6 min read

Atlantic Coast: Duke Blue Devils (26-5, 16-4 in conference)

Key Wins: vs Kentucky, vs Gonzaga, at North Carolina

Key Losses: at Florida State, vs Virgina 

Resume: 6 Net, 6 KenPom

Runner-Up: North Carolina Tar Heels

 
The Duke Blue Devils hall of fame head coach and one of the best college basketball coaches, Mike Kyzyzewski is retiring after 42 years of being the Duke head coach. The Blue Devils have been ranked in the top 10 for the whole year. The Duke Blue Devils are led by potential top 3 pick in the NBA draft, forward Paolo Banchero who leads Duke in points and rebounds per game, averaging 16.9 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. Duke is also led by forward Wendell Moore Jr., leading the Blue Devils in assists and steals per game averaging 4.6 assists and 1.5 steals per game. Lastly, the Duke Blue Devils are led by center Mark Williams, who leads the ACC in blocks per game and field goal percentage, blocking 2.9 shots per game and shooting 71.4% from the field. The Blue Devils have the best scoring offense in the ACC and the 10th in the country, averaging 80.3 points per game. Duke shoots very efficiently from the field, shooting 48.87% from the field, which is 2nd in the ACC and 11th in the country. The Duke Blue Devils also shoot very efficiently from 3, shooting 37.74% from beyond the arc, which is 2nd in ACC and 23rd in the country. Duke allows 65.1 points per game, which is 56th in the country. The Duke Blue Devils destroy opponents, winning games by an average of 15 points per game. The Blue Devils average the 2nd most rebounds per game in the ACC and the 34th in the country. Duke does not force a lot of turnovers per game, forcing 11.5 turnovers per game, which is 280th in the country. Duke does not turn the ball over a lot either, turning the ball over 10.3 times per game, which is 5th in the ACC and 23 in the country. The Duke Blue Devils are not only contenders to win the ACC but they are contenders to make the final four and even win the national championship.


Atlantic 10: Dayton Flyers (22-9, 14-4 in conference)

Key Wins: vs Kansas, vs Davidson, at VCU

Key Losses: vs Austin Peay, vs Lipscomb

Resume: 52 Net, 46 KenPom

Runner-Up: Davidson Wildcats


Even though the Dayton Flyers started the season at 1-3, they are going to the Atlantic 10 Conference tournament winning 7 out of there last 8 games. The Flyers are led by forward Daron Holmes II who leads the Flyers in points and blocks per game, averaging 11.9 points and 2.3 blocks per game. Holmes also leads the Atlantic 10 in field goal percentage, shooting 64.2% from the field. The Flyers are also led by guard Malachi Smith, who leads the Flyers in assists and steals per game, averaging 5.4 assists and 1.8 steals per game. The Flyers average 69.1 points per game, which is 7th in the Atlantic 10 Conference and 226th in the country. The Flyers do average 71.38 points per game in their last 8 games. The Flyers shoot very efficiently from the field, shooting 47.65% from the field, which is 2nd in the Atlantic 10 Conference and 28th in the country. Dayton also shoots very efficiently from 3, shooting 37.28% from beyond the arc, which is 2nd in the Atlantic 10 Conference and 36th in the country. The Dayton Flyers allow 60.6 points per game, which is first in the Atlantic 10 Conference and 11th in the country. Opponents shoot 41.03% from the field when playing against the Dayton Flyers, which is 54th in the country. The Flyers beat opponents by an average of 8 points per game, which is 3rd in the Atlantic 10 Conference and 46th in the country. Dayton turns the ball over 12.6 times per game, which is 8th in the Atlantic 10 Conference and 174th in the country. Dayton also does not force many turnovers, forcing 11.61 turnovers per game, which is 267th in the country. 


Big East: UConn Huskies (22-8, 13-6 in conference)

Key Wins: vs Villanova, vs Auburn, at Marquette

Key Losses: at West Virginia

Resume: 19 Net, 20 KenPom

Runner-Up: Marquette Golden Eagles


The UConn Huskies have won 6 of their last 7 games. The UConn Huskies are led by guard R.J. Cole who leads the Huskies in points, assists and steals per game, averaging 15.8 points, 4.1 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. The Huskies are also led by forward Adama Sanogo, leading the Huskies in blocks per game, averaging 2.1 blocks. Sanogo also leads the Big East Conference in rebounds per game, averaging 8.6 rebounds per game. The UConn Huskies average 76.1 points per game, which is 2nd in the Big East Conference and 56th in the country. UConn shoots 43.98% from the field, which is 7th in Big East Conference and 190th in the country. The UConn Huskies shoot pretty efficiently from 3, shooting 35.44% from beyond the arc, which is 3rd in the Big East Conference and 87th in the country. The UConn Huskies allow their opponents to score 65.7 points per game, which is 71st in the country. Opponents when playing against UConn shoot inefficiently from the field, shooting 40.16% from the field, which is 2nd in the Big East Conference and 32nd in the country. The Huskies beat opponents by an average of 10 points per game, which is first in the Big East Conference and 24th in the country. The UConn Huskies average 40.7 rebounds per game, which is first in the Big East Conference and 6th in the country. The Huskies do not turn the ball over a lot, averaging 12.1 turnovers per game, which 5th in the Big East Conference and 112th in the country. The biggest problem for the UConn Huskies is their fouling, averaging 17.2 fouls per game, which is 215th in the country.


Big Sky: Southern Utah Thunderbirds (20-10, 14-6 in conference)

Key Wins: at Weber State, vs Yale, vs Montana 

Key Losses: at Dixie State

Resume 164 Net, 162 KenPom

Runner-Up: Montana State Bobcats

 
The Southern Utah Thunderbirds have won 4 out of there last 5 games, going into the Big Sky Conference tournament the Thunderbirds are on a 2 game win streak. The Thunderbirds are led by guard John Knight III, who leads Southern Utah in assists per game, averaging 4.2 assists per game. John Knight III also leads the Big Sky Conference in steals per game, averaging 2.1 steals per game. The Southern Utah Thunderbirds average 78.8 points per game, which is first in the Big Sky Conference and 24th in the country. Southern Utah shoots 46.11% from the field, which is 4th in the Big Sky Conference and 66th in the country. Southern Utah shoots 34.75% from 3, which is 8th in the Big Sky Conference and 124th in the country. The Thunderbirds allow 72.7 points per game, which is 265th in the country. Opponents shoot pretty efficiently when playing against Southern Utah, shooting 43.85% from the field, which is 208th in the country. Southern Utah beats opponents by an average of 6 points per game, which is 89th in the country. The Thunderbirds average 37.8 rebounds per game, which is first in the Big Sky Conference and 51st in the country. The Southern Utah Thunderbirds turn the ball over 12.57 times per game, which is 6th in the Big Sky Conference and 167th in the country. The Southern Utah Thunderbirds force 12.7 turnovers per game, which is 185th in the country. Other than allowing their opponents to score a lot of points per game, the Thunderbirds biggest problem is their fouling, averaging 17.3 fouls per game.


Big Ten: Iowa Hawkeyes (22-9,12-8 in conference)

Key Wins: at Ohio State, vs Michigan State, vs Longwood

Key Losses: at Penn State

Resume: 15 Net, 14 KenPom

Runner-Up: Purdue Boilermakers


The Iowa Hawkeyes have won 8 out of their last 10 games. The Iowa Hawkeyes are led by Wooden Award finalist, forward Keegan Murray. Keegan Murray leads the Hawkeye in rebounds and blocks per game, averaging 8.6 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game. Murray also leads the Big Ten Conference in points per game, averaging 23.3 points per game. The Iowa Hawkeyes average 83.3 points per game, which is first in the Big Ten Conference and 5th in the country. The Iowa Hawkeyes shoot pretty efficiently from the field, shooting 45.95% from the field, which is 4th in the Big Ten Conference and 74th in the country. The Hawkeyes also shoot pretty efficiently from 3, shooting 35.88% from beyond the arc, which is 6th in Big Ten Conference and 69th in the country. The Iowa Hawkeyes allow 71.0 points per game, which is 229th in the country. Opponents when playing against Iowa shoot 43.60% from the field, which is 197th in the country. The Iowa Hawkeyes beat opponents by an average of 12 points per game, which is first in the Big Ten Conference and 13th in the country. Iowa averages 37.6 rebounds per game, which is 3rd in the Big Ten Conference and 56th in the country. The Iowa Hawkeyes rarely turn the ball over, averaging 9.0 turnovers per game, which is 2nd in the Big Ten Conference and 2nd in the country. The Hawkeyes also force a lot of turnovers per game, forcing 14.1 turnovers per game, which is 78th in the country. If Iowa can get lights out 3 point shooting from players such as, Jordan Bohannon, and Kris Murray, then the Hawkeyes can make a lot of noise in the NCAA tournament.


Big West: UC Santa Barbara Gauchos (16-10, 8-5 in conference)

Key Wins: vs Long Beach State, vs Hawaii, at UC Riverside

Key Losses: vs UT Arlington, at Pacific 

Resume: 140 Net, 130 KenPom

Runner-Up: Hawaii Rainbow Warriors


The UC Santa Barbara Gauchos are on a 5 game win streak going into the Big West Conference tournament. The Gauchos are led by forward Amadou Sow who leads the Gauchos in points and rebounds per game, averaging 15.8 points and 8.2 rebounds per game. The UCSB Gauchos average 74.0 points per game, which is 2nd in the Big West Conference and 103rd in the country. UCSB shoots very efficiently from the field, shooting 49.54% from the field, which is first in the Big West Conference and 4th in the country. The Gauchos allow 65.6 points per game, which is 68th in the country. The Gauchos beat opponents by an average of 8 points per game, which is first in the Big West Conference and 48th in the country. The main problems for the Gauchos is their three point shooting and turnovers. The Gauchos turn the ball over 13.5 times per game, which is 9th in the Big West Conference and 251st in the country. The UCSB Gauchos shoot 32.47% from three, which is 5th in the Big West Conference and 247th in the country.


Conference USA: North Texas Mean Green (23-5, 16-2 in conference)

Key Wins: at UAB, vs Middle Tennessee State, at Louisiana Tech

Key Losses: vs Buffalo, at UTEP

Resume: 44 Net, 48 KenPom

Runner-Up: UAB Blazers


Even though the North Texas Mean Green lost their last regular season game, they know what a winning streak is like, going on a 15 game win streak from January 8th to March 3rd. North Texas lost only two in conference games, losing both games by a combined amount of 8 points.The North Texas Mean Green are led by guard Tylor Perry who leads the Mean Green in points and rebounds per game, averaging 13.7 points and 2.7 assists per game. The Mean Green are also led by forward Thomas Bell who leads North Texas in rebounds and blocks per game, averaging 6.9 rebounds and .9 blocks per game. The North Texas Mean Green have the best scoring defense in the country, allowing their opponents to score 55.6 points per game. The Mean Green average 65.8 points per game, which is 13th in Conference USA and 303rd in the country. Even though the North Texas Mean Green do not have a great scoring offense, they still beat opponents 10 per game, which is first in Conference USA and 29th in the country. The Mean Green shoot 44.87% from the field, which is 7th in Conference USA and 130th in the country. North Texas has the 3rd best 3 point percentage in Conference USA and 47th best in the country, shooting 36.66% from 3. Opponents shot 41.61% from the field when playing against North Texas, which is 88th in the country. North Texas forces 12.6 turnovers per game, which is 194th in the country. The Mean Green did not turn the ball over much, averaging 11.5 turnovers per game, which is 4th in Conference USA and 69th in the country. If the North Texas Mean Green want to make noise in the NCAA tournament then they need to improve their rebounding, averaging 33.6 rebounds per game, which is 12th in Conference USA and 263rd in the country. 


Metro Atlantic Athletic: Iona Gaels (25-6, 17-3 in conference)

Key Wins: vs Alabama, at Saint Peter’s, vs Monmouth

Key Losses: at Niagara, at Manhattan

Resume: 86 Net, 90 KenPom

Runner-Up: Saint Peter’s Peacocks

 
The Iona Gaels went 6-1 in the final 7 games of the season. The Iona Gaels head coach, Rick Pitino has experience coaching competitive teams, coaching the Louisville Cardinals to a national championship in 2013. The Iona Gaels are led by guard Tyson Jolly, who leads the Gaels in points per game averaging 14.5 points per game. The Gaels are also led by Nelly Junior Joseph, leading the Gaels in rebounds, steals, and blocks, averaging 8.2 rebounds, 1.1 steals and 1.9 blocks per game. The Iona Gaels average 75.4 points per game, which is first in the MAAC and 68th in the country. The Gaels shoot 44.55% from the field, which is first in the MAAC and 146th in the country. The Gaels do not shoot very efficiently from 3, shooting 32.98% from 3, which is 7th in the MAAC and 225th in the country. The Gaels allow 68.2 points per game, which is 147th in the country. Opponents shoot 41.09% from the field when playing against Iona, which is 57th in the country. Iona beats opponents by an average of 7 points per game, which is first in the MAAC and 72nd in the country. The Iona Gaels average 37.2 rebounds per game, which is 2nd in the MAAC and 76th in the country. The Iona Gaels turn the ball over 12.5 times per game, which is 7th in the MAAC and 159th in the country. The Gaels force their opponents to turn the ball over 13.5 times per game, which is 122nd in the country. If the Gaels want to win the MAAC and punch their ticket to the NCAA tournament, then they need to decrease their fouling, as they average 18.3 fouls per game, which is 302nd in the country. 


Western Athletic: Grand Canyon Antelopes (22-7, 13-5 in conference)

Key Wins: vs San Francisco, vs Sam Houston, vs Seattle U

Key Losses: at Dixie State, at Arizona State

Resume: 88 Net, 92 KenPom

Runner-Up: Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks

 
The Grand Canyon Antelopes are on a 4 game win streak going into the Western Athletic Conference tournament. On the 4 game win streak, Grand Canyon has beaten opponents by an average of 18.75 points per game. The Antelopes are led by guard Javon Blacksher Jr. who leads Grand Canyon in points, assists and steals per game, averaging 16.0 points, 4.0 assist and 1.8 steals per game. The Grand Canyon Antelopes average 71.1 points per game, which is 8th in the Western Athletic Conference and 172nd in the country. The Antelopes shoot 42.87% from the field, which is 7th in Western Athletic Conference and 246th in the country. Grand Canyon shoots 34.96% from beyond the arc, which is 2nd in the Western Athletic Conference and 114th in the country. The Grand Canyon Antelopes defense had a massive factor in the Antelopes winning games this season, as they allowed 60.6 points per game, which is first in the Western Athletic Conference and 12th in the country. When playing against the Grand Canyon Antelopes, opponents shoot 38.04% from the field, which is first in the Western Athletic Conference and 5th in the country. The Grand Canyon Antelopes beat their opponents by an average of 10 points per game, which is first in the Western Athletic Conference and 24th in the country. Grand Canyon averages 40.69 rebounds per game, which is 2nd in the Western Athletic Conference and 8th in the country. Grand Canyon turns the ball over 13.0 times per game, which is 5th in the Western Athletic Conference and 207th in the country. The biggest problem for Grand Canyon is their fouling, as they average 17.8 fouls per game, which is 257th in the country.