Busting Brackets
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NCAA Tournament 2019: 5 biggest storylines entering the Sweet 16

By Brandon Simberg

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - JANUARY 6: Head coach Tony Bennett of the Virginia Cavaliers reacts to a play in the first half during a game against the North Carolina Tar Heels at John Paul Jones Arena on January 6, 2018 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - JANUARY 6: Head coach Tony Bennett of the Virginia Cavaliers reacts to a play in the first half during a game against the North Carolina Tar Heels at John Paul Jones Arena on January 6, 2018 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MA – MARCH 23: Head coach Painter of Purdue. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – MARCH 23: Head coach Painter of Purdue. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

3. The region of coaches

The South region features two of the best coaches to never make a Final Four (Tony Bennett and Matt Painter), a coach who has a rep of not succeeding in March (Rick Barnes), and Dana Altman who took the Oregon Ducks to the Final Four in 2016.

With Purdue and Virginia on opposite sides, there is a good chance that Painter or Bennett could end their drought. Virginia gets a favorable matchup against the 12 seed Oregon Ducks before being one game away from the Final Four.

Bennett and Virginia have carried the label of “chokers” for a few years now. Last season was the infamous UMBC upset, but they have other losses as a one seed as well. In 2016, they blew a 16 point lead to ten seed Syracuse in the Elite 8. And in 2014, they lost to Michigan State in the Sweet 16. Bennett is a great coach and will have many opportunities to reach that coveted Final Four, but if he doesn’t do it this year then nobody will believe in them.

Barnes is another coach who is known to not succeed March. He made the Final Four in 2003 with Texas, but has had some early exits since then. And after his Tennessee Volunteers nearly blew a 25 point lead against Iowa, the pressure is on. With Admiral Schofield graduating and Grant Williams expected to turn pro, this is Barnes best and maybe last chance to get his first championship.

Painter has coached some talented teams, but has experienced his share of bad luck. Isaac Haas injured his elbow in last year’s round of 32 and in 2009 and 2010, Robbie Hummel tore his ACL before the Boilermakers had a chance to make a run. Similar to Barnes, this is Painter’s best chance at a Final Four. Purdue has arguably the best player in the region in Carsen Edwards. With two monster performances, Purdue could be playing in their first Final Four since 1980.

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