Even though the Cincinnati Bearcats are in the NIT, does not mean that you won’t get an awesome NCAA Tournament preview. We kicked things off with games in the South, now we’re onto the East region. Before you jump in, sign up for the Bearcats Blog Tournament Challenge. It’s on ESPN.com. Search for Bearcats Blog, or click here. Stats by Ken Pomeroy.
East
1 Kentucky Wildcats 32-2
How they got here: SEC Tournament Champions
Best Players: John Wall 16.9-4.2-6.4 assists DeMarcus Cousins 15.3-10.1-1.8 blocks
Ken Pom Off/Def Rank: 18/10
16 East Tennessee St. Buccaneers 20-14
How they got here: Atlantic Sun Tournament Champions
Best Players: Tommy Hubbard 14.1-8.3 Micah Williams 12.5-3.3
Ken Pom Off/Def Rank: 196/88
Predicted Winner (KenPom/Me): Kentucky by 17. Of course, if not more.
8 Texas Longhorns 24-9
How they got here: At large (Big 12 6th place tie)
Best Players: Damion James 18-10.4-1.8 steals-1.2 blocks Avery Bradley 11.7-2.9
Ken Pom Off/Def Rank: 26/26
9 Wake Forest Demon Deacons 19-10
How they got here: At large (ACC 6th place tie)
Best Players: Al-Farouq Aminu 15.7-10.7-1.5 steals-1.5 blocks Ishmael Smith 13.3-4.7-6 assists-1.8 steals
Ken Pom Off/Def Rank: 96/25
Predicted Winner (KenPom/Me): Texas by 5. Wake has been sliding badly as of late, but Texas has also stunk since being number 1. The Longhorns are too talented in my book though.
4 Wisconsin Badgers 23-8
How they got here: At large (Big 10 4th place)
Best Players: Trevon Hughes 15.4-4.6-2.7 assists-1.7 steals Jon Leuer 14.8-5.8-1.4 blocks
Ken Pom Off/Def Rank: 13/7
13 Wofford Terriers 26-8
How they got here: Southern Conference Tournament Champions
Best Players: Noah Dahlman 16.8-6.3 Jamar Diggs 9.4-2.9-2.6 assists
Ken Pom Off/Def Rank: 149/56
Predicted Winner (KenPom/Me): Wisconsin by 11. Agreed. This game should be boring, I hope I don’t have to watch much of it.
5 Temple Owls 29-5
How they got here: Atlantic 10 Tournament Champions
Best Players: Ryan Brooks 14.3-4.4 Juan Fernandez 12.6-2.4-3.6
Ken Pom Off/Def Rank: 77/3
12 Cornell Big Red 27-4
How they got here: Ivy League Champions
Best Players: Ryan Wittman 17.5-4 Jeff Foote 12.3-8.2-1.9 blocks
Ken Pom Off/Def Rank: 28/138
Predicted Winner (KenPom/Me): Temple by 5. Jay Bilas picked Cornell to go the Elite 8. I love me some Bilas, but that’s crazy. I think Temple locks them up in round 1.
2 West Virginia Mountaineers 27-6
How they got here: Big East Tournament Champions
Best Players: Da’Sean Butler 17.4-6.3-3.3 assists Kevin Jones 13.5-7.1
Ken Pom Off/Def Rank: 11/24
15 Morgan St. Bears 27-9
How they got here: MEAC Tournament Champions
Best Players: Reggie Holmes 21.8-4.3-1.5 steals Kevin Thompson 12.8-11.9-1.4 blocks
Ken Pom Off/Def Rank: 136/190
Predicted Winner (KenPom/Me): West Virginia by 16. Yes, if not more.
7 Clemson Tigers 21-10
How they got here: At large (ACC 6th place tie)
Best Players: Trevor Booker 15.3-8.3-1.4 blocks Demontez Stitt 11.1-3.2 assists 1.5 steals
Ken Pom Off/Def Rank: 47/9
10 Missouri Tigers 22-10
How they got here: At large (Big 12 5th place)
Best Players: Kim English 13.9-3.4-1.4 steals Marcus Denmon 10.8-3.1
Ken Pom Off/Def Rank: 50/12
Predicted Winner (KenPom/Me): Clemson by 1. In this toss up, I like the Tigers, LOL. Feel free to punch anyone who actually says that in the throat. I’m going with Missouri.
3 New Mexico Lobos 29-4
How they got here: At large (MWC Regular Season Champions)
Best Players: Darrington Hobson 16.2-9.2-4.6 assists-1.3 steals Roman Martinez 13.8-6-1.5 steals
Ken Pom Off/Def Rank: 21/87
14 Montana Grizzlies 22-9
How they got here: Big Sky Tournament Champions
Best Players: Anthony Johnson 19.6-3.3-3 assists Brian Qvale 9.6-6.9-2 blocks
Ken Pom Off/Def Rank: 110/121
Predicted Winner (KenPom/Me): New Mexico by 7. I think New Mexico wins by more.
6 Marquette Golden Eagles 22-11
How they got here: At large (Big East 5th place)
Best Players: Lazar Hayward 18.1-7.7-1.8 steals Jimmy Butler 14.9-6.4
Ken Pom Off/Def Rank: 22/48
11 Washington Huskies 24-9
How they got here: Pac 10 Tournament Champions
Best Players: Quincy Pondexter 19.8-7.5 Isaiah Thomas 17.1-4.1-2.9 assists
Ken Pom Off/Def Rank: 32/38
Predicted Winner (KenPom/Me): Marquette by 1. In this toss up, I’m going to go Big East. Sorry Huskies.
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