Best round of 64 matchup: Stony Brook has a chance to be the beloved Cinderella of the 2016 tournament. Senior Jameel Warney scored 43 points to lead the Seawolves to the America East Championship and is the sort of physical presence that could give Kentucky trouble. The Wildcats, meanwhile, are in an unusual spot: the roster is loaded with talent, but expectations are tempered -- at least by Kentucky standards. Guard play is always important in March, especially early in the tournament, and Tyler Ulis has developed into a top point guard. He opens space for Jamal Murray to shoot from distance. It's popular to call this season one of John Calipari's best as a coach because of how Kentucky has evolved, but he has much left to prove, starting with devising a way to stop a skilled underdog with nothing to lose. Potential upset Stephen F. Austin over West Virginia
Potential upset: Stephen F. Austin plays a high pressure defense and forces turnovers on one-fourth of its opponent's possessions, meaning it won't be intimidated by West Virginia's similar approach. Its veteran leader, Thomas Walkup, averaged 17.5 points, 6.9 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game, and was on the Lumberjacks squad that upset No. 5 seed VCU two years ago. And, oh yeah, he has a beard truly befitting his team's nickname. The Mountaineers, meanwhile, used hot shooting from 3 to beat Oklahoma in the Big 12 Tournament semifinal, and that is unlikely to hold up (they were 251st in 3-point shooting this season). The Lumberjacks have won 20 in a row and share the ball as well as any team in the country. West Virginia has a physical advantage, especially in the paint, and often wins with sheer toughness. But the Lumberjacks, eager to prove they're more than a good team in a bad conference, won't cower.
The sleeper: Mike Brey's teams are always well-prepared, and this Notre Dame team can score in a variety of ways. Forward Zach Auguste and point guard Demetrius Jackson were key players in last year's Elite Eight run and have only gotten better. The Fighting Irish have lost four of their last seven games and were thumped out of the ACC tournament with a 31-point loss to North Carolina, but that came after they erased a 16-point deficit over the final 11 minutes and beat Duke in overtime. They'll face a tired winner of the play-in game between Michigan and Tulsa -- both deeply flawed teams. Notre Dame matches up well with potential second-round opponent West Virginia because its veterans don't mind playing quickly to break the press.
The winner: This is a different North Carolina team than we're accustomed to seeing, and for much of the year it was difficult to read. These Tar Heels push the tempo relentlessly but are awful from 3. Maybe that works in their favor: they won't rely on deep shots in unfamiliar venues through March and April. Senior point guard Marcus Paige is reliable in most facets of the game, and is also the sort of much-maligned star who often plays the best basketball of his career in its final weeks. His teammates have taken their cues from him on defense, and that as much as anything is a reason to believe in this team. The Tar Heels are unlikely to hit long scoring droughts -- the execution is too good, the players too talented -- so focus at the other end will mean everything.
1. North Carolina
Nickname: Tar Heels. Location: Chapel Hill, N.C.
Record: 28-6, 14-4. Bid: ACC champ
Last appearance: 2015, lost to Wisconsin in Sweet 16
Coach: Roy Williams (65-23 in 25 appearances)
Twitter: @UNC_basketball
Overview: The Tar Heels love to get up and down the floor in a hurry, and it translates to a lot of points. Senior forward Brice Johnson is averaging a double-double and has proved to be one of the best players in the country. What could hurt North Carolina in the tournament is its outside shooting. The Tar Heels are 31.3% from behind the arc, the worst in the ACC.
Starting Lineup: G Marcus Paige, 6-1, Sr. (12.1 ppg, 3.7 apg); G Joel Berry II, 6-0, So. (12.7 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 3.6 apg); F Justin Jackson, 6-8, So. (12.1 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 2.9 apg); F Brice Johnson, 6-9, Sr. (16.6 ppg, 10.6 rpg); F Kennedy Meeks, 6-9, Jr. (9.4 ppg, 5.9 rpg)
2. Xavier
Nickname: Musketeers. Location: Cincinnati
Record: 27-5, 14-4. Bid: Big East at-large
Last appearance: 2015, lost to Arizona in Sweet 16
Coach: Chris Mack (6-5 in five appearances)
Twitter: @XavierMBB
Overview: This offense is high octane and can beat you outside and in. The Musketeers are in the top 20 in the country in rebounding margin and scoring, and they will crash the glass on both ends of the floor — they lead the Big East in offensive rebounding. They have great depth, with nine players averaging at least 10 minutes a game.
Projected starters: G Myles Davis, 6-2, Jr. (11.1 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 4.2 apg); G Remy Abell, 6-4, Sr. (6.1 ppg, 1.6 rpg, 1.5 apg); G Edmond Sumner, 6-6, Fr. (11.3 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 3.5 apg); G Trevon Bluiett, 6-6, So. (15.5 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 2.3 apg); F James Farr, 6-10, Sr. (10.8 ppg, 7.8 rpg)
3. West Virginia
Nickname: Mountaineers. Location: Morgantown, W.Va.
Record: 26-8, 13-5. Bid: Big 12 at-large
Last appearance: 2015, lost to Kentucky in Sweet 16
Coach: Bob Huggins (29-21 in 21 appearances)
Twitter: @WVUHoops
Overview: West Virginia is also known as Press Virginia because of its full-court press and high-pressure defense. The Mountaineers have perhaps the best sixth man in the country in senior guard Jaysean Paige, who is averaging 14.1 points per game and is arguably the Mountaineers best player. A team with ball handlers that can break the press and slow the pace of the game could problems.
Projected starters: G Jevon Carter, 6-2, So. (9.8 ppg, 3.3 apg); G Daxter Miles Jr., 6-3, So. (9.8 ppg); F Esa Ahmad, 6-8, Fr. (4.7 ppg); F Jonathan Holton, 6-7, Sr. (9.2 ppg, 7.8 rpb); F Devin Williams, 6-9, Jr. (12.8 ppg, 9.2 rpg)
4. Kentucky
Nickname: Wildcats. Location: Lexington, Ky.
Record: 26-8, 13-5. Bid: SEC champ
Last appearance: 2015, lost to Wisconsin in Final Four
Coach: John Calipari (47-15 in 16 appearances)
Twitter: @KentuckyMBB
Overview: Kentucky is supremely talented, as usual. Everything for the Wildcats goes through sophomore guard Tyler Ulis, one of the top point guards in the country. He is near the top in the country is assists per game, and he is often finding freshman guard Jamal Murray with a drive and kick for an open three. Kentucky has, at times, been bullied inside by big teams.
Projected starters: G Tyler Ulis, 5-9, So. (16.8 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 7.2 apg); G Jamal Murray, 6-4, Fr. (20.2 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 42.6 3-pt%); G Isaiah Briscoe, 6-3, Fr. (9.5 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 3.2 apg); F Alex Poythress, 6-8, Sr. (10.3 pg, 6.1 apg); F Marcus Lee, 6-9, Jr. (6.5 ppg, 6.3 rpg)
5. Indiana
Nickname: Hoosiers. Location: Bloomington, Ind.
Record: 25-7, 15-3. Bid: Big Ten at-large
Last appearance: 2015, lost to Wichita State in first round
Coach: Tom Crean (9-8 in eight appearances)
Twitter: @IndianaMBB
Overview: After a poor showing in Maui and losing James Blackmon Jr., to injury, Indiana turned its season around. The Hoosiers won their final five regular-season games en route to an outright Big Ten title, and a key factor to their success has been senior guard Yogi Ferrell. The Hoosiers can also light it up from deep, averaging more than 10 three-pointers a game.
Projected starters: G Yogi Ferrell, 6-0, Sr. (17.1 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 5.5 apg); G Robert Johnson, 6-3, So. (8.2 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 3.1 apg); F Troy Williams, 6-7, Jr. (13.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg); F Collin Hartman, 6-7, Jr. (5.1 ppg, 3.0 rpg); C Thomas Bryant, 6-10, Fr. (11.5 ppg, 5.8 rpg)
6. Notre Dame
Nickname: Fighting Irish. Location: South Bend, Ind.
Record: 21-11, 11-7. Bid: ACC at-large
Last appearance: 2015, lost to Kentucky in Elite Eight
Coach: Mike Brey (9-12 in 12 appearances)
Twitter: @NDmbb
Overview: So many players can score for Notre Dame, with five of the Fighting Irish averaging double-digits. Senior forward Zach Auguste is in the midst of a breakout year, averaging a double-double, and junior guard Demetrius Jackson is playing as well as expected. The question for the Irish won't be whether they can score, but if they can defend them well enough to win.
Projected starters: G Demetrius Jackson, 6-1, Jr. (15.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 4.8 apg); G Steve Vasturia, 6-5, Jr. (11.8 ppg, 3.1 apg); F V.J. Beachem, 6-8, Jr. (11.3 ppg, 3.8 rpg); F Bonzie Colson, 6-5, So. (11.5 ppg, 7.0 rpg); F Zach Auguste, 6-10, Sr. (14.4 ppg, 10.8 rpg)
7. Wisconsin
Nickname: Badgers. Location: Madison, Wis.
Record: 20-12, 12-6. Bid: Big Ten at-large
Last appearance: 2015, lost to Duke in championship game
Coach: Greg Gard (first appearance)
Twitter: @BadgersMBB
Overview: The fact that Wisconsin is even in the tournament is miraculous. The Badgers started the season with a home loss to Western Illinois and continued to play poorly in the non-conference, losing to Marquette, Milwaukee and Georgetown. But the turnaround came in the conference season, where Wisconsin went 12-6. The play of junior forward Nigel Hayes will be a large factor in any postseason success.
Projected starters: G Bronson Koenig, 6-4, Jr. (13.4 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 2.5 apg); G Zak Showalter, 6-2, Jr. (7.6 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 2.2 apg); F Ethan Happ, 6-9, Fr. (12.1 ppg, 7.8 rpg); F Nigel Hayes, 6-8, Jr. (16.3 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 3.0 apg); F Vitto Brown, 6-8, Jr. (9.7 ppg, 5.2 rpg)
8. Southern California
Nickname: Trojans. Location: Los Angeles
Record: 21-12, 9-9. Bid: Pac-12 at-large
Last appearance: 2011, lost to Virginia Commonwealth in First Four
Coach: Andy Enfield (2-1 in one appearance)
Twitter: @USC_Hoops
Overview: The Trojans head to the Big Dance for the first time since 2011 with an efficient offense, but they struggle on defense. They are second in the PAC 12 in hitting it from deep at 38.5%, but they allow nearly 75 points per game. USC is limping into the tournament after losing five of its last seven, largely because turnover troubles to their turnover troubles and inability to keep teams from scoring under 75.
Projected starters: G Julian Jacobs, 6-4, Jr. (11.8 ppg, 5.5 apg); G Jordan McLaughlin, 6-1, So. (13.4 ppg, 4.7 apg); G Elijah Stewart, 6-5, So. (9.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg); F Bennie Boatwright, 6-10, Fr. (11.5 ppg, 5.3 rpg); F Nikola Jovanovic, 6-11, Jr. (12,1 ppg, 7.0 rpg)
9. Providence
Nickname: Friars. Location: Providence, R.I.
Record: 23-10, 10-8. Bid: Big East at-large
Last appearance: 2015, lost to Dayton in round of 64
Coach: Ed Cooley (0-2 in two appearances)
Twitter: @PCFriarsmbb
Overview: Ben Bentil who leads the Big East in scoring and is fourth in rebounding. Throw in junior point guard Kris Dunn, who is among the best in the nation in spreading the ball around, and Providence is an all-around team that can go deep in the tournament. They aren't the best shooting team (42.2% from the field, and 32% from deep), but their quick defense that forces the most turnovers in the conference typically can keep games close.
Projected starters: G Kris Dunn, 6-4, Jr. (16 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 6.4 apg); G Junior Lomomba, 6-5, Jr. (5.5 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 2.0 apg); G Jalen Lindsay, 6-7, So. (7.3 ppg, 4.4 rpg); F Ben Bentil, 6-9, So. (21.2 ppg, 7.8 rpg); F Rodney Bullock, 6-8, So. (11.6 ppg, 6.8 rpg)
10. Pittsburgh
Nickname: Panthers. Location: Pittsburgh
Record: 21-11, 9-9. Bid: ACC at-large
Last appearance: 2014, lost for Florida in round of 32
Coach: Jamie Dixon (12-10 in 10 appearances)
Twitter: @HailToPittHoops
Overview: February and March haven't been too inspiring for Pitt outside of a home win against Duke on Feb. 28, with the Panthers going 4-7 over the last month and a half. Pittsburgh is led by senior guard James Robinson, who leads the ACC in assists, and the Panthers will need him to play at his best to make some noise in this tournament. Also keep an eye on junior forward Michael Young.
Projected starters: G James Robinson, 6-3, Sr. (10.3 ppg, 5.1 apg); G Sterling Smith, 6-4, Sr. (4.6 ppg, 3.1 rpg); F Rafael Maia, 6-9, Sr. (1.1 ppg, 3.6 rpg); F Jamel Artis, 6-7, Jr. (14.4 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 3.1 apg); F Michael Young, 6-9, Jr. (16.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 2.4 apg)
11. Michigan
Nickname: Wolverines. Location: Ann Arbor, Mich.
Record: 22-12, 10-8. Bid: Big Ten at-large
Last appearance: 2014, lost to Kentucky in Elite Eight
Coach: John Beilein (16-9 in nine appearances)
Twitter: @umichbball
Overview: It didn't look like Michigan — which lost top player Caris LeVert midseason — would even get into the tournament until the Wolverines beat top-seed Indiana in the Big Ten tournament. They aren't a rebounding team in the slightest, as they average only 32.4 a game, which is 324th in the country. And they can be a streaky shooting team. When their shots aren't falling, they can look a little lost. When they shoot well, look out.
Projected starters: G Derrick Walton Jr., 6-1, Jr. (11.6 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 4.4 apg); G Zak Irvin, 6-6, Jr. (11.8 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 3.1 apg); G Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman, 6-4, So. (); G Duncan Robinson, 6-8, So. (11.4 ppg, 3.3 rpg); F Mark Donnal, 6-9, Jr. (8.0 ppg, 3.9 rpg)
11. Tulsa
Nickname: Golden Hurricane. Location: Tulsa
Record: 20-11, 12-6. Bid: AAC at-large
Last appearance: 2014, lost to UCLA in round of 64
Coach: Frank Haith (1-3 in three appearances)
Twitter: @TUMBasketball
Overview: The Golden Hurricane have nine seniors on the roster — more than any team in the country — and are motivated after being left out of the field a year ago. Shaquille Harrison is the engine at both ends (4.1 apg, 1.9 spg) while James Woodard and Pat Birt are both proficient three-point shooters. Senior forward Rashad Smith's playing time has diminished this season but he's a strong presence off the bench.
Projected starters: G Shaquille Harrison, 6-4, Sr. (14.8 ppg, 5.5 rpg); G James Woodard, 6-3 Sr. (15.8 ppg, 5.2 rpg); G Pat Birt, 6-5, Jr. (12.6 ppg, 3.4 rpg); G Marquel Curtis, 6-3, Sr. (6.8 ppg, 4.2 rpg); F Brandon Swannegan, 6-9, Sr. (6.3 ppg, 3.8 rpg).
12. Chattanooga
Nickname: Mocs. Location: Chattanooga, Tenn.
Record: 29-5, 15-3. Bid: Southern champ
Last appearance: 2009, lost to Connecticut in round of 64
Coach: Matt McCall (first appearance)
Twitter: @GoMocsMBB
Overview: The Mocs dominated the Southern Conference by playing team basketball, averaging nearly 15 assists a game. They don't have any one star, and when their leading scorer, senior guard Casey Jones, went down with an ankle injury in December their season looked bleak. The Mocs bounced back with great team play on offense and defense, leading the Southern Conference in scoring margin en route to their first Southern Conference title since 2009.
Projected starters: G Greg Pryor, 6-2, Jr. (9.9 ppg, 3.5 apg), G Eric Robertson, 6-4, Sr. (8.8 ppg, 1.7 apg), F Tre' McLean, 6-5, Jr. (12.3 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 2.4 apg), F Justin Tuoyo, 6-10, Jr. (11.1 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 1.0 apg), F Chuck Ester, 6-7, Jr. (7.7 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 1.7 apg)
13. Stony Brook
Nickname: Seawolves. Location: Stony Brook, N.Y.
Record: 26-6, 14-2. Bid: America East champ
Last appearance: first appearance
Coach: Steve Pikiell (first appearance)
Twitter: @StonyBrookMBB
Overview: Look no further for this year's Cinderella team. Jameel Warney led the Seawolves to their first America East Conference Championship with 43 points and nine rebounds in Saturday's final. Stony Brook had reached the tournament final four times in the last five seasons, but with their veteran leadership (starting three juniors and two seniors) don't be surprised if Stony Brook makes it out of opening weekend.
Projected starters: G Lucas Woodhouse, 6-3, Jr. (6.9 ppg, 3.6 apg); G Ahmad Walker, 6-4, Jr. (10 ppg, 4.2 apg); G Carson Puriefoy, 6-0, Sr. (14.8 ppg, 3.1 apg); F Jameel Warney, 6-8, Sr. (19 ppg, 10 rpg); F Rayshaun McGrew, 6-7 Sr. (10.9 ppg, 6.9 rpg)
14. Stephen F. Austin
Nickname: Lumberjacks. Location: Nacogdoches, Texas
Record: 27-5, 18-0. Bid: Southland champ
Last appearance: 2015, lost to Utah in round of 64
Coach: Brad Underwood (1-2 in two appearances)
Twitter: @SFA_MBB
Overview: The Lumberjacks dominated the Southland Conference because of great team offense that led to nearly 19 assists a game, No. 2 in the country. Their lack of an inside presence could end up hurting in the tournament, but they do have momentum: 20 wins in a row.
Projected starters: G Trey Pinkney, 5-9, Sr. (2.7 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 3.6 apg); G Demetrious Floyd, 5-11, Sr. (13.8 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 1.5 apg); G Ty Charles, 6-5, So. (9.7 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 2.4 apg); F Thomas Walkup, 6-4, Sr. (17.5 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 4.5 apg); F T.J. Holyfield, 6-8, Fr. (7.4 ppg, 4.3 apg)
15. Weber State
Nickname: Wildcats. Location: Ogden, Utah.
Record: 26-8, 15-3. Bid: Big Sky champ
Last appearance: 2014, lost to Arizona in round of 64
Coach: Randy Rahe, 0-2 in two appearances
Twitter: @weberstate
Overview: The Wildcats are led by the inside-out combination of Joel Bolomboy and Jeremy Senglin. They power an offense relies on the three-point shot, but is still one of the nation's leaders in field-goal percentage (48.5%). Help is available off the bench. Four non-starters average more than 17 minutes per game, including F Kyndahl Hill who is the team's third-leading scorer (8.3 ppg) and second-leading rebounder (5.9 rpg). Two major concerns if Weber State is in tight game: It makes just 67.3% of its free throws, and the defense doesn't create turnovers.
Starters: G Jeremy Senglin, 6-2, Jr. (18.2 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 44.2 3FG%); F/C Joel Bolomboy, 6-9, Sr. (17.2 ppg, 12.7 rpg, 58.1 FG%); F/C Zach Braxton, 6-9, Fr. (6.9 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 61.4 FG%); G McKay Cannon, 6-0, Fr. (5.4 ppg, 37.5 3FG%); G Ryan Richardson, 6-4, So. (6.9 ppg, 84.6 FT%)
16. Fairleigh Dickinson
Nickname: Knights. Location: Teaneck, N.J.
Record: 18-14, 11-7. Bid: Northeast champ
Last appearance: 2005, lost to Illinois in round of 64
Coach: Greg Horenda (first appearance)
Twitter: @FDUKnights
Overview: Fairleigh Dickinson, which KO'd top seed Wagner in the NEC final, loves to get out and run. The Knights are going to try to get up as many shots as they can on their opponent, and hopefully tire them out in the process. However, for all the points they score on offense (77.9), they give up an average of 78.2 points per game, which is near the bottom in the NCAA.
Projected starters: G Darian Anderson, 6-1, So. (15.4 ppg, 3.7 apg, 1.8 spg); G Marques Townes, 6-4, So. (11.4 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 2.7 apg); G Stephan Jiggetts, 6-1, So. (11.2 ppg, 3.1 apg); F Earl Potts Jr., 6-6, So. (14.7 ppg, 6.3 rpg), F Mike Holloway, 6-7, Fr. (9.6 ppg, 5.7 rpg)
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