March Madness Region Breakdown: Midwest
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North Carolina
Dominate all season, the Tar-heels have been honored as the #1 seed in the midwest region. This should come to no surprise as UNC finished third in ACC conference play while sustaining a top 10 seed in the APA poll all throughout the regular season. It is important to take into account the impact of coaching within the tournament structure. During his tenure at North Carolina, coach Roy Williams has been in three Elite Eight appearances, two Final Four appearances, and has cut down three basketball nets while leading the Tar-heels to basketball immortality. North Carolina will be facing off against Iona on Friday. Although UMBC proved last year that they can steal the limelight from a #1 seed, don’t expect Iona to deliver on that unrealistic expectation. With the leadership from senior Cam Johnson, and freshmen talent from Cody White and Nassir Little, the Tar-heels are ready to get this weekend started.
Kentucky
As the #2 seed in the midwest region, the bluegrass kingdom is prepared for tournament time. The Wildcats are guided by the prestigious John Calipari who has only missed the Sweet 16 twice in his eight seasons at Kentucky. Personnel wise, the Wildcats roster has taken a big loss losing PJ Washington to a foot injury. Although losing Washington, who has had a breakout season from 3 point range, will be a big setback for the Wildcats, freshmen Keldon Johnson and Ashton Hagans have proven to be solid players within the Kentucky system. It is important to note that Kentucky has a relatively easy schedule. With a weak #15 seeded Abilene Christian and either a middle of the road team in Seton Hall or an unproven Wofford squad, the Wildcats have arguably the easiest path to the Sweet 16. Expect coach Cal to be seven for nine in Sweet 16 appearances.
Cinderellas
New Mexico St.
The Aggies of New Mexico St. are back in the NCAA tournament for the third straight year and second year under coach Chris Jans. New Mexico St. have been dominating the WAC for the past three seasons as reigning conference champions but have been booted out early from the big dance the past two seasons. Coincidentally, the Aggies for the second straight year are the #12 seed facing off against a #5 ranked SEC team. This year is a little bit different however, as the Aggies finished the regular season with a school record 30 wins. New Mexico St. has the capability to run the table this March with a wild card team like Auburn and potentially an unproven Northeastern squad and a Kansas team who has been struggling to find their groove.
Seton Hall
The Pirates of Seton Hall have had a season to remember. Seton Hall had a very surprising season finishing third in Big East conference play and runner up in the Big East tournament. Led by junior, Myles Powell, who is averaging 23 points per game, Seton Hall can very well upset an unproven and untested Wofford squad. Powell is the type of guard who can take over games with his ability to handle and shoot the rock from distance at a very high clip. The Seton Hall Pirates can become a very dangerous team to beat if Powell catches fire and puts the team on his back. Beware of the Pirates, they are ready to shoot their canons at any team in their way.
Dark Horses
Wofford
An unproven squad, Wofford is a team that not a lot of people knew coming into selection sunday. Champions of the Southern Conference, Wofford has won 20 straight games and have caught fire at just the right time. Wofford is led by senior Fletcher Magee who is averaging over 20 points a game. As one of the single digit seeds from outside the power six conferences, Wofford is a team that can either be a pleasant surprise or another team eliminated in the tournament. #7 seeded Wofford plays against #10 seeded Seton Hall which will be a true test for Wofford and an opportunity to show the nation that they can be a forced to be reckoned with.
Auburn
The Tigers of Auburn are a very mysterious team to say the least. A middle of the road team in the SEC, Auburn is ranked #5 in the midwest region of the bracket. After finishing #5 in SEC conference play, Auburn caught fire this past weekend in the SEC tournament and won the past three games including the SEC championship game. Despite me mentioning earlier about Auburn losing out to New Mexico St. in the round of 64, the Tigers are still a very underestimated team that should not be taken lightly in the tournament. Don’t be surprised to see Auburn make a run at the Sweet 16.