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Midwest
If you’re in the Midwest region and your name is not Kentucky, your hopes of making it to the Final Four may be bleak. But as we’ve seen during a few regular season games, despite a perfect record, the Wildcats may not be completely immune to defeat. A few close calls prove that another team in the region could actually have a shot at slaying Goliath (but, we wouldn’t hold our breath).
Round Two Outlook: While there is always a possibility for upset, chances for this occurring during round two in the Midwest region don’t look probable with the exception of Indiana and Wichita State or maybe Texas over Butler.
East
With five of the nation’s top 15 teams competing for a trip to the Final Four, we can expect this region to be a breeding ground for some of the tournament’s fiercest competitions. Between regular season favorites Villanova, Louisville and Virginia in the mix, this one will come down to who wants it more.
Round Two Outlook: Don’t count out Georgia bringing an upset in this round. Michigan State is coming off a Big 10 Tournament title game loss to Wisconsin (80-69), so they’re keen on re-igniting their winning streak at the start of the tournament and coach Tom Izzo is known for leading his team to the Sweet Sixteen. But, we mustn’t forget that Bulldogs held the largest lead of the season against college basketball’s darling, Kentucky. Providence plays the winner of Boise State and Dayton; either of which could give them a run for their money.
West
You’ve got two teams that could have both debatably been one-seeds in Arizona and Wisconsin and it’s likely that they’ll meet on March 28 to vie for the region’s spot in the Final Four.
Round Two Outlook: It’s our gut that this region goes chalk during the second round but there are two games to keep an eye on. Ivy league Harvard has won an NCAA tournament game for the past two years. Can they go for three, pulling one over the Tar Heels in round two? There’s also a tough match-up between Ohio State and VCU.
South
Arguably the weakest bracket of the four regions, it’s hard to imagine Duke not waltzing straight through to the Final Four.
Round Two Outlook: A then 12th-seed, Stephen F. Austin stunned 5th-seed VCU in the second round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament. They very well could have a shot at repeating this trend against Utah. Davidson, regular-title season holders out of the A-10, have a chance to take down Iowa if they resurrect the hot streak they were on prior to the A-10 tourney semifinals.
You can never count out those 12 seeds when facing 5 its a yearly trend. But who will it be this year??