Ohio State Buckeyes
Location: Columbus, Ohio.
Conference: Big Ten
Coach: Thad Matta
Pre-tournament record: 32-2, 16-2
RPI: 2
Best wins: Florida, Purdue, Wisconsin
Surprising losses: None
Team stats
Key players: Freshman center Jared Sullinger, senior wing Jon Diebler, senior guard David Lighty, freshman guard Aaron Craft .
Full team roster
Strengths: Shooting, defensive rebounding, ball-handling.
Weaknesses: On-ball defense, depth.
Outlook: The favorites. Ohio State plays just seven guys – five play 70 percent of the minutes – but it’s a system that’s worked exceedingly well. That’s what happens when you have a supremely talented low-post scorer and smart passer like Sullinger and guys who hit 3-pointers. It’s simple-- if Sullinger doesn’t score, a Buckeye hoists a 3 or gets open for an easy bucket. Diebler’s the biggest threat outside – he hit 10 of 12 vs. Wisconsin in the season finale – but Lighty and junior William Buford also knock down shots. The question about OSU relates to two things: Depth and of Craft. The Buckeyes rarely get into foul trouble, but one could worry about tired legs and if teams try to run the 280-pound Sullinger too much. But more interesting is Craft. He doesn’t start, but still plays more than 30 minutes a game. He and Lighty usually draw the key defensive roles. Can Craft handle the tournament pressure? Matta can’t afford that. Not with his bench.

Texas-San Antonio Roadrunners
Location: San Antonio
Conference: Southland
Coach: Brooks Thompson
Pre-tournament record: 19-13, 9-7
RPI: 202
Best wins: San Jose State, Sam Houston State
Surprising losses: Samford, Texas State
Team stats
Key players: Senior guard Devin Gibson, freshman forward Jeromie Hill, sophomore wing Melvin Johnson.
Full team roster
Strengths: 3-point shooting, ball-handling.
Weaknesses: Rebounding.
Outlook: The Roadrunners were the surprise winner of the Southland Conference tournament, beating the league’s best team (Sam Houston State) and its top seed (McNeese State), mostly thanks to the superior play of Gibson. Everything runs through him on offense, and with good reason. He’s the Southland’s most explosive player and a dynamite scorer. Texas-San Antonio faces long odds to maintain their fun run, though. Expect a first-round rout.

George Mason Patriots
Location: Fairfax, Va.
Conference: Colonial Athletic
Coach: Jim Larranaga
Pre-tournament record: 26-6, 16-2
RPI: 27
Best wins: ODU, Duquesne
Surprising loss: Hofstra
Team stats
Key players: Senior guard Cam Long, junior forward Ryan Pearson, sophomore guard Luke Hancock.
Full team roster
Strengths: Shooting, ball-handling, perimeter defense.
Weaknesses: Offensive rebounding, forcing turnovers.
Outlook: Until the Patriots lost to VCU in the CAA tourney semifinals, they’d been touted as a potential Final Four darkhorse. The potential is still there, but perhaps less hype will be a good thing for Jim Larranaga’s team. They’re a balanced, deep, talented squad that does everything well and is excellent at 3-point shooting and taking care of the ball, two things crucial to NCAA tournament success. If they only hit the offensive glass a little more, they’d be an even better version of Butler from 2010. Still, George Mason’s a good bet to reach the Sweet 16 and perhaps further if their shots are falling.

Villanova Wildcats
Location: Philadelphia
Conference: Big East
Coach: Jay Wright
Pre-tournament record: 21-11, 9-9
RPI: 37
Best wins: Louisville, Syracuse
Surprising losses: South Florida, Providence
Team stats
Key players: Senior guard Corey Fisher, sophomore guard Maalik Wayns, sophomore forward Mouphtaou Yarou, senior wing Corey Stokes.
Full team roster
Strengths: Guard play, perimeter defense.
Weaknesses: Guard play, forcing turnovers.
Outlook: It’s all about the guards. When Fisher and Wayns are on, the Wildcats are as good as anyone. When they’re not, well, you close the season with five straight losses. Part of that’s the competition – ‘Nova closed with Syracuse, St. John’s, Notre Dame and Pitt – but that’s not the entire problem. They failed to close out games, hit shots and have dealt with injuries, too. Yarou and Stokes missed parts or all of the final five games, which robbed ‘Nova of two of their most reliable scorers. Fisher and Wayns could find their niche in time for an NCAA tournament win, but don’t count on it.

Clemson Tigers
Location: Clemson, S.C.
Conference: Atlantic Coast
Coach: Brad Brownell
Pre-tournament record: 21-11, 9-7
RPI: 60
Best wins: Virginia Tech, Florida State
Surprising loss: South Carolina, N.C. State
Team stats
Key players: Senior guard Demontex Stitt, senior foreard Jerai Grant, junior guard Andre Young.
Full team roster
Strengths: Forcing turnovers, challenging shots.
Weaknesses: Shooting, ball-handling.
Outlook: The Tigers haven’t missed a beat making the transition from Oliver Purnell’s up-tempo pressure defense to Brownell’s more deliberate, half-court style. Defense is still how Clemson wins. Guards like Stitt and Grant either harass ball-handlers or get into the passing lanes, while mobile big men Grant and Devin Booker do their best to thwart things down low. When Clemson’s offense catches up, they may even win a tournament game or two. Until then, it’s first round and out.

West Virginia Mountaineers
Location: Morgantown, W.Va.
Conference: Big East
Coach: Bob Huggins
Pre-tournament record: 20-11, 11-7
RPI: 15
Best wins: Purdue, Notre Dame, Louisville
Surprising losses: Miami (Fla.), Marshall
Team stats
Key players: Senior wing Casey Mitchell, junior guard Truck Bryant, junior forward Kevin Jones.
Full team roster
Strengths: Offensive rebounding, perimeter defense.
Weaknesses: Forcing turnovers, perimeter shooting.
Outlook: The Mountaineers are awfully similar to last year’s Final Four team, with a few crucial exceptions. They’re slightly worse from beyond the arc, don’t force as many turnovers and are worse at corralling defensive rebounds. That’s about it. West Virginia still crushes the offensive glass, hits a high percentage of its attempts inside the arc and does a fair job holding onto the ball. Maybe it’s as simple as the lack of a clutch shooter like De’Sean Butler and a versatile defender like Devin Ebanks. Whatever the reason, they still have one thing going for them: They won’t be an easy out.

Kentucky Wildcats
Location: Lexington, Ky.
Conference: Southeastern
Coach: John Calipari
Pre-tournament record: 25-8, 10-6
RPI: 9
Best wins: Notre Dame, Washington, Louisville, Florida (twice)
Surprising losses: Ole Miss, Arkansas
Team stats
Key players: Freshman guard Brandon Knight, freshman forward Terrence Jones, freshman guard Doron Lamb, junior wing Darius Miller.
Full team roster
Strengths: Interior defense, ball-handling, 3-point shooting.
Weaknesses: Forcing turnovers, perimeter defense.
Outlook: Kentucky’s really good. Again. The Wildcats may have had some issues winning SEC road games (they were 2-6), but thrived in the conference tournament and have impressive non-conference wins over Notre Dame and Kentucky. They might not have the flair of last year’s squad that won 35 games, but they’re no less efficient, and they do it with fewer players. Kentucky also has an added bonus it didn’t have last year: It can hit 3-pointers. Lamb, Knight and Miller all make at least 40 percent of their attempts beyond the arc, which will be crucial come crunch time and against teams who want to zone the ‘Cats. Another run to the Elite Eight is possible. A Final Four’s not out of reach, either.

Princeton Tigers
Location: Princeton, N.J.
Conference: Ivy League
Coach: Sydney Johnson
Pre-tournament record: 25-6, 12-2
RPI: 47
Best wins: Rutgers, Tulsa, Harvard (twice)
Surprising losses: Brown, Presbyterian
Team stats
Key players: Sophomore forward Ian Hummer, senior guard Dan Mavaraides, senior forward Kareem Maddox.
Full team roster
Strengths: Defensive rebounding, shooting.
Weaknesses: Forcing turnovers, offensive rebounding.
Outlook: Maddox, Hummer, Mavaraides and junior guard Douglas Davis (the hero of the tiebreaker win vs. Harvard) rarely leave the court, which is a good thing for the Tigers. All four are relatively experienced and efficient players, meaning they won’t be overwhelmed by their opponent, no matter what conference they’re from. Hummer and Maddox will be a little undersized, but that’s about it. Besides, when you shoot like this Princeton team – 37.4 from beyond the arc, 50.5 inside it – good things happen. That’s why the Tigers are back in the Big Dance for the first time since 2004 and for the 24th time overall. But getting another tournament win? That might be asking a bit much.

Marquette Golden Eagles
Location: Milwaukee
Conference: Big East
Coach: Buzz Williams
Pre-tournament record: 20-13, 9-9
RPI: 64
Best wins: Notre Dame, Syracuse
Surprising losses: Seton Hall
Team stats
Key players: Senior forward Jimmy Butler, junior guard Darius Johnson-Odum, junior forward Jae Crawford.
Full team roster
Strengths: Shooting, ball-handling.
Weaknesses: Defensive rebounding, perimeter defense.
Outlook: Marquette is perpetually underrated, probably because it is perpetually undersized and lacks a dominant player. The Eagles’ schedule is filled with solid wins, close losses – their 13 losses are by an average of six points – and results you’d expect. Consider them a team that’s good, but often not good enough. That track record might serve as an indicator of their NCAA tournament success, especially if they play a physical team with some size inside.

Xavier Musketeers
Location: Cincinnati.
Conference: Atlantic 10
Coach: Chris Mack
Pre-tournament record: 24-7, 15-1
RPI: 20
Best wins: Butler, Temple
Surprising losses: Miami (Ohio), Charlotte
Team stats
Key players: Junior guard Tu Holloway, junior center Kenny Frease, senior forward Jamel McLean.
Full team roster
Strengths: Defensive rebounding, 2-point shooting, challenging shots.
Weaknesses: Forcing turnovers, 3-point shooting, depth.
Outlook: Bad luck before the season forced Mack to adjust to a short bench, and it took the Musketeers most of their non-conference schedule to adjust. The solution? The more of Holloway, the better. He’s on the court all the time, touches the ball more than anyone else, scores the most, is the assists leader and can be a defensive stopper when needed. Frease and McLean fill their roles nicely, while senior Dante Jackson and sophomore guard Mark Lyons provide some stability. But if Xavier hopes to return to the Sweet 16 for the fourth straight year, it’ll need two things: Two favorable matchups and a healthy Holloway who can’t miss. Might be one of the few years the Musketeers are home before the second week.

Indiana State Sycamores
Location: Terre Haute, Ind.
Conference: Missouri Valley
Coach: Greg Lansing
Pre-tournament record: 20-13, 12-6
RPI: 85
Best win: Missouri State (twice)
Surprising loss:Wyoming
Team stats
Key players:Junior guard Dwayne Lathan, junior guard Carl Richard, senior swingman Aaron Carter.
Full team roster
Strengths:Interior defense, 3-point shooting.
Weaknesses: Offensive rebounding, turnovers.
Outlook: Looking for a team that doesn’t rely on any one player and needs major contributions from at least four guys to win a tournament game? The Sycamores are it. Lathan and Richard are their leading scorers, but Carter and freshman guard Jake Odum were the difference in the Missouri Valley championship game. Throw in guys like senior Jake Kelly and junior forward Myles Walker, and Indiana State’s a team that found the right mix of players and rode it to a tourney berth. Don’t expect it to last. The Sycamores get crushed on the boards and don’t have the overall defense to force a high seed into a poor shooting night.

Syracuse Orange
Location: Syracuse, N.Y.
Conference: Big East
Coach: Jim Boeheim
Pre-tournament record: 25-6, 12-6
RPI: 18
Best wins: Notre Dame, UConn
Surprising losses: Seton Hall
Team stats
Key players: Junior guard Scoop Jardine, senior forward Rick Jackson, junior forward Kris Joseph.
Full team roster
Strengths: Offensive rebounding, interior scoring, challenging shots.
Weaknesses: Defensive rebounding, getting to the free-throw line.
Outlook: Remember Syracuse’s four-game losing streak in January? It’s a thing of the past. The Orange excel at scoring inside the arc in part because their top scorers (Jardine and Joseph) look for mid-range jumpers or try to get to the basket. If they miss, Jackson’s there to grab the rebound and get the putback. It works regardless of foe. When it doesn’t, it’s usually because the Orange aren’t executing. Same with the defense. The Orange’s famed 2-3 zone forces opponents to work for shots, though open looks usually aren’t easy to come by, inside or outside the arc. Syracuse might have been more talented and experienced last season, but they’re no less dangerous this year. Expect another Sweet 16 spot.

Georgia Bulldogs
Location: Athens, Ga.
Conference: Southeastern
Coach: Mark Fox
Pre-tournament record: 21-11, 9-7
RPI: 45
Best wins: Kentucky, Tennessee, UAB
Surprising losses: None
Team stats
Key players: Junior forward Trey Thompkins, junior guard Travis Leslie, junior guard Gerald Robinson.
Full team roster
Strengths: Offensive rebounding, interior defense.
Weaknesses: Forcing turnovers, 3-point shooting.
Outlook: Thompkins and Robinson take more than half of Georgia’s shots, which isn’t good for the Dawgs’ offensive performance. Neither are efficient scorers, which means Georgia usually relies on its defense to win games – and that’s a dicey proposition given that it’s a bend-don’t-break defense that frustrates opponents. It doesn’t create easy scoring chances for Georgia. The bright side in all of this? Leslie is a fantastic player. The high-flying guard is capable of jaw-dropping plays off dunks or in the lane. Too bad he can’t hit a 3-pointer. The Dawgs should be happy to be in.

Washington Huskies
Location: Seattle
Conference: Pac-10
Coach: Lorenzo Romar
Pre-tournament record: 23-10, 11-7
RPI: 39
Best wins: Arizona (twice), UCLA (twice)
Surprising losses: Oregon State, Stanford
Team stats
Key players: Junior guard Isaiah Thomas, senior forward Matthew Bryan-Amaning, senior wing Justin Holiday
Full team roster
Strengths: Shooting, ball-handling, offensive rebounding.
Weaknesses: Defending rebounding, free-throw shooting.
Outlook: It’s déjà vu all over again. The Huskies underperformed last season, then got it together late, won the Pac-10 tournament and eventually reached the Sweet 16. This season, despite a record that belies their productivity, Washington could reach the second week once again. Romar’s team has all the ingredients for a run: A playmaking point guard capable of dominating a game with his tempo and shot-making skills (Thomas), fantastic outside shooters (C.J. Wilcox, Terrence Ross and Scott Suggs), a do-it-all wing (Holiday) and an athletic big man who blocks shots, rebound and scores (Bryan-Amaning). The problem is the Huskies don’t have much depth, their best defender (Venoy Overton) isn't playing like it and Thomas can get into a me-first zone sometimes. If the Huskies aren’t slacking on defense and hitting even 35 percent of their 3-pointers, they’re a good bet to make the second week.

Long Island Blackbirds
Location: Brooklyn, N.Y.
Conference: Northeast
Coach: Jim Ferry
Pre-tournament record: 27-5, 18-2
RPI: 77
Best wins: Robert Morris (twice)
Surprising losses: St. Francis (Penn.)
Team stats
Key players: Sophomore forward Jamal Olasewere, junior guard C.J. Garner, sophomore forward Julian Boyd, senior guard David Hicks.
Full team roster
Strengths: Offensive rebounding, perimeter defense, getting to the free-throw line.
Weaknesses: Defensive rebounding, turnovers.
Outlook: The Blackbirds were 6-4 back in mid-December. They’ve been on a bit of a roll since. LIU features athletic forwards, two guards who can hit from outside and a nice mix of depth and experience. Thing is, they haven’t beaten anyone notable, or even played a notable team. Usually when a team sweeps their conference’s regular-season and tournament titles, it’s a sign of good things to come in March. But this might not apply here. LIU lost to MAAC champ St. Peter’s back in November, which is a fair indication of the Blackbirds’ NCAA tournament hopes. They won’t be around long unless they’re hitting everything from outside. And even that’s not guarantee.

North Carolina Tar Heels
Location: Chapel Hill, N.C.
Conference: Atlantic Coast
Coach: Roy Williams
Pre-tournament record: 26-7, 14-2
RPI: 6
Best wins: Duke, Kentucky
Surprising loss: Georgia Tech, Minnesota
Team stats
Key players: Freshman wing Harrison Barnes, freshman guard Kendall Marshall, sophomore forward John Henson, junior center Tyler Zeller.
Full team roster
Strengths: Challenging shots, ball-handling, rebounding.
Weaknesses: Forcing turnovers, 3-point shooting, free-throw shooting.
Outlook: The Heels have found their form. Following a mid-January loss to Georgia Tech, UNC switched point guards, replacing junior Larry Drew II with Marshall. And that has made all the difference. The Heels’ offense, while not as crisp as it was during back-to-back Final Four years in ’08 and ’09, is playing fast and playing efficiently, which rarely happened under Drew. A better offense means more shots and more opportunities for a young team to build confidence, which is showing most in the play of Barnes, the nation’s top recruit. His shooting is still inconsistent, but he’s made clutch shots and is aggressive in attacking the basket. Just as crucial has been the impressive defense, led by Henson and Zeller. Foes rarely have chances to score down low and when they miss, Henson and Zeller are grabbing the rebound. It’s not a thing of beauty like in other years under Roy Williams, but it’s working.

Duke Blue Devils
Location: Durham, N.C.
Conference: Atlantic Coast
Coach: Mike Krzyzewski
Pre-tournament record: 30-4, 13-3
RPI: 5
Best wins: North Carolina, Temple, Marquette
Surprising loss: Florida State, Virginia Tech
Team stats
Key players: Senior guard Nolan Smith, senior forward Kyle Singler, sophomore forward Mason Plumlee, sophomore guard Seth Curry .
Full team roster
Strengths: Shooting, ball-handling, challenging shots.
Weaknesses: Defensive rebounding, forcing turnovers.
Outlook: The defending NCAA champions don’t hit the glass as hard as last year and are slightly worse beyond the arc, but that’s about it. The Devils remain one of the favorites to win it all thanks to their shooting – 38 percent from deep and 52 percent inside the arc – and ability to take care of the ball. If you want to beat Duke, you have to earn it. That means keeping track of their shooters (Curry and sophomore Andre Dawkins), limiting Smith’s dribble penetration and not allowing Singler to get into an offensive rhythm. Of all the Devils’ offensive stars, Singler’s the key. Smith has been a consistent scorer, while Singler has struggled with his shot and been ineffective off the dribble. If he regains his form from last year, Duke has a potent 1-2 punch to pair with a deep bench filled with shooters. That’s a tough team to beat.

Hampton Pirates
Location: Hampton, Va.
Conference: Mid-Eastern Athletic
Coach: Edward Joyner, Jr.
Pre-tournament record: 24-8, 11-5
RPI: 163
Best wins: Colorado State, Boston
Surprising losses: Florida A&M (twice)
Team stats
Key players: Junior forward Darrion Pellum, junior guard Kwame Morgan, senior forward Charles Funches.
Full team roster
Strengths: Defensive pressure, ball-handling.
Weaknesses: Shooting, rebounding.
Outlook: Hampton pulled off one of the biggest first-round upsets ever in 2001 when it beat No. 2 seed Iowa State. The odds of that type of upset happening again? Mighty slim. The Pirates struggle to score. They’re among the nation’s worst shooting and rebounding teams. That’s not their focus – defense is – but those are severe obstacles. Unless they can harass foes like they did during MEAC play, they’re going to lose. And lose big.

Michigan Wolverines
Location: Ann Arbor, Mich.
Conference: Big Ten
Coach: John Beilein
Pre-tournament record: 20-13, 9-9
RPI: 56
Best wins: Clemson, Illinois, Oakland
Surprising losses: UTEP, Northwestern
Team stats
Key players: Sophomore guard Darius Morris, freshman guard Tim Hardaway Jr., freshman center Jordan Morgan.
Full team roster
Strengths: Ball-handling, shooting.
Weaknesses: Offensive rebounding, forcing turnovers, interior defense.
Outlook: The Wolverines got hot at the right time, winning nine of their last 13 games. However, none were against elite teams as Michigan came up short against both Ohio State and Wisconsin late in the year. That’s this team’s M.O – they hang with most everyone, but can’t close out for wins. That’s partly because the Wolverines are young. Morris, Hardaway and Morgan spent the season adjusting to the rigors of Big Ten play and did well most of the time. Consider this team lucky to be in the NCAA tournament, and even luckier if they get a win. The future, however, looks very bright.

Tennessee Volunteers
Location: Knoxville, Tenn.
Conference: Southeastern
Coach: Bruce Pearl
Pre-tournament record: 19-14, 8-8
RPI: 33
Best wins: Pittsburgh, Villanova, Vanderbilt (twice), Belmont (twice)
Surprising losses: Charlotte, Arkansas, Miss State, Oakland
Team stats
Key players: Junior guard Scotty Hopson, freshman forward Tobias Harris, junior wing Cameron Tatum, senior center Brian Williams.
Full team roster
Strengths: Offensive rebounding, shot blocking.
Weaknesses: Shooting, ball-handling, fouls.
Outlook: The Vols are vying for the crown of team with the oddest season. And in a field like this, that’s saying something. Tennessee handed Pitt its first loss of the year, then turned around and lost to Charlotte and Oakland. It dealt with the eight-game suspension of Pearl, the maddeningly inconsistent play of Hopson and a defense that showed flashes of greatness. At times. Could Tennessee sneak under the radar and get to the Elite Eight again? No. Could they sneak into the Sweet 16? Well, that depends on the matchup. And Hopson. Don’t bank on either.

Arizona Wildcats
Location: Tucson, Ariz.
Conference: Pac-10
Coach: Sean Miller
Pre-tournament record: 27-7, 13-4
RPI: 17
Best wins: Washington, UCLA
Surprising loss: Oregon State
Team stats
Key players: Sophomore forward Derrick Williams, sophomore guard Momo Jones, sophomore forward Solomon Hill .
Full team roster
Strengths: Shooting, 3-point defense, defensive rebounding.
Weaknesses: Forcing turnovers, interior defense.
Outlook: It all starts with Williams, the Pac-10 player of the year. The 6-7 forward is a future NBA lottery pick for his offensive efficiency, rebounding skills and underrated defense. He’s the type of player a team can ride to the Final Four – if it has enough players to play supporting roles. That’s the biggest question surrounding the Wildcats, who are back in the Big Dance after missing it last season for the first time in 25 years. Can guys like Hill, junior guard Kyle Fogg and sophomore wing Kevin Parrom hit enough outside shots to prevent teams from focusing on Williams? And is point guard Momo Jones steady enough to avoid last-minute mistakes? Then there’s the defense, which is average. Teams feast on Arizona’s post players because Williams is their biggest guy, but has to stay out of foul trouble. Who slows down opposing forwards?

Memphis Tigers
Location: Memphis, Tenn.
Conference: Conference USA
Coach: Josh Pastner
Pre-tournament record: 25-9, 10-6
RPI: 30
Best wins: Gonzaga, UAB (twice)
Surprising losses: SMU, East Carolina
Team stats
Key players: Freshman guard Will Barton, freshman guard Joe Jackson, freshman forward Tarik Black, freshman guard Antonio Barton.
Full team roster
Strengths: Offensive rebounding, raw talent.
Weaknesses: Ball-handling, 3-point shooting, defensive rebounding.
Outlook: The Tigers are lucky. They have the potential to be good, but it’s been a lot of luck. They’re 15-1 in games decided by five points or less. Maybe it’s because they’re relying on talented freshmen and don’t run much on offense, which usually creates close games that allows guys like Jackson and Will Barton to make winning plays late. It’s not a rip (well, it’s kind of a rip), just a statement about Memphis’ season. It oozes talent. But that talent lacks cohesiveness on the court. They could go one of two ways in the NCAA tournament – the talent rises to the top and Memphis makes the Sweet 16, or it flames out early because it can’t hit shots and has too many defensive lapses. Lean toward the latter.

Oakland Golden Grizzlies
Location: Oakland, Mich.
Conference: Summit League
Coach: Greg Kampe
Pre-tournament record: 25-9, 17-1
RPI: 52
Best win: Tennessee
Surprising loss: IUPUI
Team stats
Key players: Senior forward Keith Benson, junior guard Reggie Hamilton, senior forward Will Hudson.
Full team roster
Strengths: Shooting, offensive rebounding, shot-blocking.
Weaknesses: Forcing turnovers, perimeter defense.
Outlook: Oakland played seemingly every major-conference team during its non-conference schedule, losing to the likes of Ohio State, Purdue, West Virginia, Michigan State and Illinois. By the time the Grizz beat the Vols, people had seen enough of them to know they could play. It was no surprise to see Kampe’s team roll through the Summit League. They were tested and have better players, starting with Benson, who’s bound for the NBA. He and Hamilton are the two playmakers on an offense that runs, shoots and scores as well as anyone around. That doesn’t leave much for defense, but that’s by design. Oakland’s topped 100 points six times this season. That might be enough for an NCAA tournament win.

b>Texas Longhorns
Location: Austin, Texas.
Conference: Big 12
Coach: Rick Barnes
Pre-tournament record: 26-6, 13-3
RPI: 14
Best wins: Kansas, North Carolina
Surprising losses: Nebraska, Colorado
Team stats
Key players: Sophomore wing Jordan Hamilton, freshman Tristan Thompson, freshman guard Cory Joseph, senior forward Gary Johnson.
Full team roster
Strengths: Challenging shots, offensive rebounding, ball-handling.
Weaknesses: Forcing turnovers, 3-point shooting, free-throw shooting.
Outlook: Texas’ tumble at the end of the season – losers of three of the last five games – seemingly ended in the Big 12 tournament. The reason? Hamilton started hitting shots again. The 6-7 wing broke out of a prolonged shooting slump against Oklahoma, a promising sign for a team that desperately needs his scoring touch. Given that the Longhorns’ once ferocious defense turned meek at season’s end, Hamilton’s scoring is needed even more. Unlike last season, when Texas dealt with myriad injuries and chemistry issues, this year’s team is healthy and happy. If Hamilton’s on and Thompson, a gifted shot blocker and rebounder, stays out of foul trouble, this is a Final Four team. At worst, it’s bound for the Sweet 16.

Cincinnati Bearcats
Location: Cincinnati
Conference: Big East
Coach: Mick Cronin
Pre-tournament record: 25-8, 11-7
RPI: 32
Best wins: Louisville, Georgetown (twice)
Surprising losses: None
Team stats
Key players: Junior center Yancy Gates, sophomore guard Cashmere Wright, freshman guard Sean KIlpatrick.
Full team roster
Strengths: Offensive rebounding, forcing turnovers, perimeter defense.
Weaknesses: Shooting.
Outlook: The Bearcats ended a six-year tournament drought thanks to what they were known for in the ‘90s and early 2000s – defense. Led by the powerful Gates and solid guards, Cincinnati excels at forcing turnovers and making opponents work for tough shots. It also thrives at crashing the offensive glass and doesn’t turn the ball over. That’s a recipe for success, but doesn’t give the Bearcats much room for error against good teams, and especially ones that can hit 3s. They’ll beat any inferior opponent and give a better seed all they can handle. Good news for Cincinnati, bad news for how far to advance Cronin’s team in your bracket.

Missouri Tigers
Location: Columbia, Mo.
Conference: Big 12
Coach: Mike Anderson
Pre-tournament record: 23-10, 8-8
RPI: 31
Best wins: Vanderbilt, Kansas State
Surprising losses: Oklahoma State, Colorado
Team stats
Key players: Junior guard Marcus Denmon, junior wing Kim English, sophomore guard Michael Dixon, junior forward Ricardo Ratliffe.
Full team roster
Strengths: Forcing turnovers, ball-handling, shooting.
Weaknesses: Rebounding, fouling.
Outlook: Missouri is fun to watch. Their pressure defense usually creates a fast-paced game full of turnovers, exciting sequences and high scores. But lately it has backfired. Teams with mobile big men feast on Missouri’s lackluster frontcourt, while capable guards can handle the press when needed. You’ll hear a lot about the Tigers’ road issues, and with good reason. They’ve won two games away from home since Dec. 22. Missouri can frustrate teams who aren’t prepared for the press or don’t pay enough attention to shooters like Denmon or Dixon. Anderson is 5-1 in first-round games, but think carefully when studying their matchup.

Bucknell Bison
Location: Lewisburg, Pa.
Conference: Patriot League
Coach: Dave Paulson
Pre-tournament record: 25-8, 13-1
RPI: 80
Best win: Richmond
Surprising losses: Wagner, Army
Team stats
Key players: Sophomore forward Mike Muscala, senior guard Darryl Shazier, sophomore guard Bryson Johnson.
Full team roster
Strengths: Ball-handling, 3-point shooting, defensive rebounding.
Weaknesses: Forcing turnovers, offensive rebounding.
Outlook: The Bison have won 19 of their past 20 games. The last time they were that hot was 2006 when they knocked off Arkansas in the NCAA tournament as 9 seed. This year’s squad might have some of that magic in ‘em. Bucknell lost by 11 at Marquette and by four at Boston College. Pulling off an NCAA tournament win will mean amplifying a couple of things at which they thrive: Shooting more 3-pointers and hitting the defensive glass. The Bison make 40 percent of their 3s (D-I average is 34.4), but those 3s only account for 29 percent of their total points. If they boost that to 40 percent of their points and limit foes second-chance opportunities, they’ll have a shot.

Connecticut Huskies
Location: Storrs, Conn.
Conference: Big East
Coach: Jim Calhoun
Pre-tournament record: 24-9, 9-9
RPI: 25
Best wins: Kentucky, Texas
Surprising losses:None
Team stats
Key players: Junior guard Kemba Walker, sophomore forward Alex Oriakhi, freshman guard Jeremy Lamb.
Full team roster
Strengths: Offensive rebounding, ball-handling, interior defense.
Weaknesses: Inconsistent shooting, forcing turnovers.
Outlook: Don’t let the 10 losses fool you. UConn’s as good as any team in the field. It’s just not as reliable as the likes of Pitt or Kansas because the Huskies are so dependent on how Walker plays. When the lightning quick guard is on, they’ll beat anyone. And have. But when his shot isn’t falling, UConn relies on guys like Lamb or freshman guard Shabazz Napier to carry the scoring load, which they’re not ready for yet. The wild card is Oriakhi. When he’s grabbing rebounds and getting putback scores, everything’s easier for Walker and the Huskies. A few favorable matchups and solid shooting from Walker and UConn will be playing during the second weekend.

Penn State Nittany Lions
Location: State College, Penn.
Conference: Big Ten
Coach: Ed DeChellis
Pre-tournament record: 19-14, 9-9
RPI: 51
Best wins: Wisconsin (twice)
Surprising losses: Maine, Ole Miss
Team stats
Key players: Senior guard Talor Battle, senior forward Jeff Brooks, senior forward David Jackson.
Full team roster
Strengths: Ball-handling, defensive rebounding.
Weaknesses: Everything else on defense.
Outlook: Penn State’s lucky to be here. Two wins against Wisconsin, beating Michigan State in the Big Ten tournament semfinals and a .500 Big Ten record was enough to compensate for an otherwise unimpressive season. The Lions play slow, ugly and not very well on defense. (Their biggest defensive virtue? Keeping foes off the free-throw line.) Battle’s a guard who lives up to his name, fighting through bigger defenders for baskets, but he’s one of the few shining lights. Brooks is a nice player, but not much else. Penn State won’t be around long, no matter how much they ugly up a game.

Temple Owls
Location: Philadelphia
Conference: Atlantic 10
Coach: Fran Dunphy
Pre-tournament record: 25-7, 14-2
RPI: 28
Best wins: Georgetown, Richmond, Maryland
Surprising losses: Cal, Duquesne
Team stats
Key players: Junior guard Ramone Moore, junior wing Scootie Randall, senior forward Lavoy Allen.
Full team roster
Strengths: Defensive rebounding, interior defense, ball-handling.
Weaknesses: Perimeter defense, forcing turnovers.
Outlook: The Owls sport a record almost as impressive as last season when they were a 5 seed. They’ve even won 13 of their last 15 games. But don’t be fooled. This team isn’t as good as last year – and that Temple squad was crushed in the first round by Cornell. Temple has similar issues as other slow-paced, possession-prizing teams – when the shots aren’t falling, things turn south. Temple tries using its outside shooters – Juan Fernandez, Moore and Randall – to take some of the pressure off Allen inside, but it doesn’t always work. Allen’s a force inside, especially on the glass and blocking shots. Yet he’s not an accomplished offensive player, occasionally leaving Temple as a one-dimensional offensive team. The defense isn’t good enough to make up for those deficiencies against an athletic team, either.

Northern Colorado Bears
Location: Greeley, Colo.
Conference: Big Sky
Coach: B.J. Hill
Pre-tournament record: 21-10, 14-3
RPI: 99
Best wins: Montana (twice)
Surprising losses: Louisiana Monroe, Denver
Team stats
Key players: Senior guard Drew Beitzel, senior forward Chris Kaba, senior forward Neal Kingman.
Full team roster
Strengths: 3-point shooting, rebounding.
Weaknesses: Turnovers, perimeter defense.
Outlook: The Bears are one of the tournament’s best stories. The school made the transition from Division II a few years ago and has only been eligible for postseason play since 2007. Now, a team with four seniors is off to its first NCAA tournament. Those seniors, led by Big Sky player of the year Devon Beitzel, can be fun to watch, too. Northern Colorado plays faster than most, doesn’t hesitate on 3-pointers and has pulled out its share of close games. That’s not promising for their tournament hopes, though. The berth is as good as it’ll get for the Bears.

San Diego State Aztecs
Location: San Diego
Conference: Mountain West
Coach: Steve Fisher
Pre-tournament record: 32-2, 14-2
RPI: 3
Best wins: UNLV (twice), Gonzaga
Surprising losses: None
Team stats
Key players: Sophomore forward Kawhi Leonard, senior guard D.J. Gay, senior forward Malcolm Thomas, senior forward Billy Thomas.
Full team roster
Strengths: Offensive rebounding, ball-handling, their frontcourt.
Weaknesses: Forcing turnovers, 3-point shooting.
Outlook: This is a senior-laden team with an exceedingly efficient defense, a fantastic frontcourt and usually works for a high-percentage shot on offense. All three usually mean success in March. Throw in an NBA talent like Leonard – he can guard anyone and thrives in a half-court offense – and the Aztecs are a strong Final Four contender. Their biggest problem? Lack of a consistent outside shooter. Gay and sophomore Chase Tapley should be those guys, but have trouble creating their own shot. SDSU also doesn’t get many points at the free-throw line. They’re right at the D-I average for percentage (69.9), but rarely get to the line. That speaks to their lack of a go-to guy who can create his own shot or open things for others. It’s a really good team, but can be held back by its offense.

Boston Terriers
Location: Boston
Conference: America East
Coach: Patrick Chambers
Pre-tournament record: 21-13, 14-4
RPI: 132
Best wins: Vermont, Nevada
Surprising losses: Maryland-Baltimore CO, Hartford, New Hampshire
Team stats
Key players: Senior wing John Holland, junior forward Darryl Partin, freshman guard D.J. Irving.
Full team roster
Strengths: Offensive rebounding, challenging shots.
Weaknesses: Forcing turnovers, defensive rebounding.
Outlook: The Terriers have won 11 straight, but that’s quickly coming to an end. Outside of Holland, Boston doesn’t have any game-breaking players. That’s not a dig on their fine run to end the season, just a realistic assessment of their tournament chances. Their biggest strength is challenging shots on the perimeter and inside, but they don’t have the height to compete inside and their guards will be a step too slow for a major conference team. It could stay close for a while if Holland heats up, but that’s about it.

Kansas Jayhawks
Location: Lawrence, Kan.
Conference: Big 12
Coach: Bill Self
Pre-tournament record: 30-2, 14-2
RPI: 1
Best wins: Arizona, Missouri (twice), Kansas State
Surprising losses: None
Team stats
Key players: Junior forwards Marcus and Markieff Morris, senior guard Tyrel Reed, sophomore guard Elijah Johnson.
Full team roster
Strengths: Rebounding, shooting, depth.
Weaknesses: Sloppy play, free-throw shooting.
Outlook: Perhaps the deepest and most talented team in the tournament, the Jayhawks boast impressive offensive stats – they make 58 percent of their 2s, 39 percent of their 3s and hit the offensive glass – and a defense that occasionally wins games, too. Self’s team isn’t as good at man-to-man defense as the 2008 champs, but the offense usually makes up for any defensive lapses. The Morris twins – or Morrii, if you prefer – have developed into game-breaking forwards. Marcus is more versatile and more likely to step back for a 3, while Markieff is essential to Kansas’ defense and rebounding. Kansas doesn’t have any guards who can consistently create their own shot, but that hasn’t been an issue when teams have to account for the Morrii down low. When Kansas is on, they’re the best team in the country. Then again, that’s what we wrote about last year’s team, too.

Illinois Illini
Location: Champaign, Ill.
Conference: Big Ten
Coach: Bruce Weber
Pre-tournament record: 19-13, 9-9
RPI: 38
Best wins: North Carolina, Wisconsin, Gonzaga
Surprising losses: Illinois-Chicago, Indiana
Team stats
Key players: Senior guard Demetri McCamey, senior center Mike Tisdale, sophomore guard Brandon Paul, senior forward Mike Davis.
Full team roster
Strengths: Perimeter defense, shooting, shot-blocking.
Weaknesses: Forcing turnovers, settling for jump shots.
Outlook: The talent’s there for a Sweet 16 run. Maybe even further. But the Illini will be lucky to get out of the first round. Few teams are more baffling. McCamey’s a gifted point guard and has drawn comparisons to Deron Williams, but he makes too mistakes. Davis and Tisdale are skilled big men, but very soft inside. When’s Paul’s shot is falling, he’s impossible to stop. But that’s becoming increasingly rare. And, for all of Illinois’ defensive ability, they don’t get stops when it matters most. But this isn’t a team to be taken lightly. A few favorable matchups could result in the Illini heating up from outside and making it to the second week of the tournament. But odds aren’t good.

UNLV Rebels
Location: Las Vegas
Conference: Mountain West
Coach: Lon Kruger
Pre-tournament record: 24-8, 11-5
RPI: 25
Best wins: Wisconsin, Kansas State, Virginia Tech
Surprising loss: UC Santa Barbara
Team stats
Key players: Senior guard Tre’Von Willis, junior forward Chase Stanback, junior guard Oscar Bellfield, sophomore forward Quintrell Thomas.
Full team roster
Strengths: Forcing turnovers, challenging shots.
Weaknesses: Fouls, 3-point shooting.
Outlook: If the Rebels could hit shots consistently, they’d be dangerous. They’re a dynamite defensive team that relies on its physical man-to-man to force turnovers and force bad shots. That’s not a bad scheme when you’re loaded with athletic players – all between 6-3 and 6-8 – who also do a fair job on the boards. And yet, there’s the shooting. UNLV works for its shots by breaking down defenders and ball movement. Just one outside threat would make it so much easier. The Rebels will be a tough out, but that’s about it.

Richmond Spiders
Location: Richmond, Va.
Conference: Atlantic 10
Coach: Chris Mooney
Pre-tournament record: 27-7, 13-3
RPI: 55
Best wins: Purdue, Duquesne
Surprising losses: Rhode Island, Bucknell
Team stats
Key players: Senior guard Kevin Anderson, senior center Justin Harper, senior forward Dan Geirot.
Full team roster
Strengths: Shooting, ball-handling, perimeter defense.
Weaknesses: Rebounding, settling for jump shots.
Outlook: The Spiders’ aggressive man-to-man defense doesn’t force as many turnovers as last season, but it’s still an effective deterrent of open shots. They even do it without getting into foul trouble. This team’s capable of beating elite teams, too. A win vs. Purdue is awfully impressive. Anderson’s an excellent talent, flanked by Harper and Geirot up front. But take caution: the Spiders rarely rebound. It’s just not how they play. That means if their shots aren’t falling – not usually the case – they’re in trouble. Their ideal is a team that wants to play at a typical speed, shoot jump shots and has average guards.

Vanderbilt Commodores
Location:Nashville, Tenn.
Conference: Southeastern
Coach: Kevin Stallings
Pre-tournament record: 23-9, 9-7
RPI: 25
Best wins: North Carolina, Kentucky, Belmont
Surprising losses: South Carolina, Arkansas
Team stats
Key players: Junior guard Jeff Taylor, sophomore guard John Jenkins, junior center Festus Ezeli.
Full team roster
Strengths: Shooting, 3-point defense, shot-blocking.
Weaknesses: Forcing turnovers, rebounding.
Outlook: Vandy is like half a dozen other tourney teams: When the Commodores are hot from outside, they’re tough. If not, they’ll be home early. Simple as that. With Jenkins and Taylor, Vandy has two of the game’s outstanding shooters. They can hit from anywhere, at any time. But Jenkins dealt with a bum ankle during the SEC tournament and Jenkins has been struggling lately. That leaves a lot for Ezeli to do down low. And really, it’s just those three. Murray State stunned Vandy last year in a 4-13 matchup. Another exit could be in the works.

Louisville Cardinals
Location: Louisville, Ky.
Conference: Big East
Coach: Rick Pitino
Pre-tournament record: 23-8, 12-6
RPI: 21
Best wins: Pitt, Syracuse, UConn
Surprising losses:Drexel, Providence
Team stats
Key players: Sophomore guard Peyton Siva, senior guard Preston Knowles, junior forward Terrence Jennings, junior guard Kyle Kuric.
Full team roster
Strengths: Forcing turnovers, shooting, challenging shots.
Weaknesses: Defensive rebounding, free-throw shooting.
Outlook: The Cardinals go as their guards go. When Siva’s able to shake off defenders and get into the lane, and when Knowles and Kuric are hitting from outside, Louisville’s a tough, tough out. Kuric’s the most consistent shooter, but can’t create his own shot like Knowles and Siva. The guards are quick, aggressive and can spark a run and open a big lead in a matter of minutes. Still, for every big run the Cardinals make, they’re also as likely to go cold on a moment’s notice. If the defense isn’t creating easy baskets off turnovers and the shots aren’t falling from outside, Louisville’s a team primed for an upset. Teams with physical post players or who have good guards are trouble.

Morehead State Eagles
Location: Morehead, Ky.
Conference: Ohio Valley
Coach: Donnie Tyndall
Pre-tournament record: 24-9, 13-5
RPI: 77
Best win: College of Charleston
Surprising loss:at Eastern Illinois
Team stats
Key players: Senior forward Kenneth Faried, senior guard Demonte Harper.
Full team roster
Strengths: Rebounding, interior defense, forcing turnovers.
Weaknesses: Turnovers, perimeter defense, free-throw shooting.
Outlook: Faried grabs all the attention because of his ferocious rebounding – he broke Tim Duncan’s career mark this season and is the top offensive and defensive rebounder this season – and freakish athletic ability. After Florida escaped with a six-point win over Morehead State back in November, coach Billy Donovan called Faried “the next Dennis Rodman.” But Faried’s far from the only star at Morehead. Harper’s the team’s second-leading scorer and assist leader and, at 6-foot-4, has the size to play against anyone. This is the tandem’s second appearance in the NCAA tournament, which could pay dividends in a close game. And given their defensive style of play, expect a close game. Just don’t expect more than one win.

Georgetown Hoyas
Location: Washington
Conference: Big East
Coach: John Thompson III
Pre-tournament record: 21-9, 10-8
RPI: 11
Best wins: Syracuse, Louisville
Surprising losses: None
Team stats
Key players: Senior wing Austin Freeman, senior guard Chris Wright, junior guard Jason Clark.
Full team roster
Strengths: Shooting, guard play.
Weaknesses: Turnovers, fouls.
Outlook: Two of the 11 Big East teams in the field finished the season on a swoon: Villanova and Georgetown. Yet the Hoyas have escaped the naysayers bemoaning the Wildcats’ season, mostly because point guard Chris Wright broke his hand on Feb. 23 vs. Cincinnati. The Hoyas haven’t won since. Freeman remains a supremely talented offensive player and Clark’s capable of scoring in bunches. But without Wright’s ability to break down defenses, Georgetown becomes one-dimensional on offense. As an added worry, the Hoyas have no reliable post players and struggle on defense. Remember the first-round loss to 14-seed Ohio last year? History could repeat itself.

Virginia Commonwealth Rams
Location: Richmond, Va.
Conference: Colonial Athletic
Coach: Shaka Smart
Pre-tournament record: 23-11, 12-6
RPI: 49
Best wins: UCLA, ODU, George Mason
Surprising losses: Georgia State, Northeastern
Team stats
Key players: Senior guard Joey Rodriguez, senior forward Jamie Skeen, senior guard Brandon Rozell.
Full team roster
Strengths: Forcing turnovers, ball-handling.
Weaknesses: Rebounding, interior defense.
Outlook: The Rams lost six of their last 11 games, but somehow snuck into the tournament. But the strength of the CAA and a win vs. George Mason in the conference tournament was apparently enough. They’ll have their hands full vs. USC as well. The Rams will have decent athletes, but nobody who can check athletes from major conference schools. They’ll need to open up space for Skeen and find Rodriguez and Rozzell open on the wings for 3-pointers. Might not make it out of the First Four.

Purdue Boilermakers
Location: West Lafayette, Ind.
Conference: Big Ten
Coach: Matt Painter
Pre-tournament record: 25-7, 14-4
RPI: 8
Best wins: Ohio State, Wisconsin
Surprising losses: Richmond, Minnesota, Iowa
Full team roster
Strengths: On-ball defense, ball-handling, interior defense, 3-point shooting.
Weaknesses: Offensive rebounding, shooting slumps.
Outlook: They don’t come much better than Moore and Johnson. The seniors have been Boilermakers’ mainstays since their freshman seasons, and have improved greatly each year. Johnson’s perhaps the best post player in the nation, boasting a repertoire of moves and a fine spot-up jumper. Moore excels at creating his own shot, usually a pull-up jumper from 12 feet, though he’s also improved his outside shot. Jackson, a 5-9 point guard, is tough, quick and thrives when foes underrate his scoring ability. Those are Purdue’s horses, but Painter also has a deep bench that fill outside shooting and defensive roles. But Purdue is perplexing. Just two weeks ago, it had won seven straight and was eyeing a No. 1 seed. Now it enters the Big Dance having lost two in a row. This team’s capable of reaching the Final Four, but the Sweet 16 might be realistic right now.

St. Peter’s Peacocks
Location: Jersey City, N.J..
Conference: Metro Atlantic
Coach: John Dunne
Pre-tournament record: 20-13, 11-7
RPI: 96
Best win: Alabama
Surprising loss:Lehigh
Team stats
Key players: Senior swingman Jeron Belin, senior guard Nick Leon, senior guard Wesley Jenkins.
Full team roster
Strengths: Challenging shots, steals.
Weaknesses: Making shots.
Outlook: For most of the season, the Peacocks won with their defense. Few teams are better at forcing teams into bad shots. Opponents make just 40.6 percent of their 2-pointers and 30.5 percent of their 3s, both well below the D-I average. But here’s the thing: When St. Peter’s ripped off three wins to take the MAAC tourney title, it made 47 percent of its field-goal attempts. That’s not great, but was far better than what St. Peters’ did most of the year. If the Peacocks come close to that in the first round, they’ll pull off an upset.

Florida State Seminoles
Location: Tallahassee, Fla.
Conference: Atlantic Coast
Coach: Leonard Hamilton
Pre-tournament record: 21-10, 11-5
RPI: 45
Best wins: Duke, Clemson
Surprising loss: Auburn
Team stats
Key players: Senior guard Derwin Kitchen, sophomore guard Michael Snaer, junior forward Bernard James, junior forward Chris Singleton.
Full team roster
Strengths: Interior defense, shot-blocking, offensive rebounding.
Weaknesses: Ball-handling, 3-point shooting.
Outlook: There are two FSU teams. One plays nasty defense and beats teams like Duke. The other plays good defense and comes up short in losses to North Carolina. The difference? Singleton. Their best player and defensive stopper has missed five games with a fractured foot. Even if he plays, he won’t be the same Singleton foes saw for most of the ACC season. He has the height (6-9) to guard forwards and the mobility to handle guards. Without him, FSU is more limited on defense and offense. This athletic team will be a tough out, but without a fully healthy Singleton, it won’t see the weekend.

Texas A&M Aggies
Location: College Station, Texas.
Conference: Big 12
Coach: Mark Turgeon
Pre-tournament record: 23-7, 10-6
RPI: 30
Best wins: Temple, Missouri, Kansas State
Surprising losses: Baylor (twice), Nebraska
Team stats
Key players: Sophomore forward Khris Middleton, junior forward David Loubeau, senior guard B.J. Holmes.
Full team roster
Strengths: Rebounding, defense, deliberate play.
Weaknesses: Shooting, sloppy play.
Outlook: The Aggies would feel right at home in the Big Ten. They rarely push the pace and focus on maximizing each possession. They rebound well and rarely allow an easy look at the basket. Sometimes it’s ugly, but it works. Where A&M gets into trouble is when it faces teams with elite scoring talents. The defense gets stretched, then the Aggies fall behind and don’t have enough offensive firepower to catch up. They have underrated guards and a solid scorer in Middleton, though he’s been less aggressive looking for his shot of late. A Sweet 16 berth would be a fine accomplishment for this team.

Akron Zips
Location: Akron, Ohio.
Conference: Mid-American
Coach: Keith Dambrot
Pre-tournament record: 23-12, 9-7
RPI: 117
Best wins: Kent State (twice), Detroit
Surprising losses: Northern Illinois, Eastern Michigan
Team stats
Key players: Junior forward Nikola Cvetinovic, sophomore center Zeke Marshall, senior guard Steve McNees.
Full team roster
Strengths: Shot-blocking, ball-handling.
Weaknesses: Rebounding, interior scoring, fouls.
Outlook: The Zips are an aggressive, defensive-oriented team that relies on its depth to wear out opponents (mostly because the offense can’t reliably hit shots). They blocked 15 shots in the MAC tournament championship vs. Kent State. Much of that credit goes to Marshall, who blocked nine of those himself. But unless someone emerges as a scoring threat (senior guard Darryl Roberts, maybe?), the MAC probably won’t pull off an upset like Ohio did last year against Georgetown.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Location: South Bend, Ind.
Conference: Big East
Coach: Mike Brey
Pre-tournament record: 25-5, 14-4
RPI: 9
Best wins: Pitt, Wisconsin
Surprising losses:None
Team stats
Key players: Senior guard Ben Hansbrough, senior forward Tim Abromaitis, senior forward Carleton Scott.
Full team roster
Strengths: Shooting, ball-handling, defensive rebounding.
Weaknesses: Forcing turnovers, perimeter defense.
Outlook: Notre Dame’s always had a good offense under Brey. The problem’s been defense. This season, the Irish are better at contesting shots and grabbing misses. They’re not Purdue, but it’s been enough. Question is, will that decent defense and superb offense be enough for a Final Four run? Much of its depends on Hansbrough and Abromaitis. The pair are lethal from deep – they’ve hit 44 percent of their 333 attempts beyond the arc – which opens things up for their undersized forwards inside. You can’t force the Irish into a fast game, either. Hansbrough excels at dictating the tempo and takes over when needed. Your best hope? Get in their face and force the two into rushed shots.

UNC Asheville Bulldogs
Location: Asheville, N.C.
Conference: Big South
Coach: Eddie Biedenbach
Pre-tournament record: 19-13, 11-7
RPI: 149
Best win:Coastal Carolina (twice)
Surprising losses:South Carolina Upstate, High Point
Team stats
Key players: Junior guard J.P Primm, junior guard Matt Dickey, junior guard Chris Stephenson.
Full team roster
Strengths: Forcing turnovers, blocking shots, getting to the free-throw line.
Weaknesses: 3-point shooting, defensive rebounding, turnovers.
Outlook: A surprise out of the Big South, Asheville got hot late and beat regular-season champ Coastal Carolina twice in a week. The Bulldogs heavily rely on Primm and Dickey for a chunk of minutes and outside shooting, though neither is particularly deadly from beyond the arc. When Asheville’s defense is clicking, forcing turnovers and getting easy baskets as a result, they’re a pesky team to beat. But don’t expect miracles in the NCAA tournament. This is a team that lost to Ohio State by 47 points earlier this season.

Pittsburgh Panthers
Location: Pittsburgh.
Conference: Big East
Coach: Jamie Dixon
Pre-tournament record: 27-5, 15-3
RPI: 7
Best wins: Texas, Syracuse, (twice), West Virginia (twice)
Surprising losses:Tennessee (at home)
Team stats
Key players: Senior guard Brad Wanamaker, junior guard Ashton Gibbs, senior forward Gilbert Brown, senior center Gary McGhee.
Full team roster
Strengths: Rebounding, shooting, ball-handling, help defense.
Weaknesses: Forcing turnovers, free-throw shooting.
Outlook: Forget the Pitt clichés of tough defense and an offense that relies on gritty guards. This is the nation’s best offense. (The defense isn’t bad either, but we’ll get to that.) The Panthers run superb offensive sets to create shots for Gibbs and Wanamaker (who may be the most underrated player in D-I). If they miss, guys like McGhee, Brown and Dante Taylor grab the rebound and score. If that’s not enough, Pitt rarely turns the ball over on offense. Anyone who says Pitt doesn’t score enough points to win the national title doesn’t know what they’re talking about. If there’s a concern for the Panthers, it’s that they don’t have a lockdown defender who’s able to take an opposing scorer out of the game. Their help-defense is good, but can be burned at times (ask Ben Hansbrough). Still, things are lining up for Pitt to reach the Final Four for the first time since ’41. They’ll rarely have a better path.

Butler Bulldogs
Location: Indianapolis
Conference: Horizon League
Coach: Brad Stevens
Pre-tournament record: 23-9, 13-5
RPI: 35
Best wins: Florida State, Washington State
Surprising losses: Evansville, Youngstown State
Team stats
Key players: Senior forward Matt Howard, junior guard Ronald Nored, junior guard Shelvin Mack.
Full team roster
Strengths: Defensive rebounding, ball control, 3-point shooting.
Weaknesses: Forcing turnovers, fouling, interior defense.
Outlook: This isn’t the same Bulldogs team that made a run to last year’s title game. Sure, they play the same way – deliberate, with an emphasis on high-percentage shots or 3-pointers and preventing opponents from getting second-chance points – but don’t have a standout talent like Gordon Hayward anymore. The odds of them reaching the second weekend? Slim. That said, Butler will be a tough, tough opponent. Howard’s an efficient scorer, sophomore center Andrew Smith is an improving talent, while Mack and Nored are gamers. Butler will keep the game close and be in it at the end.

Old Dominion Monarchs
Location: Norfolk, Va.
Conference: Colonial Athletic
Coach: Blaine Taylor
Pre-tournament record: 27-6, 14-4
RPI: 23
Best wins: Xavier, George Mason
Surprising loss: Delaware
Team stats
Key players: Senior forward Frank Hassel, junior swingman Kent Bazemore, senior guard Ben Finney.
Full team roster
Strengths: Rebounding, shot blocking and rebounding. Also, rebounding.
Weaknesses: Turnovers, perimeter shooting and defense.
Outlook: The Monarchs aren’t great shooters, but it doesn’t really matter. They lead the nation in offensive rebounding, grabbing 45 percent of their misses. Hassell and Finney are the guys who do most of the work, along with junior forward Chris Cooper. They also snare three of every four missed shots by opponents. Combine that proficiency with their deliberate style and it’s little wonder ODU’s a formidable team. Last year, they stunned Notre Dame in the first round as an 11 seed. This season, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Monarchs in the Sweet 16.

Kansas State Wildcats
Location: Manhattan, Kan.
Conference: Big 12
Coach: Frank Martin
Pre-tournament record: 22-10, 10-6
RPI: 18
Best wins: Kansas, Texas, Gonzaga
Surprising losses: Oklahoma State, Colorado (twice)
Team stats
Key players: Senior guard Jacob Pullen, senior forward Curtis Kelly, sophomore guard Rodney McGruber.
Full team roster
Strengths: Offensive rebounding, 3-point shooting, interior defense.
Weaknesses: Sloppy play, fouling, free-throw shooting.
Outlook: Here’s a puzzling team. Kansas State entered the season as a Final Four contender, hit a stretch where it was 2-5 in Big 12 play, then won seven of its last eight games to close the regular season. Then it lost to Colorado in the Big 12 tournament. Who knows what awaits the Wildcats? They’ve had two forwards leave the team, dealt with tantrums from Pullen and Kelly, only to jell in February. They’re a brutal team to play. Few teams are more physical on defense, or crash the offensive boards more. When Pullen’s shot is falling, they’re worthy of the Elite Eight. But if he’s off a step, they’ll be gone by Sunday.

Utah State Aggies
Location: Logan, Utah
Conference: Western Athletic
Coach: Stew Morrill
Pre-tournament record: 30-3, 15-1
RPI: 16
Best wins: St. Mary’s, Long Beach State
Surprising loss: Idaho
Team stats
Key players: Senior forward Tai Wesley, junior guard Brockeith Pane, senior guard Brian Green.
Full team roster
Strengths: Defensive rebounding, challenging shots, shooting.
Weaknesses: Forcing turnovers, athletic teams.
Outlook: The Aggies have crushed WAC foes the last three seasons, racked up 87 wins and always feature an efficient defense or offense. (This year, it’s the defense.) So will this be the season they finally win a tournament game? It will depend on the matchup. Both BYU and Georgetown beat Utah State, but the Aggies ripped Long Beach State, the Big West champs. Much depends on how effective the 6-7, 240-pound Wesley is inside. He’s their go-to guy on offense and a good rebounder and shot-blocker to boot. He’s flanked by experienced guards who take care of the ball, but also don’t force many turnovers. If it’s a low-scoring, slow game, it could be Utah State’s year. But if they get pressured by athletic guards, it's over.

Belmont Bruins
Location: Nashville, Tenn.
Conference: Atlantic Sun
Coach: Rick Byrd
Pre-tournament record: 30-4, 19-1
RPI: 53
Best win: East Tennessee State (twice)
Surprising loss:Lipscomb
Team stats
Key players: Sophomore guard Ian Clark, junior forward Mick Hedgepeth, senior guard Jordan Campbell.
Full team roster
Strengths: Shooting, offensive rebounding, depth, pressure defense.
Weaknesses: Occasional sloppy play, foul prone.
Outlook: Belmont’s sure to be a popular pick to pull off an upset or two, and with good reason. Any time a team wins 30 games and sweeps its conference’s regular-season and conference tournament titles by an average of 16.4 points per game, it must be awfully good. The Bruins do it by playing a ton of guys in their up-tempo, pressure scheme that uses five-man platoons. When the starters get tired, Byrd replaces them with five fresh guys. As a result, they force more turnovers than all but one D-I team and get good looks at the basket (they make 52.4 percent of their 2s). When they do miss, they grab 40 percent of their misses. Belmont has size (Hedgepeth and junior Scott Sanders are both 6-9), so they won’t be overmatched against most NCAA tournament teams. Don’t be surprised to see them in the Sweet 16.

Wisconsin Badgers
Location: Madison, Wis.
Conference: Big Ten
Coach: Bo Ryan
Pre-tournament record: 23-8, 13-5
RPI: 12
Best wins: Ohio State, Purdue, Illinois
Surprising losses: Penn State (twice)
Team stats
Key players: Senior forward Jon Leuer, junior guard Jordan Taylor
Full team roster
Strengths: Shooting, defensive rebounding, not committing turnovers.
Weaknesses: Forcing turnovers, perimeter defense.
Outlook: Wisconsin hasn’t missed the NCAA tournament in 10 seasons under Ryan. Yet the Badgers have made the Sweet 16 only once. Why? Look at it two ways: They’ve either hit hot teams (Cornell, Xavier and Davidson) or they’ve underperformed all those years. It’s probably a little of both, mixed in with their style of play. When Wisconsin’s ball-control offense is on, it’s deadly. All-Big Ten players Leuer and Taylor are great shooters and key an attack that prizes ball movement, precise passing and screens to work for good shots. The Badgers rarely push the pace, mostly because they’re focused on squeezing every possible possession for as many points as possible. And on defense, foes usually get one shot. However, the slow pace allows opponents to stay in games and if Wisconsin’s not hitting shots, it doesn’t have the defensive firepower to create turnovers. It’s a great team, but one that doesn’t have any margin for error in a tournament.

Gonzaga Bulldogs
Location: Spokane, Wash.
Conference: West Coast
Coach: Mark Few
Pre-tournament record: 24-9, 12-3
RPI: 54
Best wins: Marquette, Xavier
Surprising losses: at San Francisco, at Santa Clara
Team stats
Key players: Senior guard Steven Gray, senior center Robert Sacre, sophomore forward Elias Harris.
Full team roster
Strengths: Rebounding, interior defense.
Weaknesses: Perimeter defense, sloppy play.
Outlook: These Zags play defense. And sometimes, they play offense, too. Behind the 7-footer Sacre, the Bulldogs allow opponents to make just 42.8 percent of their 2-pointers, far below the D-I average. Sacre and Harris also are behind their solid offensive shooting, though both tend to struggle against foes of similar size and skill. Gray is the playmaker, but his inconsistent shooting prevents him from being a reliable offensive threat. The wild card is freshman David Stockton, who’s played more and more as the season closed. He’s small, but an effective offensive leader and has a knack for making big plays.

St. John’s Red Storm
Location: Queens, N.Y.
Conference: Big East
Coach: Steve Lavin
Pre-tournament record: 21-11, 12-6
RPI: 23
Best wins: Duke, Pitt, Notre Dame
Surprising losses: St. Bonaventure, Fordham
Team stats
Key players: Senior guard Dwight Hardy, senior forward Justin Brownlee, senior forward Justin Burrell.
Full team roster
Strengths: Defensive pressure, ball-handling.
Weaknesses: Perimeter defense, 3-point shooting, fouls.
Outlook: The Red Storm are back in the Big Dance for the first time since 2002. Serendipitously, that also was the last time coach Steve Lavin was in the NCAA tournament. UCLA fired Lavin in ’03, he spent the years in-between in TV, then returned in time to lead senior-laden St. John’s to a stupendous season. That’s kismet. Question is, can St. John’s keep it rolling? Few teams can boast of such highs – Duke, Pitt and Notre Dame – and lows. When Hardy’s on a roll, St. John’s looks impressive. But when the defense becomes too aggressive and players get into foul trouble, or when their shots aren’t falling, they’re vulnerable. An added concern is an injury to senior forward D.J. Kennedy, who injured his knee during the Big East tournament and is out for the year. That’s a serious blow. Be wary of being too confident in St. John’s.

BYU Cougars
Location: Provo, Utah
Conference: Mountain West
Coach: Dave Rose
Pre-tournament record: 30-4, 14-2
RPI: 4
Best wins: San Diego State (twice), Arizona
Surprising losses: New Mexico (twice)
Team stats
Key players: Senior guard Jimmer Fredette, senior guard Jackson Emery, junior forward Noah Hartsock .
Full team roster
Strengths: Shooting, ball-handling.
Weaknesses: Offensive rebounding, forcing turnovers.
Outlook: BYU has the nation’s leading scorer in Fredette, excellent spot-up shooters in Emery and Abouo and a skilled forward in Hartsock. They shoot 37 percent from beyond the arc and get more than 30 percent of their points from 3s. But with the dismissal of center Brandon Davies – their most reliable post player and leading rebounder – they’ve become one-dimensional and unable to rebound. That means Fredette is being asked to do more, the other shooters have defenders paying closer attention and if nobody is hitting, BYU is in trouble. Can Fredette shoot them into the Sweet 16?

Wofford Terriers
Location: Spartanburg, S.C..
Conference: Southern
Coach: Mike Young
Pre-tournament record: 21-12, 14-4
RPI: 107
Best win: George Mason
Surprising loss: Cornell
Team stats
Key players: Senior forward Noah Dahlman, senior guard Cameron Rundles, senior guard Jamar Diggs.
Full team roster
Strengths: 3-point shooting, offensive rebounding, ball-handling.
Weaknesses: Defense.
Outlook: When the Terriers made the NCAA tournament last season for the first time, it was because of their defense. This year, credit the offense. They don’t play any faster, but have the effective combination of Dahlman inside – the team’s leading scorer is also one of the nation’s most efficient at it – and a brigade of 3-point shooters outside. Rundles, junior Brad Loesing and junior Kevin Giltner all make at least 41 percent of their attempts beyond the arc, while Diggs can hit from pretty much anywhere. But before you go picking Wofford to pull off an upset, consider the defense. It struggles in essentially every area and is the main reason why a host of non-conference foes like Minnesota, Clemson, Xavier and South Carolina beat Wofford this season.

Michigan State Spartans
Location: East Lansing, Mich.
Conference: Big Ten
Coach: Tom Izzo
Pre-tournament record: 19-14, 9-9
RPI: 45
Best wins: Purdue, Wisconsin, Washington
Surprising losses: Iowa, Michigan (twice)
Team stats
Key players: Senior guard Kalin Lucas, junior forward Draymond Green, freshman guard Keith Appling, junior forward Delvon Roe.
Full team roster
Strengths: Defensive rebounding, interior defense.
Weaknesses: Forcing turnovers, perimeter defense, shooting.
Outlook: Three weeks ago, it didn’t look like the preseason No. 2 would get in. But then Lucas took over on offense, the defense picked up and the schedule allowed for some confidence-building games. A win over Purdue in the Big Ten quarterfinals? Didn’t see that coming. But before anyone starts thinking about Izzo’s team pulling off a third-straight run to the Final Four, consider this: It’s not the typical Spartans team that grabs every rebound and scores when it needs to. It’s good on the defensive glass, average on the offensive and can hardly shoot. Part of that is related to inconsistency from Summers and a dearth of perimeter players. Lucas thrives as a high-possession, mid-range scorer, while Appling’s still finding his niche in an increased role. Green’s a great all-around player but is limited in his offensive ability. It’s hard to see this team in the second round, let alone the Sweet 16. That said, their first-round opponent is NOT going to be pleased about this matchup.

UCLA Bruins
Location: Los Angeles
Conference: Pac-10
Coach: Ben Howland
Pre-tournament record: 22-10, 13-6
RPI: 43
Best wins: BYU, St. John’s, Arizona
Surprising losses: Montana, VCU
Team stats
Key players: Freshman center Josh Smith, sophomore wing Tyler Honeycutt, junior guard Malcolm Lee, sophomore forward Reeves Nelson.
Full team roster
Strengths: Interior defense, offensive rebounding.
Weaknesses: Forcing turnovers, ball-handling, 3-point shooting.
Outlook: UCLA has run the gamut this season. It opened 3-4, beat BYU shortly after that, stumbled to start Pac-10 play, went on a tear, then lost two of its last three. The Bruins have decent talent and play hard, but lack the defensive nastiness of Howland’s Final Four teams from a few years ago. They don’t have any good on-ball defenders and are OK on the boards, but make up for it by being physical inside. Smith is big, Nelson is tough and Honeycutt leads the Pac-10 in blocks. Everything on offense depends on Smith. When he’s on, he’s impossible to stop – ask Kansas – but he’s often plagued by foul trouble and dumb plays. Honeycutt can score, but is inconsistent, which speaks to the Bruins’ issues at scoring from anywhere besides the key. If UCLA reaches the Sweet 16, it’ll be because they outhustled two opponents.

Florida Gators
Location: Gainesville, Fla.
Conference: Southeastern
Coach: Billy Donovan
Pre-tournament record: 26-7, 13-3
RPI: 8
Best wins: Kentucky, Florida State, Xavier, Vanderbilt (twice), Florida
Surprising losses: Jacksonville, Central Florida, South Carolina
Team stats
Key players: Sophomore guard Kenny Boynton, senior forward Chandler Parsons, junior guard Erving Walker.
Full team roster
Strengths: Offensive rebounding, perimeter defense.
Weaknesses: Free-throw shooting, ball-handling, 3-point shooting.
Outlook: It’s tempting to say Florida worked out the kinks from a rough non-conference schedule that included some odd losses (Jacksonville at home?) and blowouts (Ohio State). So go ahead and take that leap. They have the conference player of the year in Parsons, two quick, athletic guards in Walker and Boynton and a pair of hardworking forwards in Alex Tyus and Vernon Macklin. The Gators were mighty good during SEC play, matching Kentucky for the lead in efficiency margin. That’s impressive given how poorly they shoot from outside and that they don’t get to the free-throw line very often. It’s good to be cautious, but this team has performed well enough time and time again that the Sweet 16 seems inevitable. But any further than that and you’re getting greedy.

UC Santa Barbara Gauchos
Location: Santa Barbara, Calif.
Conference: Big West
Coach: Bob Williams
Pre-tournament record: 18-13, 8-8
RPI: 171
Best wins: UNLV, Long Beach State
Surprising losses: Cal St. Fullerton, Cal St. Northridge (twice)
Team stats
Key players: Junior guard Orlando Johnson, junior guard James Nunnally.
Full team roster
Strengths: Shooting, interior defense.
Weaknesses: Ball-handling, rebounding, perimeter defense.
Outlook: If you’ve seen the Gauchos play, you’re probably wondering: How did these guys lose so many games with Johnson and Nunnally? Join the club. They’re two of the conference’s top players, guys who can create their own shot, finish when needed and shoulder the offensive load. Well, for whatever reason, it never quite clicked. UCSB lost by double digits twice to Big West regular-season champ Long Beach State before Johnson went off for 28 in the conference title game and the Gauchos won. Now they’re back in the tournament for the second straight year. Last season, they were throttled as a 15 seed by Ohio State. Expect more of the same this time around. UCSB’s hot streak isn’t going to last.