NCAA Tournament: North Carolina, UK headline Midwest Region primer

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 15: Coby White #2 of the North Carolina Tar Heels looks on against the Duke Blue Devils during their game in the semifinals of the 2019 Men's ACC Basketball Tournament at Spectrum Center on March 15, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

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NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – MARCH 17: Auburn Tigers cheerleader waves a flag. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Teams to watch in the Midwest Region

Favorite to win: North Carolina

As the No. 1 seed in the region, North Carolina is definitely the favorite. The Tar Heels are playing extremely good basketball right now and overlooking them would be a mistake. Coby White and Luke Maye headline this elite-level offense and UNC’s defense has improved over the course of the season as well. North Carolina now ranks in the top-10 nationally in both adjusted offensive and defensive efficiency while also holding the fifth-fastest tempo rating. It is hard to keep up with this team and they can build up a big lead in a hurry. They also rank eighth in the country in assists per field goals made as they are unselfish on offense as well.

Sleeper pick: Auburn

Auburn is scorching. Throughout this season, the Tigers have been ranked in the KenPom top-20 despite not necessarily performing that way. Over the past few weeks, though, they have proved why they belonged in the top-20 by rattling off eight consecutive wins (four in the regular season and four in the SEC Tournament) and a conference tournament title. Auburn’s high-powered offense is clicking on all cylinders at this point in time and they will be hard to stop because of their ability to light up the scoreboard from beyond the arc. The Tigers rank in the top-50 nationally in both 3P% and 3PAr.

If the slipper fits…Wofford

I know many might overlook Wofford because they are from a mid-major conference but that would be a mistake. This is due to the fact that the Terriers have one of the most unguardable players in the tournament in Fletcher Magee. An incredible shooter in all situations, Magee can fill up the basket in a hurry, especially from beyond the arc, and he is a big-game player. Magee is one of the headlining players on this electrifying Wofford team that has won 19 consecutive games. If he gets it going and fellow star Cameron Jackson dominates the paint, the Terriers could dance well into March.

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