Busting Brackets
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March Madness: Previewing the Midwest

By Doug Winkey

Feb 22, 2017; Lawrence, KS, USA; Kansas Jayhawks forward Mitch Lightfoot (44), guard Frank Mason III (0) and guard Josh Jackson (11) celebrate with the Big 12 championship hats and shirts after defeating the TCU Horned Frogs 87-68 at Allen Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 22, 2017; Lawrence, KS, USA; Kansas Jayhawks forward Mitch Lightfoot (44), guard Frank Mason III (0) and guard Josh Jackson (11) celebrate with the Big 12 championship hats and shirts after defeating the TCU Horned Frogs 87-68 at Allen Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 25, 2017; Stanford, CA, USA; Oregon Ducks forward Dillon Brooks (24) during the first half of the game against the Stanford Cardinal at Maples Pavilion. The Oregon Ducks defeated the Stanford Cardinal with a score of 75-73. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 25, 2017; Stanford, CA, USA; Oregon Ducks forward Dillon Brooks (24) during the first half of the game against the Stanford Cardinal at Maples Pavilion. The Oregon Ducks defeated the Stanford Cardinal with a score of 75-73. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports /

Oregon

Oregon remains a strong title contender despite losing the Pac-12 tournament to Arizona, but questions surround this team thanks to an injury to forward Chris Boucher. He was Oregon’s third-leading scorer at 11.8 points and second rebounder with 6.1 boards. He also led the Pac-12 in blocked shots. His absence opens up a big gap in the middle of the Duck defense.

Dylan Brooks and Jordan Bell will be the primary interior players without Boucher. Brooks is a versatile guy at 6’7, 225 with 16.3 points and 2.9 rebounds. He also shooting 51% from the field and 41% from deep en route to winning conference POY. Bell was named the Pac-12 Defensive POY after putting up a line of 10.7 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 2.1 rebounds. The team could also utilize reserve forward Kavell Bigby-Williams. KBW only averaged 3.3 points in 9.7 minutes an evening, but still managed to swat 27 shots through the year; that translates to roughly one block every 11 minutes.

Oregon is a great team that can go far, but Boucher’s loss adds some intrigue to a team once among the most dominant in America.

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