The Madness is about to begin, and LWOS has a full preview of the first set of games. In this article, we look at the Mid-West Region where the undefeated Kentucky Wildcats are the #1 seed.
2015 NCAA Tournament Preview: Midwest Region
No. 1 Kentucky vs. No. 16 Manhattan/Hampton, 9:40pm Thursday (CBS)
Kentucky is 34-0 and most of their games have not been close. Most teams have to worry about some of their players having off games, but Kentucky is deep enough where they can overcome this problem. Although Hampton defeated Manhattan on Tuesday night, their stay will not last long. Although a great story, Kentucky is simply too good of a basketball team to lose their perfect season to a 16 seed. Don’t expect a close game.
No. 8 Cincinnati vs No. 9 Purdue, 7:10pm Thursday (CBS)
Cincinnati had a good year, especially considering losing their coach Mick Cronin for the year to personal health. The Bearcats can rebound and play a physical game, but this matches perfectly with Purdue. Purdue has a great front court led by star AJ Hammons. The team also plays in the Big 10 so they are prepared for this type of game. Purdue has been playing great basketball and may I say they haven’t lost a first round game since 1994? Yes, they have been to the tournament 11 times during that span so clearly this school knows they can win in the postseason. Purdue will win, but in a low-scoring battle.
No. 5 West Virginia vs No. 12 Buffalo, 2:10pm Friday (TNT)
The more I look at this matchup, the more I like Buffalo. Mid-major teams don’t get many chances to play the “big boys” during the year, so when that chance comes, it is crucial that the mid-major make the most of it. Well, Buffalo did that and more. Kentucky rarely trailed this year. Yet who was beating Kentucky at halftime IN Kentucky? Yes, Buffalo, 38-33. Sure, the Bulls lost by 19 in the end, but still impressive. The team also competed at Wisconsin and lost by 12 in ANOTHER game they were winning at halftime. I love Bob Huggins and think he gets a lot out of his players, but does this not have a 12 over 5 seed written all over it? The 12 seeds are 6-2 over the past 2 years, and I like Buffalo a lot.
No. 4 Maryland vs No. 13 Valparaiso, 4:40pm Friday (TNT)
Valparaiso is another good mid-major team that can really shoot the three ball well. If the Crusaders can stop Dez Wells and Melo Trimble from getting into the paint, this will be a great game. However, I don’t see that happening. Maryland played great in the Big 10 this year and gets to the foul line a lot. Combine that with creating ability of Wells and Trimble and the Terrapins are a team that could go to the Sweet Sixteen to face Kentucky.
No. 6 Butler vs No. 11 Texas, 2:45pm Thursday (CBS)
This is a great game because it features one of the mid-major powerhouses that has grown up and joined a power conference in the Big East against one of the best athletic schools in the nation. What Butler does well is play defense and rebound. Meanwhile, Texas has all of the athletes and potential yet can’t seem to put it together. When on, Texas could challenge Kentucky with their size, but when off, Texas is bad. Sure, Texas lost a lot of games, but only 1 out of their 13 loses came to teams that didn’t make the tournament (Stanford, a team that was supposed to make it). Texas is a complete wildcard, but I believe they get past Butler and into the next round.
No. 3 Notre Dame vs No. 14 Northeastern, 12:15 pm Thursday (CBS)
Notre Dame is playing their best basketball of the year right now with wins over Duke and UNC on their way to the ACC Tournament Title. Notre Dame is a favorite by many to play Kentucky in the Elite Eight. Northeastern can shoot the ball and has an experienced team but I don’t think they have enough to challenge Notre Dame.
No. 7 Wichita State vs No. 10 Indiana, 2:45pm Friday (CBS)
Indiana is another team that can catch fire from three-point land. Indiana isn’t a great defensive team, but puts up 77.5 points per game. Meanwhile, Wichita State is vastly underseeded. They were #8 in the country prior to their loss to Illinois State in their conference tournament semifinals and then dropped all the way to a 7 seed? You’ve got to be kidding me. Star duo Fred VanVleet and Ron Baker remember their Final Four run and are capable of leading a team. It is unfair to Kansas that such a talented team as Wichita State is a 7 seed. If Indiana catches fire, this game will be good. But if Wichita State plays solid defense, look out for a Wichita State-Kansas battle in the round of 32.
No. 2 Kansas vs No. 15 New Mexico State, 12:15pm Friday (CBS)
Bill Self has done a great job of getting everything out of his Jayhawks this year. Although the team has a weaker front court than usual, Kansas has good guards and should be able to handle New Mexico State’s size. Assuming a Kansas win, how exciting will a Wichita State-Kansas battle be for state bragging rights? I am already giddy.
Don’t forget to check out the previews for the West, East and South Regions
Main Photo by David Banks/Getty Images
