Best Round of 64 matchup: Iowa State-Iona. Though rarely on television, Iona is annually one of the nation's most fun teams to watch as coach Tim Cluess prefers a fast pace and free-flowing style. The Gaels, who beat Monmouth in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference title game, average 26.9 attempts from three-point range and shoot 37% from distance, making them a dangerous opponent in a one-and-done scenario. Likewise, Iowa State is No. 3 in KenPom's offensive efficiency ratings. Expect a ton of possessions and high-level shotmaking in this matchup as Iowa State tries to atone for its 60-59 loss to UAB as a No. 3 seed in the Round of 64 last year. The Cyclones lost seven of their final 12 games but have a balanced, veteran team led by forward Georges Niang, who can score from inside or the perimeter.
Potential upset: Fresno State-Utah If good guard play is the key to an NCAA tournament upset, look no further than the Bulldogs, who are making their first appearance since 2001. This is a very athletic, older team with size on the wings and a senior guard in Marvelle Harris who isn't necessarily efficient but gets to the foul line and scores in a variety of ways (20.6 points). Fresno State is coming in hot, with one loss (in overtime) in its last 12 games and impressive victory against San Diego State for the Mountain West title. Fresno State will need its 6-9 forwards, Torren Jones and Cullen Russo, to step up against 7-foot center Jakob Poeltl, but conversely Utah could struggle with the Bulldogs' speed.
The sleeper: If you watched the Big East tournament, Seton Hall looked more like a No. 3 or No. 4 seed than the No. 6 it was given by the committee. This is a quick, tough team that played ferocious defense and got in an unselfish groove offensively, whipping the ball around to get good shots. Sophomore guard Isaiah Whitehead averaged 23.3points a game at Madison Square Garden and has the type of game and swagger to carry a team deep in the tournament. The Pirates aren't very deep with a seven-man rotation, but that traditionally doesn't matter in the NCAA tournament unless there's major foul trouble. The Pirates didn't get an easy draw with Gonzaga, but they look like a potential Sweet 16 team peaking at the right time.
The winner: Michigan State has knocked Virginia out of the NCAAs the past two seasons, so Tony Bennett and Co. probably didn't celebrate their No. 1 seed very long after seeing the Spartans pop up in their bracket at No. 2. Though not rewarded with a top seed, Michigan State might be the favorite to win the whole thing based on its stellar play over the final nine games after Denzel Valentine returned to the lineup. Betting against Tom Izzo in March is usually a fool's errand, and this doesn't appear to be a terribly difficult path to Houston for the Spartans. If they continue to shoot well from the three-point line — they're 43.4% for the season — there's no reason to think their trend of beating Virginia will change in the Elite Eight.
1. Virginia
Nickname: Cavaliers. Location: Charlottesville, Va.
Record: 26-7, 13-5. Bid: ACC at-large
Last appearance: 2015, lost to Michigan State in round of 32
Coach: Tony Bennett (6-5 in five appearances)
Twitter: @UVAMensHoops
Overview: Virginia is No. 2 in the country in scoring defense, allowing fewer than 60 points per game. ACC Player of the Year senior guard Malcolm Brogdon has been outstanding defensively, but he's also fourth in the ACC in scoring (18.7 ppg). However, everything for the Cavaliers runs through junior guard London Perrantes, who close to the top in the conference in assists and shooting over 50% from three, a massive improvement in his game he has made over the course of his time in Charlottesville.
Projected starters: G London Perrantes, 6-2, Jr. (11.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 4.4 apg); G Malcolm Brogdon, 6-5, Sr. (18.7 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 2.8 apg): G Devon Hall, 6-5, So. (4.5 ppg); F Anthony Gill, 6-8, Sr. (13.3 ppg, 6.1 rpg); F Isaiah Wilkins, 6-7, So. (4.6 ppg, 4.1 rpg)
2. Michigan State
Nickname: Spartans. Location: East Lansing, Mich.
Record: 29-5, 13-5. Bid: Big Ten champ
Last appearance: 2015, lost to Duke in Final Four
Coach:Tom Izzo (46-17 in 18 appearances)
Overview:The Spartans play small with a four-guard lineup, but it doesn't affect their rebounding where they rank fifth in the country. They play the definition of team basketball with 21 assists a game, which is best in the country, but there is no question who the star of this team. Senior guard Denzel Valentine is many people's player of the year (including USA TODAY Sports), and he has kept Michigan State at or near the top all season.
Projected starters: G Denzel Valentine, 6-5, Sr. (19.6 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 7.6 apg, 44.5 3-pt%, 85.3 FT%); G Byrn Forbes, 6-3, Sr. (14.6 ppg, 49.3 3-pt%); G Lourawls "Tum Tum" Nairn Jr., 5-10, So. (3.0 ppg); G Eron Harris, 6-3, Jr. (9.4 ppg); F Matt Costello, 6-9, Sr. (10.4 ppg, 8.3 rpg)
3. Utah
Nickname: Utes. Location: Salt Lake City
Record: 26-8, 13-5. Bid: Pac-12 at-large
Last appearance: 2015, lost to Duke in Sweet 16
Coach: Larry Krystkowiak (3-3 in three appearances)
Twitter: @Runnin_Utes
Overview:Utah has arguably the best big man in the country in sophomore forward Jakob Poeltl, and Jordan Loveridge and Lorenzo Bonam can hit from deep. Utah's issue could be that there is a significant scoring drop-off from its starters to its bench, so foul trouble could be a serious hindrance.
Projected starters: G Brandon Taylor, 5-10, Sr. (9.6 ppg, 3.9 apg); G Lorenzo Bonam, 6-4, Jr. (10.2 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 3.1 apg, 40.4 3-pt%); F Jordan Loveridge, 6-6, Sr. (11.8 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 40.2 3-pt%); F Kyle Kuzma, 6-9, So. (10.9 ppg, 6.0 rpg); F Jakob Poeltl, 7-0, So. (17.8 ppg, 9.1 rpg)
4. Iowa State
Nickname: Cyclones. Location: Ames, Iowa
Record: 21-11, 10-8. Bid: Big 12 at-large
Last appearance: 2015, lost to UAB in round of 64
Coach: Steve Prohm (1-1 in one appearance)
Twitter: @CycloneMBB
Overview: Senior forward Georges Niang powers the Cyclones with nearly 20 points a game, including 31 in Iowa State's loss to Oklahoma in the Big 12 tournament. Iowa State's offense averages 81.8 points, second in the conference and top 20 in the nation. The biggest weakness is defense. Iowa State allows 75 points a game, worst in the conference and among the worst of any power five team.
Projected starters: G Monte Morris, 6-3, Jr. (13.1 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 6.9 apg); G Matt Thomas, 6-4 Jr. (10.7 ppg, 4.5 rpg); F Abdel Nader, 6-6, Sr. (13.1 ppg, 5.1 apg); F Georges Niang, 6-8, Sr. (19.8 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 3.3 apg); F Jameel McKay, 6-9, Sr. (11.5 ppg, 8.9 rpg)
5. Purdue
Nickname: Boilermakers. Location: West Lafayette, Ind.
Record: 26-8, 12-6. Bid: Big Ten at-large
Last appearance: 2015, lost to Cincinnati in round of 64
Coach: Matt Painter (8-8 in eight appearances)
Overview: Size and strength are, well, a big strength for the Boilermakers. They have two 7-footers, senior A.J. Hammons and 7-2 sophomore Isaac Haas, plus 6-9 freshman Caleb Swanigan, that make them a force inside. They outscore opponents by 14 points and outrebound them by 11. Three-point shooting is solid. Turnovers, however, can be a problem.
Projected starters: G Rapheal Davis, 6-6, Sr. (8.5 ppg, 4.0 rpg); G P.J. Thompson, 5-10, So. (5.8 ppg, 2.7 apg); F Vince Edwards, 6-8, So. (10.7 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 3.0 apg); F Caleb Swanigan, 6-9, Fr. (10.3 ppg, 8.3 rpg); C A.J. Hammons, 7-0, Sr. (15.1, 7.9)
6. Seton Hall
Nickname: Pirates. Location: South Orange, N.J.
Record: 25-8, 12-6. Bid: Big East champ
Last appearance: 2006, lost to Wichita State by round of 64
Coach: Kevin Willard (first appearance)
Twitter: @SetonHallMBB
Overview: This is a young team that the rest of the Big East should be very worried about going forward. Willard has his team playing its best basketball of the season at the right time, knocking off top seed Villanova in the Big East final. There are things to work on, like cutting down on turnovers, but this team is playing exactly how you want to heading into the Big Dance. Senior transfer Derrick Gordon, who averages 7.9 points a game off the bench, will be the first openly gay player to play in the tournament.
Projected starters: G Isaiah Whitehead, 6-4, So. (18.2 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 5.1 apg); G Khadeen Carrington, 6-3, So. (14.6 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 2.1 apg); G Ismael Sanogo, 6-8, So. (4.9 ppg, 7.1 rpg); F Desi Rodriguez, 6-6, So. (12.5 ppg, 5.2 rpg); F Angel Delgado, 6-9, So. (10. 1ppg, 9.1 rpg)
7. Dayton
Nickname: Flyers. Location: Dayton, Ohio.
Record: 25-7, 14-4.Bid: Atlantic 10 at-large
Last appearance: 2015, lost to Oklahoma in round of 32
Coach: Archie Miller (5-2 in two appearances)
Twitter: @DaytonMBB
Overview: The Flyers won a share of the Atlantic 10 regular season title, a feat they hadn't accomplished in two previous stellar seasons that saw Dayton fare well in the postseason. The program stunningly reached the Elite Eight in 2014 and there are still leftovers — Dyshawn Pierre and Scoochie Smith — from that Cinderella team. Miller's team sometimes struggle to execute in necessary areas, ranking 278th nationally in free-throw percentage (67%) and 222nd in turnover margin (-0.6).
Projected starters: G Charles Cooke, 6-5, Jr. (15.8 ppg, 6.0 rpg), G Scoochie Smith, 6-2, Jr. (11.8 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 4.1 apg), G Kyle Davis, 6-0, Jr. (7.8 ppg, 3.5 rpg), F Dyshawn Pierre, 6-6, Sr. (12.6 ppg, 8.5 rpg), F Kendall Pollard, 6-6, Jr. (9.8 ppg, 4.9 rpg)
8. Texas Tech
Nickname: Red Raiders. Location: Lubbock, Texas
Record: 19-12, 9-9. Bid: Big 12 at-large
Last appearance: 2007, lost to Boston College in Round of 64
Coach: Tubby Smith (30-16 in 17 appearances)
Twitter: @TexasTechMBB
Overview: The coaching job Smith has done this season has many anointing him national coach of the year, and it's tough to argue he shouldn't be given serious consideration considering this team wasn't expected to get anywhere close to the tournament. The Red Raiders spread around the scoring, with no one on the team averaging more than 12 points per game but four scoring in double figures. It can be difficult to defend a team where just about anyone can score.
Projected starters: G Toddrick Gotcher, 6-4, Sr. (11.1 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 2.3 apg); G Keenan Evans, 6-3, So. (8.8 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 2.8 apg); G Devaugntah Williams, 6-4, Sr. (10.6 ppg, 3.2 rpg); F Zach Smith, 6-3, Sr. (10.1 ppg, 7.4 rpg); F Matthew Temple, 6-10, Jr. (3.6 ppg)
9. Butler
Nickname: Bulldogs. Location: Indianapolis
Record: 21-10, 10-8. Bid: Big East at-large
Last appearance: 2015, lost to Notre Dame in round of 32
Coach: Chris Holtmann (1-1 in one appearance)
Twitter: @ButlerMBB
Overview: Butler started the season 11-1 but hit a wall at the start of conference season. The Bulldogs played their way into the tournament with offense. Butler averages 80.6 points a game and has four players scoring in double figures. However, against the other tournament teams in their league, they are 2-7, with the two wins coming against Seton Hall.
Projected starters: G Kellen Dunham, 6-6, Sr. (16.3 ppg, 1.5 apg); F Roosevelt Jones, 6-4, Sr. (14.0 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 4.7 apg); F Andrew Chrabascz, 6-7, Jr. (10.1 ppg, 4.2 rpg); F Kelan Martin, 6-6, So. (16.1 ppg, 6.8 rpg); F Tyler Wideman, 6-8, So. (7.7 ppg, 5.7 rpg)
10. Syracuse
Nickname: Orange. Location: Syracuse, N.Y.
Record: 19-13, 9-9. Bid: ACC at-large
Last appearance: 2014, lost to Dayton in round of 32
Coach: Jim Boeheim (53-31 in 31 appearances)
Twitter: @cuse_MBB
Overview: The Orange return to the tournament after missing last year's event because of a self-imposed postseason ban. They almost missed again after struggling for much of the season — and playing nine games without Jim Boeheim, who was serving punishment for the school's NCAA violations. The Orange have four players in double figures, but not a big rotation: Seven players eat up most of the minutes. As always, Syracuse 2-3 zone can cause problems because the Orange play it so well.
Projected starters: G Malachi Richardson, 6-6, Fr. (13.2 ppg, 4.3 rpg); G Trevor Cooney, 6-4, Sr. (12.8 ppg, ); F Michael Gbinije, 6-7, Sr. (17.8 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 4.4 apg, 40.4 3-pt%); F Tyler Lydon, 6-8, Fr. (10.1 ppg, 6.4 rpg); F Tyler Roberson, 6-8, Jr. (8.8 ppg, 8.0 rpg)
11. Gonzaga
Nickname: Bulldogs. Location: Spokane, Wash.
Record: 26-7, 15-3. Bid: WCC champ
Last appearance: 2015, lost to Duke in Elite Eight
Coach: Mark Few (19-16 in 16 appearances)
Twitter: @ZagMBB
Overview: Returning Kyle Wiltjer, Domantas Sabonis and Przemek Karnowski, the Bulldogs were ranked No. 11 in the preseason USA TODAY Sports coaches poll. However, Gonzaga failed to meet early expectations, in part because of Karnowski's season-ending injury in December. Wiltjer and Sabonis have lived up to the hype, but their supporting cast has been disappointing. That said, the Bulldogs came alive in the WCC Tournament, and they can score (79.7 ppg).
Projected starters: G Josh Perkins, 6-3, Fr. (10.3 ppg, 4.0 apg); G Eric McClellan, 6-4, Sr. (10.6 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 1.9 apg); G Kyle Dranginis, 6-5, Sr. (6.5 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 3.2 apg); F Kyle Wiltjer, 6-10, Sr. (20.7 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 1.4 apg); F Domantas Sabonis, 6-11, So. (17.4 ppg, 11.6 rpg, 1.7 apg)
12. Arkansas-Little Rock
Nickname: Trojans. Location: Little Rock
Record: 29-4, 17-3.Bid:Sun Belt champ
Last appearance: 2011, lost to UNC-Asheville in First Four
Coach:Chris Beard (first appearance)
Twitter: @LittleRockMBB
Overview: Arkansas-Little Rock has been a big surprise, winning not only the Sun Belt regular-season title (after being picked to finish fifth) but also winning at San Diego State and at Tulsa. Little Rock has done it with defense, giving up only 59.8 points per game, ranking third in the nation. The Trojans also have more size than many teams coming from conferences like the Sun Belt, starting two players who are 6-9 or taller.
Projected starters: G Marcus Johnson Jr., 5-11, Jr. (12.7 ppg, 46.0 3-pt.%); G Josh Hagins, 6-1, Sr. (13.1 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 4.7 apg); F Roger Woods, 6-5, Sr. (9.5 ppg, 4.0 rpg); F Mareik Isom, 6-9, Jr. (6.3 ppg); F Lis Shoshi, 6-11, Jr. (7.0 ppg, 5.3 rpg)
13. Iona
Nickname: Gaels. Location: New Rochelle, N.Y.
Record: 22-10, 16-4.Bid: MAAC champ
Last appearance: 2013, lost to Ohio State in round of 64
Coach: Tim Cluess (0-2 in two appearances)
Twitter: @ICGaels
Overview: As watchable as Monmouth was this season, Iona just might be the MAAC's true Cinderella. The Gaels got the best of Monmouth twice, first in a 16-point road win before topping the Hawks in the conference tournament final. A.J. English, a senior guard with NBA talent, will be the best player in the tournament no one knows, and he has the skill set to turn into a March star. But the Gaels rank 226th nationally in scoring defense at 73.7 points a game.
Projected starters: G Ibn Muhammad, 5-9, Sr. (5.2 ppg, 2.7 apg), G Isaiah Williams, 6-7, Sr. (12.9 ppg, 7.0 rpg), G Deyshonee Much, 6-5, So. (13.1 ppg, 3.6 rpg), G A.J. English, 6-4, Sr. (22.4 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 6.2 apg), F Jordan Washington, 6-8, Jr. (13.8 ppg, 6.2 rpg).
14. Fresno State
Nickname: Bulldogs.Location: Fresno, Calif.
Record: 25-9, 13-5. Bid: Mountain West champ
Last appearance: 2001, lost in round of 32 to Michigan State
Coach: Rodney Terry (first appearance)
Overview: Fresno State stole the Mountain West's automatic bid with an impressive MWC tournament championship that saw them knock off top-seeded San Diego State in the title game. The Bulldogs have won nine games in a row and are doing what many teams fail to do in March: peak. Mountain West Player of the Year Marvelle Harris is a do-everything guard who drives this team's success. The Bulldogs excel at pressure, ranking fifth nationally in turnover margin (4.3) and 16th with 8.2 steals per game.
Twitter: @FresnoStateMBB
Projected starters: G Marvelle Harris, 6-4, Sr. (20.6 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 4.4 apg); G Julien Lewis, 6-4, Sr. (8.6 ppg, 2.6 rpg); G Cezar Guerrero, 6-1, Sr. (8.3 ppg, 3.1 rpg); F Cullen Russo, 6-9, Jr. (8.0 ppg, 6.2 rpg); F Karachi Edo, 6-6, Jr. (9.9 ppg, 6.4 rpg)
15. Middle Tennessee State
Nickname: Blue Raiders. Location: Murfreesboro, Tenn.
Record: 24-9, 13-5. Bid: Conference USA champ
Last appearance: 2013, lost to Saint Mary's in First Four
Coach: Kermit Davis (0-3 in three appearances)
Overview: The Blue Raiders returned four starters from a team that made the Conference USA final a year ago, but scoring was a question. Sophomore Giddy Potts emerged, hitting 49% of his 3s. The offense runs through Reggie Upshaw, a rugged forward who had offers to play tight end in the SEC. This will be Davis' fourth trip to the NCAA Tournament; he led Idaho to the dance in 1989 as the youngest coach in the nation (28).
Twitter: @MT_MBB
Projected starters: G Jaqawn Raymond, 6-4, Sr. (4.5 ppg, 1.7 apg); G Giddy Potts, 6-2 So. (15.0 ppg, 5.5 rpg); G/F Perrin Buford, 6-6, Sr. (11.6 ppg, 5.9 rpg); F Reggie Upshaw, 6-7, Jr. (13.5 ppg, 8.7 rpg); F Darnell Harris, 6-8, Sr. (11.8 ppg, 4.0 rpg).
16. Hampton
Nickname: Pirates. Location: Hampton, Va.
Record: 21-10, 13-3. Bid: MEAC champ
Last appearance: 2015, lost to Kentucky in round of 64
Coach: Edward Joyner (1-2 in two appearances)
Twitter: @Hampton_MBB
Overview: The Pirates are led by their veteran backcourt duo of Reginald Johnson Jr. and Quinton Chievous. Though Hampton lacks height, it ranked in the top 10 in the country in rebounding, with Chievous among the nation's leaders. The Pirates won in the First Four last year, the program's first tournament win since the memorable 2001 upset of second-seeded Iowa State.
Projected starters: G Reginald Johnson Jr., 6-2, Sr. (18.2 ppg, 3.6 apg); G Quinton Chievous, 6-6, Gr. (17.3 ppg, 11.2 rpg); G Brian Darden, 6-2, Sr. (12.8 ppg, 31.8% 3PT); Lawrence Cooks, 6-1, Jr. (8.1 ppg, 86.4% FT); F Jervon Pressley, 6-8, Sr. (6.3 ppg, 6.1 rpg)
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