WASHINGTON — For a season that has been defined by how unpredictable it has been, the Regional Rounds have an unmistakable feel of exclusivity. Ten of the top 16 seeds (with #5’s Maryland and Indiana on the wait-list) remain, with the kiddie table packed up for the season. Adults only, at this Sweet Sixteen party. Twelve games over four days to determine who dances in Houston…and who heads home disappointed.
South Regional (Louisville)
The KFC Yum! Center is the site, but is it actually necessary to have the exclamation point in the title of the arena? If something merits yum (and as a patron in the past, KFC qualifies), isn’t that enough? There’s no shame in being “yum” minus the exclamation point…much like it was okay if you liked Raymond but didn’t necessarily love him.
#5 Maryland (27-8) meets #1 Kansas
Mark Turgeon played for the Jayhawks (while Bill Self was an assistant at the then-Big Eight school) in the storyline we will tire of by the first TV timeout. This is also the Terps’ first trip to the second weekend of the NCAA’s since 2003…after a stretch of seven Sweet Sixteen appearances over a 10-year span. Let’s just say the fan base is a little hungry, and more than happy to look past any deficiencies to rationalize an even deeper run.
What to watch for
Perry Ellis is more than just a clothing line. The senior forward will keep the Terps’ hands full with his inside play, and his three-point shooting is more quality (44%) than quantity (less than 2 attempts per game). The Jayhawks defense holds opponents to less than 40% shooting.
When to cancel Saturday antiquing
The Terps rediscover their three-point shot and Diamond Stone responds to the spotlight with his first double-double since February 3. Every mistake reminds Ellis and company of previous March meltdowns.
When to give ABC’s “Shades of Blue” an honest try
Foul trouble claims Robert Carter Jr. and Melo Trimble isn’t getting the calls he did the first weekend (en route to 22-23 free throw shooting). Stone forgets what a rebound is and the Terps are forced to live and mostly die with awkward threes from Rasheed Sulaimon and Jake Layman.
Things to look for in the early game: #2 Villanova (31-5) vss #3 Miami (27-7)
It’s a showdown of former Big East foes (well, from 1991-2004 at least). The Wildcats dominated their first two opponents, winning by 30 and 19 (leading Iowa by 25 at the half) while the Hurricanes needed late pushes to record a pair of single-digit wins. Can the Canes disrupt Nova’s offensive efficiency (14th in Division I in assist-to-turnover ratio, 32nd in field goal percentage)? Did the Wildcats’ ghosts of brackets past (five straight defeats in the first weekend) go away?
West Regional (Anaheim)
This is the only bracket with the top four seeds advancing, despite late leads by upstarts Saint Joseph’s and Northern Iowa. And three of the four schools actually are located west of the Mississippi River.
Top seed Oregon (30-6) faces #4 Duke (25-10)
Can Grayson Allen and the Blue Devils trip up the Ducks? More importantly, which of the 35 uniform combinations will Nike State be wearing? Despite the lack of depth for Coach K and company, they boast Brandon Ingram, who might be enough to dispose of the #1 seed still looking for validation.
#2 Oklahoma (27-7) plays #3 Texas A&M (28-8)
This used to be a Big 12 showdown…did the Selection committee make a statement with multiple matchups of former conference foes? Buddy Hield is in a league of his own, and that should be good enough for the Sooners.
Midwest Regional (Chicago)
The city of broad shoulders welcomes one school with huge expectations, two with history but enjoying surprise runs, and a fourth in the Ringo role.
Top seed Virginia (28-7) meets #4 Iowa State (23-11)
The Cavaliers breathed a sigh of relief when recent nemesis Michigan State was bounced in the first round, and then survived a scare against upstart Butler. Tony Bennett’s team boasts the second-best scoring defense in the nation and offers up a deliberate but deadly efficient offense (they hit 18 of 25 shots in the second half against the Bulldogs).
What to watch for
Under first-year coach Steve Prohm (not to be confused with Fred Hoiberg or Tim Floyd) the Cyclones led the Big 12 in scoring (81 ppg) and shooting (over 50% from the field). Senior forward Georges Niang scored 28 points both games last weekend…and junior guard Monte Morris (14 points and 7 assists per game) initiates the offense.
When to cancel Sunday brunch plans
Anthony Gill and Malcolm Brogdon work the inside-outside game to perfection and the pack-line defense frustrates the Cyclones beyond belief. Senior Mike Tobey makes his big-time appearance of the season and dominates inside.
When to flip over to “Sleepy Hollow” on FOX
Niang runs roughshod and Gill/Brogdon get into early foul trouble, while the Cavaliers shoot like they did in the second half of the ACC Tournament Championship game. The other Tony Bennett tweets his dismay…
I wanted to let all my fans know that Im ok. Glad to hear UVA coach Tony Bennett is fine after his fall. Congrats @UVAMensHoops on the win!
— Tony Bennett (@itstonybennett) March 17, 2016
Things to look for in the late game
#10 Syracuse (21-13) plays #11 Gonzaga (28-7)
This isn’t your traditional “10 vs 11” matchup…even though many thought that the Orange wouldn’t and/or shouldn’t get an at-large bid, while the Bulldogs needed to win the West Coast Conference just to get into the tournament. The Zags boast twin towers in 6-foot-11 Domanatus Sabonis (17 points and 12 rebounds a game) and 6-10 Kyle Wiltjer (21 ppg), while ‘Cuse answers with that famed 2-3 zone and senior guard Trevor Cooney who 1) looks like he just woke up and 2) has no shooting conscience whatsoever.
East Regional (Philadelphia)
#1 North Carolina (30-6) vs. #5 Indiana (27-7)
This is a battle of bluebloods and a duel of ACC and Big Ten regular season champs. Both fan bases are pleased to be winning in the present, but each yearns for previous regimes when smarter coaches ran better programs (Dean Smith is to Bob Knight as Roy Williams is to Tom Crean). Never mind that Smith needed an errant pass and a non-existent timeout to win his titles and both of Roy’s came in dominant fashion…or that Crean has yet to throw a chair or choke a player. Does IU have an answer for UNC big man Brice Johnson? Likewise, Marcus Paige and Joel Berry II will have their hands full with Hoosiers guard Yogi Ferrell.
#6 Notre Dame (23-11) vs. Wisconsin (22-12)
The undercard pits the high-scoring Irish against defensive-minded Wisconsin. Notre Dame will own the experience down low, as senior center Zach Auguste battles against Badgers freshman Ethan Happ. Both schools needed last-second heroics in the Second Round to advance. Don’t be surprised if the UNC-IU tipoff is delayed due to overtime.
