NCAA Tournament: UNC, Kentucky, Houston, and Auburn remain in Midwest Region

North Carolina

There’s never been any huge doubt about this Tar Heels team offensively. Roy Williams teams have been ranked in the top 10 in the nation in KenPom adjusted offensive for four years straight, and North Carolina has continued to be dominant in this regard in the NCAA Tournament. Five different players have scored in double figures, and the Tar Heels own an absurd 100 to 50 rebounding advantage in its two NCAA Tournament wins.

But North Carolina has also been good defensively, something this group has in common with the 2017 National Champion squad. This year’s team may not quite have the rim protectors or depth up front of the 2017 team, but this season has actually been the Tar Heels best defensively since 2012. There’s a good possibility this team can cut down the nets in Minneapolis, but Roy Williams will need to get his group focused on coming out alive in Kansas City.

Auburn

Auburn is probably the most dangerous outside shooting team still alive in the NCAA Tournament. All five starters are capable of knocking down the three but can also reach the rim with equal success. The Tigers hit a combined 25 three pointers in Salt Lake City while shooting 57.9% on 2pt field goals. Auburn is also tied with Oregon for the longest win streak of sweet sixteen teams. It’s been eight straight wins for the Tigers including two wins over Tennessee with six of the eight wins coming in road/neutral site games. Bruce Pearl’s team has been up and down all season long, but it sure looks like things are coming together at the right time.

Houston

Consistent is a good way to describe Calvin Sampson’s team. Houston outscored both Georgia State and Ohio State in each half and have still allowed opponents to score 70+ points just five times this season. The Cougars 33 wins are the most in the country yet nobody seems to be talking about this team. I stated I was buying this team at the start of the NCAA Tournament and nothing has changed to make me feel different. Houston plays with a chip on its shoulder and make opponents earn each and every bucket. The path to the final four won’t be easy, but the Cougars have everything it takes to get there.

Kentucky

Coach Cal must know it will take a much better performance for his team to advance again in this tournament. There’s certainly no shame to squeaking by an arguably under-seeded Wofford team. But watching the game it felt like Kentucky had no clear sense of how to score consistently. Turning defense into offense worked well through the round of 32, but will that still be the case in the sweet sixteen? The reality is not enough Wildcats have stepped up offensively during PJ Washington’s absence. I’m approaching this team on a “believe it when I see it” basis if Washington can’t go. There’s still plenty of talent on this team, but Kentucky needs to figure it out quickly to win in KC.