2022 NCAA Tournament: Key questions and storylines for South Region

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 12: (L-R) Dalen Terry #4, Justin Kier #5, Kerr Kriisa #25, Bennedict Mathurin #0, Pelle Larsson #3, Azuolas Tubelis #10 and Adama Bal #2 of the Arizona Wildcats pose with the championship trophy and a ceremonial NCAA tournament ticket with a team sticker on it after the team's 84-76 victory over the UCLA Bruins to win the Pac-12 Conference basketball tournament championship game at T-Mobile Arena on March 12, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

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Juwan Howard Michigan Wolverines Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Which is the most likely first-round upset?

Clarry

Give me the Blazers. Houston earned their first significant win in the American championship against Memphis. But the Cougars’ hopes to make it back to the Final Four seems to be taking on water and sinking.

The weakness of their conference has buoyed them to a five-seed draw despite looking rather unimpressive for two months. A fiery-hot offense like the Blazers and their lethal three-point shooters could pose major problems for Kelvin Sampson’s team.

Rosenberg

I think the most probably first-round upset will have to be Michigan over Colorado State. In my opinion, Michigan being an 11 seed is one of the shockers in this bracket. Colorado State may be above them in the NET rankings but the Big 10 is a more competitive conference with more ranked teams than the Mountain West.

Watson

Loyola Chicago uses a ton of misdirection and motion offensively and ranks in the top 20 nationally in 3-point percentage. Ohio State has major issues defensively — similar to the issues that saw them lose to 15-seed Oral Roberts in the first round last season.

This Loyola Chicago team doesn’t have as high a ceiling as their 2018 or 2021 teams did, but they have the offensive firepower to take down Ohio State in the Round of 64.

McCormack

Just going off seeding I will say Michigan over Colorado State even though they are favored. I really do love this Colorado State team with David Roddy, but not sure they have enough against a deeper Michigan team. I hope I am wrong, but would not be shocked to see Michigan advance past the Rams.

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