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NCAA Tournament 2019: Strengths and weaknesses of Midwest Region teams

By Jason Burgess

CHAPEL HILL, NC - DECEMBER 20: Fletcher Magee #3 of the Wofford Terriers puts up a three-point shot against Kenny Williams #24 of the North Carolina Tar Heels at Dean Smith Center on December 20, 2017 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Wofford won 79-75. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NC - DECEMBER 20: Fletcher Magee #3 of the Wofford Terriers puts up a three-point shot against Kenny Williams #24 of the North Carolina Tar Heels at Dean Smith Center on December 20, 2017 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Wofford won 79-75. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /
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NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – MARCH 15: Tyler Herro #14 of the Kentucky Wildcats celebrates against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the Quarterfinals of the SEC Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 15, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – MARCH 15: Tyler Herro #14 of the Kentucky Wildcats celebrates against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the Quarterfinals of the SEC Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 15, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

No. 1 North Carolina Tar Heels

Strengths: The Tar Heels are a legit contender for the national championship so they obviously do a lot of things well, but Roy Williams’ team really excels when they are able to get out and run in transition. The fast pace has suited them well as they average the 3rd most points per game with 86 and are 7th in the country in offensive efficiency. There isn’t a better rebounding team in the country than the Tar Heels, they are tops with 43.5 rebounds per game and the defensive boards they grab, 30.48, trails only South Dakota State.

Weaknesses: If there is a weak spot with North Carolina defensively it comes beyond the arc when they’ve been beaten this season it has been when teams have knocked down long-distance shots. Even though they are an elite rebounding team, they don’t have a real presence in the paint to protect, averaging only three blocks per game.

No. 2 Kentucky Wildcats

Strengths: The Wildcats had their eyes on a No. 1 seed entering the SEC Tournament, but a loss to Tennessee in the semifinals ended that dream. Still, they are playing some of the best basketball in the country and are dangerous. They do their damage around the rim, grabbing offensive rebounds over 36% of the time and on the other end opponents shoot just 44% on shots inside the arc. Even when opponents do get shots up, 14% of the time those shots don’t even make the rim, they are 12th best in the country with over five blocks per game.

Weaknesses: Maybe it isn’t really a weakness, but the lack of a three-point arsenal in their game could hurt them, they only make six per game which ranks 320th overall. Another thing Kentucky can improve on is the fact that they don’t force their opponents into a lot of turnovers, forcing just over 12 per game.

No. 3 Houston Cougars

Strengths: There are three teams in the country with three losses, Virginia and Gonzaga, both No. 1 seeds, and Houston. The Cougars are one of the best defensive teams in the country, giving up just 61 points per game, while leading the nation in field-goal percentage defense at 36% and 2nd in defending the long ball, allowing opponents to shoot just over 27%. Kelvin Sampson’s squad is also an elite rebounding team, being top-30 in defensive, offensive and total rebounds per game. The Cougars are one of the most well-rounded teams in the country, ranking in the top 19 in both offensive and defensive efficiencies.

Weaknesses: If Houston has struggles they involve the free throw line. On the defensive end, opponents get to the line on over 36% of their possessions and Houston has committed more fouls than all but 28 teams on the year. On the other end of the floor, they shoot just 70% from the charity stripe while being in the top half of teams in attempts and makes.

No. 4 Kansas Jayhawks

Strengths: Kansas has had a tumultuous season, dealing with injuries and departures, but all of that can be forgotten with a nice run in the NCAA Tournament. The Jayhawks make their two-point shots at a 52% rate, which helps them remain a strong offensive team despite the loss of key cogs Udoka Azubuike and Lagerald Vick. Defensively, they allow opponents to shoot just under 40% and are top-35 in the country in defensive rebounding, with over 27 per game.

Weaknesses: Bill Self’s squad is middle-of-the-road when it comes to defending the three-point shot, opponents shoot over 33% and on average knockdown over nine threes per game. Scoring can be a bit of a struggle if teams are able to neutralize Dedric Lawson in the post because the perimeter shooting for the Jayhawks has been a bit of a hit or miss proposition all year long.

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