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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Dec 16, 2015; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Winthrop Eagles forward Jarad Scott (35) goes for a rebound along with Alabama Crimson Tide forward Riley Norris (1) during the game at Coleman Coliseum. Alabama won 72-60. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 16, 2015; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Winthrop Eagles forward Jarad Scott (35) goes for a rebound along with Alabama Crimson Tide forward Riley Norris (1) during the game at Coleman Coliseum. Alabama won 72-60. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /

Teams 13 and14

NCAA Appearance: Tenth (First Since 2010)

Head Coach: Pat Kelsey, 102-58 (Fifth Season)

Top Players: G Xavier Cooks: 16.3 ppg, 9.2 rpg, 1.8 bpg; G Keon Johnson: 22.5 ppg, 3.9 rpg (Big South tournament MVP); G Bjorn Broman: 5.5 ppg, 2.2 apg.

How they got here: Went 26-6 overall and 15-3 to finish first in the Big South. Beat number seven seed Campbell 76-59 to claim the Big South automatic qualifier.

Best Case Scenario: Keon Johnson goes Damian Lillard on the Butler Bulldogs, scoring 50 points. Winthrop walks out with the upset. The Eagles thinking they have found their groove can’t get past Minnesota in the next round.

Mar 11, 2017; Birmingham, AL, USA; Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders forward JaCorey Williams (22) controls the ball against Marshall Thundering Herd during the first half of the Conference USA Tournament at Legacy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 11, 2017; Birmingham, AL, USA; Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders forward JaCorey Williams (22) controls the ball against Marshall Thundering Herd during the first half of the Conference USA Tournament at Legacy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /

(12 Seed). . MTSU Blue Raiders. 13. team. 2370.

NCAA Appearance: Ninth (First Since 2016)

Head Coach: Kermit Davis, 306-178 (15th Season)

Top Players: F JaCorey Williams: 17.3 ppg, 7.3 rpg; F Reggie Upshaw: 14.5 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 2.4 apg; G Giddy Potts: 15.8 ppg, 5.5 rpg (Conference USA tournament MVP).

How they got here: Went 30-4 overall and 17-1 to finish first in Conference USA. Beat number six seed Marshall 83-72 to claim the CUSA automatic qualifier.

Best Case Scenario: A popular upset pick by many, the Blue Raiders win a close one against Minnesota and then shock Butler in the next round. With their ever appearance in the Sweet 16, the Middle Tennessee State’s magic runs out with a loss to the top seeded UNC Tar Heels.

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