5 big questions entering the NCAA tournament
Heading into March Madness there are a number of things that should be observed before filling in your bracket.
Here are five major questions to consider before the tournament.
Can anybody stop Kentucky?
While many discredited the SEC before the season, Kentucky's resume at 34-0 has been impressive. But there will be tests in the Wildcats' road ahead, considering they play in possibly the toughest region - the Midwest.
Kansas, Notre Dame, Maryland and West Virginia will salivate at a chance at ending Kentucky's run. Or could it be Hampton that pulls off the greatest upset in tournament history in the first round.
Who will be the Cinderella story?
Northern Iowa moved up the polls for some doubters with its 18-point comeback against Illinois State to win the Mountain Valley conference.
Wichita State is a candidate with experience in the NCAA tournament. Gregg Marshall's squad went 28-4 and is looking to make another wild run.
SMU was famously snubbed from the tournament last year, and winning the American Athletic Conference secured a spot for the Mustangs this time.
Or could it be late-bloomers Boise State or Davidson that make a statement with a run?
Which ACC tournament loss tells us more, Duke's or Virginia's?
The ACC's top two teams were upset in the semifinals of the conference tournament. Duke's 74-64 loss to eventual champion Notre Dame was a surprise, while North Carolina handed top-seeded Virginia a 71-67 upset.
The Blue Devils saw their 12-game win streak come to an end, leaving the question of whether a chink in their armor has been revealed, or was it just a minor setback?
The Tar Heels exposed a usually good Cavaliers defense to the tune of a 54.8 field-goal percentage and out-assisted them 17-8. Has Virginia been figured out?
It will be interesting to see if the pair can bounce back to make a run at the dance.
Which player's NBA stock will move the most?
Every year, a lesser-known player has an impressive outing at the tournament and the NBA takes notice.
Last year it was Wichita State's Cleanthony Early, who made himself a draft pick with his performance during the Shockers' run.
Who will it be this year that separates himself from his team and competition with an eye-opening series of performances?
Which team got the least amount of respect with their seeding?
Notre Dame sits at a noticeably low No. 3 in the competitive Midwest Region.
The East Region has Louisville sitting at No. 4, which is interesting considering its record compared to No. 3 Oklahoma. And then there's the No. 5 slot for Northern Iowa.
Utah should have a legitimate beef with being No. 5 in the South Region, especially with Georgetown placed ahead of them at No. 4.
Ohio State was punished with a No. 10 drawing in the West Region, and having Arkansas sit at No. 5 behind No. 4 North Carolina is disputable.
We'll soon see who truly belongs where.