NCAA East Region analysis: Bracket of recent national champions
Interesting to see Villanova and Duke, the previous two national champions, as the top two seeds in the East Region.
The defending champion Wildcats are the NCAA Tournament’s overall top seed, and Duke is coming off victories over North Carolina and Notre Dame to win the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament.
Villanova could have a tricky second-round game if eighth-seeded Wisconsin gets by Virginia Tech. The Badgers seem under-seeded and have been an excellent tournament team in recent years. Get through that game, and the Wildcats could face a tough test in either No. 4 Florida or fifth-seeded Virginia.
If seventh-seeded South Carolina awaits the Blue Devils, Gamecocks coach Frank Martin will do all it can to turn the game into a slog and hope standout guard Sindarius Thornwell, who averages 21.2 points per game, can win it late.
Third-seeded Baylor has been a first-round upset victim each of the past two years. If the Bears get past No. 14 New Mexico State, they could face an SMU team that’s won 23 of its last 24, including the American Athletic Conference championship. The Mustangs are led by conference player of the year Semi Ojeleye, who’s from Ottawa, Kan.
Dangerous double-digit seeds hang out in this region. No. 12 UNC Wilmington averages 85 points per game and has a strong backcourt. No. 13 seed East Tennessee State, making its first NCAA appearance since 2010, starts four seniors and does something important for a giant-killing team. The Bucs shoot free throws at a 70.4 percent clip.
Best matchup
The opening-round game between Providence and Southern California holds promise if only because these teams met in an 8-9 game last year and the Friars pulled out a 70-69 victory.
Players to watch
Villanova guard Josh Hart is one of the game’s most clutch performers and his play toward the end of the Big East semifinal victory over Seton Hall allowed the Wildcats to avoid the upset. On a team full of stars, Duke got outstanding play from Luke Kennard in the ACC Tournament and he was chosen MVP.
Upset special
UNC Wilmington and East Tennessee State fit the profile. By percentage, go with the Seahawks, who threw a major scare into Duke last year. Since 1985, the No. 12 seed is 46-82 against No. 5 seeds. The No. 13 seed is 26-102.
Final Four pick
Villanova over Duke
Blair Kerkhoff: 816-234-4730, @BlairKerkhoff
NCAA East Region teams at a glance
No. 1 Villanova
Philadelphia, 31-3.
Nickname: Wildcats. Coach: Jay Wright.
Conference: Big East. Bid: Big East champion.
Tournament Record: 57-35, 36 years. Last appearance: 2016.
Scoring: Team (77.7); Josh Hart 18.9; Jalen Brunson 14.8; Kris Jenkins 13.4; Mikal Bridges 9.9.
Rebounds: Team (33.4); Josh Hart 6.5; Darryl Reynolds 5.4; Mikal Bridges 4.5; Kris Jenkins 4.2.
Assists/Turnovers: Team (14.3/11.2); Jalen Brunson 4.2/2.1; Josh Hart 3.1/1.9; Mikal Bridges 2.0/1.3; Kris Jenkins 2.0/1.5.
3-pointers: Team (.370); Kris Jenkins 86; Josh Hart 72; Mikal Bridges 42; Jalen Brunson 42; Donte DiVincenzo 36.
Last Ten: 9-1.
No. 16 Mount St. Mary’s
Emmitsburg, Md., 19-15.
Nickname: Mountaineers. Coach: Jamion Christian.
Conference: Northeast. Bid: NEC champion.
Tournament Record: 1-4, 4 years. Last appearance: 2014.
Scoring: Team (68.3); Elijah Long 15.4; Junior Robinson 14.1; Miles Wilson 11.3.
Rebounds: Team (30.3); Chris Wray 5.9; Mawdo Sallah 5.4; Elijah Long 5.4.
Assists/Turnovers: Team (11.1/13.1); Elijah Long 4.4/3.4; Junior Robinson 2.9/2.5.
3-pointers: Team (.357); Greg Alexander 69; Junior Robinson 66; Elijah Long 45.
Last Ten: 7-3.
No. 16 New Orleans
New Orleans, 20-11.
Nickname: Privateers. Coach: Mark Slessinger.
Conference: Southland. Bid: Southland champion.
Region: East. Seed: No. 16.
Tournament Record: 1-4, 4 years. Last appearance: 1996.
Scoring: Team (73.1); Erik Thomas 19.5; Christavious Gill 11.6; Nate Frye 10.3.
Rebounds: Team (35.9); Erik Thomas 7.8; Travin Thibodeaux 7.5; Makur Puou 4.6.
Assists/Turnovers: Team (15.8/16.8); Travin Thibodeaux 3.3/2.9; Christavious Gill 2.7/1.8; Nate Frye 2.6/1.9; Trevin Boyles 2.5/2.4; Erik Tomas 2.3/2.7.
3-pointers: Team (.322); Christavious Gill 60; Jorge Rosa 30.
Last Ten: 8-2.
No. 8 Wisconsin
Madison, 25-9.
Nickname: Badgers. Coach: Greg Gard.
Conference: Big Ten. Bid: At large.
Tournament Record: 36-21, 22 years. Last appearance: 2016.
Scoring: Team (73.1); Bronson Koenig 14.0; Ethan Happ 13.9; Nigel Hayes 13.5.
Rebounds: Team (38.4); Ethan Happ 9.1; Nigel Hayes 6.4; Vitto Brown 4.1.
Assists/Turnovers: Team (13.9/11.0); Nigel Hayes 2.8/1.6; Ethan Happ 2.8/2.2; Bronson Koenig 2.1/1.3.
3-pointers: Team (.345); Bronson Koenig 89; Zak Showalter 46; Vitto Brown 38; D’Mitrik Trice 36.
Last Ten: 5-5.
No. 9 Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Va., 22-10.
Nickname: Hokies. Coach: Buzz Williams.
Conference: Atlantic Coast. Bid: At large.
Tournament Record: 6-8, 8 years. Last appearance: 2007.
Scoring: Team (79.3); Zach LeDay 16.3; Seth Allen 13.4; Ahmed Hill 11.6; Chris Clarke 11.4; Justin Robinson 10.3; Justin Bibbs 9.2.
Rebounds: Team (32.5); Zach LeDay 7.4; Chris Clarke 7.3.
Assists/Turnovers: Team (15.1/13.5); Justin Robinson 4.8/2.5; Seth Allen 3.3/2.9; Chris Clarke 3.3/2.0.
3-pointers: Team (.403); Justin Bibbs 65; Ahmed Hill 59; Ty Outlaw 53; Seth Allen 51; Justin Robinson 39.
Last Ten: 6-4.
No. 5 Virginia
Charlottesville, 22-10.
Nickname: Cavaliers. Coach: Tony Bennett.
Conference: Atlantic Coast. Bid: At large.
Tournament Record: 28-20, 20 years. Last appearance: 2016.
Scoring: Team (66.6); London Perrantes 12.5; Devon Hall 8.7; Mike Shayok 8.6.
Rebounds: Team (32.9); Isaiah Wilkins 6.2; Devon Hall 4.4; Jacl Salt 3.9.
Assists/Turnovers: Team (14.3/9.5); London Perrantes 3.8/1.7; Darius Thompson 2.2/1.0.
3-pointers: Team (.393); London Perrantes 63; Kyle Guy 50; Devon Hall 32.
Last Ten: 5-5.
No. 12 UNC Wilmington
Wilmington, N.C., 29-5.
Nickname: Seahawks. Coach: Kevin Keatts.
Conference: Colonial Athletic Association. Bid: CAA champion.
Tournament Record: 1-5, 5 years. Last appearance: 2016.
Scoring: Team (85.2); C.J. Bryce 17.6; Chris Flemmings 15.8; Denzel Ingram 14.5; Devontae Cacok 12.3.
Rebounds: Team (35.9); Devontae Cacok 9.6; Chris Flemmings 5.5; C.J. Bryce 5.5.
Assists/Turnovers: Team (16.1/10.4); Denzel Ingram 5.4/1.7; C.J. Bryce 3.0/1.9; Jordan Talley 2.6/1.1; Chris Flemmings 2.1/2.1.
3-pointers: Team (.366); Denzel Ingram 105; Ambrose Mosley 70; Chris Flemmings 68; C.J. Bryce 42.
Last Ten: 9-1.
No. 4 Florida
Gainesville, 24-8.
Nickname: Gators. Coach: Mike White.
Conference: Southeastern. Bid: At large.
Tournament Record: 42-17, 19 years. Last appearance: 2014.
Scoring: Team (78.3); KeVaughn Allen 13.9; Canyon Barry 12.1; Devin Johnson 10.9; Kasey Hill 9.8.
Rebounds: Team (37.3); x-John Egbunu 6.6; Devin Robinson 6.1; Kevarrius Hayes 4.3.
Assists/Turnovers: Team (12.6/11.8); Kasey Hill 4.6/3.1; Chris Chiozza 3.7/1.5.
3-pointers: Team (.366); KeVaughn Allen 71; Canyon Barry 41; Justin Leon 41; Devin Robinson 37.
Last Ten: 7-3.
x-injured
No. 13 East Tennessee State
Johnson City, Tenn., 27-7.
Nickname: Buccaneers. Coach: Steve Forbes.
Conference: Southern. Bid: Southern champion.
Tournament Record: 2-10, 9 years. Last appearance: 2010.
Scoring: Team (79.9); T.J. Cromer 19.1; Desonta Bradford 10.6; Tevin Glass 8.9; A.J. Merriweather 8.6; Hanner Mosquera-Perea 8.4.
Rebounds: Team (36.4); Tevin Glass 6.2; Hanner Mosquera-Perea 4.6; Desonta Bradford 4.5.
Assists/Turnovers: Team (14.8/14.8); Desonta Bradford 4.0/2.4; .J. Cromer 3.2/2.7.
3-pointers: Team (.383); T.J. Cromer 103; DeVontavius Payne 47; David Burrell 28; Desonta Bradford 28.
Last Ten: 9-1.
No. 6 SMU
Dallas, 30-4.
Nickname: Mustangs. Coach: Tim Jankovich.
Conference: American Athletic. Bid: AAC champion.
Tournament Record: 10-13, 11 years. Last appearance: 2015.
Scoring: Team (73.7); Semi Ojeleye 19.0; Shake Milton 13.2; Sterling Brown 13.2; Ben Moore 11.6; Jarrey Foster 9.8.
Rebounds: Team (39.5); Ben Moore 7.8; Sterling Brown 6.6; Semi Ojeleye 6.7; Jarrey Foster 5.2; Shake Milton 4.1.
Assists/Turnovers: Team (16.7/11.4); Shake Milton 4.5/1.8; Sterling Brown 3.1/2.0; Ben Moore 2.5/1.6; Jarrey Foster 2.2/1.2.
3-pointers: Team (.397); Shake Milton 79; Semi Ojeleye 71; Sterling Brown 58; Jarrey Foster 31.
Last Ten: 10-0.
No. 11 Providence
Providence, R.I., 20-12.
Nickname: Friars. Coach: Ed Cooley.
Conference: Big East. Bid: At large.
Tournament Record: 15-19, 18 years. Last appearance: 2016.
Scoring: Team (70.2); Rodney Bullock 15.7; Emmitt Holt 12.4; Kyron Cartwright 11.4; Jalen Lindsey 10.2.
Rebounds: Team (33.5); Rodney Bullock 6.4; Emmitt Holt 5.2; Jalen Lindsey 4.3.
Assists/Turnovers: Team (14.2/12.6); Kyron Cartwright 6.7/2.9.
3-pointers: Team (.368); Jalen Lindsey 70; Rodney Bullock 43; Kyron Cartwright 30.
Last Ten: 8-2.
No. 11 Southern California
Los Angeles, 24-9.
Nickname: Trojans. Coach: Andy Enfield.
Conference: Pac-12. Bid: At large.
Tournament Record: 12-19, 17 years. Last appearance: 2016.
Scoring: Team (78.7); Bennie Boatwright 14.6; Chimezie Metu 14.5; Jordan McLaughlin 13.1; Elijah Stewart 12.4.
Rebounds: Team (36.1); Chimezie Metu 7.8; De’Anthony Melton 4.9; Bennie Boatwright 4.3; Elijah Stewart 4.0.
Assists/Turnovers: Team (15.3/11.2); Jordan McLaughlin 5.5/2.2; De’Anthony Melton 3.4/1.8.
3-pointers: Team (.363); Elijah Stewart 69; Jordan McLaughlin 44; Jonah Mathews 40; Bennie Boatwright 38; Shaqquan Aaron 37.
Last Ten: 5-5.
No. 3 Baylor
Waco, Texas, 25-7.
Nickname: Bears. Coach: Scott Drew.
Conference: Big 12. Bid: At large.
Tournament Record: 11-12, 10 years. Last appearance: 2016.
Scoring: Team (72.7); Johnathan Motley 17.3; Manu Lecomte 12.4; Al Freeman 9.5; Jo Lual-Acuil Jr. 9.2.
Rebounds: Team (38.0); Johnathan Motley 9.9; Jo Lual-Acuil Jr. 7.0; Ishmail Wainright 5.1.
Assists/Turnovers: Team (15.7/13.4); Manu Lecomte 3.9/2.1; Jake Lindsey 3.2/1.1; Ishmail Wainright 3.2/1.5; Johnathan Motley 2.4/2.9.
3-pointers: Team (.359); Manu Lecomte 68; Al Freeman 41.
Last Ten: 5-5.
No. 14 New Mexico State
Las Cruces, 28-5.
Nickname: Aggies. Coach: Paul Weir.
Conference: Western Athletic. Bid: WAC champion.
Tournament Record: 10-24, 22 years. Last appearance: 2015.
Scoring: Team (78.9); Ian Baker 16.6; Sidy N’Dir 13.7; Braxton Huggins 13.6; Eli Chuha 12.4; Jemerrio Jones 9.9.
Rebounds: Team (39.8); Eli Chuha 9.0; Jemerrio Jones 8.5; Ian Baker 4.3.
Assists/Turnovers: Team (14.8/13.8); Ian Baker 4.1/2.2; Jemerrio Jones 2.9/2.0.
3-pointers: Team (.337); Braxton Huggins 86; Ian Baker 62.
Last Ten: 7-3.
No. 7 South Carolina
Columbus, S.C., 22-10.
Nickname: Gamecocks. Coach: Frank Martin.
Conference: Southeastern. Bid: At large.
Tournament Record: 4-9, 8 years. Last appearance: 2004.
Scoring: Team (72.1); Sindarius Thornwell 21.0; PJ Dozier 13.6; Duane Notice 10.1; Chris Silva 9.8.
Rebounds: Team (36.3); Sindarius Thornwell 7.2; Chris Silva 5.7; Maik Kotsar 5.0; PJ Dozier 4.8.
Assists/Turnovers: Team (12.6/13.4); PJ Dozier 2.9/2.1; Sindarius Thornwell 2.8/2.4; Duane Notice 2.3/1.4.
3-pointers: Team (.338); Duane Notice 60; Sindarius Thornwell 45; PJ Dozier 39; Rakym Felder 31.
Last Ten: 4-6.
No. 10 Marquette
Milwaukee, 19-12.
Nickname: Golden Eagles. Coach: Steve Wojciechowski.
Conference: Big East. Bid: At large.
Tournament Record: 41-32, 31 years. Last appearance: 2013.
Scoring: Team (82.5); Markus Howard 13.2; Jajuan Johnson 11.8; Andrew Rowsey 11.5; Luke Fischer 11.0; Katin Reinhardt 10.9; Haanif Cheatham 9.0.
Rebounds: Team (33.3); Luke Fischer 5.9; Sam Hauser 5.0; Haanif Cheatham 404; Jajuan Johnson 4.0.
Assists/Turnovers: Team (16.5/12.2); Jajuan Johnson 2.7/2.3; Andrew Rowsey 2.3/1.3; Markus Howard 2.2/1.9; Haanif Cheatham 2.3/1.6; Katin Reinhardt 2.1/1.4.
3-pointers: Team (.430); Markus Howard 79; Andrew Rowsey 69; Sam Huaser 61; Katin Reinhardt 56.
Last Ten: 5-5.
No. 2 Duke
Durham, N.C., 27-8.
Nickname: Blue Devils. Coach: Mike Krzyzewski.
Conference: Atlantic Coast. Bid: ACC champion.
Tournament Record: 107-35, 40 years. Last appearance: 2016.
Scoring: Team (80.7); Luke Kennard 20.1; Jayson Tatum 16.9; Grayson Allen 14.1; Amile Jefferson 10.9; Frank Jackson 10.7.
Rebounds: Team (36.3); Amile Jefferson 8.2; Jayson Tatum 7.3; Luke Kennard 5.3; Harry Giles 4.0.
Assists/Turnovers: Team (13.1/11.3); Grayson Allen 3.5/2.2; Luke Kennard 2.5/1.6; Jayson Tatum 2.2/1.1.
3-pointers: Team (.376); Luke Kennard 85; Grayson Allen 73; Frank Jackson 47; Matt Jones 45; Jayson Tatum 37.
Last Ten: 7-3.
No. 15 Troy
Troy, Ala., 22-14.
Nickname: Trojans. Coach: Phil Cunningham.
Conference: Sun Belt. Bid: Sun Belt champion.
Tournament Record: 0-1, 1 year. Last appearance: 2003.
Scoring: Team (79.0); Jordan Varnado 16.5; Wesley Person 14.8; Jeremy Hollimon 12.0.
Rebounds: Team (37.1); Jordan Varnado 6.9; DeVon Walker 6.5; Alex Hicks 4.1.
Assists/Turnovers: Team (13.4/12.6); Kevin Baker 3.1/1.8; Daniel Peace 2.2/1.5.
3-pointers: Team (.368); Wesley Person 92; Kevin Baker 71; Jeremy Hollimon 46.
Last Ten: 8-2.
This story was originally published March 12, 2017 at 9:36 PM with the headline "NCAA East Region analysis: Bracket of recent national champions."