding with a season-ending injury to senior Chris Smith. The Bruins relied on the rest of their core, led by sophomore Johnny Juzang, who averaged 14 points and 4.1 rebounds per game while shooting 41% from the field and 35% from three. UCLA would rebound and reach #21 in the nation, but a couple of key losses knocked them out again, and they'd end the season 17-8 before losing in the quarterfinals of the Pac-12 Tournament to eventual winners Oregon State. UCLA will have to overcome the lack of momentum you get when lose four straight games to move past Michigan State and into the main tournament.
South #16: Hartford
We now find ourselves in the actual tournament with Hartford, who are making their first tournament. Led by John Gallagher in his 11th season as head coach, the Hawks had made the Division II tournament back in the 1970s, but 2021 has finally seen them make March Madness after joining Division I in 1985. Hartford is led on the court by junior Austin Williams, who averaged 13.7 points and 6.2 rebounds per game while shooting 51% from the field and 32% from three, and finished an up and down regular season with an 11-8 record. It was in the American East Tournament where the Hawks earned their spot in the tournament, as they upset Vermont in the semifinals before beating UMass Lowell in the Finals
Midwest #16: Drexel
Going from a school making their first tournament appearance to one making their first of the 2000s, we have the Drexel Dragons. Drexel will make their 5th tournament appearance in the history of the school and their first since 1996 where they upset 5th seeded Memphis in the first round. Coached by Zack Spiker, the Dragons' season was marred by frequent postponements and cancellations due to COVID, ending the regular season with a record of 9-7. Behind junior Camren Wynter, who averaged 16.8 points and 5.3 assists per game while shooting 47% from the field and 43% from three-point range during the season, Drexel upset both Charleston and Northeastern to advance to the Colonial Athletic Association tournament, where they defeated Elon to advance to March Madness.
West #15: Grand Canyon
We have another team making their first appearance in the tournament with Grand Canyon University. A strong Division II team for most of the 1990s, the Antelopes made the jump to Division I in 2013, and eight years later, they find themselves in their first appearance in March Madness. Under first-year head coach Bryce Drew, who replaced former NBA player Dan Majerle this summer, the senior duo of Alessandro Lever and Asbjorn Midtgaard, the latter of whom transferred from Wichita State, led Grand Canyon to a 15-6 record during the regular season. The Western Athletic Conference tournament proved to be a cakewalk for the Antelopes, who crushed both Seattle and New Mexico State in the semifinals and finals, respectively, to win and advance to the tournament.
East #15: Iona
A frequent presence in the tournament during the 2010s, Iona will look to make their first big run in the school's history. 2021 will see Iona make their 14th appearance in the tournament, but they have won a tournament game since 1980. This year, they'll look to turn their luck around with head coach Rick Pitino, who returned to college coaching this season following his firing from Louisville in 2017 due to a pay-for-play scandal. On the court, leading the way for the Gaels is senior Isaiah Ross, who averaged 18.4 points and 3.8 rebounds per game while shooting 46% from the field and 39% from three. An up and down regular season ended for Iona when a positive COVID test canceled the final five games of their season, giving them an 8-5 record heading into the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. Iona would run the gauntlet, going all the way from the first round to the finals, upsetting top-seeded Siena along the way before besting Fairfield in the finals, giving them a well-deserved tournament bid.
South #15: Oral Roberts
Coming out on top of the Summit League this year, Oral Roberts is looking to make an impression in their first tournament appearance in over a decade. Last making the tournament in 2008, the Golden Eagles will make their 6th appearance in the tournament but haven't won a tournament game since 1974. Under head coach Paul Mills, Oral Roberts will look to change their fortunes this year. Sophomore Max Abmas led the team this season and didn't disappoint, leading the nation in scoring with 24.4 points per game on 49% shooting and 44% three-point shooting. An up and down regular season for the Golden Eagles ended with a 13-10 record. In the Summit League tournament, Oral Roberts upset the top-seeded South Dakota State before defeating North Dakota State in the finals, punching their ticket to the tournament.
Midwest #15: Cleveland State
From one school making their first tournament appearance in over a decade to another, Cleveland State will step up to the plate, looking to make a miracle run at a National Championship. The Vikings will make just their 3rd tournament appearance this year, and their first since 2009, where they upset 4th seeded Wake Forest. Both of Cleveland State's past tournament runs have seen them exceed expectations, and under head coach Dennis Gates, the Vikings' will look to keep that tradition alive. Senior Torrey Patton led the team with 14.9 points and 8 rebounds per game while shooting 47% from the field. After an 0-3 start, Cleveland State rebounded in a big way, ending the regular season with a 16-7 record. In the Horizon League Tournament, the Vikings survived a hard-fought, triple-overtime opening round match-up with Purdue Fort Wayne in the quarterfinals before beating Milwaukee in the semifinals, and finally Oakland in the Finals.
West #14: Eastern Washington
Another team making their 3rd ever appearance in the tournament is the first of this year's 14th seeds in Eastern Washington. The Eagles last made the tournament in 2015, but in their three appearances, they have never made it past the first round, so they'll be looking for their first-ever tournament win this year. Head coach Shantay Legans will look to guide Eastern Washington to that first win, while the Big Sky Player of the Year, junior Tanner Groves, takes the reigns on the court after averaging 16.4 points and 8.1 rebounds per game and shooting 56% from the field and 33% from three. After a rough start to the regular season where they went 3-6, the Eagles rebounded and ended the year on a 10-1 stretch, giving them a 13-7 record. Eastern Washington coasted through the Big Sky Conference Tournament to cement their place this March.
East #14: Abilene Christian
After making the jump to Division I in 2013, Abilene Christian is currently experiencing the best stretch of basketball in the school's history, with their second straight tournament berth cementing that. In 2019, the Wildcats made their first-ever appearance in the tournament, but fell short to another group of Wildcats in Kentucky in the first round, so Abilene Christian and 10th-year head coach Joe Golding will look to get their first win in the tournament this season. Senior Kolton Kohl leads this Wildcats squad, averaging 12.3 points and 4.8 rebounds per game while shooting 54% from the field. Abilene Christian had a strong regular season, finishing with a 21-4 record before cruising through the Southland Conference Tournament, blowing out top-seeded Nicholls in the finals.
South #14: Colgate
And now we get the college with the freshest breath in the entire NCAA, Colgate University...please don't leave. After making their first tournament appearance since 1996 two years ago, the Raiders have kept the momentum going and secured their second straight tournament berth and their fourth in school history. With all three of their previous runs ending in the first round, Colgate and 10th-year head coach Matt Langel will look to win their first tournament game ever. On the court, senior Jordan Burns will look to lead the Raiders to success in the tournament after averaging 17 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game, shot 41% from the field, 42% from three, and 90% from the free-throw line, and won the Patriot League Player of the Year. Colgate dominated the Patriot League this season, going 11-1 in the regular season before easily winning the Patriot League Tournament.
Midwest #14: Morehead State
It's been a while since Morehead State has qualified for the tournament. The last time the Eagles found their way to March Madness was in 2011 when they upset 4th seed Louisville. Since then, they've struggled to make any tournaments, let alone the big one. This year, however, Morehead State and head coach Preston Spradlin have seen a huge turnaround from 13-19 last season to 23-7 total this year. Freshman Johni Broome, unranked out of high school, has been a pleasant surprise for the Eagles, averaging 13.9 points and 9 rebounds per game, shooting 58% from the field, and winning the Ohio Valley Conference Freshman of the Year. As I mentioned, Morehead State improved greatly from last season, rebounding from a 4-6 start to go 16-1 to end the year, giving them a 20-7 record for the regular season. In the OVC Tournament, the Eagles would upset top-seeded Belmont to win the spot in the tournament.
West #13: Ohio
While the last few seasons haven't been the kindest to Ohio, they look to have rebounded and made the tournament for the first time since 2012. The last time the Bobcats were here, they went on a strong Cinderella run to the Sweet Sixteen, which included upsetting 4th seed Michigan, but they've failed to reach the tournament since. Under head coach Jeff Boals, however, the team has improved, and with a strong core led by junior Jason Preston, who averaged 16.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 7.2 assists per game while shooting 53% from the field and 41% from three-point range. A shakey regular season full of postponements and cancellations could've spelled doom for Ohio, who went 13-7, but a strong run in the Mid-American Conference Tournament saw them knock off top-seeded Toledo in the semifinals before taking down Buffalo to secure their spot.
East #13: UNC Greensboro
Much like Abilene Christian, UNC Greensboro is currently playing the best basketball the school has ever seen. This season, the Spartans secured their 4th tournament berth and, having never won a tournament game in any of their previous appearances, are looking for their first tournament win in school history. 10-year head coach Wes Miller has turned UNC Greensboro into one of the Southern Conference's top teams, and senior Isaiah Miller has been a force to be reckoned with on both ends of the floor, averaging 19.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2.6 steals per game, shooting 47% from the field, and taking home both the SoCon Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year. UNC Greensboro would have a solid season, going 18-8 during the regular season. The top seed in the SoCon Tournament, the Spartans went through The Citadel, East Tennessee State, and finally Mercer to clinch their spot in the tournament.
South #13: North Texas
Like a few other teams I've already talked about, North Texas is returning to the tournament after over a decade away. The last time the Mean Green took part in the tournament was back in 2010, and without a win to their name in any of their past three stints, they'll look to break that streak and advance past the first round for the first time. Coached by Grant McCasland, North Texas has recovered from coming up short in the conference tournament in previous years and earned their spot, with the C-USA Player of the Year, sophomore Javion Hamlet, leading the team with averages of 14.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game while shooting 43% from the field and 37% from three-point range. A rocky regular reason left the Mean Green with a 13-9 record, but redeemed themselves in the C-USA Tournament by defeating higher ranked Old Dominion and Louisiana Tech in the quarter and semifinals, respectively, before knocking off Western Kentucky in overtime in the finals to secure their spot in this year's tournament.
Midwest #13: Liberty
After making their first tournament in six years in 2019 and pulling off an upset over 5th seeded Mississippi State, Liberty University was set to try and pull off another Cinderella story in 2020 after qualifying for the tournament. Due to COVID-19, that never happened, so their next attempt comes this year. 2021 will be the Flames' 5th (6th if you count the 2020 tournament that never had a chance to happen) appearance, and the 2nd (or 3rd) under head coach Ritchie McKay, who is in year six of his second stint with Liberty. On the court, junior Darius McGhee has led the way for the Flames, averaging 15.6 points and 4.4 rebounds per game while shooting 46% from the field and 41% from three, and took home the Atlantic Sun Conference Player of the Year. Liberty had a strong regular season, ending the year with a nine-game win streak and putting up a 20-5 record. Liberty coasted to the ASUN Tournament Finals, where they defeated North Alabama to advance to the tournament.
West #12: UC Santa Barbara
After three straight seasons where the team played well during the regular season, but come up short come the conference tournament, UC Santa Barbara has finally gotten over the hump. This season, the Gauchos will make their 6th appearance ever in the tournament, their first since 2011, and given that they haven't won a tournament game since 1990, they'll look to snap that distinction. Head coach Joe Pasternack has overseen the team's recent regular-season success, and now that they're in the tournament, he'll look to build off that success in a big way. Senior Jaquori McLaughlin has been the leader for this team, averaging 16.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game while shooting 49% from the field and 40% from three-point range, and took home the Big West Player of the Year award. After an underwhelming start, UC Santa Barbara won 15 of its last 16 games, and ended the regular season with a 19-4 record. A relatively easy run in the Big West Tournament saw them beat UC Irvine in the finals to punch their ticket to March Madness.
East #12: Georgetown
Georgetown has seen better days. Once a regular participant in the tournament that had legit chances of winning it all, the Hoyas now find themselves struggling to make the tournament, having not made it since 2015, and having not made it past the second round since 2007. This year, however, things have looked up. Under their head coach, Hall of Famer Patrick Ewing, Georgetown has returned to the tournament for their 31st appearance in history. The solid core of the Hoyas is led by senior Jahvon Blair, who averaged 15.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game. It wasn't an easy ride, as Georgetown went just 9-12 in the regular season. However, the team shocked the world in the Big East Tournament, upsetting 14th ranked Villanova in the quarterfinals. They'd beat Seton Hall in the semifinals before pulling off another big upset, decisively beating 17th ranked Creighton to advance to the tournament.
South #12: Winthrop
Despite having more appearances in the tournament than most of the other low-seeded teams, Winthrop has yet to have any significant success. The Eagles will make their 11th tournament appearance this year but have only progressed past the first round once in 2007. Looking to change their fortune, head coach Pat Kelsey has led the team as they dominated the Big South Conference this year. Winthrop also boasts a deep line-up, headed up by senior Chandler Vaudrin, who averaged 12.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 6.9 assists per game while shooting 48% from the field and 38% from three-point range, and was named Big South Player of the Year. The Eagles ran roughshod in the regular season, going 20-1, and followed up with a dominant run in the Big South Tournament where they never lost by less than 20, finally beating Campbell in the finals.
Midwest #12: Oregon State
Much like Georgetown, Oregon State has been in a slump over the last couple of seasons. Once a fixture of the tournament in the 80s, the Beavers have made the tournament just twice since 1990, and even then, they haven't made it past the first round since 1982. Head coach Wayne Tinkle was looking to turn around Oregon State's fortunes this season and, also like Georgetown, came through big when they needed to with senior Ethan Thompson leading the team, averaging 15.3 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game while shooting 41% from the field and 33% from three-point range. The Beavers didn't have the best season, going 14-12 on the year, but excelled in the Pac-12 Tournament. After a close overtime win over UCLA, Oregon State knocked off top-seeded Oregon in the semifinals before taking down 23rd-ranked Colorado in the finals.
South #11: Utah State
Utah State has had its ups and downs over the last...40 years or so. Frequently falling in and out of tournament contention from season to season, right now they seem to be on the up, as they'll be making their second tournament appearance in a row, with their last run in 2019 seeing them hold the 8th seed. While they have a lower seed this season, the Aggies and head coach Craig Smith are looking to move past the first round time since 2001. The Aggies are led on the court by junior Neemias Queta, a brick wall on defense who's just as good on offense. Queta averaged 15.1 points, 10 rebounds, and 3.2 blocks per game while shooting 56% from the field, and earned his second Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year. Utah State would have a mostly good year, finishing the regular season at 18-7. After beating UNLV and Colorado State in the Mountain West Tournament, the Aggies came up short in the Finals against top-seeded & 19th ranked San Diego State.
Midwest #11: Syracuse
For the majority of the 2000s and 2010s, Syracuse was one of the top teams come tournament time. While they didn't make it every season, the Orange routinely make it relatively far in the tournament, with plenty of Elite Eight & Final Four appearances and even a National Championship in 2003. We could see that same success this year, as despite being an 11th seed, we've seen Syracuse make deep runs in recent years with similar rankings. As Jim Boeheim finishes up his 46th season as Syracuse's head coach, the Orange have a solid trio on their roster, led by junior (and Boeheim's son) Buddy Boeheim, who averaged 17.1 points on 43% shooting and 37% three-point shooting. Receiving votes for the top 25 early in the season, the Orange would pick up an upset win over 16th ranked Virginia Tech, and finished the regular season 15-8. The ACC Tournament proved unsuccessful, however, with Syracuse falling to top-seeded and 16th ranked Virginia in the quarterfinals.
West #10: VCU
The post-Shaka Smart era hasn't been the kindest to VCU. While the Rams haven't been bad, having made the tournament three times since Smart left, they've never reached the same levels of success they had during Smart's six-year tenure. Still, they've been awarded a spot in this year's tournament, and are looking for their first win there since 2016, and their first under head coach Mike Rhoades. On the court, sophomore Nah'Shon Hyland led the way for VCU, averaging 19.5 points and 4.7 rebounds per game while shooting 45% from the field and 37% from three-point range, and was named the Atlantic 10 Player of the Year. The Rams had a solid regular season for themselves, going 17-6 on the year. VCU would go on to beat Dayton and Davidson in the Atlantic 10 Tournament but fell short to top-seeded St. Bonaventure in the finals.
East #10: Maryland
Maryland doesn't always make the tournament, but when they do, they generally make it past the first round. This year, the Terrapins find themselves with a lower seed than normal, but they've shown in the past they can pull off the 10-over-7 upset if needed. 10th-year head coach Mark Turgeon will look to keep that run of first-round success alive this year, and hopefully go above and beyond that. On the court, Maryland will look to the junior duo of Eric Ayala and Aaron Wiggins to push them over the edge of success this year. The Terrapins had a mixed bag of a season, as they pulled off multiple upsets over ranked opponents this season, but a stacked Big Ten caused them to finish 15-12 in the regular season. After beating Michigan State in the second round, they fell to top-seeded and 4th ranked Michigan in the quarterfinals.
South #10: Virginia Tech
After making a run to the Sweet Sixteen in the last tournament, Virginia Tech might have a worse seed this year than in 2019, but they're looking to replicate that success. Making their fourth straight tournament appearance, the Hokies will also be looking to recover from a rocky season under head coach Mike Young that ended very poorly. Junior Keve Aluma, who's returned to the court after transferring from Wofford in 2019, takes control on the court, averaging 15.6 points and 8 rebounds per game while shooting 49% from the field and 35% from three-point range. Virginia Tech's season had lots of ups and downs. They do head into the tournament as the 25th ranked team in the nation, but six losses to unranked teams overall really hurt their rank, and they finished the regular season 15-5 before suffering an early exit in the ACC Tournament, losing in the quarterfinals to North Carolina.
Midwest #10: Rutgers
Some teams haven't been in the tournament in over a decade, but Rutgers has them all beat. In what will be just their 7th tournament appearance, the Scarlet Knights find themselves in the tournament for the first time since 1991. Under head coach Steve Pikiell, Rutgers will look to make an impression in their first tournament appearance in two decades. Rutgers is led by junior Ron Harper Jr, the son of former NBA player Ron Harper who averaged 15.4 points and 5.9 rebounds per game while shooting 46% from the field and 32% from three-point range, on the court, with senior Jacob Young adding additional support. Rutgers opened the season strong as the 24th ranked team in the nation, going on a six-game winning streak and jumping up to 11th. However, a 1-6 run tanked their rankings and, despite working their way back into the top 25, finished the regular season unranked with a 14-11. The Big 10 Tournament saw the Scarlet Knights advance past the second round, but they were no match for the 3rd ranked team in the country in Illinois.
West #9: Missouri
Theoretically, Missouri's best shot in the tournament in recent years was back in 2018 when they had the #2 ranked high school prospect Michael Porter Jr. committed to the team. Then Porter Jr. missed most of the season, and any real chance of making a deep run in the tournament was dashed. Three years later, the Tigers are returning to the tournament under head coach Cuonzo Martin. On the court, Missouri is led by the duo of senior Dru Smith and junior Xavier Pinson, who both averaged 14.1 points per game. Smith in particular had a strong season, adding 3.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 2 steals per game and shot 44% from the field and 38% from three. While the Tigers had a strong start to the regular season with a six-game win streak that put them at 12th in the nation, the team mostly mellowed out. They did reach #10 at one point, but by the end of the year, they were unranked with a 15-8 record. In the SEC Tournament, Missouri would knock off Georgia in the second round, but fell to 8th ranked Arkansas in a close quarterfinal match-up.
East #9: St. Bonaventure
Like Missouri, another school that is returning to the tournament for the first time since 2018 is St. Bonaventure. The Bonnies are relatively unknown come tournament time, as this will only be their 8th appearance since 1961. However, under 14th-year head coach Mike Schmidt, St. Bonaventure is looking to make a name for itself this year. The Bonnies boast a strong quintet of juniors, with Kyle Lofton leading the way by averaging 14.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game while shooting 43% from the field. St. Bonaventure ended the regular season with a strong 13-4 record. Going into at Atlantic 10 Tournament with a lot of momentum, the Bonnies coasted to the finals where they bested VCU to return to the tournament.
South #9: Wisconsin
Man, this was not a good season for Wisconsin. Initially starting the season as the #7 team in the nation, and at one point reaching #4, a mediocre season capped off with a terrible 1-5 ending to the season caused them to fall all the way out of the top 25 by the end of the year. The Badgers and head coach Greg Gard will look to recapture that early season momentum and make a run in the tournament. They'll look to the senior duo of D'Mitrik Trice and Micah Potter, who averaged 13.7 points and 4 assists and 12.8 points and 5.9 rebounds per game, respectively. As I mentioned, Wisconsin reached the top 5 in the nation early in the year, but three losses to unranked teams, along with having to compete in the stacked Big Ten, they finished unranked with a 16-11 record. While they beat Penn State in the second round of the Big Ten Tournament, they fell to #5 Iowa in the quarterfinals.
Midwest #9: Georgia Tech
Fresh off a one-year ban from the postseason that, frankly, didn't even matter because there wasn't postseason at all, Georgia Tech has returned to the tournament for the first time since 2010. Under head coach Josh Pastner, the Yellow Jackets will have a tough road ahead of them if they want to capture their first National Championship. Georiga Tech is led on the court by a solid core headed up by senior Moses Wright who averaged 17.4 points and 8 rebounds per game while shooting 53% from the field and 41% from three on route to winning the ACC Player of the Year. While their 15-8 regular-season record isn't the most impressive, their four wins over ranked opponents stand out. In the ACC Tournament, a COVID forfeit by Virginia allowed the Yellow Jackets to go to the finals, where they upset 15th ranked Florida State to punch their ticket to the tournament.
West #8: Oklahoma
We now move into the higher-seeded teams, starting with Oklahoma. Coached by Lon Kruger in his 10th season with the team, the Sooners return for their third straight tournament appearance following a season that saw them rise up high...then crash pretty hard. Senior Austin Reaves takes the reigns for the team on the court, averaging 17.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game while shooting 43% from the field and 31% from three-point range. Oklahoma entered the season unranked, but by the end of January, they entered the top 25, partially thanks to two victories over ranked opponents. They'd win their way up to the 7th spot but ran out of steam at the end of the season, finishing the year on a four-game losing streak, two of which were against unranked teams. Entering the Big 12 Tournament with a 14-9 record as the 25th ranked team in the nation, the Sooners beat Iowa State in the first round, but fell short against 11th ranked Kansas in the quarterfinals.
East #8: LSU
After making a run to the Sweet Sixteen in the last tournament, LSU will be looking to make a deeper run this year despite the worse seed. Playing under head coach Will Wade, the Tigers looked to build off the previous season, especially with the arrival of LSU legend Shaquille O'Neal's son Shareef via a transfer from UCLA. While injuries kept O'Neal limited to just 10 games, LSU still finds themselves with an advantage in the first round of the tournament. Leading the team this year is freshman Cameron Thomas, the 23rd ranked high school prospect in 2020 by ESPN from the famous Oak Hill Academy, who proved to be one of the nation's best scorers this year. Thomas averaged 22.6 points and 3.4 rebounds this year while shooting 41% from the field and 32% from three. LSU had a solid regular season, going 16-8 and upsetting #16 Tennessee during the season, but couldn't crack the top 25. They'd upset #8 Arkansas in the semifinals of the SEC Tournament but narrowly lost in the finals to top-seeded #6 Alabama.
South #8: North Carolina
If there's anything that symbolizes how weird this year has been for college basketball, it's the fact that powerhouse schools are either not in the tournament like Duke and Kentucky, or have a relatively low seed like North Carolina. An 8 seed isn't the worst, obviously, but considering how the Tar Heels haven't gotten seeded lower than 4 since 2014, it's pretty surprising. Despite that, UNC and 18th-year head coach Roy Williams will look to recover from an underwhelming season and win their second National Championship in five years. Sophomore Armando Bacot leads the Tar Heels on the court, averaging 12.2 points and 8 rebounds per game while shooting 63% from the field, while 2020's 18th ranked prospect by ESPN Caleb Love provided an additional spark. UNC started the year as the 16th ranked team in the country and moved up to 14th early in the season, but a few big losses, including one to unranked North Carolina State, knocked them out of the rankings and, despite an upset over 11th ranked Florida State, never got back. Finishing the year 16-9, the Tar Heels would upset #22 Virginia Tech in the quarterfinals of the ACC Tournament, but couldn't overcome #15 Florida State in the semifinals.
Midwest #8: Loyola-Chicago
Three years removed from their Cinderella run to the Final Four as an 11th seed in 2018, Loyola-Chicago returns to the tournament for the first time since that run. Infrequent participants in the tournament, the Ramblers make just their 7th appearance in the tournament ever, and just their 2nd of the 2000s. The Ramblers and 10-year head coach Porter Moser will look to both replicate & improve upon their miracle run from 2018 and take home their first National Championship since 1963 and based on their season, they have a chance to do it. Senior Cameron Krutwig leads the team on the court, averaging 15 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 3 assists per game while shooting 58% from the field. Additionally, Krutwig took home the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year. Unranked coming into the season, Loyola-Chicago slowly worked their way up into the top 25 and entered the MVC Tournament as the #20 team in the nation with a 21-4 record. There, the Ramblers easily won the tournament, beating Drake in the finals, and enter the tournament as #17.
West #7: Oregon
Since 2016, Oregon has been one of the strong teams come the postseason. After making the Sweet Sixteen as a 12th seed in 2019, the Ducks, under head coach Dana Altman in his 11th season with the team, will look to improve upon that Cinderella run and take home their first National Championship in over 80 years. Seniors Eugene Omoruyi and Chris Duarte, who both averaged 16.7 points on route to being named to the All-Pac-12 1st-team, head up a strong core. Starting the season as the 20th ranked team in the nation, Oregon would fall in and out of the top 25, reaching as high #17, and finished the regular season with a 19-5 record. The top seed in the Pac-12 Tournament, the Ducks came up short, being upset by the eventual winners in Oregon State.
East #7: UConn
Once one of the top teams in the entire NCAA, UConn has been in a bit of a slump, since 2016, as they haven't made the tournament since. Things look to be on the up and up for the Huskies, however, as they've earned their spot in this year's tournament. And based on their performance in the 2014 tournament, a National Championship victory as a 7th seed is not out of the question. Head coach Dan Hurley will guide the team in this run, while sophomore James Bouknight, who averaged 19 points and 5.7 rebounds per game while shooting 45% from the field and 30% from three. Spending most of their time on the cusp of the top 25, the Huskies would rank as high as #23, but ended the regular season unranked with a 14-6 record. In the Big East Tournament, UConn would knock off DePaul in the quarterfinals but fell to 17th ranked Creighton in the semifinals.
South #7: Florida
Like UConn, Florida is another team that spent most of the year flirting with the top 25, even making a brief appearance in it. Unlike UConn, however, Florida has been a frequent presence in the tournament in the last five years, but this year, they'll be looking to make a deep run and secure their 3rd National Championship in history, and the first under head coach Mike White. After junior Keyontae Johnson's season was ended following a heart inflammation, the team turned to sophomore Tre Mann to lead the team on the court, and he didn't disappoint, averaging 16 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game while shooting 45% from the field and 40% from three-point range. As I mentioned, Florida briefly cracked the top 25, thanks to two victories over ranked teams, but ended the year unranked on a two-game losing streak. Entering the SEC Tournament with a 13-8 record, the Gators toppled Vanderbilt in the second round, but lost to Tennessee in the quarterfinals
Midwest #7: Clemson
Clemson is much better known for being a college football powerhouse. Basketball...not nearly as much. Coached by Brad Brownell in his 11th season, 2021 will see the Tigers make their 13th tournament appearance of all time, and they'll be looking to advance past the Elite Eight for the first time ever. On the court, Clemson is led by senior Aamir Simms, who averaged 13.3 points and 6.2 rebounds per game while shooting 54% from the field and 41% from three-point range. Clemson had a roller coaster of the year. They'd jump in and out of the top 25, reaching as high as #12, but finished the year unranked with a 16-6 record. They'd pull off two upset wins over ranked teams while unranked, but they'd also lose three times to unranked teams while ranked. The ACC Tournament ended in a disappointment for the Tigers, as they fell to 13th seeded Miami in the second round.
West #6: USC
After a four-year absence from the tournament, USC is back. Under head coach Andy Enfield, the Trojans are looking for the first National Championship in the school's history. Freshman and 2020's 3rd ranked high school prospect by ESPN Evan Mobley took the reigns of the team this year and showed out in what will likely be his sole collegiate season, For the year, Mobley averaged 16.8 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 3 blocks per game while shooting 58% from the field and 31% from three, and won the Pac-12 Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, and Freshman of the Year, the first player to win all three in a major conference since Anthony Davis in 2012. USC started the season unranked, but slowly worked their way into the top 25, peaking at #17. They'd end the year as the 24th ranked team in the country with a 21-6 record. After defeating Utah in the quarterfinals of the Pac-12 Tournament, they'd fall to #23 Colorado in the semifinals, but they'd actually move up to #23 themselves as they head into the tournament.
East #6: BYU
Six years removed from their last tournament appearance, it's everyone's favorite Mormon college, BYU. Coached by Mark Pope, the Cougars are looking to not only have their most successful tournament run since 2011 and the days of Jimmer Fredette but also to make it past the Elite Eight for the first time ever. Senior Alex Barcello will be the leader of the team as they try to pull it off, as he averaged 15.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game while shooting 52% from the field and 49% from three-point range. BYU had a fairly successful regular season, going 19-5 and picked up a win over #18 San Diego State during the year. The Cougars would knock off Pepperdine in the semifinals of the West Coast Conference Tournament but fell to the top team in the country in Gonzaga in the finals. Despite never being ranked during the season, BYU now finds itself at #23 heading into the tournament.
South #6: Texas Tech
The last two NCAA tournaments have seen Texas Tech embark on the two best runs in their entire school's history. Having made the Elite Eight for the first time in 2018, the Red Raiders topped themselves by not only advancing beyond that but nearly took home the National Championship in 2019, falling in overtime to Virginia. Under head coach Chris Beard, who has coached the team during these successful years, Texas Tech will look to flip the script and redeem themselves with their first National Championship. On the court, the Red Raiders' core is led by Mac McClung, a viral high school star who transferred from Georgetown this past summer. For the season, McClung averaged 15.7 points per game while shooting 42% from the field and 33% from three-point range. Texas Tech started the season ranked #14 and bounced around the 10s throughout the year. They'd reach #7 in February, but a string of losses, one of which was to unranked Oklahoma State, knocked them down to #20 by the end of the regular season. Finishing the regular season 17-9, a close loss to #13 Texas in the Big 12 Tournament ended their run there, and they now enter the tournament as the 21st ranked team in the country.
Midwest #6: San Diego State
After what would've been their best chance since 2011 at their first National Championship was ruined thanks to COVID-19 last year, San Diego State is looking to pick up where they left off and finally get over the hump. Having never made it past the Sweet Sixteen, the Aztecs' 30-2 record last season put them in a good position to cross that milestone, but with no tournament, they never got the chance, so they'll look to do that and more under head coach Brian Dutcher this year. Senior Matt Mitchell looks to be the man to do that, as he averaged 15.4 points and 5.5 rebounds per game while shooting 44% from the field and 36% from three-point range and took home the Mountian West Conference Player of the Year award. After starting the season strong, reaching #18 in the nation, San Diego State quickly fell out of the top 25, but finished strong with an 11-game win streak and ended the regular season 20-4. Entering the Mountain West Tournament as both the top seed and #19 in the nation, the Aztecs fought through to the finals, where they beat Utah State to cement their spot in the tournament. Thanks to their strong play, they enter the tournament at #16, the best they've been rated this season.
West #5: Creighton
Throughout their entire history, Creighton has generally been a team that occasionally shows up in the tournament, but never really competes for the National Championship. This year, under head coach Greg McDermott in his 10th season with the company, they'll have one of the best shots of winning it all they've ever had, and they'll be looking to at least move past the second round for the first time since 1974. This season, the Bluejays boast a strong core led by junior Marcus Zegarowski, who averaged 15.5 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game while shooting 46% from the field and 41% from three-point range. Creighton started the season at #11 in the nation and worked their way up to #7 thanks to a 10-2 start. However, an underwhelming remainder of the season saw them finish 18-7 and enter the Big East Tournament at #17. The Bluejays would knock off Butler and UConn in the quarter and semifinals, respectively, but enter the tournament on a low note after getting blown out in the championship game by Georgetown. They also enter the tournament at #19 in the country.
East #5: Colorado
Sort of like Creighton, Colorado made a couple of tournament appearances in the 2010s, but never makes deep runs. They pulled off an 11-over-6 in 2012, but they haven't made it past the second round since the tournament went to 64 teams. This year, however, the Buffaloes have their highest seed ever, and with head coach Tad Boyle in his 11th season, they'll look to not only advance past the second round, but win the whole thing and take home their first National Championship. Senior McKinley Wright IV leads the team on the court, averaging 15.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game while shooting 48% from the field and 31% from three-point range. Colorado entered the season unranked, but a 20-7 regular season that included a win over #17 Oregon pushed them into the top 25 before the season ended. Entering the Pac-12 Tournament at #23, the Buffaloes knocked off California & #24 USC in the quarter & semifinals but came up just short in the finals against Oregon State. They enter the tournament at #22
South #5: Villanova
Having won the National Championship in both 2016 and 2018, Villanova will look to pick up their third title in six years. After a disappointing run in 2019 as a 6th seed ended in the second round, the Wildcats and 20th-year head coach Jay Wright will also be looking to redeem that early exit along with their title hopes. A solid core is led by sophomore Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, who built off his 2020 Big East Rookie of the Year season by averaging 15.7 points and 8.3 rebounds, shooting 49% from the field, and took home the Big East Player of the Year. Villanova entered the season as one of the top teams in the country, ranking at #3. They'd fall down to #12 for about a week after a loss to unranked Virginia Tech but stayed in the top 5 for most of the year. However, an up and down end of the year which featured three losses to unranked teams knocked them down to #14. Entering the Big East Tournament as the top seed with a 16-5 record, the Wildcats were upset in the quarterfinals by eventual winners Georgetown. They'll enter the tournament at their lowest ranking of the season at #18.
Midwest #5: Tennessee
The 2010s were kind to Tennessee come tournament season, having gone as far as the Sweet Sixteen three times (including their Cinderella run in 2014) and the Elite Eight once, the first time they had ever done that. This year, however, the Volunteers and head coach Rick Barnes will look to get over that hump and not only make the Final Four for the first time but also win their first National Championship. The Volunteers are led by a freshman duo in Jaden Springer and Keon Johnson, the 13th & 23rd ranked prospects of 2020 by ESPN. Both would make the SEC All-Freshman team, with Springer, in particular, taking the lead with averages of 12.5 points and 3.5 rebounds per game while shooting 47% from the field and 44% from three-point range. Tennessee entered the season at #12 in the country and worked their way up to #6, but absolutely collapsed by the end of the season, going 7-6 in their last 13 games, five of those losses coming against unranked opponents (they'd lose six games against unranked opponents in total), and ended the regular season unranked with a 17-7 record. In the SEC Tournament, the Volunteers would beat Florida in the quarterfinals, but came up short against the eventual winners in #6 Alabama
West #4: Virginia
The reigning champions, Virginia was able to rebound from the embarrassment of becoming the first #1 seed in history to lose to a #16 seed, not to mention being completely blown out, in 2018 by taking home their first National Championship following year. After not getting a chance to defend their title last year, the Cavaliers will look to repeat as champions under head coach Tony Bennett in his 12th season. Leading the team on their quest for their second title is Sam Hauser, a redshirt senior who sat out last year after transferring from Marquette. Hauser averaged 16 points and 6.7 rebounds per game while shooting 52% from the field and 43% from three. He's joined by fellow senior Jay Huff, who averaged 13.1 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game while shooting 60% from the field and 41% from three. Both were named to an All-ACC team, Hauser to the 1st team and Huff to the second, while Huff was also named to the ACC All-Defensive team. Virginia started the year as the #4 team in the country, but an early loss to unranked San Francisco knocked them down to #15 quickly. The Cavaliers bounced around the top 25, ending the regular season at #16 with a 17-6 record. The ACC Tournament saw top-seeded Virginia beat Syracuse in the quarterfinals, but a positive COVID test forced them to withdraw. They enter the tournament as the 15th ranked team in the nation.
East #4: Florida State
For as long as Florida State has had a basketball program, they've only been serious contenders in a handful of seasons, with just three Elite Eight appearances and a National Championship runner-up to their name. This year, the Seminoles will look to change that narrative, as 19th-year head coach Leonard Hamilton looks to lead the team to its first National Championship win ever. Senior MJ Walker leads the team on the court, averaging 13 points and 44% from the field. Florida State started the season at #22, reaching as high as #15 before two losses to unranked teams took them out of the top 25 entirely. They'd rebound and re-enter the top 25 and reach #11 before the end of the regular season, finishing with a 15-5 record. After advancing via forfeit due to Duke dealing with COVID issues, the #15 Seminoles would top North Carolina in the semifinals of the ACC Tournament but fell to Georgia Tech in the finals. They enter the tournament as the #14 team nationally.
South #4: Purdue
Two years removed from making the Elite Eight for just the fifth time, Purdue is looking to build off that success and win their first National Championship in school history. While the Boilermakers made the tournament regularly in the 2010s, 2019 was the only time they made it past the Sweet Sixteen, so the team and 16th-year head coach Matt Painter will look to change those fortunes. The man looking to lead the team to achieve that on the court is junior Trevion Williams, who averaged 15.6 points and 9 rebounds per game while shooting 53% from the field. Initially starting the season unranked, four wins over ranked opponents moved them up to #24 in February. They later fall out and re-join the top 25, entering the Big Ten Tournament ranked 20th in the country with an 18-8 record. They'd fall in the quarterfinals to #9 Ohio State, but still enter the NCAA tournament ranked 20th in the nation.
Midwest #4: Oklahoma State
It's been 75 years since Oklahoma State last won the National Championship. It's safe to say they're overdue for another one. Despite not making a serious run in the tournament since 2004, hopes are high for head coach Mike Boynton, who are appearing in the tournament as they appeal a postseason ban from the NCAA. A big reason for those high hopes is freshman and projected #1 overall pick in the 2021 NBA draft Cade Cunningham. The #2 ranked prospect from ESPN, Cunningham had a fantastic freshman year, averaging 20.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game while shooting 45% from the field and 41% from three, and took home both the Big 12 Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year. Starting the season unranked, the Cowboys would pick up three wins over ranked opponents and briefly hold the 23rd spot nationally. After falling out, they'd win 6 of their last 7 games and end the year 18-7. Entering a stacked Big 12 Tournament ranked 12th, Oklahoma State would upset both #10 West Virginia and #2 Baylor in the quarter and semifinals, respectively. However, their strong run ended in the finals, where they fell to #13 Texas. They enter the tournament ranked 11th in the country.
West #3: Kansas
In a year where multiple college basketball powerhouses either underperformed or didn't make the tournament at all, it's nice to see some consistency from Kansas. Making their 31st consecutive appearance in the tournament, the Jayhawks will be looking for their first National Championship since 2008, and their second under 18-year head coach Bill Self. Kansas is led on the court by the junior duo of Ochai Agbaji and David McCormack, the latter of which averaged 13.4 points and 6.1 rebounds per game while shooting 51% from the field on route to being named the Big 12's Most Improved Player. Starting the season as the #6 team in the country, the Jayhawks would reach #3, but a midseason collapse caused them to fall completely out of the top 25. However, they'd rebound and win 7 of their last 8 games, finishing the regular season with a record of 19-8. The Jayhawks entered the Big 12 Tournament ranked 11th in the country and defeated #25 Oklahoma in the quarterfinals, but a positive COVID test forced them to pull out. They enter the tournament as the #12 team in the nation.
East #3: Texas
The team that Kansas had to pull out against was Texas, who received a free pass to the finals of the Big 12 Tournament. This comes after a strong season, as they look ahead to the NCAA Tournament, looking for their first National Championship in school history. The Longhorns are also looking for their first tournament win under head coach Shaka Smart, who guides a team led by junior Andrew Jones. A redshirt junior who missed most of the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons battling leukemia, Jones averaged 14.6 points and 4.6 rebounds per game while shooting 40% from the field and 33% from three-point range. Texas started the year as the 19th ranked team in the nation, moving all the way up to #4 after an 8-1 start. A rocky midseason caused the Longhorns to fall in the rankings, and they'd end the season 17-7 and entered the Big 12 Tournament as the 13th ranked team in the country. Texas would defeat #20 Texas Tech in the quarterfinals before, as I mentioned earlier, advancing to the finals via forfeit against Kansas. The Longhorns would come out on top against #12 Oklahoma State, and enter the tournament as the #9 team in the country.
South #3: Arkansas
In 1994, Arkansas took home their first National Championship. Since then...they haven't had much success. Outside of coming up short in 1995's championship game, the Razorbacks have only made it to the Sweet Sixteen once since. This year, however, things are looking up, as under head coach (and former Sacramento Kings coach) Eric Musselman, Arkansas have their best chance in a long time to win their second National Championship, as they hold their best seed since 1995. And the key to their potential success is in freshman Moses Moody. Ranked 45th coming out of high school by ESPN, Moody has shot up the draft board thanks to a strong freshman campaign, averaging 17.4 points and 5.9 rebounds per game while shooting 44% from the field and 38% from three-point range, and was named the SEC Freshman of the Year. Unranked entering the season, the Razorbacks had a strong season, and following a big upset over #10 Missouri, moved into the top 25. They'd finish the regular season 21-5, and entered the SEC Tournament at #8, their highest ranking of the season. Arkansas would defeat Missouri in the quarterfinals, but fell to LSU in the semifinals, and enter the tournament currently ranked #10 in the nation.
Midwest #3: West Virginia
West Virginia's a school that has done fairly well in the tournament over the decade but have never been able to quite get over the hump. Their 2010 run where they went to the Final Four was the best the Mountaineers have done since 1959, and under 14-year head coach Bob Huggins, they'll look to win their first National Championship in school history. On the court, sophomore Miles McBride heads up a solid core, averaging 15.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game while shooting 42% from the field and 39% from three-point range. Starting the season as the 15th ranked team in the country, Wets Virginia's up and down year saw them bounce around the top 25th, going as high as #6 and as low as #17. They finished the regular season 18-8 and entered the Big 12 Tournament as the 10th ranked team in the nation. They suffered a quick exit from the Big 12 Tournament, losing to Oklahoma State in the quarterfinals. They'll enter the tournament as the 13th ranked team in the country.
West #2: Iowa
While they've been a frequent presence in the tournament since 2014, Iowa has not had much success in the actual tournament, as they haven't even made the Sweet Sixteen since 1999. Under head coach Fran McCaffery in his 11th season with the team, the Hawkeyes will look to break that narrative and potentially win their first National Championship. And with one of the best players in the nation in senior Luka Garza, they have a legit chance of pulling that off. The reigning Sporting News Player of the Year heading into the season, Garza earned a second award this year after averaging 23.7 points and 8.8 rebounds per game while shooting 55% from the field and 41% from three-point range. Additionally, Garza picked up his second Big Ten Player of the Year award this season. Starting the season as the #5 team in the country, Iowa had an up-and-down season, bouncing around the top 25, but ultimately finishing the regular season back at #5 with a record of 20-7. In the Big Ten Tournament, they defeat Wisconsin in the quarterfinals, but lost to the eventual winners, #3 Illinois, in the semifinals. The Hawkeyes will enter the tournament as the 8th ranked team in the nation.
East #2: Alabama
Like Clemson, Alabama is much more well known as a college football powerhouse, and not so much for college basketball, This season, however, the Crimson Tide and head coach Nate Oats have put together one of the best seasons they've ever had, and they've earned their highest tournament seed since 2002. They'll be looking to win their first National Championship in school history, or at least to make it past the Elite Eight for the first time, and sophomore Jaden Shackelford will look to lead them to that goal. For the year, Shackelford averaged 14.2 points and 3.8 rebounds per game while shooting 41% from the field and 34% from three-point range. Alabama started the year unranked, but an 11-3 start to the season, which included a win over #7 Tennessee, pushed them into the top 25. They'd quickly move up the standings, finishing the year with a 21-6 record. Entering the SEC Tournament as the #6 team in the country, the Crimson Tide ran through Mississippi State in the quarterfinals before knocking off Tennessee in the semifinals, and finally, LSU in the finals. Alabama now enters the tournament as the 5th-ranked team in the country, their highest ranking of the season.
South #2: Ohio State
The 2010s saw Ohio State make regular appearances in the tournament, with varying degrees of success. With four Sweet Sixteen appearances, two Elite Eights, and a Final Four appearance, it could be seen as a successful decade for the Buckeyes, but the lack of a National Championship really stings, especially considering their high seeds in the early 2010s. Under head coach Chris Holtmann, Ohio State will look for their first National Championship since 1960. The Buckeyes are led by the duo of sophomore EJ Liddell and junior Duane Washington, who made the All-Big Ten 1st and 3rd teams, respectively, while Liddell would average 15.9 points and 6.4 rebounds per game while shooting 47% from the field and 34% from three. Starting the year ranked 23rd in the country, the Buckeyes stayed ranked for most of the season, slowly rising up to #4 before they tanked their regular season with a four-game losing streak, ending the year 18-8 as the 9th ranked team. Despite the loss of momentum, OSU went into the Big Ten tournament and went on a big run, taking down Minnesota, #20 Purdue, and #4 Michigan on route to the finals. There, they lost in overtime to Illinois, but despite the loss, they enter the tournament with a high seed and are currently ranked #7 in the nation.
Midwest #2: Houston
Houston isn't the first school you'd think of strong basketball schools, at least not in the 2000s, but the last few years have seen big jumps for the school. After having only made the tournament once between 1992 and 2018, the past three seasons have seen the Cougars put up some of their best records ever. Head coach Kelvin Sampson has done a great job of turning around the struggling Houston program, and this season, Houston has its best shot in a long time of winning its first National Championship. Leading the team for their championship hopes is junior Quentin Grimes, who averaged 18 points and 6 rebounds per game while shooting 41% from the field and 41% from three, and was named the Co-American Athletic Conference Player of the Year. Starting the season ranked #17, Houston had a strong year, going 17-3 and ranking at #7. However, those three losses hurt them big, as they were all losses to unranked teams. That blemish didn't hurt them come the AAC Tournament, as beat Tulane and Memphis in the quarter and semifinals, respectively, before knocking off Cincinnati in the finals. The Cougars will enter the tournament as the #6 team in the country.
West #1: Gonzaga
And now we get to the big dogs of the tournament, and the biggest dog of them all is Gonzaga. The Bulldogs have been mainstays of the tournament for over two decades now, as they'll make their 22nd consecutive appearance, all of which have been under head coach Mark Few. Despite the regular-season success, tournament success has avoided Gonzaga, as in those 22 appearances, they have only made the Elite Eight four times, and the Final Four and championship game once each, with no National Championships to their name. This year, the Bulldogs will look to finally get over that hump, and they'll look to senior Corey Kispert to help them do it. This season, Kispert averaged 19.2 points and 4.9 rebounds per game while shooting 54% from the field and 44% from three-point range, and was named the West Coast Conference Player of the Year. The Bulldogs had a perfect regular season, going 24-0 and holding the #1 rank in the nation the entire year. However, the lack of meaningful wins (they only played three ranked teams) is a concern. The Bulldogs did have a relatively easy path to the tournament, besting Saint Mary's in the semifinals before beating BYU in the finals of the WCC Tournament. Gonzaga will enter the tournament as the best ranked team in the country.
East #1: Michigan
Like Gonzaga, Michigan is another school that has pretty frequent presence in the tournament, just about for half as long. Since 2010, the Wolverines have made the tournament in all but two seasons, and in recent years have been seeded fairly highly, but like Gonzaga, haven't won the title during that time. They had a lot more success in the tournament than the Bulldogs, including two trips to the finals, but the championship as avoided them. This season, however, Michigan is one of the top teams in the entire tournament, and under head coach and former Fab Five member Juwan Howard, they have a great shot at taking home their first National Championship since 1989. Freshman Hunter Dickinson, who was the 41st ranked prospect by ESPN coming out of high school, has exceeded expectations and has quickly become arguably the Wolverines' best player. This season, Dickinson averaged 14.2 points and 7.6 rebounds per game while shooting 60% from the field, and was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year. Starting the year as the 25th ranked team in the country, Michigan worked all the way up to #2 until they lost their last game of the year. Finishing with a 19-3 record, the Wolverines walked into a tough Big Ten Tournament as the 4th ranked team in the country. They'd defeat Maryland in the quarterfinals, but fall to #9 Ohio State in the semifinals. They will enter the tournament still the 4th ranked team in the country.
South #1: Baylor
Baylor is relatively new to not just being a top team in college basketball, but a good one in general. Like, they've made more tournament appearances between 2010 and this year than they made in the previous 70 years. While they've some success, making the Sweet Sixteen four times and the Elite Eight twice, they have yet to make the Final Four, let alone win a National Championship. This year, under head coach Scott Drew in his 18th year with the team, they'll have their best shot at the title yet with their highest seed ever. Junior Jared Butler will look to be the man win the Bears their first championship, as he's coming off a season where he averaged 17.1 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game while shooting 49% from the field and 43% from three. Coming into the season as the #2 team in the county, Baylor had a near perfect season, only losing once in late February to #17 Kansas. They'd finish the season 21-1 and entered the Big 12 Tournament still ranked #2. After defeating Kansas State in the quarterfinals, they were upset by #12 Oklahoma State in the semifinals. They now enter the tournament as the 3rd ranked team in the country.
Midwest #1: Illinois
And finally, we have one of the favorites to win it all in Illinois. The 2010s weren't the kindest to the Fighting Illini, who haven't made the tournament since 2013. However, the team has rebounded well under head coach Brad Underwood, who has guided Illinois to their best season since 2005. That year, they narrowly lost in the finals, so they'll be looking to avenge that loss and win their first National Championship in school history. On the court, they are led by junior Ayo Dosunmu, who averaged 20.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game while shooting 49% from the field and 39% from three-point range. Illinois started the season as the #8 team in the nation and got to #5, but a lackluster 9-5 start (two of those losses were to unranked team) knocked them down to #22. The Fighting Illini bounced back in a big way, however, and finished the year winning 11 of 12 to go 20-6 on the year. Now the #3 team in the nation, Illinois ran through Rutgers and #5 Iowa in the quarter and semifinals, respectively, before taking down #9 Ohio State in the finals in overtime, coming out on top of a stacked Big Ten Tournament. Illinois will now enter the tournament with their highest ranking of the season, as they currently sit at #2 in the nation.
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