NCAA Tournament: Virginia, Tennessee headline South Region primer

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 14: Teammates Kyle Guy #5 and Ty Jerome #11 of the Virginia Cavaliers react after a play against the North Carolina State Wolfpack during their game in the quarterfinal round of the 2019 Men's ACC Basketball Tournament at Spectrum Center on March 14, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – NOVEMBER 16: Coach Davis of the Mississippi Rebels. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

South Pod A – Columbia, SC

(1) Virginia vs. (16) Gardner-Webb

It will not happen again. That is basically all I have to say about this matchup. Now with a healthy De’Andre Hunter available, Virginia will be much more prepared for the NCAA Tournament and they are arguably the best team in the entire field. This team will not take the Runnin’ Bulldogs lightly and they should be able to dominate over the course of the entire 40 minutes. The Cavaliers need to just focus on making a statement rather than dwelling on the past and I think that they will do just that. Prediction: Virginia.

(8) Ole Miss vs. (9) Oklahoma

This is a battle between two of the more surprising teams in the nation this season. Both squads were not expected to reach the NCAA Tournament but yet, here they are. For the Rebels, they are led by an elite backcourt duo that can fill up the basket while also a relatively strong defense. The Sooners, on the other hand, are a defensive-minded group that has a star to lean in with Christian James. Both coaches in this matchup are near the top of the totem pole in the nation and that should make for an enjoyable game of strategy. Prediction: Ole Miss

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