By Kyle Melnick ‘14

SOUTH: The Florida Gators have only lost one game with Scott Wilbekin and Michael Frazier in the line-up. Although they have no star player, four players in the Gators starting line-up score double-digit points a game. Florida has been dominant in SEC play, winning all 18 regular season games and taking care of Kentucky in the SEC tournament final. Kansas’ success relates directly to star center Joel Embiid’s health, as the team has been 2-2 in his absence due to a lower back injury. Andrew Wiggins leads this team with 17.4 PPG, but Kansas does not have enough depth and presence in the paint to make a deep tournament run without a healthy Embiid. Syracuse has hit a rough spot and has had trouble scoring the basketball lately after starting the season 25-0. However, Syracuse found themselves in a similar position last year, but hit a spark in the tournament for a final four run due to a dominant defense.
Who will win: Florida
Watch out for: Ohio State

EAST: Virginia is one of the hottest teams in the country after coming off an ACC regular season and tournament title. Malcolm Brogdon and Joe Harris have been leading the Cavalier’s run with a combined 24.3 PPG. However, they drew an unlucky draw with Michigan State at the #4 seed. The Spartans dealt with multiple injuries throughout the course of the season, however, they are healthy coming into the tournament, led in the backcourt by Gary Harris and Keith Appling, and are dominant inside with Adreian Payne manning the paint. Iowa State is another hot team coming off a Big 12 championship. They are one of the highest scoring teams in the country, averaging 82.9 PPG and their 18.5 assists per game leads the nation.
Who will win: Michigan State
Watch out for: Saint Joseph’s

MIDWEST: This region has been labeled as “the region of death” as Wichita State, Michigan, Duke, Louisville, and Kentucky highlight the top contenders. This will be the first real test of the season for Wichita State after coming off an undefeated regular season and MVC championship. As long as they get past the first round, they will be tested immediately by a hot and talented Kentucky squad, or in-state rival Kansas State. Louisville is one of the most experience teams in this tournament. The defending champions are coming off an AAC championship, and have won twelve of their last thirteen games. Senior Russ Smith and coach Rick Pitino have their eyes set on a third consecutive final four, and back-to-back championships. On the bottom of the bracket, Duke is led by star freshmen Jabari Parker and Rodney Hood who combine for 36 PPG and 13 RPG. Watch out for this talented Duke team to go on a run and bring a fifth championship to coach Mike Krzyzewski. Michigan is led by Player of the Year candidate Nik Stauskas, who averages 17.5 PPG. Michigan has a lot of depth and can score the basketball well. Caris Levert, Glenn Robinson III, Spike Albrecht highlight the other scoring options.
Who will win: Louisville
Watch out for: Kentucky, NC State

WEST: Arizona started the season 21-0, but have lost four games since then, partially because of a season ending injury to Brandon Ashley. However, the Wildcats are a big and tough defensive team. Nick Johnson highlights the backcourt, averaging 16.2 PPG. He is joined with forwards Aaron Gordon, Kaleb Tarczewski and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson in the frontcourt. Four starters average double-digit points per game, and they combine that by only allowing 58.1 PPG to their opponent. In addition to that, the Wildcats average 39 RPG, which is good for eighteenth in the nation. The wildcats have the ability to beat teams down in the paint, and combine that with stellar guard play from Johnson. Creighton has arguably the best player in the country on their team. Doug McDermott averages 27 PPG and 7 RPG this season. He has led Creighton’s high powered offense that averages 18 APG, 79.5 PPG and shoots 50 percent from the field. McDermott may be able to take over games by himself when needed, and if so, this Creighton team is hard to beat.
Who will win: Arizona
Watch out for: Oklahoma State, Oregon

Final Four: Florida is the only team this season that has proven they can win consistently against quality opponents, and that is why the Gators they will leave Arlington with a national championship. Defense is, and always has been a major factor in winning a championship. Billy Donovan’s team only allows their opponent 57 PPG, and also averages 7.5 steals per game. In addition to that, the Gators shoot an efficient 47 percent from the field. With their entire team healthy and playing, the Gators haven’t lost a single game this season. They have quality wins against Kansas and Memphis, and defeated the other two SEC teams in the NCAA tournament, Tennessee and Kentucky, three times each. This balanced