Keeping It Heel
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NCAA Tournament: South Region Power Rankings

By Brandon Griffin

Dec 3, 2016; Lexington, KY, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) dribbles the ball against Kentucky Wildcats guard De'Aaron Fox (0) at Rupp Arena. UCLA defeated Kentucky 97-92. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2016; Lexington, KY, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) dribbles the ball against Kentucky Wildcats guard De'Aaron Fox (0) at Rupp Arena. UCLA defeated Kentucky 97-92. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 7, 2017; Detroit, MI, USA; Northern Kentucky Norse forward Drew McDonald (34) gets defended by Milwaukee Panthers forward Brett Prahl (50) during the second half of the Horizon League Conference Tournament championship game at Joe Louis Arena. Northern Kentucky won 59-53. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 7, 2017; Detroit, MI, USA; Northern Kentucky Norse forward Drew McDonald (34) gets defended by Milwaukee Panthers forward Brett Prahl (50) during the second half of the Horizon League Conference Tournament championship game at Joe Louis Arena. Northern Kentucky won 59-53. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /

Teams 15-17

NCAA Appearance: First

Head Coach: John Brannen, 33-31 (Second Season)

Top Players: F Drew McDonald: 16.4 ppg, 7.4 rpg; G Lavon Holland II: 14.3 ppg, 4.1 apg, 1.3 spg (Horizon Tournament MVP); F Carson Williams: 10.8 ppg, 5.8 rpg.

How they got here: Went 24-10 overall and 12-6 to finish tied for third in the Horizon League. Beat No. 10 seed Milwaukee 59-53 to claim the Horizon automatic qualifier.

Best Case Scenario: Malik Monk leaves early for the NBA. The resulting uproar leaves Kentucky in a daze and the Norse pull the upset. In reality, Northern Kentucky stays close for about a half before the Wildcats win by 20.

Mar 11, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Kent State Golden Flashes guard Jalen Avery (0) and guard Jaylin Walker (23) celebrate after winning MAC Conference Tournament championship game against the Akron Zips at Quicken Loans Arena. Kent State won 70-65. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 11, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Kent State Golden Flashes guard Jalen Avery (0) and guard Jaylin Walker (23) celebrate after winning MAC Conference Tournament championship game against the Akron Zips at Quicken Loans Arena. Kent State won 70-65. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

NCAA Appearance: Sixth (First Since 2008)

Head Coach: Rob Senderoff, 122-80 (Sixth Season)

Top Players: F Jimmy Hall: 18.9 ppg, 10.5 rpg, 2.4 apg; G Deon Edwin: 13 ppg, 5.6 apg, 1.3 spg; G Jaylin Walker: 15.6 ppg, 4.3 rpg (MAC Tournament MVP).

How they got here: Went 22-13 overall and 10-8 to finish fourth in the MAC East. As the six seed in the Mid American tournament they beat number one seed Akron 70-65 to claim the MAC automatic qualifier.

Best Case Scenario: Lonzo Ball fearing an ankle injury is pulled out of the game by his Father, LaVar Ball.  Steve Alford tells his son Bryce to never pass and the Golden Flashes surprise the Bruins. In reality, Jaylin Walker continues his MAC tourney performance and Kent State loses by ten but makes UCLA sweat for it.

Dec 21, 2016; Waco, TX, USA; Texas Southern Tigers guard Dulani Robinson (11) controls the ball on Baylor Bears guard Ishmail Wainright (24) during the first half at Ferrell Center. Baylor won 89-63. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 21, 2016; Waco, TX, USA; Texas Southern Tigers guard Dulani Robinson (11) controls the ball on Baylor Bears guard Ishmail Wainright (24) during the first half at Ferrell Center. Baylor won 89-63. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports /

NCAA Appearance: Seventh (First Since 2015)

Head Coach: Mike Davis, 98-68 (Fifth Season)

Top Players: G Demontrae Jefferson: 14.9 ppg, 3.3 apg; G Zach Lofton: 17 ppg, 1.4 spg; C Marvin Jones: 8.5 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 1.6 bpg (SWAC tournament MVP).

How they got here: Went 23-11 overall and 16-2 to finish first in the SWAC. Beat number two seed Alcorn State 53-50 to claim the SWAC automatic qualifier.

Best Case Scenario: Mike Davis uses his time machine to turn back the clocks to the 2001-02 season when he coached at Indiana. Marvin Jones turns into Jarred Jefferies and Roy WIlliams’ squad becomes the 8-20 team. Texas Southern wins by 30.

In reality, UNC doesn’t take their opponent seriously and the game is close for the first five minutes, before Roy pulls out all five starter and chews them out on the bench. Luke Maye hits back-to-back threes as the Tar Heels cruise to a first round blow out.

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