Breaking Down the Entire Field of 64

Welcome to my comprehensive March Madness breakdown! I watched every single NCAA tournament team so you don't have to. I organized the regions based on the top seed and sorted each region based on the teams seed line.I also included my personal picks and how confident I am with the higher seed advancing out of the first round. Enjoy!

*The C next to each team represents my confidence in that team.

Jump ahead:

East Bracket:

1. UConn (31-3) C - 10/10

UConn runs an exceptionally complex offense that uses a ton of off ball motion and screening. The focal point of this offense is the guard tandem of Tristen Newton (#2) and Cam Spencer (#12). On defense, it is all about Donovan Clingan (#32) protecting the rim and Stephon Castle (#5) locking down the perimeter. As balanced as this team is, Cam Spencer has to continue his incredible play for UConn to win another national title.

2. Iowa State (27-7) C - 9/10

Picked 7th in the preseason, the Cyclones have flown well above any reasonable projections and now find themselves top 10 in AP poll as well as Kenpom. Watching their defense feels like being trapped in a cyclone. Led by Tamin Lipsey (#3), Iowa State has the second ranked defense and dominate with their ability to force turnovers on 26% of opponents possessions. Though, Iowa State has struggled away from Hilton, playing more like a 4 seed in road and neutral games. One player that has a high level of ability but struggling as of late, Milan Momcilovic (#22) will need to turn it around if Iowa State is to make a deep run.

3. Illinois (26-8) C - 7/10

For those not familiar, Illinois is a must watch from a basketball and storyline prospective. Basketball wise, Illinois plays well in transition with Terrance Shannon (#0) or in the half court where they play through Marcus Domask (#3) and do a great job cutting from the corners. Outside of basketball, Coleman Hawkins (#33) is always entertaining both good and bad as well as the Illini trying to reach the second weekend for the first time since 2005. If Illinois does make it to the second weekend, Coleman Hawkins will be a big reason why.

4. Auburn (27-7) C - 9/10

There are two very different perspective when evaluating Auburn. On one hand, they are 1-7 in quad one games with Torvik showing the Tigers offense dropping to the mid 100s against quality teams. On the other hand, Auburn is ranked fourth in adjusted efficiency margin according to Kenpom with websites like Torvik and Evanmiya agreeing. Led by the frontcourt of Johni Broome (#4) and Jaylin Williams (#2), the Tigers have a solid foundation, but the emergence of one of the many Auburn guards will be key if Auburn makes a run.

5. San Diego State (24-10) C - 9/10

The Aztecs have advanced past the first weekend each of the last three times as a top five seed under Brian Dutcher. For this years team to continue that trend, the star power of Jaedon LeDee (#13) will have to continue his elite scoring. As always, the Aztecs are athletic and physical on defense, they are capable of switching 1 through 5 but prefer playing their drop coverage with intelligent gap help. On offense, one of the guards is going to have to step up and provide much needed shooting for one of the worst shooting teams in the country.

6. BYU (23-10) C - 6.5/10

One of the best under the radar teams in the country is BYU. Ranked sixteenth in Kenpom, BYU plays a unique style that spaces out the floor and uses their five man as a passing hub to setup their guards for threes or cuts. The Cougars are so balanced that it is difficult to pick out their star players but the backcourt of Dallin Hall (#30) and Jaxson Robinson (#2) both have an ability to takeover games. The problem with the Cougars has been the three point shooting, shooting only 33% during conference play. One player to watch, the curly headed six man Richie Saunders who is a Swiss army knife on both sides.

7. Washington State (24-9) C - 5/10

The Cougars are built around a solid offensive trio and an unorthodox defense that has been consistently good for most of the season. Defensively, Washington State plays a blend between man to man and zone, prioritizing guarding space rather than matchups. On offense, the balance of post scoring from Isaac Jones (#13) and perimeter shooting from Jaylen Wells (#0) gives Washington State a decent floor. The key for Washington State is PAC-12 freshman of the year Myles Rice, he has struggled shooting but his driving ability is what can elevate the Cougars.

8. Florida Atlantic (25-8) C - 6/10

The Florida Atlantic Owls are led by seven foot center Vladislav Goldin (#50) and dynamic guard Johnell Davis.(#1) On offense, the Owls are so good cutting and relocating off the ball to create shots around Vlad Goldin in the post. The Owls have the ability to light it up from three point range, but have seemed reluctant to shoot at times compared to last season, playing more of a Marquette style of offense. The regression of Alijah Martin(#15) has been a disappointing development this season, if he picks up his play, he could prove to be the X factor for this Owls team.

9. Northwestern (21-11)

As a Purdue fan, I can personally attest to how tough Northwestern can be when their shooters get going. Chris Collins runs an NBA style offense that centers around attack match ups with Boo Buie (#0). On defense, they are aggressive often putting two defenders on the ball which explains their ability to create turnovers as well as their struggles defending the three point line. For Northwestern, the X factor is Brooks Barnhizer as both a scorer and defender.

10. Drake (28-6)

After an incredibly entertaining victory over Indiana State in the Missouri Valley championship, the fighting Tucker DeVries are a scary ## seed. Although I joke about how good Tucker DeVries (#12), there star wing is, the Drake Bulldogs also have big man Darnell Brodie (#51) and guard Atin Wright (#10) who both can score at a high clip. Their defense is less than stellar, ranking outside the top 75 and aren't particularly good at any one skill outside of limiting second chance points. For this team to advance in the tournament, Darnell Brodie is going to have to play a lot of minutes and still be effective against high level opponents.

11. Duquesne (24-11)

Duquesne is 10-1 since February 13th, ranking as a top 10 defense and top 50 team overall according to Torvik. Winning the A10 championship to get into the tournament, this team is a dangerous 11 seed for two reasons. One, they have a high level scorer that moves well without the ball in Dae Dae Grant (#3) who is scoring 17 points a game. Second, their defense is one of the most connective in the country, giving extra efforts to help teammates while always being active with their hands to force turnovers. If the Dukes are to upset BYU they will need offense from their second leading scorer, Jimmy Clark II, who has a nice driving game but will need to make tough shots in the half court.

12. UAB (23-11)

The Blazers are not like a lot of mid major rosters. They are filled with long, athletic guys that UAB does a good job of scheming up drives. With UAB facing Jaedon LeDee in the first round, it creates an underrated star matchup between talented forwards LeDee and UAB's Yaxel Lendeborg (#3). The defense is focused on switching everything or playing a 1-3-1 or 2-3 zone. UAB feels like they will force the San Diego State guards to make plays which could give the Aztecs some trouble. I look at Ticket Gaines (#4) to be an X factor, mainly because of how fun his name is.

13. Yale (22-9)

The Ivy League champion busted a lot of brackets when Princeton beat an up paced Arizona team and this year Yale has the same opportunity with Auburn. Yale has a versatile frontcourt with seven footer Danny Wolf (#1) and Matt Knowling (#22), both dynamic with the ball on the perimeter. The offense is really fun when they get in a rhythm because they have great shooters in August Mahoney (#4) and John Poulakidas (#3) that play well off of the bigs. The last starter is the most important in my opinion, point guard Bez Mbeng (#2) will need to be really good to withstand the defensive pressure that Auburn plays with.

14. Morehead State (26-8)

Morehead State struggled through a tough non-conference schedule that included Purdue and Alabama but the Eagles found their groove in conference play. They are led by Ohio Valley player of the year Riley Minix (#22) who plays similarly to former Ohio State star EJ Liddell. The Eagles play slow and run a ton of sets. Their defense is more interesting with the guards being tasked with taking away the three point line and the bigs aggressively clogging the paint, leaving opponents to live with off the dribble jumpers. Look for point guard Drew Thelwell to be a key defensive piece for the Eagles.

15. South Dakota St. (22-12)

The Jackrabbits meet their former coach TJ Olzelberger and the Iowa State Cyclones in what could be an interesting 2 vs 15 matchup. The Jackrabbits have an impressive offensive duo of Zeke Mayo (#2) and William Kyle III (#42) who have high major ability. As a team, they post a variety of players and look to score or generate threes off of these post ups. Look for Charlie Easley (#30) as an X factor for South Dakota State with his shooting ability.

16. Stetson (22-12)

Head coach Donnie Jones has guarded Stetson to their first NCAA tournament in over 50 years with star guard Jalen Blackmon (#5) scoring 43 points in the Atlantic Sun championship. Alongside Blackmon, big man Aubin Gateretse (#21) and sharp shooter Alec Oglesby (#0) are key contributors for Stetson. They play man to man or a matchup 1-3-1 on defense with teams doing best by attacking their smaller frontcourt. For me, the X factor is point guard Stephan Swanson (#30) and his ability to get into the paint for Stetson.

South Bracket:

1. Houston (30-4) C - 10/10

Having held the number one spot in Kenpom since early November, the Houston Cougars are an inner circle title contender. With Jamal Shead (#1) running the show alongside defensive anchor J'Wan Roberts (#13). The defense has been consistently excellent which shifts the focus to a good but not great offense. If Houston makes the deep run that they are capable of, I expect Emanuel Sharp (#21) to have at least one huge performance along the way.

2. Marquette (25-9) C - 9/10

The Golden Eagles have an impressive schedule that includes fifteen quad one games, the most such games from anyone outside of the Big 12. This squad has been tested throughout the season and proven that when healthy, this team can beat the elite teams. They have one of the best driving offenses in the country with Tyler Kolek (#11), Kam Jones (#1), and Oso Ighodaro (#13) all being capable of getting into the paint almost at will. Outside of that trio, Stevie Mitchell (#4)has had an impressive six game run and is another player capable of driving into the paint and finishing. My one concern with Marquette is their unimpressive rebounding, struggling to match teams on the glass.

3. Kentucky (23-9) C - 8/10

Kentucky is and will always be one of the most entertaining teams in the country. The top three of Antonio Reeves (#12), Reed Sheppard (#15), and Rob Dillingham (#0) are a dynamite trio that are shooting OVER 44% FROM THREE COMBINED! Yet, the key for Kentucky is their two point shooting. When Kentucky shoots over 50% on twos, they are 19-1 compared to under 50% where they are 4-7. On defense, I think center Ugonna Onyenso (#33) is Kentucky's X factor with his ability to protect the rim and rebound for the Wildcats.

4. Duke (24-8) C - 10/10

In a season that started with Duke as the second ranked team in the country, this season has been relatively quiet from the Blue Devils. Like him or not, Kyle Filipowski (#30) is a smooth, physical scorer that is effective scoring off drives or post ups. It is also worth noting the development of Jared McCain (#0) and the career year that Jeremy Roach (#3) is having. The Blue Devils are an elite driving offense so many different ball handlers that can attack or shoot. Yet, the concern is whether they can guard a dominate big, losing to UNC twice, Arizona, and even NC State with DJ Burns is concerning and makes me think this Duke team is reliant on matchups. Look for Tyrese Proctor (#5) as the player that Duke needs if they want to make a deep run.

5. Wisconsin (22-13) C - 6/10

The Badgers were stumbling into March before an impressive run to the Big Ten championship game. AJ Storr (#2) and Steven Crowl (#22) are the best players but they will still rely on play creation from other pieces to keep their balanced offensive running. To be optimistic, Wisconsin's opponents could be due for a regression from three point range and the Badgers consistently win the possession battle. In addition to the three point regression, Wisconsin needs Max Klesmit (#11) to get hot from the perimeter to go along with his stellar defense.

6. Texas Tech (23-10) C - 8/10

In Grant McCaslands first year at Texas Tech, he has guided the Red Raiders to an impressive fourth place finish in the Big 12. Though the roster is not filled with elite talent, Texas Tech runs great sets that allow them to still find success against a variety of defenses. Led by free shooting Pop Isaacs (#2) and emerging Darrion Williams (averaging 17 pts over his last 10 games), the Raiders still have the talent to win a few games in March. The Raiders will also lean on Joe Toussaint late in shot clocks as a guard who can create his own shots. Texas Tech is at their best when Toussaint is playing at his best.

7. Florida (23-10) C - 7/10

Florida is my favorite sleeper in the country because of their combination of talented guards and a stellar frontcourt that generates offensive rebounds at an elite rate. The guard duo of Zyon Pullin (#0) and Walter Clayton (#1) combine to average 33 points with Pullin especially playing extremely well as a senior. On the defensive end, the Gators have struggled to force turnovers and have given up too many offensive rebounds in large part because Florida switches 1-5. For this reason, Tyrese Samuel (#4) is so important in his ability to switch onto guards as well as helping out with rebounding.

8. Nebraska (23-10) C - 7/10

The Cornhuskers are just fun! On offense, they are built around guard movement around Rienk Mast (#51) with Keisei Tominaga (#30) weaponizing everything he does with his three point shooting. I really like this offense because it is predicated on movement that can neutralize any athletic disadvantages for Nebraska. The defensive end is where Nebraska has had the most success as of late. They've played as a top 3 defense in their last 10 games according to Torvik. They play a similar 'no middle' style as Texas A&M, doubling post ups or blitzing ball screen and then rely on great rotations to force teams to make a ton of passes. The key for the Nebraska's defense has been Juwan Gary (#4) turning into an elite defender.

9. Texas A&M (20-14)

The Aggies had some incredible wins over Iowa State and Tennessee but followed it up with perplexing loses to Vanderbilt and being swept by Arkansas. The offense is going to be a lot of misses and fighting for the rebound with the Aggies ranking as a bottom 20 shooting team in the country. Their defense is more interesting, play a 'no middle' defense that seeks to force teams to drive and do a good job rotating out of that. The Aggies have a really good backcourt with Wade Taylor (#4) and Tyrece Radford (#23) that have the ability to turn it on in the tournament.

10. Colorado (24-10)

This Colorado team is bizarre team to project. The Buffs have elite scorers in KJ Simpson (#2) a, Tristan da Silva (#23) and future lottery pick Cody Williams (#10) that have helped Colorado into the top 30 of Kenpom. Yet, they have underperformed away from home, settle for too many mid range jumpers, and turn the ball over on 17% of possessions. Colorado has the potential to make a deep run, but determining if that potential will outweigh my concerns is difficult. Look for J'Vonne Hadley (#1) to be a big part in answering questions with his ability to get to the rim (reminds me of Bruce Brown in his role).

11. North Carolina State (22-14)

North Carolina State made a miraculous run in the ACC championship, winning 5 games in 5 days to secure their place in the tournament. DJ Horne (#0) and DJ Burns (#30) have been mixing up opposing defenses with Horne's tough shot making ability and Burns dancing his way to bucket after bucket. This team had to play so hard to make it to the tournament with key players Casey Morsell (#14) and Jayden Taylor (#1) both dealing with injuries, the Wolfpack had three days to rest and get ready for the Red Raiders before traveling to Pittsburgh. If NC State keeps their season alive it will be an incredible story of determination with the aforementioned Casey Morsell being a key contributor with his impressive perimeter defense.

12. James Madison (31-3)

The Dukes started the season by knocking off Michigan State at the Breslin and ended with a Sun Belt tournament championship with a record of 31-3. They are led by Sun Belt player of the year Terrence Edwards Jr. (#5), who is surrounded by good shooters, notably Noah Friedel (#1) and Julien Wooden (#22). When James Madison plays well, they push the pace, win the turnover battle, and make triples. When the Dukes struggle, teams are able to overwhelm them with athleticism and drive the ball effectively against a less than stellar defense. The X factor for JMU is Terrence Edwards and his ability to make tough shots as well as play make.

13. Vermont (28-6)

For the third straight season, the Catamounts are in the Big Dance with upset hopes! This has a top 50 defense in large part because of really good coaching. The Catamounts have excellent timing for when to bring help and from where, rarely do they over-help or forget their assignment. Newcomer Shamir Bouges (#12) is a big part of what Vermont wants to do on offense, spreading the floor and looking to create shots off of initial drives or post ups. This team is very disciplined, but the lack of athleticism and shooting makes me doubtful of their first round chances.

14. Oakland (23-11)

Oakland shoots and allows a lot of three pointers, and with Kentucky being the number one three point shooting team in the country, Oakland will have to be sharp in other areas. They do have Trey Townsend (#4) who absolutely dominated in the Horizon League championship, scoring 38 points by dominating in the mid post. With Oakland needing to score a ton of points, sharp shooter Jack Gohlke (#3) will play a large roll with his three point shooting.

15. Western Kentucky (22-11)

Meet the fastest team in the country, the Western Kentucky Hill Toppers. This team is all about getting up the floor, hunting shots in transition and willingly conceding open threes to their opponents. Additionally, this team has high major players such as Brandon Newman (#10), Kristian Lander (#4), and Rodney Howard (#0) who play well alongside leading scorer Don McHenry (#2). With such a balanced roster, it is tough to say who this teams X factor is because they rely on so many different players to come in and play at their super sonic speed.

16. Longwood (21-13)

The Longwood Lancers are already familiar in the Cinderella role, winning the Big South tournament and knocking off one seeded High Point on the road. On offense, they run a basic pick and roll motion or will throw it into the post to a variety of targets. The Lancers top scorers are point guard Walyn Napper (#1) and wing Michael Christmas (#25) with seven footer Szymon Zapala being another contributor when he stays out of foul trouble. The matchup flexibility of Christmas as both a post scorer and shooter could give high major teams problems as Longwood's X factor.

Midwest Bracket:

1. Purdue (29-4) C - 10/10

The Boilermakers are led by the best duo in the country with Zach Edey(#15) repeating as NPOY and Braden Smith(#3) earning first team all-Big-Ten honors. Purdue will lean heavily into post ups and a variety of ball screens on offense. They are an elite rebounding team and dominate the free throw battle with teams being unable to guard Edey. The X factor for Purdue is graduate transfer Lance Jones (#55) who brings some chaos both good and bad to Purdue.

2. Tennessee (24-8) C - 10/10

As always, the Volunteers have an elite defense that suffocates offenses with their ball pressure and connectivity. Yet this year, the Vols have an NBA caliber wing in Dalton Knecht (#3) who can torch teams either from three or attacking the rim. Alongside Knecht, Tennessee needs big contributions on both sides from Zakai Zegler, whose defense could prove the difference in pushing Tennessee to a final four.

3. Creighton (23-9) C - 7/10

After their elite eight run last season, the Creighton Bluejays are poised for another run this season. They are led with the trio of defensive anchor Ryan Kalkbrenner (#11), the two way wing Trey Alexander (#23), and the incredible sharp shooter Baylor Scheierman (#55). Overall, I am selling this Bluejays team because of their inability to force turnovers and rebound the ball. In games where Creighton has shot below 30% from three they are 2-6. Yet, if this team can make a deep run, it will be with Steven Ashworth (#1) playing a big role as both a scorer and a playmaker alongside three stars.

4. Kansas (22-10) C - 8/10

A fully healthy Jayhawks team is really good, but there are questions whether or not star players Hunter Dickinson (#1) and Kevin McCullar (#15) can play in the first round. First of all, can this Kansas team shoot the ball consistently. Second, can this team be trusted outside of Allen Fieldhouse, playing with. a 6-9 record in road or neutral games. Although, a healtyh Kansas team is still deadly because of Bill Self and the cutting plus passing ability that Kansas used to beat Kentcuky, Tennessee, and UConn. I am choosing the basic pick for my X factor, Dajuan Harris, amazing when aggressive.

5. Gonzaga (25-7) C - 8/10

The Gonzaga roster went through a complete makeover this season with the addition of Ryan Nembhard (#0) and Graham Ike (#13). Because of this change, the Bulldogs look completely different from last season stylistically. They play essentially three bigs and rely on ball screens and dribble drives far more than previous seasons. The results of the new style is an elite two point offense. The contributions from Anton Watson cannot be overstated as someone who has seemingly never ever missed a floater in his career as well as playing really solid defense for Gonzaga.

6. South Carolina (26-7) C - 4/10

After being picked last in the SEC, the Gamecocks have put together a storybook season with program changing wins. The key players for South Carolina are Ta'Lon Cooper who has brought elite shooting and Meechie Johnson (#5) who is best at creating paint touches. They are solid on both sides of the ball, but the lack of player movement on offense is a concern. Emerging freshman Collin Murray-Boyles (#30) has picked up his play late in the season and will play a big part for the Gamecocks.

7. Texas (20-12) C - 6.5/10

One of the deeper lower seeds in the country, Texas brings an intriguing defensive versatility with players being capable of playing multiple positions. For example, having Dylan Disu (#1) and Dillion Mitchell (#23) give the Longhorns the ability to go smaller without sacrificing defense. Likewise, Kadin Shedrick (#5) gives Texas more size as well as solid offense from the post. This is really important because it allows Texas to protect Max Abmas on defense so he can focus on his offensive responsibilities. Last year, Texas had Sir'Jabari Rice as a key secondary scorer besides Marcus Carr, this role now falls to Tyrese Hunter (#4) and Texas will need Hunter to be at his best in March.

8. Utah State (27-6) C - 3/10

The Aggies had a great season in the Mountain West, dominating their home court in route to an outright regular season title. They have a great player in Great Osobor (Pun intended) who dominated using his physicality and athleticism. As a team, Utah State does a great job defending the three point line and generate great two point offense. The problem is their draw, TCU has enough athleticism to possibly slow down Osobor and the bigger guards look to matchup well against the Aggies guards. Although, Darius Brown II is a really good guard that could shoot away a lot of the concerns against TCU.

9. TCU (21-12)

Scratching and clawing, TCU has found themselves in the tournament, in large part because of their impressive wins over Baylor and Houston. This team is going to play hard on both ends, forcing turnovers and generating extra chances by crashing two to three bodies on each shot. They have a really solid defense, doing a great job making multiple efforts and rotating out breakdowns that allow TCU to salvage a lot of possessions on defense. Offensively, the Horn Frogs use a variety of different guard and big actions that they will use repeatedly until creating an advantage. Once an advantage is created, TCU does a great job of moving the ball to generate good shots. One player that I was very impressed with was Emmanuel Miller (#2), a point forward that is very difficult to matchup with.

10. Colorado State (25-10)

After beating Virginia in Dayton, Colorado State looks to continue their run against Texas. Point guard Isaiah Stevens has become a household name, but undersized forward Joel Scott has brought an impressive interior skillset from the Division 2 levels. Colorado State is second in the country in assist rate which is a result from there great spacing and cutting from the wing. Against Virginia, Nique Clifford was impressive driving the ball and showing off his his athleticism to be an important asset for Colorado State.

11. Oregon (23-11)

Solidly on the bubble, Oregon took fate into their own hands by winning the final PAC 12 tournament, including an impressive victory over Arizona. Everything Oregon is about centers around N'Faly Dante (#1) controlling the paint, Dante shoots over 70% on twos and averages two blocks a game while pulling down nine rebounds a game. This team does nothing great, but nothing bad as well. The Ducks play hard and keep the game close, 22 out of 34 games have been decided by single digits point. In crunch time, they look to veteran Jermaine Couisnard (#5) to close out games with his shot making in the pick and roll.

12. McNeese State (30-3)

From an analytics perspective, McNeese is a mid major darling. They dominate the turnover battle and can shoot the cover off the ball. McNeese starts three small guards in Shahada Wells (#13), DJ Richards (#2), and Javhon Garcia (#14). Those guards have gotten really good in their 2-2-1 press, they anticipate passes and have great hands around the ball. Additionally, they switch and rotate constantly which they use to stop drives. On offense, those three small guards are all shooting above 40% from three and are joined by stretch big Antavion Collum (#5). The X factor is whoever is guarding Ben Gregg from Gonzaga, whichever team wins the matchup between the third Gonzaga big and the third McNeese guard will have a huge tactical advantage over their opponent.

13. Samford (29-5)

Samford has their first tournament appearance since 2000! The Bulldogs play at a lightning pace while pressing for the entire game. They give up a ton of threes but balance it with a top 20 defensive turnover percentage. On offense, they play a five out style that is used to create driving lanes and teams better guard the three point line because Samford is a top 10 three point shooting team in the country. Keep an eye on both Rylan Jones(#21) and Jermaine Marshall as key difference makers for Samford.

14. Akron (24-10)

Against Creighton, defending the three point line is the number one objective and Akron does that about as good as anyone in the country. They play drop coverage and would rather allow dribble drives than leave shooters (They also contest shots very well). The length is consistent throughout the lineup and they have enough athleticism to possibly keep up. Another aspect that gives me hope versus Creighton is their top 3 scorers all being really good mid range scorers. The top player Enrique Freeman (#25) gives me shades of Jahmyl Telfort from Butler with his ability to drive or post up. Additionally, wing Ali Ali (#24) could provide another tough matchup for Creighton with his versatility alongside Freeman.

15. Saint Peter's (19-13)

Former darlings, the Peacocks are back into the dance but under second year head coach Bashir Mason this time around. On offense, I expect a lot of guard post ups and drives with Corey Washington and Latrell Reid doing most of the heavy lifting. There defense is ranked much higher than their offense but I worry if they can hang stylistically with Tennessee. Saint Peter's plays tight to their man with little to no gap help, a style that does not bode well when trying to contain Dalton Knecht. The Peacocks could have success blitzing Tennessee or going to a zone defense. A fun matchup is the Zegler brothers matching up with Zakai playing for Tennessee and Armoni (#5) on Saint Peter's.

16. Grambling

Grambling played a lot of good teams in the non-conference, their best performance was playing Drake close on the road. Grambling's leading scorer is Kintavious Dozier (#0), he put up 34 points against a good Washington State defense. Dozier reminds me of Isaiah Thomas in how he uses his quickness to get into the paint, yet Dozier has been inconsistent from three and is a reluctant passer when he does get to the paint. Defensively, their on ball defense has struggled because of their athleticism and that carries over to their struggles on the defensive glass. Tra'Michael Moton (#5) will be ultra important with his defense on Purdue's Braden Smith.

West Bracket:

1. North Carolina (27-7) C - 10/10

After an abysmal 2023 season, the Tar Heels are back in contention for the national title. Led by RJ Davis (#4) and Armando Bacot (#5), North Carolina has the raw talent to matchup with almost anyone in the country. Yet, the offense has some major questions outside of that pairing with the role players being relatively inefficient from the field. This team needs one of Cormac Ryan (#3) or Harrison Ingram (#55) to be that consistent third scorer for North Carolina.

2. Arizona (25-8) C - 9.5/10

The Arizona Wildcats have quietly struggled in recent NCAA tournaments compared to their dominant regular seasons, last year falling to Princeton in the first round. Yet, this team has arguably the best 1-8 rotation in the country, including high end talent of Caleb Love (#2), Pelle Larson (#3), and Oumar Ballo (#11). With the flexibility of Keshad Johnson (#16) in the front court and the coaching staff to maximize that flexibility, this Wildcat team is poised for a big showing in March.

3. Baylor (23-10) C - 8.5/10

Baylor has become known for their guard depth with this season being no different. The Bears rely on a consistent dose of ball screens with RayJ Dennis (#10) often setting up his teammates for threes, in large part because the Bears are shooting over 40% as a team from three. On defense, the Bears will switch between man and zone, often favoring the 1-3-1 zone. It is easy to pick potential lottery pick Ja'Kobe Walter (#4) as this teams X factor, but I would like to shoutout Yves Missi (#21) for his incredible athletic potential at the center position.

4. Alabama (21-11) C - 7/10

Finishing with a top 3 offense in the country according to Kenpom. A big part of that elite offense is Mark Sears (#1) creating offense with his driving game, a common trend among Alabama guards. The Tide are one of the best driving teams in the country, constantly attacking closeouts to get layups or spraying the ball out for threes. 92% of their shots are coming from layups or threes which is the fifth highest rate in the country according to ShotQuality. If you are trying to find a weakness, look no further than an unimpressive defensive front court that struggles to defend without fouling. Head coach Nate Oats has pushed his chips all in on offense by moving Grant Nelson (#2) to the starting center spot in hopes of simply outscoring everyone they play.

5. Saint Mary's (26-7) C - 7.5/10

On December 23rd, the Gaels sat at 8-6 fresh off a loss to Missouri State. Flash to the present and the Gaels are 17-1 since and poised to reach the second weekend for the first time since 2010. Led by their defense, the Gaels are top five in defensive effective field goal percentage and rebounding on both sides of the floor. The offensive end is where Saint Mary's has to prove themselves. Guards Augustas Marciulionis (#3), Alex Ducas (#44), and Aidan Mahaney(#20) are all talented shooters but the speed of Marciulionis will be key for Saint Mary's.

6. Clemson (21-11) C - 5.5/10

According to Kenpom, Clemson has its best team since the sweet sixteen team in 2018. Brad Brownell has built his team around forwards PJ Hall (#24) and Ian Schieffelin (#4) who both can work from the perimeter as well as pound the ball inside. The Tigers are very reliant on out shooting their opponents and could struggle against teams that create extra possessions. Fortunately for Clemson, they have a big time tough shot maker in transfer Joseph Girard (#11) whose shooting an astounding 42% from three.

7. Dayton (24-7) C - 6/10

Led by potential all-American Daron Holmes (#15), the Dayton Flyers have impressed this season despite coughing up the A10 regular season title. One of my favorite players in the country, Kobe Brea (#4) is an elite shooter with size as well as Nate Santos (#2) providing further spacing from the power forward position. The guard play will be the key for the Flyers, I will be most intrigued with how Kobe Elvis(#24) performs against higher level competition.

8. Mississippi State (21-13) C - 5/10

Quietly, Josh Hubbard (#13) has put together a very impressive freshman season. Hubbard is especially dynamic in conjunction with Tolu Smith in the frontcourt (#1), both players taking on a ton of offensive responsibility. On defense, I really like their athleticism on the wings with guys like Dashawn Davis (#10) who can drive as well as defend for the Bulldogs.

9. Michigan State (19-14)*

A deep run is the last hope for Michigan State to salvage this season. Tyson Walker (#2) has been really good even playing through injury and Malik Hall (#25) is great at scoring in the mid post. The problem with Michigan State is their archaic offensive style. They occasionally score in transition but most often fall into basic actions that lack movement. On the positive end, the Spartans are really good defensively which could. be enough to get them to the second round. Jaden Akins has the shot making ability but needs to be more consistent and aggressive for the Spartans to keep up in the tournament.

10. Nevada (26-7)

Nevada has been consistently solid on both ends of the floor over the entire season. Although, when looking at their play against quality teams, the Wolfpack seems to be more reliant on the offense to lift them against better competition. Their defense lacks the constant effort that is shown with Nevada struggling to defensive rebound as well as their defend against advanced offensive movement. As a part of the consistency, look for Nevada to shoot and make a ton of mid range shots with Jarod Lucas (#2) and Kenan Blackshear (#13) being key scorers, both shooting over 40% from that area.

11. New Mexico (26-9)

When New Mexico is rolling there is a lot to like about this Lobos team. The three headed backcourt of Donavan Dent (#2), Jaelen House (#10), and Jamal Mashburn are vital because of their tough shot making. A surprising trend related to New Mexico's end of year struggles, finishing the regular season 4-6, was the decrease in opposing turnover percentage. The Lobos lack elite shooting so the turnover battle is extremely important for New Mexico. JT Toppin (#15) has been one of the best freshman in the country and quietly been one of the most important players for New Mexico.

12. Grand Canyon (29-4)

Grand Canyon is going to be a popular upset pick because of the talent and athleticism that this roster has at the mid major level. Grand Canyon is led by potential NBA draft pick Tyon Grant-Foster(#7) and Gabe McGlothan (#30) who adds versatility from the post or perimeter. GCU dominates in the paint on both sides, getting to the free throw line on offense and defending two point attempts with their length on defense. Watch for lengthy Lok Wur (#5) to be an important piece for GCU coming off the bench. In the NCAA tournament, I am concerned that stronger teams could defend GCU without fouling relatively, while beating GCU in the rebound battle.

13. College of Charleston (27-7)

For the second straight year, the NCAA tournament will include the College of Charleston! One of the more entertaining Xs and Os team in the country, Pat Kelsey draws up great actions and Charleston will generate a ton of threes with how well they push the ball. Teams have to be aware of Reyne Smith (#2) who is third in the country in made three pointers. Additionally, perimeter oriented big Ante Brzovic will be under pressure to produce as he is the highest usage player for Charleston.

14. Colgate (25-9)

Colgate has quietly made the last five NCAA tournaments out of the Patriot. This team looks different from pat years in large part because of the improved defense and slight drop from elite to good in three point shooting. The three point battle will be very important against Baylor and Colgate will have to force more than 15 turnovers to pull off the first round upset. I personally am rooting for Braeden Smith (#2) to lead Colgate on a magical run to the NCAA championship where he will hopefully meet fellow Braden Smith from Purdue.

15. Long Beach State (21-14)

Long Beach State has three quad 2 wins and is 3-3 in the first two quadrants. Additionally, this team is one of the few teams that can match Arizona's pace up and down the floor. I like the the confidence that both Marcus Tsohonis (#0) and Aboubacar Traore (#25) play with. Although, their defense is concerning. The effort is inconsistent which leads to bizarre breakdowns that they cannot afford against teams in the NCAA tournament. A key player for Long Beach State is Lassina Traore who will have to hold up against the Arizona bigs.

16. Wagner (17-15)

Wagner had one of their best shooting performances of the season in the first four versus Howard. Overall, Wagner has struggled shooting the ball but do a good job in the possession battle with turnovers and rebounds. The undersized frontcourt will have to rebound very well against Armando Bacot and leading scorer Melvin Council Jr (#11) will have to score at a high level against the more athletic UNC guards.