The NCAA Midwest Area may quietly grow to be essentially the most compelling within the bracket. Headlined by No. 1 seed Houston Cougars, the area additionally options event mainstay Gonzaga and two of essentially the most threatening Mid-Majors in your entire subject.
That’s to not point out No. 2 seed Tennessee, which enters the event coming off an look within the SEC Remaining, or the Vols’ SEC cohort Texas, who’s hoping to advance from a First 4 Midwest matchup towards Xavier.
Can Houston Make It Again To The NCAA Remaining 4?
Houston has been one of many three finest applications of the last decade thus far in school basketball, making a Remaining 4 look in 2021. As well as, the Cougars completed within the high 3 in KenPom in every of the final 4 seasons. Mockingly, all of Kelvin Sampson’s groups since that 2021 run have been stronger by the metrics. Nevertheless, they’ve fallen wanting a return to the largest stage within the sport.
Houston returned to the Elite 8 in 2022 earlier than shedding within the Candy 16 as a No. 1 seed in every of the final two seasons. Houston is once more a primary seed, however their path will not be straightforward. The group will most probably face a Gonzaga squad that’s at the moment as scary as any group within the nation, regardless of being tabbed a No. 8 seed. The Cougars are among the many strongest group of 1 seeds in current historical past, as all 4 rank among the many six finest groups in adjusted effectivity score since 2002.
Does Protection Win Championships?
The numbers say that is the strongest Houston group in a decade of NCAA school basketball. Houston is anchored by arguably the most effective protection within the nation, holding opponents to a nationwide low of 58.5 factors per recreation.
The Cougars have moreover posted their finest defensive effectivity scores of the Sampson period this season. Actually, they maintain opponents to each the fourth-lowest taking pictures share (38.3 p.c) and efficient subject purpose share (44.9 p.c). Can they escape as the highest group within the NCAA Midwest?
Gonzaga’s Metrics Dwarf Resume
It’s laborious to say if Gonzaga is severely underseeded, given the very fact the group completed with eight defeats general. The Bulldogs’ 4 losses in WCC play had been essentially the most they’ve suffered within the Mark Few period. Moreover, Gonzaga ranks a trusty No. 8 general in NET, and No.10 in KenPom with a high 10 offense. On the flip facet, the Zags have a top-30 protection in adjusted effectivity. General, Gonzaga has been enjoying just like the group they’re on paper extra lately. Gonzaga received the WCC event with a victory over a St. Mary’s group that is torched the convention all season.
A possible NCAA Midwest area second-round matchup between Houston and Gonzaga may have the standard and pleasure of a Remaining 4 showdown. Given the best way each groups have been enjoying heading into March, it will be a battle. Traditionally, groups with related metrics have carried out nicely within the NCAA event. This possible matchup may simply find yourself figuring out who will get the Midwest Area’s bid to San Antonio.
Reside Canine: Excessive Level And McNeese State
The NCAA Midwest Area options two of the livest underdogs within the bracket—No. 12 seed McNeese State and No. 13 seed Excessive Level. Underdogs, every pose a big upset risk of their Spherical of 64 matchups. Loads of folks thought McNeese can be the darling No. 12 seed in final yr’s NCAA event earlier than its first-round loss to Gonzaga. This yr, McNeese has the advantage of expertise and the added magic of viral pupil supervisor Amir Khan.
However, Excessive Level has one of the convincing circumstances for an upset in your entire subject when it faces No. 4 seed Purdue. The Panthers are one of many nation’s elite offenses, rating No. 17 within the nation in scoring at 81.7 factors per recreation. Excessive Level has the fifth-best taking pictures share within the nation, taking pictures an astounding 49.3 p.c from the sector as a group. The Panthers are fifteenth within the nation in 2-point subject purpose share, whereas Purdue ranks 350th in defending the 2-pointer.
Tennessee’s Elite Protection May Be The Key
If Houston doesn’t have the nation’s finest protection, you possibly can certain make the case that No. 2 seed Tennessee does. The Vols actually have school basketball’s finest on-ball defender in back-to-back SEC Defensive Participant of the 12 months Zakai Zeigler. His backcourt mate Jahmai Mashack can be a top-five finest defender in all of school basketball. Collectively, they type a suffocating presence, even towards the nation’s finest guards within the SEC.
Tennessee proved it might win in maybe the hardest convention within the historical past of school basketball. It is proven so by defeating a traditionally dominant Auburn group to advance to the SEC Championship recreation. The Vols misplaced to Florida within the SEC Finals, however cut up the collection within the common season with the top-seeded Gators. Tennessee earned further victories over Alabama, Texas A&M and Missouri.
Did Texas Deserve A First 4 Spot?
All issues thought of, Texas shouldn’t be within the NCAA event. With their resume, the Longhorns ought to have joined West Virginia and Indiana at residence. Though historical past has proven First 4 groups just like the 2011 VCU Rams and 2021 UCLA Bruins deserve a spot within the bracket. With the appropriate breaks and luck, we have seen fairly just a few upsets over time. Whereas Texas’ current play has been removed from inspiring, the Longhorns do have a conceivable path to an unlikely run given their draw.
The Longhorns open up with a good matchup within the play-in recreation towards an Xavier group with strikingly related metrics. Although the Longhorns have a slight edge offensively, one can think about their powerful schedule within the SEC will bode nicely for them towards an A-10 at massive. Texas would then transfer on to a Spherical of 64 matchup towards an Illinois group that suffered a 21-point loss to Wisconsin and a 43-point loss to Duke lower than a month in the past.
If the Longhorns managed to get by, they’d probably meet No. 3 seed Kentucky within the NCAA Midwest Spherical of 32. Which may really feel like the place the street would finish for Texas if it even goes that far. Have in mind, the Longhorns beat Kentucky 82-78 at residence within the group’s solely assembly this season. Who is aware of the place issues may go from there. Crazier issues have occurred.
