NCAA Event Previews: Midwest Place

For more NCAA Tournament protection have a look at theARotoExperts manual to March Madness. Hear toAThe Bracket Experts on BlogTalkRadio all week long before the very first Thursday of Tourney activity. MIDWEST REGION BREAKDOWNIndianapolis, IN Before diving in to this region, look at this number: Six of those clubs were in exactly the same region last year (West). How usually does that happen? E Louis beat Memphis, who then lost to Michigan State in the Round of 32, who then lost to Louisville in the Sweet 16. A possible Elite 8 rematch between the Spartans and Cardinals is extremely possible. Ultimate Four TeamNo. 1 LouisvilleThey have the knowledge of last yearas Final 4. They're a five-overtime reduction from a 14-game winning streak in the Big East. They dropped by only five points earlier in the day in the growing season against Duke without Gorgui Dieng. The Cardinals are on a and are the No. 1 over all seed for a reason. We found exactly what they could do in the 2nd half against Syracuse in the Big East Championship game by outscoring the Orange 56 to 26. No one wants to perform this team. Everybody knows about Dieng, Russ Smith and Peyton Siva, but what about the role players? Montrezl Harrell had his game of the year in the conquer Cuse with 20 points and seven panels. Henry Hancock is becoming more of a threat and has hit double-digits in four straight games. Chane Behanan and Wayne Blackshear canat be forgotten either. This team struggles sometimes within their half-court crime, but that shouldnat be considered a problem in this place. With control, defense and depth, Louisville should allow it to be to the Final 4. Sleeper TeamNo. 4 Saint LouisThey are receiving so hyped right now that itas difficult to consider them a sleeper, but they have a group that will give trouble to Louisville which deserves some sleeper focus. Iam choosing to ignore the Billikensa early deficits mainly because Kwamain Mitchell didnat play until the end of December. Heas one of their best scorers, and in his next game straight back, they beat New Mexico. That 14-point win over the Lobos is essential to look at because New Mexico is just a much the same team to Louisville. In that game, Saint Louis kept UNM to 13 points in the initial half. Thatas the sort of defense they could perform. SLU has the muscle to defend the big people, and they likewise have quickness at the little forward and guard positions to stop such a thing Siva and Smith throw at them. On the other end, the Billikens are as balanced as groups get scoring the rock. They have five people that average at the least 9.3 points per game. In fact, they were led by their seventh leading scorer in scoring against UNM. Dwayne Evans (13.7 PPG) has found his game by large margins since this past year and heas accompanied by Mitchell. Dark Horse TeamNo. 7 CreightonThis isnat a real black horse pick, but who cares? Many people are calling the Midwest area the best meaning there arenat likely to be considered a load of early round upsets. Middle Tennessee can cause Memphis problems, nevertheless they wonat manage Michigan State to the Sweet 16. The Bluejays are another story. Creighton is led by sharpshooting Doug McDermott who are able to fill it up when he needs. Cincinnati has lost seven of these last 11 games. Certain, they play in the Big East, but that is perhaps not what you want to see. The Bearcats have now been struggling from the area during that stretch which isnat likely to help in this matchup. If Creighton could get this 1, theyall likely experience Duke who was simply ousted in the initial round last year to the hands of a shooter called C.J. McCollum. Could McDermott do the exact same? Heas flanked by Grant Gibbs and Austin Chatman who are able to help when needed. Their next most useful player, Gregory Echenique, will go toe-to-toe with Mason Plumlee in the article. Letas perhaps not forget Creighton made it to the Round of 32 a year ago with almost the exact same group. Most readily useful Opening-Round GameThursday, in San Jose: Number. 5 Oklahoma State compared to. No. 12 OregonItas the classic 5-12 game and everyone else on the planet believes Oregon was under seeded. While theABracketMatrix was completely with every predicted team making the tournament, the Ducks were estimated to be an eight seed after winning the Pac-12 tourney. Even if Oregon isnat actually a, the Cowboys arenat going to be described as a walkover. Many people are speaking about Oregonas pace and their ability to get right up and down the courtroom at all positions, but can that function as case against Oklahoma State? Led by Big 12 Player of the Year, Marcus Smart, OK State has certainly one of the best backcourts in the country. Wise could be prominent no matter he is guarded by who. Heas flanked by Markel Brown and mix man LeaBryan Nash. There is also a marksman in Phil Forte. The Ducks arenat without size which is a benefit for them. Theyave already crushed the likes of UNLV and UCLA on your way in 2010, so that they arenat a weak staff at all. Will Carlos Emory and Damyean Dotson be able to manage Smart and business or will another player have to intensify? Copy point guard Johnathan Loyd came through with 19 points in their Championship game gain, but which was his best game of the growing season by far. If this season is fallen to lackadaisical play which has cost them multiple times by the Cowboys donat, they should be in a position to win. On another end of that, the Ducks have preyed on lazy teams over summer and winter. The Crystal BallSweet 16 in Indianapolis: No. 3 Michigan State compared to. No. 2 DukeTom Izzo vs. Mike Krzyzewski. What other purpose do you really need to look at this game? The last time these clubs played was last period once the Blue Devils won by five on a neutral court. The last time they saw each other in the Tourney, MSU won back 2005 in the Sweet 16. Because it will be difficult for anyone to pick against either group in the first two units this game is certainly going to stay many supports. Duke probably (never say never) wonat get disappointed early again like these were last year. And under Izzo, Michigan State never been pulled out earlier than the Sweet 16 when theyave been a five-seed or better. This game may opening two renowned instructors against each other, with two very similar squads. Derrick Nix and Adreian Payne can go head-to-head with Mason Plumlee and Ryan Kelly. The backcourts have become similar as well with Keith Appling, Gary Harrison and Branden Dawson in comparison to Quinn Cook, Seth Curry and Rasheed Sulaimon. It'll be a must-watch game in the Sweet 16, if this game does happen. People on the RadarThere are a lot of guys in this conference, but these are the largest game-changers. H Peyton Siva (Louisville )He was the primary reason it was made by them to the Final 4 this past year and if they may do it again, he will function as the reason, again. Along on the bad end with good safety, this team is set by Siva up. Smith and Dieng are good, but Siva could be the most important piece to the challenge. He's won in double-digits in five straight games after obtaining a goose egg at Syracuse. Heall need to continue that work for Louisville to achieve success. F Adreian Payne (Michigan State )Payne has been Michigan Stateas best person before month. Whether itas rebounding or investing in enormous put-back dunks, he's been all over the court. Heas a person that changes as he can also hit the three-ball the way in which defenses perform. If Payne remains his popularity, the Spartans are very nearly a lock for a couple wins. F Ryan Kelly (Duke )The Blue Devils eventually lost their first game with Kelly in the lineup when they lost to Maryland in the ACC tourney. Kellyas capability to take the three opens up the floor for Plumlee to manage the paint. However, after reaching eight threes in his first two games back from injury, he's zero in his last two. F Doug McDermott (Creighton )McDermott is probably the best scorer in the world. He doesnat look like that much of a threat, but give the ball to him and it can be filled by him up. Thereas a reason he shoots 56 percent from the nearly 50 percent and subject from the three-point line. Not many can protect him with his 6-8 body, and he can put in 30 on any given night. People say the MVC isnat a fantastic meeting, but points were dropped 30 by McDermott on the excellent Wisconsin defense earlier in the season. F Dwayne Evans (Saint Louis )He could be the lesser known of the group, but he deserves mention. Evans has been the epitome of the Billikens this season. Without Mitchell in early stages, he moved up his game to complete a job. Heas a player that gets in see your face and loves to drive in the lane. Evans has made at the least eight free throws in three straight games which goes hand-in-hand with his 21.7 points per game through that stretch (only 13.7 for the summer season). Picture via Getty