The 68-team subject for the lads’s aspect of the NCAA Event is now set.
The Duke Blue Devils (East), Arizona Wildcats (West), Michigan Wolverines (Midwest) and Florida Gators (South) have secured the No. 1 seeds of their respective areas. The total bracket may be discovered right here (via ESPN). The event begins with the First 4 on Tuesday.
These squads are clearly in an important place. March Insanity, nevertheless, is rife with upsets. With that in thoughts, this is the largest flaw for every No. 1 seed:
Duke (32-2, 17-1 ACC) | Depth at guard
Duke freshman ahead Cameron Boozer headlines one of many strongest frontcourts within the nation. Getting into the event, he ranks ninth within the nation in scoring (22.5 factors per recreation) and thirteenth in rebounding (10.2 per recreation). However can Duke’s backcourt step up if Boozer goes chilly within the event?
Sophomore Isaiah Evans leads Duke’s guards in scoring (14.9 PPG), and junior Caleb Foster is the one different Blue Satan guard averaging 8.5 PPG. Foster, after all, fractured his proper foot within the regular-season finale in opposition to the North Carolina Tar Heels, and it is unclear when he’ll return.
If one other guard cannot step up for Duke, that might come again to chunk them within the Massive Dance. Groups that win the nationwide title usually characteristic elite guard play. Final season, former Florida guard Walter Clayton Jr. led the Gators to the championship, averaging 22.3 PPG within the event and incomes Most Excellent Participant honors.
Arizona (32-2, 16-2 Massive 12) | Skill to make three-pointers at a excessive quantity
Arizona’s capability to overpower opponents with its bodily play is one purpose it received the Massive 12 regular-season and event titles. The Wildcats ranked second within the convention in offensive rebounding (12.8 rebounds per recreation) and first in field-goal proportion (50.2 p.c).
However can Arizona stretch the ground sufficient? Arizona ranks fifth within the Massive 12 in three-point proportion (36 p.c) however final in three-pointers tried (16.3).
The Wildcats additionally lack an elite three-point shooter. Guard Brayden Burries has made a team-leading 55 threes this season, however he ranks twenty fifth within the Massive 12 in three-pointers made per recreation (1.6).
Michigan (31-3, 19-1 Massive Ten) | Turnovers
Michigan options one of many extra dynamic offenses within the bracket. Getting into Sunday, the Wolverines rank tenth in college basketball in scoring (87.3) and fifth in assists (18.6 per recreation).
Turnovers, although, have plagued the Wolverines all through the season. Getting into Sunday, Michigan averaged the third-most turnovers per recreation (12.1) within the Massive Ten.
This creates simple offense for Michigan’s opponents. The Purdue Boilermakers scored 13 factors off seven Wolverine turnovers in an 80-72 Massive Ten Event closing win on Sunday on the United Middle in Chicago.
Florida (26-7, 16-2 SEC) | Three-point taking pictures
Let’s not mince phrases; the Gators are a horrible three-point taking pictures staff. Getting into Sunday, Florida ranked twelfth within the SEC in three-pointers made (7.4) and final in three-point proportion (30.8 p.c).
The Gators did not present any enchancment of their three-point taking pictures in the course of the SEC Event. Florida shot 32.4 p.c from downtown in two video games at Bridgestone Area in Nashville.
Florida, nevertheless, overcame terrible three-point taking pictures in final season’s event. The Gators shot an abysmal 29.4 p.c from three-point vary in six video games.
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