Even though the Cincinnati Bearcats are in the NIT, does not mean that you won’t get an awesome NCAA Tournament preview. We’re kicking things off with games in the South. 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.
South
1 Duke Blue Devils 29-5
How they got here: Won ACC Tournament
Best Players: Jon Scheyer 18.5-5 assists Kyle Singler 17.6-6.9
Ken Pom Off/Def Rank: 1/4
16 Arkansas Pine Bluff/Winthrop 17-15/19-13
How they got here: Won SWAC Tournament/Won Big South Tournament
Best Players: Ark PB: Terrence Calvin 10.5-5.2-4 assists Savalance Townsend 10.2-3.5 Win: Reggie Middleton 10.2-3.3 Matt Morgan 9.6-4.6
Ken Pom Off/Def Rank: APB: 307/111 Win: 309/65
Predicted Winner (KenPom/Me): Ken has Winthrop winning by 2, and I’ll agree. Duke would probably be an 18 point or so favorite. I think that is easily going to be the case.
8 California Golden Bears 23-10
How they got here: At large (Pac 10 Champions)
Best Players: Jerome Randle 18.7-4.5 assists Patrick Christopher 16-5.4
Ken Pom Off/Def Rank: 3/81
9 Louisville Cardinals 20-12
How they got here: At large (Big East 6th place)
Best Players: Samardo Samuels 15.3-7 Edgar Sosa 13.3-4.5 assists
Ken Pom Off/Def Rank: 20/77
Predicted Winner (KenPom/Me): California by 3. I think Louisville wins a tight one. Don’t buy Cal
4 Purdue Boilermakers 27-5
How they got here: At large (Big 10 3 way Champions)
Best Players: E’Twan Moore 16.6-3.7 JaJuan Johnson 15.2-7.1
Ken Pom Off/Def Rank: 49/6
13 Siena Saints 27-6
How they got here: MAAC Tournament Champions
Best Players: Alex Franklin 16.3-8 Edwin Ubiles 15.2-3.7
Ken Pom Off/Def Rank: 66/59
Predicted Winner (KenPom/Me): Purdue by 6. Tons of people are calling for the upset, but I’m going to be cautious and pick Purdue.
5 Texas A&M Aggies 23-9
How they got here: At large (Big 12 2nd place 3 way tie)
Best Players: Donald Sloan 18.2-3.7 Derrick Roland 10.5-3.2
Ken Pom Off/Def Rank: 39/23
12 Utah State Aggies 27-7
How they got here: At large (WAC Regular Season Champions)
Best Players: Tai Wesley 13.6-6.6-3.4 assists-1.3 blocks Jared Quayle 12.6-6.3-4.2 assists
Ken Pom Off/Def Rank: 14/54
Predicted Winner (KenPom/Me): Utah State by 1. Ken’s numbers have this as a toss up. I’m going to agree and roll with Utah State, despite the face they played no one good.
2 Villanova Wildcats 24-7
How they got here: At large (Big East 4th place)
Best Players: Scottie Reynolds 18.5-3.3 assists Corey Fisher 13.7-4 assists
Ken Pom Off/Def Rank: 8/62
15 Robert Morris Colonials 23-11
How they got here: Northeast Conference Tournament Champions
Best Players: Karon Abraham 13.4-2.2 Rob Robinson 9.9-5.5
Ken Pom Off/Def Rank: 200/154
Predicted Winner (KenPom/Me): Villanova by 19. Have to agree.
7 Richmond Spiders 26-8
How they got here: At large (Atlantic 10 3rd place)
Best Players: Kevin Anderson 17.8-3.5-2.6 assists David Gonzalvez 14.5-4.2-2.3
Ken Pom Off/Def Rank: 67/36
10 St Mary’s Gaels 26-5
How they got here: WCC Tournament Champions
Best Players: Omar Samhan 20.9-11-3 blocks Mickey McConnell 13.7-5.2 assists
Ken Pom Off/Def Rank: 19/82
Predicted Winner (KenPom/Me): St Mary’s by 1. Another toss up. I really like Richmond, so I’m going with them.
3 Baylor Bears 25-7
How they got here: At large (Big 12 2nd place 3 way tie)
Best Players: LaceDarius Dunn 19.4-4.8 Tweety Carter 15.8-6.1 assists
Ken Pom Off/Def Rank: 5/52
14 Sam Houston St Bearkats 25-7
How they got here: (Southland Tournament Champions)
Best Players: Gilberto Clavell 16.9-6.3 Corey Allmond 15.9-2.4
Ken Pom Off/Def Rank: 56/178
Predicted Winner (KenPom/Me): Baylor by 13. I think Baylor would win, but I think SHS can give them a run for their money.
6 Notre Dame Fighting Irish 23-11
How they got here: At large (Big East 7th place)
Best Players: Luke Harangody 22.4-9.2 Tim Abromaitis 16.3-4.8
Ken Pom Off/Def Rank: 4/140
11 Old Dominion Monarchs 26-8
How they got here: Colonial Tournament Champions
Best Players: Gerald Lee 14.6-4.9 Frank Hassell 8.9-6.6
Ken Pom Off/Def Rank: 72/16
Predicted Winner (KenPom/Me): Old Dominion by 1. A third toss up. I have to go with the Monarchs. I don’t know about Slow-tre Dame just yet, and ODU can d up. I’m going upset.
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