[Regional Breakdowns: East | South | Midwest | West]
Now that the 2024 Men’s NCAA Tournament spots are official, we break down every staff within the bracket heading into March Madness. Here’s what you could know in regards to the East Region.
1. UConn (+400 to win nationwide title)
The defending nationwide champions had a fair higher document within the 2023-24 common season than they did a season in the past. UW was a No. 4 seed final yr aiming for the nationwide title. This yr, the Huskies are the No. 1 total seed.
UW is capturing almost 50 % from the sphere and holding opponents to fewer than 65 factors per sport. Tristen Newton has developed into among the best all-around gamers in school basketball, with 5 totally different gamers averaging greater than 10 factors per sport than him. Newton leads the Huskies with 15 factors per sport, ranks second on the staff with seven rebounds per sport and averages a team-leading six assists per sport.
UW is the favourite to win back-to-back nationwide championships and is aiming to grow to be the primary since Florida in 2006 and 2007.
2. Iowa (+1800)
The Cyclones fully dominated Houston on Saturday to win the Big 12 title and make it clear they’re a nationwide title contender. However, for Iowa State, he in all probability would have wished to keep away from going into UConn’s space.
Iowa State is among the finest defensive groups within the nation. The Cyclones enable 61 factors per sport as opponents shoot simply 40% from the sphere and switch the ball over his 17.5 instances per sport. Only UTEP averages extra steals per sport than the Cyclones.
The Cyclones have used the identical beginning lineup in 31 of 34 video games to this point this season, with Keshon Gilbert main the staff with 13.8 factors per sport.
3. Illinois (+3000)
Big Ten event champions can earn factors collectively. Terrence Shannon Jr., who scored 40 factors towards Nebraska the evening earlier than, scored 34 factors towards Wisconsin within the Big Ten title sport.
Shannon is the nation’s third-leading scorer, however missed video games earlier this season attributable to an in-school suspension. Illinois suspended Mr. Shannon in December after he was arrested by Lawrence, Kansas, police on suspicion of sexual assault in September and charged with rape. He rejoined the staff in January after a decide granted a brief restraining order over his faculty suspension.
Without Shannon’s on-court contributions, the University of Illinois wouldn’t have been a No. 3 seed. If Shannon continues to attain like he did within the Big Ten Tournament (34 factors per sport over three video games), the Illini might make it to the Final Four.
Terrence Shannon Jr. scored 34 factors within the University of Illinois’ win over the University of Wisconsin, incomes the Big Ten’s automated bid to March Madness. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
4. Auburn (+1800)
The Tigers defeated Florida on Sunday to win the SEC Tournament and enter the NCAA Tournament on a six-game successful streak. Oddsmakers clearly imagine the Tigers are the underseed on this area. Auburn has higher odds for the nationwide title than all however six of the 68 groups within the event. That has rather a lot to do with the Tigers’ KenPom rankings. The superior analytics website ranks Auburn fourth within the nation behind Houston, UW and Purdue.
Auburn is led by star ahead Joni Bloom, who averages over 16 factors and eight rebounds per sport. The Tigers make virtually 55 % of their 2-point pictures and are seventh within the nation with 18 assists per sport.
5. San Diego State (+8000)
Can the Aztecs make it to the nationwide title sport once more? He was in a position to get a rematch within the Sweet 16 a yr after he misplaced to UConn within the nationwide championship.
Once once more, San Diego State is among the finest defensive groups within the nation beneath coach Brian Dutcher. The Aztec staff itself is not all that nice, however opponents not often shoot greater than his 30% from behind his line. SDSU is capturing simply 31% from deep as a staff and is averaging over 22 pictures per sport. Forward Jadon Ready was a key backup participant for the Aztecs a season in the past, however he has exploded as a number one scorer this season. He averaged eight factors per sport final season, and Leddy averages 21 factors per sport in 2023-24.
6.BYU (+6600)
The Cougars did greater than sufficient of their first season within the Big 12. BYU completed fifth within the convention, beating Kansas within the standings in a tiebreaker, however misplaced to Texas Tech within the second spherical of the convention event.
BYU averages 82 factors per sport and is essentially the most prolific 3-point capturing staff within the nation. The Cougars’ 1,063 makes an attempt from behind the arc are essentially the most of any staff. BYU is making 35% of its pictures, simply above common, and has seven gamers averaging at the very least his 9 factors per sport.
Miles Rice and Washington State are within the NCAA Tournament. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
7. Washington State (+15000)
Although the Cougars fell wanting their purpose of successful the final Pac-12 Tournament title, they simply superior to the event as at-large due to a 14-6 common season document in convention play.
Senior F Isaac Jones and freshman G Myles Rice are each averaging 15 factors per sport, and Jones leads the staff in rebounds. Washington State University is a world staff. The Cougars have acquired donations from gamers from North Macedonia (Andrej Jakimovski), Australia (Oscar Cliff), Nigeria (Ruben Chimbel) and France (Kimany Huinsou).
8. Florida Atlantic (+10000)
Last season’s shock Final Four participant is poised to be a spoiler once more after beginning the season within the high 25. This yr, I could not stay as much as these expectations. FAU performed a troublesome non-conference schedule and posted a 14-4 document in its first yr within the AAC. However, the Owls have the elements to win one other deep event.
Jonelle Davis leads the staff with 18 factors per sport, and Vladislav Golden is averaging almost 16 factors and 7 rebounds per sport. Both performed large roles in final yr’s event, together with Aliyah Martin (13 factors per sport).
9. Northwest (+20000)
The Wildcats completed the season shedding three of their final 4 video games, two of which had been towards groups that superior to the event in Michigan State and Wisconsin.
Northwestern is taking part in at a glacial tempo, because it has for years beneath coach Chris Collins. It ranks 342nd in KenPom’s adjusted tempo rating. The staff’s offensive energy is 3-point capturing. Northwestern ranks No. 5 within the nation at over 39% on him, behind Arc. Leading scorer Bou Bouye is averaging 19 factors per sport on 44% capturing from behind the road.
10. Drake (+25000)
The Bulldogs gained the Missouri Valley title sport per week in the past, ending Indiana State’s hopes of constructing it to the NCAA Tournament. Drake went 16-4 in convention play, defeating the Sycamores twice in three conferences.
Drake is led by Tucker DeVries. He averages over 21 factors on 16 pictures per sport. The Bulldogs are additionally good with the ball. Drake averages lower than his 10 turnovers per sport and he is among the finest on the staff together with his free throw capturing proportion of 76%.
11. Duquesne (+50000)
The Dukes defeated VCU on Sunday to win the Atlantic 10 Tournament title and return to the NCAA Tournament for the primary time since 1977. The final time Duquesne competed within the event, it was a member of the Eastern Collegiate Basketball League. That league now not exists.
This season’s staff is being coached by LeBron James’ highschool basketball coach, Keith Denbrot. The Dukes are led by senior guards Dayday Grant (17 factors per sport) and Jimmy Clark (15 PPG).
Duquesne shall be showing within the NCAA Tournament for the primary time since 1977. (Photo: Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire, Getty Images)
12.UAB (+50000)
The Blazers defeated Temple for the AAC title on Sunday, qualifying for the NCAA Tournament for the second time up to now three seasons. UAB is seeking to defeat Iowa State as a No. 14 seed and win its first NCAA Tournament sport since 2015, when it misplaced to UCLA.
UAB is among the finest offensive rebounding groups within the nation, with Jaxel Lendeborg averaging 13.8 factors and 10.5 rebounds per sport. He additionally has a discipline purpose success fee of 52%.
13. Yell (+50000)
Matt Knowling hit a buzzer-beater Sunday for a 62-61 victory over Brown and the Bulldogs, clinching their second NCAA Tournament berth in three seasons. Knowling is one among 5 gamers averaging at the very least 10 factors per sport.
Yale is led by sophomore ahead Danny Wolfe, who averages 14.5 factors and almost 10 rebounds per sport.
14. Morehead State (+100000)
Morehead State defeated Little Rock to win the OVC title and has gained six straight since shedding three in a row in February. The Eagles misplaced to Indiana by only one level in December, however gained 12 of 13 video games earlier than shedding to the Hoosiers and shedding three straight.
Riley Minnix leads the staff with 20.8 factors and 9.8 rebounds per sport, and Drew Thelwell averages greater than six assists per sport. Only seven groups enable fewer factors than Morehead State, which permits 62.8 factors per sport.
15. South Dakota (+200000)
The Jackrabbits defeated Denver on March 12 to win the Summit League title. South Dakota State misplaced to Denver on January thirteenth, falling to 9-9. Since then, the Jackrabbits are 13-3 and on an eight-game successful streak.
Zeke Mayo leads the staff in scoring with 18.8 factors per sport and averages almost seven 3-pointers per sport whereas capturing 47 % from the sphere.
16. Stetson (+200000)
This is the Hatters’ first look within the NCAA Tournament since they started taking part in basketball on the high stage of Division I in 1972. The 2023-24 season can also be his second 20-win marketing campaign in program historical past. At first he returned in 1974-1975.
Jalen Blackmon is averaging 21.5 factors per sport and capturing 39 % from the 3-point line. As a staff, the Hatters make 37% of his 3-point makes an attempt, which ranks him twenty seventh within the nation.