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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KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – MARCH 16: The Kansas Jayhawks walk. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

Midwest Pod B – Salt Lake City, UT

(5) Auburn vs. (12) New Mexico State

These are two of the hottest teams in the country. For Auburn, they have won eight consecutive games and added an SEC Tournament title along the way. New Mexico State, on the other hand, has won 19 straight and also added a WAC Tournament title. With regards to how they match up against each other, NMSU’s offense should be able to score a fair amount on Auburn’s defense. In general, the Tigers force a ton of turnovers defensively but allow opponents to shoot a high percentage from the field. On the other side of the ball, though, I don’t think NMSU’s defense will be able to slow down Jared Harper and the Tigers. Prediction: Auburn.

(4) Kansas vs. (13) Northeastern

This Kansas team is not quite on the same caliber as some of those in the past but let’s not just ignore the fact that this is still Kansas. They are ranked in the top-35 in both adjusted offensive and defensive efficiency and should still be able to secure their fair share of wins in the Big Dance. That is, of course, if they are able to slow down Northeastern’s high-powered offense. If Northeastern is to win this matchup, they are going to need to get open looks from three early and often. The Huskies are one of the best 3-point shooting teams in the country and could win the game from distance. On the downside, though, their defense likely will have no match for Kansas’ offense. Prediction: Northeastern (why not?).

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