1. Gonzaga (31-2) — It seems like just yesterday Gonzaga was everybody’s favorite Cinderella. Now the Bulldogs, who are third in the nation in field-goal percentage at a hair over 50 percent, are favored to reach their first Final Four.
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16. Southern (23-9) — Two years after finishing in the SWAC basement, the Jaguars made their first NCAA Tournament since 2006. The forward tandem of Malcolm Miller (above #33) and Derick Beltran is undersized, but effective.
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8. Pittsburgh (24-8) — With a balanced offensive attack, the Panthers have had some impressive wins this season, over Syracuse and at Georgetown. But free-throw and 3-point issues could ultimately separate Pitt from the upper-tier teams. Above: Tray Woodall
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9. Wichita State (26-8) — Unlike most traditional mid-major powers, the Shockers don’t shoot the ball particularly well from beyond the arc. But they are one of the country’s top rebounding teams and can really defend. Above: Demetric Williams
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5. Wisconsin (23-11) — Bo Ryan (above) has the Badgers playing the same game as always, with stingy defense and long possessions. They are one of the best late-game teams around, but probably don’t have enough talent to get past the Sweet 16.
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12. Ole Miss (26-8) — Considered a possible Final Four dark horse at one point, Ole Miss slumped in the middle of the season, but bounced back to win the SEC Tournament. Marshall Henderson (above) is the SEC’s leading scorer.
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4. Kansas State (27-7) — Point guard Angel Rodriguez (above) and explosive senior Rodney McGruder form an elite backcourt. The Wildcats have been remarkably consistent, compiling a pair of long win streaks.
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13. La Salle (21-9) — Ramon Galloway (c.) does everything for La Salle and he has a pair of capable running mates in guard Tyreek Duren and forward Jerrell Wright, who have led the Explorers to their first tourney since 1992.
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Boise State (21-0) — In the tournament as an at-large for the first time in program history, the Broncos are dangerous. They have defeated a number of quality foes, such as Creighton, San Diego State and UNLV. Above: Anthony Drmic
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2. Ohio State (26-7) — Ohio State has one of the best defenses in the country. Deshaun Thomas (above) can do just about anything offensively, and the Buckeyes are battle-tested, having beaten Indiana, Michigan and Michigan State.
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15. Iona (20-13) –Iona had the third-highest scoring offense in the country. Defense and rebounding are the team’s Achilles heels, but the Gaels are an especially talented mid-major and could pull a first-round upset.
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7. Notre Dame (25-9) — Notre Dame is selfless and efficient, leading the nation in assists and first in assist-to-turnover ratio. The Irish are excellent in close games, going 4-1 in games decided by three or in overtime.
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10. Iowa State (22-11) — Opposing defenses need to run to the 3-point line to shut down Iowa State, which is one of the nation’s top 3-point teams. Korie Lucious (above), a transfer from Michigan State, creates many of those chances.
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3. NEW MEXICO (29-5) — Mountain West Player of the Year Kendall Williams is the Lobos’ engine, a dynamic floor general who scored 46 points in a win over Colorado State three weeks ago but is just as adept at distributing the ball.
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14. Harvard (19-9) — Harvard snuck past Princeton on the Ivy League’s final weekend to make its second straight NCAA Tournament. The Crimson can keep it close in an early-round game, but lack last year’s firepower and upset potential.
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6. Arizona (25-7) — Despite an underwhelming regular season, Arizona remains a Final Four contender. The big weakness is lacking a true floor general — Mark Lyons (above) a Xavier transfer and natural shooting guard, is there out of necessity.
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11. Belmont (26-6) — Upset alert! The Bruins have experience, making their third straight appearance in the Tournament, and shoot nearly 50 percent as a team. Belmont doesn’t even have to get hot to shoot a team out of the building.
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