Midwest Region Preview

Top Dog – Kansas (1)
Coach Bill Self’s crew has yet to be tested in the NCAA Tournament, coasting to an 85-61 win over Portland State in the first round before taking a 75-56 victory against overmatched UNLV in the second round. The Jayhawks were able to take (and make) any shot they wanted before advancing to the Sweet 16 — shooting 55.9 percent (62-of-111) from the field and 44.7 percent (17-of-38) from the 3-point line in two blowouts. KU’s 55.9 percent (19-of-34) from the free throw line might be a concern had the games been closer. As it stands, Kansas is playing like a champion as it attempts to win the school’s first NCAA title since “Danny Manning and the Miracles” in 1988.

Underdog – Villanova (12)
Following a 75-69 upset of No. 5 seed Clemson in the opening round, the No. 12 seed Wildcats were actually favored heading into their match-up with No. 13 seed Siena, which ended in a 84-72 victory and trip to the Sweet 16. Nova has received consecutive big games from shooting star sophomore Scottie Reynolds, who is averaging 23 points and six rebounds per game in the Big Dance. Reynolds, however, has been inconsistent — with two assists and six turnovers vs. Clemson, then five assists and zero miscues vs. Siena — and can only carry the Cats so far.

Go-To Guy – Stephen Curry, SG, Davidson (10)
The son of 16-year NBA veteran Dell Curry was arguably the most outstanding player of the NCAA Tournament’s opening weekend. Stephen Curry scored 40 points (including 30 second-half points) in an 82-76 upset of Gonzaga. Then, the sophomore sharpshooter turned around and dropped 30 points in a shocking 74-70 knock out of powerhouse Georgetown. The Wildcats leader has connected on 13-of-25 shots from 3-point range (8-of-10 from downtown vs. Gonzaga) and 13-of-16 from the free throw line (9-of-10 under pressure vs. Georgetown) during Davidson’s remarkable Sweet 16 run. Nearly as impressive, the Cats are on a 24-game winning streak after starting the year with a 4-6 record.

X-Factor – Michael Flowers, PG, Wisconsin (3)
The Badgers are a well-coached, aggressive defensive unit that led the country by holding opponents to only 54.3 points per game during the regular season. Wisconsin has "relaxed" a little during the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament, allowing an average of 55.5 points in two victories — a 71-56 win over Cal-State Fullerton in the opening round and a 72-55 win over Kansas State in the second round. Against Davidson’s Stephen Curry, two-time Big Ten All-Defensive team member Flowers will likely be charged with locking down the top scorer in the Big Dance thus far.