The NCAA Tournament has arrived, providing college basketball enthusiasts the opportunity to watch the leading teams they have supported throughout the season compete at the ultimate level.
This event also highlights many other teams that may not have received significant attention before. As millions across the nation are set to discover new teams and players, let’s highlight one notable fact about each participating team in this year’s tournament.
SOUTH
1. Auburn: Coach Bruce Pearl led Auburn to a top seed in the tournament, going 16-5 in Quad 1 games, the most victories of any team nationwide.
16. Alabama State: Could we witness another memorable father-son story as Tony Madlock coaches, with his son, guard TJ Madlock, being a key player for the team?
8. Louisville: Senior guard Terrence Edwards Jr. has been in exceptional form lately, averaging 21.6 points per game at nearly 50% shooting from the floor.
9. Creighton: Center Ryan Kalkbrenner has achieved a remarkable feat, being the second player in Big East history to be named conference Defensive Player of the Year four times, with rankings showing an average of 2.7 blocks per game.
WEST
1. Florida: Florida’s offense has dominated their recent games, securing 12 wins out of the last 13 while averaging over 80 points, leading them to become the top offense in the nation according to KenPom metrics.
12. Colorado State: Senior guard Nique Clifford stands out as a versatile player, ranking highly in points, rebounds, and assists per game, showcasing his all-around capability.
EAST
1. Duke: With a record of 31-3, Duke has secured both the ACC regular-season and tournament titles, demonstrating a strong balance between offense and defense, primarily led by their star freshman Cooper Flagg.
MIDWEST
1. Houston: Houston’s formidable defense is a crucial aspect of their success this season, ranking second in points allowed per game and showcasing impressive defensive efficiency.
