Midwest Region preview

Nickname: Jayhawks.

Location: Lawrence, Kan.

Record: 32-2, 15-1. Bid: Big 12 champ.

NCAA history: 84-37 in 38 appearances. Last: 2009, lost to Michigan State in Midwest Regional semifinals.

Coach: Bill Self, 24-10 in 11 appearances.

Overview: There's nothing the Jayhawks don't have. Inside strength, starting with Cole Aldrich. Shooters. Slashers. Experience. Depth. A fearless, big-play senior point guard in Sherron Collins.

Best wins: California, Temple, Baylor, Texas A&M, Kansas State.

Starters: F Marcus Morris, 6-8, So. (12.4 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 55.9 FG pct.); C Cole Aldrich, 6-11, Jr. (11.3 ppg, 9.7 rpg, 3.5 blocks, 55.3 FG pct.); G Xavier Henry, 6-6, Fr. (13.9 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 40.7 3FG pct.); G Sherron Collins, 5-11, Sr. (15.3 ppg, 4.3 apg, 83.9 FT pct.); G Tyshawn Taylor, 6-3, So. (7.7 ppg, 3.3 apg, 40.5 3FG pct.).

Ohio State

Nickname: Buckeyes.

Location: Columbus, Ohio.

Record: 27-7, 14-4. Bid: Big Ten champ.

NCAA history: 38-20 in 21 appearances. Last: 2009, lost to Siena in first round.

Coach: Thad Matta, 12-7 in seven appearances.

Overview: National player-of-the-year candidate Evan Turner can play every position but center. His move to point guard this season is the primary reason Ohio State won a share of the Big Ten regular-season title. Best wins: Purdue, Michigan State, Wisconsin.

Starters: G Evan Turner, 6-7, Jr. (19.5 ppg, 9.4 rpg, 5.8 apg, 53.8 FG pct., 28.6 3FG pct.); G William Buford, 6-5, So. (14.3 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 3.2 apg, 36.5 3FG pct.); G Jon Diebler, 6-7, Jr. (12.6 ppg, 43.4 FG pct., 41.9 3FG pct., 85.7 FT pct.); F David Lighty, 6-5, Jr. (12.4 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 49.1 FG pct., 62.7 FT pct.); F Dallas Lauderdale, 6-8, Jr. (7.2 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 77.1 FG pct., 43.8 FT pct.).

Georgetown

Nickname: Hoyas.

Location: Washington, D.C.

Record: 23-10, 10-8. Bid: Big East at-large.

NCAA history: 45-24 in 25 appearances. Last: 2008, lost to Davidson in second round.

Coach: John Thompson III, 7-5 in five appearances.

Overview: The Hoyas bounced back after missing the NCAAs last year. They had a rough stretch near the end of the regular season but rebounded in the Big East tournament. Consistency can be an issue.

Best wins: Duke, Pittsburgh, Syracuse.

Starters: C Greg Monroe, 6-11, So. (16.0 ppg, 9.6 rpg, 51.8 FG pct.); G Austin Freeman, 6-4, Jr. (17.3 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 54.2 FG pct. ); G Chris Wright, 6-1, Jr. (14.2 ppg, 4.0 apg); G Jason Clark, 6-2, So. (10.3 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 42.2 3FG pct.); F Julian Vaughn, 6-9, Jr.. (7.8 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 57.1 FG pct.).

Maryland

Nickname: Terrapins.

Location: College Park, Maryland.

Record: 23-8, 13-3. Bid: Atlantic Coast at-large.

NCAA history: 37-22 in 23 appearances. Last: 2009, lost to Memphis in the second round.

Coach: Gary Williams, 28-15 in 16 appearances.

Overview: For the second year in a row, the Terps got hot at the right time, losing one regular-season game after Feb. 1. There's little doubt they will go as far as guard Greivis Vasquez takes them, and the ACC's player of the year has developed into one of the top offensive threats in the nation as his 41-point outburst in a key late-season win against Virginia Tech proves.

Best wins: Duke, Florida State, Clemson.

Starters: G Greivis Vasquez, 6-6, Sr. (19.6 ppg, 6.3 apg, 43.6 FG pct.); F Landon Milbourne, 6-7, Sr. (12.4 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 50.0 FG pct.); G Eric Hayes, 6-4, Sr. (11.0 ppg, 3.9 apg, 45.2 3FG pct.); G Sean Mosley, 6-4, So. (10.8 ppg, 5.3 rpg 53.2 FG pct.); F Jordan Williams, 6-10, Fr. (9.3 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 50.9 FG pct.).

Michigan State

Nickname: Spartans.

Location: East Lansing.

Record: 24-8, 24-4. Bid: Big Ten at-large.

NCAA history: 48-22 in 23 appearances. Last: 2009, lost to North Carolina in the title game.

Coach: Tom Izzo, 31-11 in 12 appearances.

Overview: The Spartans lack a true center but have talent elsewhere to compensate. Yet they haven't had the consistency of last year. Izzo's teams have made five Final Fours in 11 seasons, but he needs someone - probably point guard Kalin Lucas - to lead more aggressively on the court.

Best wins: Purdue, Wisconsin, Gonzaga.

Starters: C Derrick Nix, 6-8, Fr. (2.3 ppg, 2.1 rpg., 51.7 FG pct.); F Raymar Morgan, 6-8, Sr. (11.1 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 54.0 FG pct.); G Chris Allen, 6-3, Jr. (9.1 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 40.8 3FG pct., 78.4 FT pct.); G Durrell Summers, 6-4, Jr. (10.3 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 81.2 FT pct.); G Kalin Lucas, 6-1, Jr. (14.8 ppg, 3.9 apg, 78.6 FT pct.).

Tennessee

Nickname: Volunteers.

Location: Knoxville, Tenn.

Record: 25-8, 11-5. Bid: Southeastern at-large.

NCAA history: 13-18 in 17 appearances. Last: 2009, lost to Oklahoma State in the first round.

Coach: Bruce Pearl, 7-6 in six appearances.

Overview: The Volunteers started the season 10-2 before four players were arrested and suspended after a traffic stop. Senior Tyler Smith was eventually dismissed from the team, but the Volunteers didn't let that stop them from succeeding.

Best wins: Kansas, Kentucky, Florida.

Starters: G Scotty Hopson, 6-7, So. (13.1 ppg, 1.2 apg, 1.0 spg); F-C Wayne Chism, 6-9, Sr. (12.4 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 1.5 bpg, 1.2 spg); G Bobby Maze, 6-3, Sr. (9.5 ppg, 3.2 apg, 82.4 FT pct.); G J.P. Prince, 6-7, Sr. (9.1 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 3.0 apg, 50.3 FG pct.); C Brian Williams, 6-10, Jr. (5.0 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 49.4 FG pct.)

Oklahoma State

Nickname: Cowboys.

Location: Stillwater, Okla.

Record: 22-10, 9-7. Bid: Big 12 at-large.

NCAA history: 38-22 in 23 appearances. Last: 2009, lost to Pittsburgh in the second round.

Coach: Travis Ford, 1-2 in two appearances.

Overview: The Cowboys bear watching, if for no other reason than they were the lone Big 12 team to beat Kansas in the regular season. Oh, and James Anderson is the league's top player.

Best wins: Kansas State, Texas A&M, Baylor, Kansas.

Starters: F Matt Pilgrim, 6-8, Jr. (8.1 ppg, 6.9 rpg); G Obi Muonelo, 6-5, Sr. (13.4 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 2.1 apg, 42.9 3FG pct., 59.4 FT pct.); G Keiton Page, 5-9, So. (10.2 ppg, 2.6 apg, 35.8 3FG pct., 89.2 FT pct.); G Fred Gulley, 6-2, Fr. (1.5 ppg, 1.3 apg, 50.0 FT pct.); G James Anderson, 6-6, Jr. (22.9 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 2.4 apg, 1.4 steals, 35.9 3FG pct., 80.9 FT pct.).

UNLV

Nickname: Runnin' Rebels.

Location: Las Vegas.

Record: 25-8, 11-5. Bid: Mountain West at-large.

NCAA history: 33-15 in 16 appearances. Last: 2008, lost to Kansas in second round.

Coach: Lon Kruger, 14-11 in 11 appearances.

Overview: The Rebels are in the NCAA field for the third time in four years. Leading scorer Tre'Von Willis does a little bit of everything. With no starter taller than 6-8, the Rebels can struggle against teams with size. Outside shooting (32.5 percent 3-point accuracy) is also a concern.

Best wins: New Mexico, Brigham Young, Louisville.

Starters: G Tre'Von Willis, 6-4, Jr. (17.7 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 3.6 apg); F Chance Stanback, 6-8, So. (10.6 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 80.6 FT pct.); G Oscar Bellfield, 6-2, So. (9.3 ppg, 4.6 apg); G Anthony Marshall, 6-3, Fr. (5.1 ppg); F Darris Santee, 6-8, Sr. (4.7 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 61.1 FG pct.).

Northern Iowa

Nickname: Panthers.

Location: Cedar Falls, Iowa.

Record: 28-4, 15-3. Bid: Missouri Valley champ.

NCAA history: 1-5 in five appearances. Last: 2009, lost to Purdue in the first round.

Coach: Ben Jacobson, 0-1 in one appearance.

Overview: Listen to the uh-ohs in the Panthers' corner of the bracket. They're balanced and go as much as 10 deep. They don't beat themselves, giving up 10 plus turnovers and 16 fouls a game. Their signature is a smothering defense that has held opponents to less than 41 percent shooting and 55 points a game. Note the three seniors and junior in the starting lineup and the fact they're NCAA-seasoned, playing Purdue within five points a year ago. They can win an NCAA game for the first time since 1990.

Best wins: Boston College, Iowa State, Iowa, Siena, Old Dominion, Wichita State.

Starters: F Adam Koch, 6-8, Sr. (11.8 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 83.4 FT pct.); C Jordan Eglseder, 7-0, Sr. (12.0 ppg, 7.3 rpg); G Johnny Moran, 6-1, So. (5.6 ppg, 3.4 rpg 81.8 FT pct.); G Ali Farokhmanesh, 6-0, Sr. (9.3 ppg, 86.0 FT pct.); G Kwadzo Ahelegbe, 6-2, Jr. (10.7 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 2.7 apg).

Georgia Tech

Nickname: Yellow Jackets.

Location: Atlanta.

Record: 22-12, 7-9. Bid: ACC at-large.

NCAA history: 22-15 in 15 appearances. Last: 2007, lost to UNLV in first round.

Coach: Paul Hewitt, 6-5 in five appearances.

Overview: After a three-year absence, the Yellow Jackets return to the Tournament with a club that features a blend of experience and youth. It starts up front, where veteran Gani Lawal and freshman Derrick Favors supply a solid 1-2 punch and do a good job on the boards.

Best wins: Duke, Clemson, Maryland

Starters: F Gani Lawal, 6-9, Jr. (13.6 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 52.7 FG pct.); F Derrick Favors, 6-10, Fr. (11.9 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 60.4 FG pct.); G/F D'Andre Bell, 6-6, Sr. (6.4 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 40.6 3FG pct.); G Iman Shumpert, 6-5, So. (10.0 ppg, 4.0 apg, 39.3 FG pct.); G Glen Rice, 6-5, Fr. (5.3 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 43..0 FG pct.).

San Diego State

Nickname: Aztecs.

Location: San Diego.

Record: 25-8, 11-5. Bid: Mountain West champ.

NCAA history: 0-5 in five appearances. Last: 2006, lost to Indiana in first round.

Coach: Steve Fisher, 20-8 in nine appearances.

Overview: For the third time in Fisher's 11 years, the Aztecs got the automatic bid. Freshman Kawhi Leonard, the team leader in scoring and rebounding, got stronger late in the season and was MVP for the Mountain West tournament.

Best wins: New Mexico, UNLV, Arizona.

Starters: F Kawhi Leonard, 6-7, Fr. (12.6 ppg, 9.6 rpg); F Malcolm Thomas, 6-9, Jr. (11.1 ppg, 7.9 rpg); F Billy White, 6-8, Jr. (10.6 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 57.6 FG pct.); G D.J. Gay, 6-0, Jr. (10.6 ppg, 3.2 apg); G Kelvin Davis, 6-3, Sr. (6.7 ppg).

New Mexico State

Nickname: Aggies.

Location: Las Cruces, N.M.

Record: 22-11, 11-5. Bid: Western Athletic champ.

NCAA history: 10-19 in 17 appearances. Last: 2007, lost to Texas in first round.

Coach: Marvin Menzies, first appearance.

Overview: The Aggies ended the regular season without much momentum, losing to Nevada and Utah State to finish third in the WAC. But they avenged those losses in the tournament. NMSU now seeks to advance beyond the first round for the first time since 1993. For the most part, NMSU is a smallish team that relies on ball pressure to create opportunities. But they have trouble establishing their pressure when they aren't shooting well, so they can't afford to fall behind.

Best wins: Texas-El Paso, Utah State.

Starters: G Jahmar Young, 6-5, Jr. (20.9 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 3.0 apg); G Jonathan Gibson, 6-1, Sr. (17.8 ppg); G Hernst Laroche, 6-1, So. (6.6 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 3.8 apg); F Wendell McKines, 6-6, Jr. (10.6 ppg, 9.9 rpg, 3.2 apg); C Hamidu Rahman, 6-11, So. (10.8 ppg, 8.4 rpg).

Houston

Nickname: Cougars.

Location: Houston.

Record: 19-15, 7-9. Bid: Conference USA champ.

NCAA history: 26-23 in 18 appearances. Last: 1992, lost to Georgia Tech in the first round.

Coach: Tom Penders, 12-10 in 10 appearances.

Overview: The Cougars won four games in four days to claim the league title. The team is led by an experienced backcourt in Aubrey Coleman (the nation's scoring leader) and Kelvin Lewis.

Best wins: Texas-El Paso, Memphis.

Starters: G Aubrey Coleman, 6-4, Sr. (26.0 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 2.6 spg); G Kelvin Lewis, 6-4, Sr. (14.9 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 78.2 FT pct.); F Kendrick Washington, 6-7, Fr. (4.3 ppg, 4.1 rpg); F Sean Coleman, 6-8, Sr. (3.8 ppg, 77.8 FT pct.); G Desmond Wade, 5-8, So. (6.0 ppg, 4.9 apg).

Ohio

Nickname: Bobcats.

Location: Athens, Ohio

Record: 21-14, 7-9. Bid: Mid-American champ.

NCAA history: 4-12 in 11 appearances. Last: 2005, lost to Florida in first round.

Coach: John Groce, first appearance

Overview: The Bobcats lost one starter in January to injury and a key player off the bench was dismissed from the team in February. Armon Bassett, the Bobcats' leading scorer, poured in a tournament-record 116 points to earn MVP honors.

Best wins: Kent State, Akron.

Starters: F Reggie Keely, 6-8, Fr. (5.5 ppg, 4.4 rpg); C Kenneth van Kempen, 6-10, Sr. (6.7 ppg, 6.9 rpg); G Armon Bassett, 6-2, Jr. (16.9 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 34.4 3FG pct., 82.3 FT pct.); G D.J. Cooper, 5-11, Fr. (13.1 ppg, 5.9 apg, 2.5 spg); F Tommy Freeman, 6-5, Jr. (10.1 ppg, 85.3 FT pct.).

Cal-Santa Barbara

Nickname: Gauchos.

Location: Santa Barbara, Calif.

Record: 20-9, 12-4. Bid: Big West champ.

NCAA history: 1-3 in three appearances. Last: Lost to Arizona in 2002.

Coach: Bob Williams, 0-1 in 1 appearance.

Overview: The Gauchos are a team that likes to share the ball, tied for the lead in the Big West averaging nearly 14 assists a game. They are also very good at stealing the ball away, averaging seven a game.

Best Wins: Pacific.

Starters: G Orlando Johnson, 6-5, So. (17.9 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 2.3 apg, 39.6 3FG pct.); F Jaime Serna, 6-7, So. (8 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 52.7 FG pct.); F James Nunnally,. 6-5, So. (15 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 46.5 3FG pct.); G Will Brew, Jr. 6-3, So. (4.9 ppg, 2.6 apg); G Jordan Weiner, 6-0, Jr. (3 ppg, 37.3 3FG pct.).

Lehigh

Nickname: Mountain Hawks.

Location: Bethlehem, Pa.

Record: 22-10, 10-4. Bid: Patriot champ.

NCAA history: 0-3 in three appearances. Last: 2004, lost to Florida A&M in the play-in game.

Coach: Brett Reed, first appearance.

Overview: CJ McCollum, who leads the team in scoring, field goal accuracy, 3-point accuracy and free-throw accuracy, is the first to be Patriot League freshman of the year and player of the year. The squad owns the nation's 10th-best 3-point percentage at 40.2.

Best wins: Quinnipiac, Delaware State, Lafayette.

Starters: G CJ McCollum, 6-3, Fr. (18.9 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 81.3 FT pct., 42.9 3FG pct.); G Marquis Hall, 6-0, Sr. (11.0 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 5.7 apg); F Zahir Carrington, 6-7, Sr. (10.8 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 51.9 FG pct.); F Gabe Knutson, 6-9, Fr. (9.6 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 51.9 FG pct., 76.3 FT pct.; G Dave Buchberger, 6-4, Sr. (6.2 ppg, 80.0 FT pct., 45.2 3FG pct.).

- Capsules compiled by Gannett