Keeping It Heel
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NCAA Tournament: Ranking the teams in the Midwest Region

By Davis Wallace

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 09: Kenny Williams #24 of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts after a shot against the Duke Blue Devils during their game at Dean Smith Center on March 09, 2019 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 09: Kenny Williams #24 of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts after a shot against the Duke Blue Devils during their game at Dean Smith Center on March 09, 2019 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 16: Head coach Mike Hopkins of the Washington Huskies yells to his players during the championship game of the Pac-12 basketball tournament against the Oregon Ducks at T-Mobile Arena on March 16, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Ducks defeated the Huskies 68-48. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 16: Head coach Mike Hopkins of the Washington Huskies yells to his players during the championship game of the Pac-12 basketball tournament against the Oregon Ducks at T-Mobile Arena on March 16, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Ducks defeated the Huskies 68-48. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

Teams that can bust brackets

No. 12 Ohio State Buckeyes (19-14)

Still not sure how this group of Buckeyes made the tournament. They went 8-12 in the Big 10, and have one win vs a top-25 team. Iowa was ranked 22nd back on Feb 26 when Ohio State defeated them 90-70. If Kaleb Wesson plays, they have more than a fighter’s chance of winning.

No. 11 New Mexico State Aggies (30-4)

People consider the Aggies one of the best mid-major teams in the tournament as they are one of the top offensive rebounding teams in the nation. They dominated their conference, score, defend and barely lost to Kansas (three-point loss) earlier in the year. What more is there to say?

It’s also worth noting that since 1985 there have only been five times when at least one No. 12 did not advance to the next round.

No. 10 Washington Huskies (26-8)

Mike Hopkins comes from the Jim Boeheim coaching tree, where it’s all about the 2-3 zone defense. They have one of the best defenders in the county with guard Matisse Thybulle controlling the perimeter.

No. 9 Seton Hall Pirates (20-13)

The Pirates have been gelling at the right time, and barely lost in the Big East Tournament Championship game to Villanova. They have key victories over Kentucky, Maryland, and Marquette; all tournament teams. They are led by junior guard Myles Powell.

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