With the second weekend of the 2014 NCAA Tournament fast approaching, the field has been narrowed to sixteen teams. The field features three 10-plus seeded teams, and five 7-plus seeded teams. Overall number one seeded Florida is still around, as are two of the three other top seeds in Virginia and Arizona. Let's take an in depth look at each region of the bracket.
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| Senior Scottie Wilbekin (5) speaks with Head Coach Billy Donovan |
South Region - Memphis, TN
What more is there to say about the Southern Region. Overall number one seed Florida has the easiest path of any team remaining to make it to the Final Four. Led by senior guard Scottie Wilbekin, the Gators have lost only two games this year, both to ranked non-conference opponents. They'll have a tough test in UCLA, but head coach Billy Donovan has two NCAA Championships to his name (back-to-back in 2006-2007). So far their defense has looked fine in the tournament, but they have had difficulty this season when Wilbekin has gotten into foul trouble. The 10-11 matchup between Stanford and Dayton is a toss-up, and the winner will have a tough task in facing the winner of UCLA-Florida, but crazier things have happened in march.
What more is there to say about the Southern Region. Overall number one seed Florida has the easiest path of any team remaining to make it to the Final Four. Led by senior guard Scottie Wilbekin, the Gators have lost only two games this year, both to ranked non-conference opponents. They'll have a tough test in UCLA, but head coach Billy Donovan has two NCAA Championships to his name (back-to-back in 2006-2007). So far their defense has looked fine in the tournament, but they have had difficulty this season when Wilbekin has gotten into foul trouble. The 10-11 matchup between Stanford and Dayton is a toss-up, and the winner will have a tough task in facing the winner of UCLA-Florida, but crazier things have happened in march.
Favorite - Florida
East Region - Madison Square Gardens, New York, NY
The Fourth Round matchup between Virginia and Michigan State will likely determine the winner of the East Region. MSU is playing terrific basketball, and with a healthy roster are showing why they entered the season ranked so highly. Virginia has struggled at times in the tournament so far, but the one consistency has been their defense. Connecticut is winning for all the reasons I mentioned earlier this week (in case you missed it) and could give the winner of MSU-UVA a run for their money. Shabazz Napier has been huge, and the bench for UConn has played surprisingly inspired basketball. Iowa State has a talented team, but the loss of sophomore forward Georges Niang will be difficult to overcome. I also question Iowa State's top end size to match up with the bigs of UConn. One thing that could give Connecticut the edge in both games is location. Madison Square Gardens is as close to a home game as you can get, especially for Brooklyn natives Terrence Samuel and Omar Calhoun. Alas, Michigan State still sports the most talented roster, and has legendary coach Tom Izzo to boot.
Favorite - Michigan State
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| Senior guard Xavier Thames drives to the rim against University of Arizona |
West Region - Anaheim, CA
Two compelling games top the bracket in the West Region. Baylor has been playing lights out in the first two rounds, and their size and athleticism will be a handful for 2 seed Wisconsin. If the Wisconsin team that showed up in the second half of their matchup with Oregon shows up to play they should be able to cover the Bears. The 1-4 matchup between San Diego State and Arizona could likewise go either way. These two teams met early in the non-conference schedule this year, with Arizona pulling out the nine point win. Arizona has the talent to take out SDSU, and handle the winner of Wisconsin-Baylor. However, SDSU has a stifling defense, and senior guard Xavier Thames has been a stud in the tournament so far.
Favorite - Arizona
Favorite - Arizona
Midwest Region - Indianapolis, IN
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| Russ Smith (2) lays it in against Southern Methodist University during AAC play |
Perhaps the most highly anticipated Sweet Sixteen matchup of all time will pit 4th seed Louisville against, heated rival, 8th seeded Kentucky. Both John Calipari and Rick Pitino have ample tournament coaching experience, and the winner of this matchup stands a great chance of advancing to the Final Four. Kentucky's super talented roster, led by freshman forward Julius Randle, is finally figuring things out, while Louisville can rely on seniors Luke Hancock and Russ Smith to contribute heavily. Experience may end up reining supreme if freshman twin guards Andrew and Aaron Harrison can't handle the high-pressure defense Louisville will unleash. Michigan would roll past Tennessee on any given day, but Tennessee recent stretch of excellent basketball will make things tough. Either way, the winner of Louisville-Kentucky should be the favorite to advance from the Midwest.
Favorite - Louisville
Favorite - Louisville
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