March Madness: Previewing the Midwest
By Doug Winkey
March Madness has begun! It is time to start breaking down the brackets. Check out the loaded Midwest region that has three former NCAA champs.
There is no better time than March Madness. Pencils are furiously filling out brackets, and talking heads project bracket busters. Every region has something unique to offer, but the Midwest region looks like the strongest. Five of the top six seeds are all capable of winning the region and making the Final Four.
Kansas is the region’s number 1 seed. The Jayhawks won their 13th straight Big 12 regular season title, but lost to TCU in the Big 12 tournament. The biggest story line for KU is what happens with star freshman Josh Jackson, who was suspended for the first round loss to the Horned Frogs. They will play the winner of the MEAC’s North Carolina Central and UC-Davis from the Big West.
Louisville, Oregon, and Purdue round out the Midwest’s top four. They are all defensive-minded squads with great coaches that can make a run. Each is a top 25 squad in both adjusted offense and defense, so it will take a supreme effort from Jacksonville State, Iona, or Vermont to upset them. Oregon is maybe the most likely to go down after receiving news their shot-blocking stretch forward Chris Boucher will miss the tournament with an ACL injury.
The Midwest is also notable for having Michigan State as its eight-seed. The Spartans aren’t going to blow anyone away this year but still managed to make the Big Ten semifinals. They will face a Miami Hurricanes’ squad that mirrors them in many ways.
The last thing to mention is Rhode Island’s inclusion. The Rams stormed back through the A-10 tournament and beat VCU for their first NCAA bid since 1999! Head coach Dan Hurley and company will try to keep the momentum going against a Creighton squad that went 7-8 after starting point guard Maurice Watson went down with a knee injury. The 6-11 matchup between the Bluejays and Rams is a fascinating one given the adversity surrounding each program at times.
With so many quality programs and potential dark horses, the Midwest might be better referred to as the Mid-best.