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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 10, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas State Wildcats players celebrate after a score in the second half against the West Virginia Mountaineers during the Big 12 Championship Tournament at Sprint Center. West Virginia won 51-50. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 10, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas State Wildcats players celebrate after a score in the second half against the West Virginia Mountaineers during the Big 12 Championship Tournament at Sprint Center. West Virginia won 51-50. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /

Teams 7 and 8

NCAA Appearance: 29th (First Since 2014)

Head Coach: Bruce Weber, 99-67 (Fifth Season)

Top Players: F Wesley Iwundu: 12.5 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 3.4 apg (Big 12 Third team); G Kamau Stokes: 11.6 ppg, 4.3 apg; G Barry Brown: 11.7 ppg, 2.4 spg.

How they got here: Went 20-13 overall and 8-10 to finish sixth in the Big 12. Received and at large bid after losing to number two seed West Virginia 51-50 in the Big 12 Semifinals.

Best Case Scenario: Kansas State takes care of Wake Forest showing off their impressive defense. They then hit some late free throws to upset Cincinnati before also shocking UCLA on their way to their first Sweet 16 since 2010.

The magic stops there though as the Wildcats aren’t able to handle the bigger and more talented Kentucky Wildcats in Memphis.

Mar 11, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers guard Nate Mason (2) shoots the ball past Michigan Wolverines guard Xavier Simpson (3) in the second half during the Big Ten Conference Tournament at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 11, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers guard Nate Mason (2) shoots the ball past Michigan Wolverines guard Xavier Simpson (3) in the second half during the Big Ten Conference Tournament at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

NCAA Appearance: 13th (First Since 2013)

Head Coach: Richard Pitino, 75-60 (Fourth Season)

Top Players: G Nate Mason: 15.5 ppg, 5 apg (Big Ten First Team); G Amir Coffey: 12.1 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 3.1 apg (Big Ten Freshmen Team); C Reggie Lynch: 8.4 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 3.5 bpg (Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year).

How they got here: Went 24-9 overall and 11-7 to finish fourth in the Big Ten. Received and at large bid after losing to number eight seed Michigan 84-77 in the Big Ten Semifinals.

Best Case Scenario: Richard Pitino has a sit down with his dad, Rick Pitino, in the days leading up to the first round match-up with Middle Tennessee State. During this time he envelops his dad’s wisdom and comes out coaching like a a genius.

His Gophers stymie the Blue Raiders and then shoot past Butler in the second round. However, like his dad this season, Richard is not able to find a way to beat North Carolina and Minnesota’s season ends in the Sweet Sixteen.

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