The NCAA Tournament is upon us. In the buildup to the opening round, theScore is previewing each region to get you prepared to pick your bracket. After hitting the East Region and South Region earlier, here's our breakdown of the Midwest.
Top teams
No. 1 Michigan
Michigan looked unbeatable during a stretch that featured wins over three top-10 teams. The Wolverines suffered two regular-season losses by a combined eight points - and one was against top overall seed Duke. But then Michigan crashed back to earth during the Big Ten Tournament, barely escaping Ohio State and Wisconsin before losing to Purdue in the final.
The team's depth took a major hit when sixth-leading scorer L.J. Cason was ruled out for the season in late February. That likely contributed to Michigan's disappointing conference tourney. The Wolverines' size and frontcourt prowess could still carry them to a title in a season where the top contenders are led by their bigs. Michigan also has enough steady guard play to make a run. But it's the Wolverines' defense, which KenPom rates No. 1, that will be the true basis of any Final Four run.
No. 2 Iowa State
As much as we've touted this year's brilliant freshman class, experience and chemistry are still a winning formula in March Madness. Iowa State checks both boxes. The Cyclones' three leading scorers - Milan Momcilovic, Joshua Jefferson, and Tamin Lipsey - have starred for Iowa State the last two seasons.
The offensive production beyond those three isn't consistent, which might be what ultimately stops Iowa State's run. But the defense, ranked fourth in the nation, is the reason for the team's success. It might not matter who else contributes offensively if opponents can't score on the Cyclones.
No. 3 Virginia
You no longer have to worry about falling asleep on your couch while watching Virginia's offense. Ryan Odom has transformed the Cavaliers in his first year, and this group is equipped to play spoiler to some of the region's favorites. Virginia won 13 of its last 15 games to close the season, and both losses were to Duke. A balanced scoring attack, the nation's 16th-ranked defense, and a sturdy rebounding group allow the Cavaliers to control the possession battle, which is the key to winning survive-and-advance games.
Midwest Region odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Michigan | -120 |
| Iowa State | +295 |
| Virginia | +1100 |
| Alabama | +1400 |
| Tennessee | +1400 |
| Texas Tech | +1600 |
| Kentucky | +4000 |
| Georgia | +6600 |
| Santa Clara | +6600 |
| Saint Louis | +15000 |
| SMU | +20000 |
| Miami (OH) | +40000 |
| Akron | +50000 |
| Hofstra | +50000 |
👉 Click here to bet on the Midwest Region and other March Madness markets available on theScore Bet
Bracket-busters
No. 10 Santa Clara
This is Santa Clara's first appearance in the tourney since Steve Nash took the Broncos to the Big Dance in 1996. The team's only losses since Dec. 21 came against fellow tourney squads Gonzaga and Saint Mary's. The Broncos rank in the top 25 in offensive efficiency and 21st in turnover margin. Limiting turnovers while forcing opponents to cough it up is a proven recipe for a double-digit seed to manage an upset, and Santa Clara gets a vulnerable Kentucky team in the opening round.
No. 12 Akron
Miami (Ohio) captivated the nation, but real ball-knowers will tell you that Akron is the better squad coming out of the MAC. Akron won 19 of its last 20 games, and its high-octane offense is as good as you'll find among mid-major programs. The Zips' first-round matchup is Texas Tech, which doesn't have JT Toppin for the rest of the season. Christian Anderson, who injured his groin at the Big 12 Tournament, won't be 100% if he plays. Akron is a small group, but Texas Tech doesn't have the size to take advantage.
Players to watch
Yaxel Lendeborg
As the Big Ten Player of the Year, Lendeborg averaged 14.6 points, seven rebounds, and 3.2 assists as Michigan's offensive engine. The do-it-all forward is a force inside, and he steps out to shoot threes while playmaking for a balanced offense. However, he's just one piece of one of the nation's best frontcourts, which also features Morez Johnson Jr. and Aday Mara. Lendeborg tweaked his ankle during the Big Ten Tournament final, but he's expected to play in Michigan's tourney opener.
Nate Ament
While I wouldn't expect Tennessee to stick around in the tournament for too long, Nate Ament is worthy of some space on your screen(s) when the Vols take the floor. The projected top-10 pick was an All-SEC player, averaging 17.5 points and 6.5 rebounds. While his production dipped as the season went on, the 6-foot-10 forward is a freight train in transition who can dominate on the ball and excel away from it.
Thijs De Ridder
Virginia's Belgian star leads the team in points (15.5) and rebounds (6.2) per game. De Ridder's pick-and-roll ball-handling ability, off-ball movement, and putback rebounds spark the Cavaliers' offense. At 6-foot-9, the freshman's role as a playmaking big is crucial for Virginia's tournament chances.
Labaron Philon Jr.
If there's anything you can count on every March, it's Alabama coming into the tournament with a group that plays fast, shoots a ton of threes, and doesn't defend. Philon is Alabama's catalyst. He scores 21.7 points per game, the third-highest mark in the SEC, and dishes out a team-high 4.7 assists. He launches nearly six threes per game and connects on 40% of them. The Crimson Tide will generally go as their 3-point shooting goes, but their success ultimately comes down to Philon.
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