South Region preview

Duke

Nickname: Blue Devils.

Location: Durham, N.C.

Record: 29-5, 13-3. Bid: ACC champ.

NCAA history: 88-30 in 33 appearances. Last: 2009, lost to Villanova in regional semifinals.

Coach: Mike Krzyzewski, 71-22 in 25 appearances.

Overview: In what was generally considered a down year for the ACC, the Blue Devils were the league's highest-ranked team and played one of the nation's toughest schedules. There's plenty of experience here with the return of Kyle Singler, Jon Scheyer, Nolan Smith and Lance Thomas from last season's Sweet 16 team.

Best wins: Gonzaga, Georgia Tech, Maryland

Starters: F Kyle Singler, 6-8, Jr. (17.2 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 2.3 apg): G Jon Scheyer, 6-5, Sr. (18.9 ppg, 5.2 apg, 39.9 3FG pct.); G Nolan Smith, 6-2, Jr. (17.6 ppg, 3.0 apg, 40.4 3FG pct.); F Lance Thomas, 6-8, Sr. (5.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 45.5 FG pct.); C Brian Zoubek, 7-1, Sr. (5.4 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 63.6 FG pct.).

Villanova

Nickname: Wildcats. Location: Villanova, Pa.

Record: 24-7, 13-5. Bid: Big East at-large.

NCAA history: 48-30 in 30 appearances. Last: 2009, lost to North Carolina in the national semifinals.

Coach: Jay Wright, 11-7 in seven appearances.

Overview: A talented, veteran group with plenty of holdover experience from last season's Final Four run, the Wildcats were at or near the top of the Big East for most of the season but stumbled down the stretch and finished as the league's fourth seed.

Best wins: Georgetown, West Virginia, Louisville.

Starters: G Scottie Reynolds, 6-2, Sr. (18.8 ppg, 4.4 apg, 48.1 FG pct.); G Corey Fisher, 6-1, Jr. (13.6 ppg, 4.0 apg, 45.4 FG pct.); F Antonio Pena, 6-8, Jr. (10.8 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 56.8 FG pct.); G Corey Stokes, 6-5, Jr. (9.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 87.8 FT pct.); G Reggie Redding, 6-5, Sr. (7.7 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 44.2 FG pct.).

Baylor

Nickname: Bears. Location: Waco, Texas.

Record: 25-7, 11-5. Bid: Big 12 at-large.

NCAA history: 3-7 in five appearances. Last: 2008, lost to Purdue in the first round.

Coach: Scott Drew, 0-1 in one appearance.

Overview: A dangerous team. To the dynamic backcourt of LaceDarius Dunn and Tweety Carter, the Bears added an inside difference-maker in Ekpe Udoh. The Michigan transfer led the Big 12 in blocked shots and was second in rebounding.

Best wins: Xavier, Arizona State, Oklahoma State, Missouri, Texas A&M, sweep of Texas.

Starters: F Ekpe Udoh, 6-10, Jr. (13.4 ppg, 9.8 rpg, 2.6 apg, 4.1 blocks); F Anthony Jones, 6-10, So. (6.6 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 1.1 apg, 32.7 3FG pct.); C Josh Lomers, 7-0, Sr. (6.6 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 71.3 FG pct.); G LaceDarius Dunn, 6-4, Jr. (19.2 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 1.7 apg, 1.2 steals, 42.4 3FG pct., 86.6 FT pct.); G Tweety Carter, 5-10, Sr. (15.8 ppg, 6.3 apg, 1.3 steals, 39.0 3FG pct., 82.4 FT pct.).

Purdue

Nickname: Boilermakers.

Location: West Lafayette, Ind.

Record: 27-5, 14-4. Bid: Big Ten at-large.

NCAA history: 31-23 in 23 appearances. Last: 2009, lost to Connecticut in regional semifinals.

Coach: Matt Painter, 4-4 in four appearances.

Overview: Once a front-runner for a No. 1 seed, Purdue's chances crashed with the loss of junior Robbie Hummel (15.7 points a game, 6.9 rebounds), who tore a ligament in his right knee Feb. 24. Hopes of advancing in the NCAA tourney rest largely with leading-scoring guard E'Twaun Moore and center JaJuan Johnson.

Best wins: West Virginia, Tennessee, Ohio State.

Starters: C JaJuan Johnson, 6-10, Jr. (14.9 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 50.7 FG pct., 72.3 FT pct.); G Keaton Grant, 6-4, Sr. (6.8 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 40.8 FG pct.), 29.7 3FG pct., 81.6 FT pct.); G Chris Kramer, 6-3, Sr. (6.5 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 2.4 apg, 57.7 FG pct.); G Lewis Jackson, 5-9, So. (2.3 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 2.9 apg, 40.7 FG pct.); G E'Twaun Moore, 6-4, Jr. (16.7 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 2.9 apg, 47.0 FG pct., 36.1 3FG pct.).

Texas A&M

Nickname: Aggies. Location: College Station.

Record: 23-9, 11-5. Bid: Big 12 at-large.

NCAA history: 8-11 in 10 appearances. Last: 2009, lost to Connecticut in the second round.

Coach: Mark Turgeon, 4-3 in three appearances.

Overview: The Aggies ended Missouri's 32-game home winning streak and fell to Kansas by five points. Donald Sloan is a good shooter and playmaker, and all revolves around him. Best wins: Clemson, Missouri, Baylor, Texas, Oklahoma State.

Starters: F Khris Middleton, 6-7, Fr. (6.4 ppg, 3.6 rpg); F David Loubeau, 6-8, So. (9.1 ppg, 4.8 rpg); C Bryan Davis, 6-9, Sr. (10.0 ppg, 8.0 rpg); G Donald Sloan, 6-3, Sr. (17.9 ppg, 3.6 rpg); G Dash Harris, 6-1, So. (5.0 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 3.3 apg).

Notre Dame

Nickname: Fighting Irish. Location: South Bend, Ind.

Record: 23-11, 10-8. Bid: Big East at-large.

NCAA history: 34-28 in 27 appearances. Last: 2008, lost to Washington State in the second round.

Coach: Mike Brey, 5-7 in seven appearances.

Overview: Just when it looked like the season was lost, with forward Luke Harangody sidelined because of a knee injury, the Irish dedicated themselves to defense and got key late victories. Harangody returned late in the season.

Best wins: West Virginia, Pittsburgh, Georgetown.

Starters: F Carlton Scott, 6-7, Jr. (4.6 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 48.2 FG pct.); F Tim Abromaitis, 6-8, Jr. (17.2 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 44.9 3FG pct.); G Ben Hansbrough, 6-3, Jr. (12.0 ppg, 4.5 apg, 41.7 3FG pct.); G Tory Jackson, 5-11, Sr. (9.7 ppg, 5.3 apg, 41.0 FG pct.); F Tyrone Nash, 6-8, Jr. (8.1 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 54.0 FG pct.).

Richmond

Nickname: Spiders.

Location: Richmond, Va.

Record: 26-8, 13-3. Bid: Atlantic 10 at-large.

NCAA history: 6-7 in seven appearances. Last: 2004, lost to Wisconsin in first round

Coach: Chris Mooney, first trip.

Overview: Richmond is in the midst of one of the best seasons in school history, even cracking the coaches' Top 25 in early February. The Spiders are doing it with defense. They allow 61.4 points per game and hold teams to just 39 percent shooting from the field.

Best wins: Temple, Old Dominion, Missouri.

Starters: G Kevin Anderson, 6-0, Jr. (17.8 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 2.7 apg, 1.8 spg, 83.5 FT pct.); G David Gonzalvez., 6-4, Sr. (14.3 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.8 spg); F Justin Harper, 6-10, Jr. (10.7 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 1.1 apg, 48.8 FG pct.); G-F Ryan Butler, 6-7, Sr. (8.0 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 1.6 apg, 77.5 FT pct.); G Darrius Garrett, 6-9, So. (2.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 1.9 bpg).

California

Nickname: Golden Bears. Location: Berkeley.

Record: 23-10, 13-5. Bid: Pacific-10 at-large.

NCAA history: 18-15 in 15 appearances. Last: 2009, lost to Maryland in first round.

Coach: Mike Montgomery, 16-13 in 13 appearances.

Overview: Cal won a league regular-season title for the first time since 1960. Not a great defensive team and not much size in the starting lineup. The strengths are experience and shooting.

Best wins: Washington, Arizona State.

Starters: F Jamal Boykin, 6-8, Sr. (11.7 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 59.2 FG pct., 85.7 FT pct.); F Omondi Amoke, 6-7, So. (4.5 ppg, 4.6 rpg); F Theo Robertson, 6-6, Sr. (13.8 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 43.5 3FG pct. 79.2 FT pct.); G Jerome Randle, 5-10, Sr. (18.7 ppg, 4.5 apg, 40.4 3FG pct., 92.7 FT pct.), G Patrick Christopher, 6-5, Sr. (16.0 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 84.7 FT pct.).

Reserves: G Jorge Gutierrez, 6-3, So. (5.5 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 45.7 3FG pct.); C Markhuri Sanders-Frison, 6-8, Jr. (3.4 ppg, 3.3 rpg).

Louisville

Nickname: Cardinals. Location: Louisville.

Record: 20-12, 11-7. Bid: Big East at-large.

NCAA history: 60-37 in 35 appearances. Last: 2009, lost to Michigan State in a regional final.

Coach: Rick Pitino, 38-13 in 14 appearances.

Overview: The Cardinals looked as if they might be an NIT team when they dropped three of their first eight, including to Charlotte and Western Carolina. But they came on strong in the Big East and turned into a tough opponent.

Best wins: Syracuse, Notre Dame, Connecticut.

Starters: F Samardo Samuels, 6-9, So. (15.4 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 51.7 pct. FG pct.); G Edgar Sosa, 6-2, Sr. (12.8 ppg, 4.7 apg, 36.7 3 FG pct.); G Jerry Smith, 6-2, Sr. (8.4 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 39.8 FG pct.; G Reginald Delk, 6-5, Sr. (6.3 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 46.3 FG pct.); F Jared Swopshire, 6-8, So. (7.8 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 84.3 FT pct.).

Saint Mary's

Nickname: Gaels. Location: Moraga, Calif.

Record: 26-5, 11-3. Bid: West Coast champ.

NCAA history: 1-5 in five appearances. Last: 2008, lost to Miami (Fla.) in the first round.

Coach: Randy Bennett, 0-2 in two appearances.

Overview: The Gaels didn't leave anything to chance with the committee, turning in their best performance of the campaign to beat Gonzaga in the WCC final.

Best wins: San Diego State, Utah State, Gonzaga.

Starters: C Omar Samhan, 6-11, Sr. (21.5 ppg, 11.1 rpg,; G Mickey McConnell, 6-0, Jr. (13.2 ppg, 5.3 apg, 50.8 3FG pct.), 82.5 FT pct.); G Matthew Dellavedova, 6-4, Fr. (12.5 ppg); F Ben Allen, 6-11, Sr. (10.8 ppg, 7.5 rpg); F Clint Steindl, 6-7, So. (7.3 ppg).

Old Dominion

Nickname: Monarchs.

Location: Norfolk, Va.

Record: 26-8, 15-3. Bid: Colonial Athletic Association champ.

NCAA history: 2-9 in nine appearances. Last: 2007, lost to Butler in the first round.

Coach: Blaine Taylor, 0-4 in four NCAA appearances.

Overview: The Monarchs have a good-sized front court and posted the best rebounding margin in the Colonial with four players who average almost five rebounds a game.

Best win: Georgetown.

Starters: F Gerald Lee, 6-10, Sr. (14.6 ppg., 4.9 rpg, 54.1 FG pct.); F Frank Hassell, 6-8, Jr. (8.9 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 54.7 FG pct.); G Darius James, 6-1, Jr. (7.1 ppg, 3.4 apg); G-F Kent Bazemore, 6-5, So. (8.4 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 3.3 apg); G-F Ben Finney, 6-5, Jr. (8.8 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 31.5 3FG pct).

Utah State

Nickname: Aggies. Location: Logan.

Record: 27-7, 14-2. Bid: Western Athletic at-large.

NCAA history: 6-20 in 18 appearances. Last: 2009, lost to Marquette in first round.

Coach: Stew Morrill, 1-7 in seven appearances.

Overview: USU's 17-game winning streak ended in the WAC final, and it had to sweat out Selection Sunday. Its one-point loss last season indicates it's not an easy out.

Best wins: Brigham Young, Weber State, Nevada.

Starters: F Nate Bendall, 6-9, Jr. (10.5 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 56.8 FG pct.), 81.4 FT pct.); F Tai Wesley, 6-7, Jr. (13.7 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 3.3 apg, 57.8 FG pct.); G Pooh Williams, 6-3, Jr. (8.7 ppg); G Jared Quayle, 6-1 Sr. (11.9 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 4.3 apg, 43.2 3FG pct., 88.9 FT pct.); G Tyler Newbold, 6-4, Jr. (8.3 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 3.0 apg, 42.5 3FG pct.), 89.5 FT pct.).

Siena

Nickname: Saints. Location: Loudonville, N.Y.

Record: 27-6, 17-1. Bid: Metro Atlantic champion.

NCAA history: 4-5 in five appearances. Last: 2009, lost to Louisville in the second round.

Coach: Fran McCaffery, 2-4 in four appearances.

Overview: Siena gets balanced scoring, with four starters averaging in double figures and the fifth, Ronald Moore, leading the nation with 7.8 assists a game.

Best wins: Northeastern, Fairfield, Iona.

Starters: F Edwin Ubiles, 6-6, Sr. (15.2 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 2.3 apg); F Alex Franklin, 6-5, Sr. (16.3 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 1.3 apg); C Ryan Rossiter, 6-9, Jr. (13.9 ppg, 11.1 rpg, 1.0 apg); G Clarence Jackson, 6-3, Jr. (13.6 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 0.8 apg); G Ronald Moore, 6-0, Sr. (6.8 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 7.8 apg).

Sam Houston State

Nickname: Bearkats. Location: Huntsville, Texas.

Record: 25-7, 14-2. Bid: Southland champ.

NCAA history: 0-1. Last: 2003, lost to Florida in the first round.

Coach: Bob Marlin, 0-1 in one appearance.

Overview: One thing the Bearkats do better than any other team in the Southland is spread the rock, notching a conference-best 20.4 assists a game.

Best wins: Auburn, Stephen F. Austin, Southeastern Louisiana.

Starters: F Gilberto Clavell, 6-6, Jr., (16.7 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 57.1 FG pct.); F Josten Crow, 6-4, Jr., (8.3 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 3.9 apg, 41.4 3FG pct.); G Corey Allmond, 6-1, Sr., (15.8 ppg); G Ashton Mitchell, 5-11, Sr., (12.6 ppg, 5.0 apg, 43.1 3FG pct.); F Preston Brown, 6-6, Sr., (9.2 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 40.3 3FG pct.).

Reserves: C Antuan Bootle, 6-7, So., (4.4 ppg, 5.1 rpg); G Lance Pevehouse, 6-2, Jr., (6.2 ppg, 4.1 rpg); G Drae Murray, 5-10, So., (4.5 ppg, 3.7 apg).

Robert Morris

Nickname: Colonials. Location: Moon Township, Pa.

Record: 23-11, 15-3. Bid: Northeast champion.

NCAA history: 1-6 in six appearances. Last: 2009, lost to Michigan State in the first round.

Coach: Mike Rice, 0-1 in one appearance.

Overview: The Colonials are in for the second season in a row after winning at regular-season champion Quinnipiac in the conference title game. They start three seniors.

Best wins: Morgan State, Ohio, Quinnipiac.

Starters: G Karon Abraham, 5-9, Fr. (12.9 ppg, 86.3 FT pct., 43.6 3FG pct.); F Dallas Green, 6-8, Sr. (6.2 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 50.4 FG pct.); F Rob Robinson, 6-8, Sr. (10.2 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 52.0 FG pct.); G Mezie Nwigwe, 6-4, Sr. (8.5 ppg, 4.3 rpg); G Velton Jones, 6-0, Fr. (8.2 ppg).

Arkansas-Pine Bluff

Nickname: Golden Lions. Location: Pine Bluff, Ark.

Record: 17-15, 14-4. Bid: SWAC champ.

NCAA history: First appearance.

Coach: George Ivory, first appearance.

Overview: The senior-heavy Golden Lions lost all of their non-conference games and started the season 0-11, but rallied to win the SWAC for the first time in school history.

Best wins: Ala. State, Texas Southern, Prairie View A&M.

Starters: G Terrance Calvin, 6-2, Sr., (10.6 ppg, .810 FT pct.), 5.2 rpg, 4.1 apg); G Allen Smith, 5-10, Sr., (4.3 ppg, 1.9 apg); C Lebaron Weathers, 6-8, Sr., (10.1 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 1.2 bpg); G Tavaris Washington, 6-5, Sr., (9.4 ppg, .587 FG pct., 4.6 rpg, 1.6 spg); F Tyree Glass, 6-7, Sr., (8.4 ppg, .462 FG pct., 3.7 rpg).

Winthrop

Nickname: Eagles. Location: Rock Hill, S.C.

Record: 19-13, 12-6. Bid: Big South champ.

NCAA history: 1-8 in eight appearances. Last: 2007, lost to Oregon in the second round.

Coach: Randy Peele, 1-2 in two appearances.

Overview: Winthrop started 5-9 and dropped three of four entering the Big South tournament. But the Eagles knocked off the top two seeds, en route to their record 10th Big South title.

Best win: Coastal Carolina.

Starters: G Reggie Middleton, 6-1, So. (10.3 ppg); C Matt Morgan 6-9, So. (9.6 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 50.2 FG pct.); F Mantoris Robinson, 6-5, Sr. (8.2 ppg, 6.2 rpg); C Andy Buechert, 6-10, Sr. (5.8 ppg, 6.5 rpg); G Robbie Dreher, 6-4, Fr. (6.1 ppg).