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Breaking down local teams in the NCAA Tournament

Virginia (29-3, 16-2 ACC, lost in the conference tourney semis) By Dave Preston The Cavaliers get a #2 seed in the East after being ranked in the top five for most of the season. You could make the case for UVa being in the same bracket as the softest of the #1’s (Villanova has looked suspect in losses and capitalized on a not-as-good-as-you-think Big East). While defense was the difference this winter — the Cavaliers led the nation in scoring defense (50.8 points allowed per game) — Tony Bennett’s offense is highly effective, ranking 53rd in shooting. Last year, coach Tony Bennett guided the Cavaliers to their first ACC regular season title since 1983 and their first ACC Tournament Championship since 1976. Can he lead the UVa to their first Final Four since 1984? Player to Watch: Malcolm Brogdon tallied 25 points (including 12 straight at one point) in the ACC loss to North Carolina and remains the #1 offensive option on a team that doesn’t score a lot (225th in Division I). They need the 6-foot-5 matchup nightmare to produce from the perimeter  with Justin Anderson still working his way back from injury. Dark Horse Breakout Candidate: Can you be a breakout candidate if you’re the team’s best player? Justin Anderson missed eight games — the first seven with a broken pinkie and the eighth because of an appendectomy. In two ACC Tournament games the junior shot 0-for-6 in 26 minutes played. If he can regain his previous form (13ppg, 47% three-point shooting) the Cavaliers will suddenly have that necessary extra gear for the Big Dance. Road to the Penthouse: Anderson is fully healed and gives the stagnating offense exactly what it was missing. The Cavaliers cruise into the Final Four after disposing of an over-seeded Villanova in the Elite Eight. Once there, they face a spent Wisconsin team that has nothing left in the tank after upsetting Kentucky. BANNER! Road to the Outhouse: The offense stays in neutral and Justin Anderson fails to regain his pre-injury form. Tom Izzo’s Michigan State Spartans bounce the Cavaliers for the second straight year — only this time in the round of 32. A heartbreaking loss is made even worse by Duke advancing to the Sweet 16 in the same building hours before…and the Blue Devil faithful stay to cheer on the Cavaliers’ collapse. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
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Georgetown surprised many by landing on the four line for the NCAA Tournament. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

WASHINGTON — Four area teams qualified for the NCAA Tournament this year.

Virginia earned the number two seed in the East Region, and will play 15-seed Belmont in Charlotte, North Carolina on Friday.

Maryland was given the fourth seed in the Midwest, the same region as top overall seed Kentucky. They will play 13-seed Valparaiso Friday in Columbus, Oh.

Georgetown also secured a four seed, playing 13-seed Eastern Washington Thursday in Portland, Ore.

Finally, VCU heads to the West Region as a seven seed and will take on 10-seed Ohio St. on Thursday, also in Portland.

Check out the gallery above to see breakdowns of each team’s opponents and their chances to advance.

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