Midwest Region (Indianapolis)
Wichita
1.) Kansas vs. 16.) St. Peter's/Bucknell
8.) Mississippi State vs. 9.) Michigan
Providence
5.) Pittsburgh vs. 12.) Grand Canyon
4.) Memphis vs. 13.) Charleston
Wichita
6.) Ohio State vs. 11.) Boise State
3.) Iowa State vs. 14.) Arkansas State
Cleveland
7.) Arkansas vs. 10.) Michigan State
2.) Marquette vs. 15.) Vermont
When you have wins over Michigan State, North Carolina, and Duke before Thanksgiving, you certainly deserve a No. 1 seed. That’s where Kansas (6-0) finds themselves as the calendar turns to December. The Jayhawks are the No. 1 seed in the Midwest Region and to say their work in the transfer portal has worked out thus far would be an understatement. The Jayhawks’ transfer class is averaging over 35 points per game in the first month of the season.
The Midwest region has a few teams that must be considered surprises over the season's first month. At 8-0, Marquette looks like the best team in the Big East with wins over Purdue, Maryland, and Georgia. Kam Jones has been a stud for the Golden Eagles averaging 19.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 6.3 assists. The Memphis Tigers had a strong showing in Maui, reaching the final by beating UConn and Michigan State before falling to Auburn in the final. The Tigers have gotten off to a hot start thanks to shooting nearly 47% from beyond the arc. The Pitt Panthers are the No. 5 seed in this region after a 7-1 start, including wins over West Virginia, LSU, and Ohio State. Jaland Lowe has had a breakout start to his sophomore season with over 16 points, five rebounds, and five assists per game.
The team to watch in this region is the No. 3 seed Iowa State Cyclones. The 5-1 Cyclones’ lone loss came in Maui to Auburn by two points and will get a big test on Wednesday in the Big 12-Big East battle when they host Marquette. Both Curtis Jones and Keshon Gilbert are averaging over 16 points per game for T.J. Otzelberger’s team whose three of their five wins likely quad 4 wins.