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2022 NCAA Tournament: Arizona, Villanova, and Tennessee headline South Region

By Karl Heiser

Feb 3, 2022; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats guard Justin Kier (5) reacts on the bench after a basket during the second half against the UCLA Bruins at McKale Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Coduto-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 3, 2022; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats guard Justin Kier (5) reacts on the bench after a basket during the second half against the UCLA Bruins at McKale Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Coduto-USA TODAY Sports /
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NCAA Tournament Villanova Wildcats guard Collin Gillespie Tennessee Volunteers guard Josiah-Jordan James Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Tournament Villanova Wildcats guard Collin Gillespie Tennessee Volunteers guard Josiah-Jordan James Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports /

The bracket has been released, so it’s time to look at the South Region of the 2022 NCAA Tournament. This section of the bracket has a number of quality teams and some fun mid-major sides who could make things interesting.

The top two seeds in the South are Arizona and Villanova – each won their respective conference tournament and have been solid all season long. In his first season as head coach of Arizona, Tommy Lloyd guided the Wildcats to a 31-3 record while collecting both the Pac-12 regular-season and tournament titles. Arizona ranks No. 5 in KenPom‘s Adjusted Offensive Efficiency and No. 20 in Adjusted Defensive Efficiency.

Tennessee was given the No. 3 seed in the South although many say they deserved a top-two seed with how they have played this season. The Volunteers won the SEC Tournament and picked up head-to-head wins against Arizona, Auburn, Arkansas, and Kentucky (twice). Rick Barnes’ squad has risen to the top five in the AP Poll and are certainly a team to watch.

The South also has quite a few mid-major darlings that will look to advance. No. 6 Colorado State runs one of the most fun offenses to watch in the country and the Rams have a star in David Roddy. No. 12 UAB and Jordan “Jelly” Walker will look to take down No. 5 Houston in the first round after running through the Conference USA Tournament. Likewise, No. 13 Chattanooga and SoCon Player of the Year Malachi Smith have a tough matchup in No. 4 Illinois and Kofi Cockburn.

Sister Jean and Loyola Chicago are back as the No. 10 seed in this region. They drew an Ohio State team that was once in position to capture the Big Ten regular-season title but faded down the stretch. Can the Ramblers make another March run under first-year head coach Drew Valentine?

Behind a number of conference champions and individual stars, the South Region has a lot to look forward to. Including the First Four, the South has five of the top six scorers by points per game in the entire tournament. Here’s a preview of the region.

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