The NCAA Tournament is here and there’s more news, commentary and analysis than any of us can possibly keep up with. To make things a little easier, we’ll bring you a list of daily links gathered about teams in each of the four regions all the way through the Final Four.
Midwest
- A balanced effort from Vermont led to the Catamounts ending Lamar’s season Wednesday night in Dayton. After a 13-0 run in the first half, Vermont’s lead wasn’t seriously threatened, but they’ll need lightning in a bottle to keep things close against North Carolina.
- By now, the story of Harrison Barnes and Doug McDermott playing together in high school is well-chronicled, but if both teams handle their business on Friday, the two will be pitted against one another.
- It’s a testament to San Diego State head coach Steve Fisher that he can guide the Aztecs to a tournament berth in a rebuilding year.
- St. Mary‘s guard Matthew Dellavedova has the chance to etch his name alongside Gaels folk heroes such as Omar Samhan and Patty Mills.
- Purdue has battled off-court issues, injuries and rough stretches of play. Now in the tournament, the Boilermakers can redeem themselves. Perhaps no one on the team is more motivated than Robbie Hummel, who missed the last two seasons with separate ACL tears.
West
- LIU Brooklyn coach Jim Ferry isn’t backing down from the mighty Michigan State Spartans. While it’s nice to see a mid-major steer away from the “happy to be here” angle, it’ll be interesting to see how long the Blackbirds can stick with Draymond Green and company.
- In many of its losses, Michigan has shown an inability to bounce back from early deficits. A hot start would do wonders for the Wolverines’ confidence as they get ready for Ohio tomorrow night.
- Georgetown‘s outgoing class of seniors has yet to taste the satisfaction of an NCAA Tournament win. For such a storied program, this is a surprising distinction and could be the motivating factor in toppling Belmont to quell upset talk.
- Many expected last night’s battle between South Florida and Cal to be all about defense, but no one expected South Florida to get the job done with the offensive efficiency it displayed on Wednesday, writes CBSSports.com’s Jeff Borzello.
- Creighton respects the defensive ability of its second round opponent, Alabama. There’s a very good chance that tomorrow afternoon’s matchup will be a classic battle between the unstoppable force in the Bluejays’ offense versus the immovable object in the Crimson Tide’s defense.
East
- Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim addressed the media before practice Wednesday to field questions about Fab Melo‘s ineligibility.
- Kansas State‘s matchup against Southern Mississippi tomorrow could come down to the Wildcats’ inside play. Many are contending that Southern Miss is overseeded, so expect Larry Eustachy‘s team to come out with a chip on its shoulder.
- How can Ohio State conquer the East? Eleven Warriors breaks down the Buckeyes’ chances to take the region.
- Burnt Orange Nation takes a look at Cincinnati as it prepares to take on Texas. Will J’Covan Brown outshine the Bearcats’ combo attack of Cashmere Wright, Sean Kilpatrick and Yancy Gates?
- Mike Bruesewitz hopes to regain his lost shooting touch before it’s too late as Wisconsin takes on Montana. Will he provide a boost before it’s too late?
- The Harvard Crimson reports that Tommy Amaker‘s crew isn’t fazed by the white-hot Vanderbilt Commodores.