5 questions entering the Sweet 16
The first weekend of this year's NCAA Tournament couldn't have been more chalky, with each region's top-three seeds advancing to the Sweet 16 for the second time since the Big Dance expanded from 32 to 64 teams in 1985.
Cinderella may have left the ball, but all the remaining titans could make for some highly competitive clashes. Here are five questions to consider entering the Sweet 16.
How will Duke respond after emotional win?
Duke avoided a catastrophic upset to UCF in the Round of 32, escaping with a 77-76 victory. Head coach Mike Krzyzewski said his team got "lucky" - and that won't cut it at this point of the tournament. Perhaps this will be a wake-up call for the Blue Devils. It could also be confirmation of the blueprint for taking down Duke.
The Knights packed the paint and forced the Blue Devils to beat them from the perimeter. It might have worked if Duke hadn't made 10 threes and shot an uncharacteristic 40 percent from downtown. The Blue Devils connected on 30.2 percent of their 3-pointers during the regular season, and UConn's 32.9 percent clip in 2011 is the lowest out of the past 19 national champions.
Duke's opponents will likely attempt a similar strategy to UCF's, and Krzyzewski could counter by reinserting Alex O'Connell into the rotation or giving four-star freshman Joey Baker a chance. Either way, Duke's shooting will go a long way toward determining its national championship hopes.
Is this Virginia's year?
Virginia survived a shaky start against 16th-seeded Gardner-Webb and produced a trademark gritty win over Oklahoma to reach the Sweet 16. Tony Bennett's club has made the Elite Eight once during his decade-long tenure, but the Cavaliers are in good position to surpass that.
Virginia has a date with 12-seed Oregon in the Sweet 16 and would face Tennessee or Purdue in the Elite Eight, all teams that prefer the same slow pace that the Cavaliers are notorious for. Virginia has always been one of the nation's best defensive units and now has more offensive punch to back it up. The Cavaliers are loaded with shooters, including potential NBA lottery pick De'Andre Hunter, who was on the sidelines for last year's historic loss to UMBC.
Can Gonzaga avenge loss to FSU?
Gonzaga was eliminated a year ago at this very same stage against Florida State. However, the Bulldogs match up better against the Seminoles' length and athleticism this time.
Junior transfer Brandon Clarke has been a revelation for the Zags, averaging 17 points and 8.4 boards per contest during the regular season. Clarke's 3.1 blocks per game tied for third in the nation. The rangy big man runs the floor well in transition, and his relentless motor was on full display in a monster 36-point, eight-rebound, five-block performance against Baylor in the Round of 32.
Killian Tillie was another piece missing from the previous installment. The Frenchman is Gonzaga's Swiss Army knife with his ability to shoot from beyond the arc and defend multiple positions.
Is Kentucky in trouble without PJ Washington?
Kentucky's defense has shined in its two tournament wins, most notably against Wofford. The Wildcats shut down sharpshooter Fletcher Magee by tracking his off-ball movements and smothering him once the ball was in his hands. Magee was 0-for-12 from downtown and 11 of those attempts were contested, according to ESPN Stats & Info.
Wofford's 56 points against Kentucky was well below the Terriers' regular-season average of 83, and that should reassure the Wildcats should they face North Carolina's high-octane offense in the Elite Eight.
But Houston could be quite the obstacle if leading scorer and rebounder PJ Washington is unable to go. The Cougars rank third in the nation in rebounds per contest (41.2) and sixth in points allowed (60.8) during the regular season. EJ Montgomery and Nick Richards have done a serviceable job in Washington's place but aren't offensive threats.
Which No. 1 seed is likely to fall?
Auburn can play up and down with North Carolina and threaten the Tar Heels in transition. Senior guard Bryce Brown drilled seven triples against Kansas in the Round of 32 and demonstrated that he can bury a team on his own when he's locked in.
Virginia Tech already recorded a regular-season victory against a Zion-less Duke and will have guard Justin Robinson in the lineup for the Sweet 16 rematch. Robinson is always a threat with his ability to shoot from distance and create for others. He's the Hokies' all-time assists leader and consistently makes the right decision when the ball is in his hands.
Gonzaga might have the toughest path to the Final Four. Florida State's physicality and rotational depth could wear down the Bulldogs. Meanwhile, either Texas Tech or Michigan would await in a potential Elite Eight clash - equally defensively sound teams that are more than capable of slowing down Gonzaga's top-scoring offense.