NCAA Tournament 2021 Midwest Region Preview

The Fighting Illini are a front runner in the NCAA Tournament for the very first time because the 2005 period. That was likewise the last time that the program made a Final Four appearance, shedding the national title video game. Could they repeat that team’s success this year? It’s absolutely possible.

They have some groups lurking that might trip them up on the means to a spot in Lucas Oil Stadium in early April. Oklahoma State has the consensus leading choice in the NBA Draft, Cade Cunningham, who could place on a show in the tournament.

Loyola-Chicago, the leading protection in the country as measure by Ken Pomeroy, might be the matchup in the Round of 32. Allow’s take a look at the groups in the area.

No. 1 Illinois

The Illini have a star in Ayo Dosunmu (20.7 ppg 6.3 rpg 5.3 apg) and a leading interior presence in Kofi Cockburn (17.6 ppg 9.6 rpg). Brad Underwood’s team is Top 10 in both offending and also defensive performance. They can fill it up (81.4 PPG) and attach from deep (37.6%). The biggest question is cost-free toss shooting. The Illini struck just 69.1% of their efforts from the charity red stripe this period. In a close game late in the event that could maintain them from progressing.

No. 2 Houston

The Cougars have actually been placed in the AP Top 10 for much of the season for a reason, they’re a solid team. They ended up second in the AAC before winning the conference event in a blowout over Cincinnati. They’re Top 10 in offending performance as well as Top 20 in defensive performance. Led by junior guard Quentin Grimes (18 ppg), the Cougars average over 77 points per video game and also fire complimentary tosses well (74.1% FT). Apart from a win over Texas Tech, they have just one other win over a tournament team, splitting their series with Wichita State.

No. 3 West Virginia

The Mountaineers finished third in the Big 12 before going down a close video game to Oklahoma State in the meeting tournament. Bob Huggins’ team is stabilized in its racking up with four players between 11 and 15 points per game. They rate as the 11th most reliable violation in the country and are top 65 defensively. As we’ve concerned anticipate from Huggins coached teams, they compel turn overs (14.9 per video game) as well as hold opponents to just 32.3% from three.

 No. 4 Oklahoma State

This weekend break is your possibility if you haven’t watched Cade Cunningham play yet. The 6′ 8 ″ freshman guard balanced over 20 factors, 6 rebounds and 3 helps per game this period leading the Cowboys to a 5th place coating in the Big 12 and a runner-up coating in the conference event. They’re a Top 25 defensive effectiveness group also enabling groups to shoot simply 31.9% from three and requiring over 14 turn overs per video game. The biggest issue for them? They additionally transform the sphere over with nearly 16 per video game.

No. 5 Tennessee

The Volunteers ended up 4th in the SEC as well as shed to eventual champion Alabama in the conference event. Rick Barnes’ team is a defensive force (4th in performance), requiring opponents right into turn overs (15.7) as well as difficult capturing nights from three (31.8%). They shoot well from the charity line (74.6%) however are second-rate from beyond the arc (33.8%).

No. 6 San Diego State

The Aztecs won the Mountain West post as well as routine period titles. As you would certainly expect from a San Diego State team, they’re a solid protective team (11th in performance) permitting simply over 60 factors per getaway and also compeling 15 turnovers per video game. They fire well from three themselves (37.5%), yet hit just 72.3% from the charity line. Versus Syracuse, obtaining offending rebounds will certainly be a key as the Orange struggle in that location allowing over 12 per video game.

No. 7 Clemson

The Tigers finished fifth in the ACC many thanks to a protection that rates Top 20 in effectiveness and also points enabled (62 per video game). They require opponents into 14 turnovers per game and rarely enable offensive rebounds (8.7 per game). Elderly ahead Aamir Simms blazes a trail with 13.3 points and also 6.2 rebounds per game. The big inquiry is offensively as they balanced just 65 factors per game and also were just average from 3 (34.6%).

No. 8 Loyola Chicago

The Ramblers last competition appearance was the enchanting Final Four run of 2018 and also by all accounts, this variation of Porter Moser’s group is even much better. Cameron Krutwig, a fresher on that ’18 group, leads this year’s variation balancing 15 factors, 6 rebounds and 3 assists per game. However, the protective end is where the Ramblers radiate ranking as the most efficient protection in the country per Ken Pomeroy. Good luck capturing threes (32.6%) or attempting to get on the offending boards versus this group (6.5 allowed per video game). Is an additional Final Four run in the cards? It will be more difficult having to go with Illinois in Round 2 yet perhaps some more Sister Jean magic is in shop?

No. 9 Georgia Tech

The Yellow Jackets won the ACC competition to make their proposal after finishing 4th in the meeting throughout the routine period. They have a balanced attack with four markers in between 11 and also 17 factors per game and a senior laden starting schedule. They’re leading 30 in offending efficiency, firing 54.7% from inside the arc as well as dealing with the round (11.1 turnovers per game). The concern is whether they can maintain opponents off the offensive glass (9.6 allowed per video game).

No. 10 Rutgers

The Scarlet Knights are back in the event for the very first time in 30 years and searching for their first win because 1983. Thanks to a solid defense (18th in efficiency) that enabled opponents to fire simply 42% from the area as well as 32.1% from 3, they could get that win. The trio of Ron Harper, Jacob Young and also Geo Baker lead the team offensively and deal with the sphere well (11.3 turn overs per video game). However, they battle from 3 (31.1%) and also the free throw line (63.2%) which might keep them from pulling the upset.

No. 11 Syracuse

It’s not usual for us to see the Orange this reduced in the brace. When they are, the background is good. They made the Final Four as a 10-seed in 2016 and the Sweet 16 as an 11 in 2018. As you ‘d anticipate, the Orange they protect the three point line well (31.7%) and force turnovers (14.6 per game). They’re great at the free throw line (78.4%). They do battle keeping challengers off the offending glass which can present troubles.

No. 12 Oregon State

The Beavers amazed everyone by winning the Pac-12 competition after a sixth place normal period coating. Elderly guard Ethan Thompson is the leader (15.3 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 3.9 apg) and they fire well from the charity stripe (75.8%). Their 3 point capturing is just average (35.3%), yet they care for the round well (11.9 turnovers). They defend the arc well (30.7%) but obtain eliminated inside (51.9% 2PT).

No. 13 Liberty

The Flames won the Atlantic Sun routine season and also tournament titles en course to their competition proposal. They include a Top 60 offense per Ken Pom, firing well from three (39.1%) as well as the free throw line (77.7%) while taking care of the ball (9.7 turnovers per video game, 5th DI). They held challengers to simply 31.2% capturing from deep and enabled simply 59.6 points per video game. They were 0-2 in games against event teams (Purdue, Missouri). They have actually distressed prospective if they are able to hit 3s and also pressure okay State right into turn overs.

No. 14 Morehead State

The Eagles won the Ohio Valley Conference to get back to the event for the very first time given that 2011. They’re led by freshman forward Johni Broome who balanced a near dual double this season 13.9 points and 9 rebounds per video game. Defense is the calling card permitting challengers to strike just 30.7% from 3 and also 40.4% general from the floor. However, they battle with turn overs (15.3 per video game) which could be a big issue against WVU.

No. 15 Cleveland State

The Vikings are back in the field for the very first time given that 2009 after winning the Horizon League. They’re led by a triad of guards, Torrey Patton, Tre Gomillion as well as D’Moi Hodge that integrate for over 34 factors and also 16 rebounds per game. Yet, they don’t fire the round especially well (31.9% 3PT/66.9% FT) as well as have actually permitted over 70 factors per video game to their opponents. Facing Houston, it would certainly be tough to see the Vikings pulling the trouble.

No. 16 Drexel

The Dragons made a shock go to the Colonial Athletic Association meeting title to earn their very first tournament bid because 1996. Zack Spiker’s team has stabilized scoring (four gamers in double numbers) and also fires well from three (37.2%). They do battle with turn overs (12.9 per game) as well as will have a difficult time defending Illinois’ Kofi Cockburn inside. An excellent tale to see Drexel back in the tourney however maybe a short trip.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *