Florida was rewarded with the overall top seed in the tournament and an accompanying manageable bracket. Syracuse, which was on the one-line before a late-season slump, is the weakest three-seed in the field. Despite all of its talent, second-seeded Kansas has injury questions and inconsistency issues. No. 4 UCLA, while capable, isn’t the complete team needed to dethrone the Gators.
There are live sleepers, however, such as No. 5 VCU and its frenzied pressing style, underrated New Mexico, the seven seed, and No. 8 Colorado, a deep group that is used to adversity.
Best Player:
Andrew Wiggins didn’t succumb to the massive hype and now the 6-foot-7 Kansas freshman from Canada with supernatural gifts enters the NCAA Tournament poised to build on a strong finish to the regular season.
Unsung Player
One of the most improved players in the nation, Casey Prather, the undersized 6-foot-6 Florida forward ,lives in the paint, shooting a phenomenal 61 percent.
Best Second-Round Matchup:
No. 6 Ohio State vs. No. 11 Dayton. An Ohio Civil War in Buffalo, featuring one of the nation’s top defensive teams in Ohio State against Dayton, one of the best 3-point shooting teams in the country.
Second-Round Upset Watch:
No. 5 VCU vs. No. 12 Stephen F. Austin. VCU could be without Atlantic 10 Sixth Man of the Year Melvin Johnson (leg), its top perimeter shooter, and balanced Stephen F. Austin has the roster depth to deal with “Havoc.”
Bracket Buster:
Under-seeded, No. 7 New Mexico has the size to create problems for inconsistent Kansas, which likely will be without center Joel Embiid in the third round.
By The Numbers:
28
Stephen F. Austin’s consecutive victories, dating back to a 66-58 loss to East Tennessee State on Nov. 23.
3.5
Steals per game VCU point guard and “Havoc” leader Briante Weber averages.
Champion: Florida
The SEC regular-season and postseason champions are deep, battle-tested, balanced and well-coached. The Gators are 15-2 in games decided by single digits and 5-1 when the margin is three points or fewer — the drama of March won’t faze them.