The NCAA Tournament bracket is set, and four No. 1 seeds — Arizona, Duke, Michigan, and Florida — headline their respective regions. While Arizona appears to have the clearest path to the Final Four, the other three regions are fraught with potential pitfalls.
West Region
Arizona is the heavy favorite, boasting the nation’s top-ranked offense and defense alongside Duke. The Wildcats, seeking their first title since 1997, are led by guard Jaden Bradley. No. 2 seed Purdue could challenge if it sustains the defensive intensity that won the Big Ten Tournament. Sleeper Arkansas (No. 4) has a top-10 offense, but defense remains a question. Upset alert: No. 12 High Point vs. No. 5 Wisconsin could be a shootout. Star to watch: Gonzaga’s Graham Ike. Key stat: BYU’s AJ Dybantsa leads the nation in scoring (25+ ppg). Pick: Arizona.
East Region
Top overall seed Duke faces a tough path due to injuries (Caleb Wilson out, Patrick Ngongba questionable) and a stacked field including No. 2 Connecticut and No. 3 Michigan State. Sleeper: No. 10 UCF could exploit UCLA’s injuries. Upset alert: No. 11 South Florida over No. 6 Louisville, as the Cardinals are without Mikel Brown Jr. Star to watch: St. John’s Zuby Ejiofor, Big East Player and Defensive Player of the Year. Key stat: St. John’s won 19 of its last 20 against Big East foes. Pick: Connecticut.
Midwest Region
No. 1 seed Michigan is vulnerable after losing in the Big Ten final, but still has the nation’s best frontcourt and defense. No. 2 Iowa State has depth and defense to challenge. Sleeper: No. 14 Miami (Ohio), 31-0 in the regular season, must first survive a play-in game. Upset alert: No. 12 Akron over No. 5 Texas Tech, which is shorthanded without J.T. Toppin. Star to watch: Michigan’s Yaxel Lendeborg, Big Ten Player of the Year, who turned an ankle in the conference final. Key stat: Alabama’s Aden Holloway shot 44% on 3-pointers this season. Pick: Michigan.
South Region
Defending champion Florida could meet No. 2 Houston in the Elite Eight, but that game would be in Houston, giving the Cougars a home-court advantage. Sleeper: No. 5 Vanderbilt, which beat Florida last week. Upset alert: No. 11 VCU over No. 6 North Carolina, as the Tar Heels are struggling without Caleb Wilson. Star to watch: Houston freshman Kingston Flemings, a likely NBA lottery pick. Key stat: McNeese State averages 10.5 steals per game. Pick: Houston.
