Need help filling out your NCAA bracket? Here’s a quick look at all 4 regions

• The NCAA selection committee has filled out the field of 64. Now, it’s time to fill out your bracket.
• How many “Bulldog” mascots are in the dance? Who are the dark horse teams? And who is prepared to make a Cinderella run to the Final Four?
• Auburn, Duke, St. John’s and Florida are the top seeds in the four regions.

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Full Story

The field for the NCAA Tournament is set. The tournament selection committee assembled 68 teams, all with one goal—to win the national championship.

Which upsets should you pick when filling out your bracket and how far should you take the top seeds? These are valid questions, so let’s break down each region with some facts.

What are some of the South Region facts?

In the South Region, Auburn –– who lost three of their final four games –– is the No. 1 overall seed. Perhaps they were bored waiting to get to the dance. However, if you’re looking for an upset, picking against a No. 1 seed in the first round is unwise: since 1985, those teams have lost just twice in 152 games.

It’s possible the Tigers could meet the ACC Tournament runner-up in the second round. Louisville is a possible dark horse that could make a big run. The Cardinals have the guard play to run with the Tigers and beyond.

One of the biggest Cinderellas in the tournament might be UC San Diego, who could take out the 5-seed Michigan in the first round. Meanwhile, one team that might be overrated is 4-seed Texas A&M, who gets a matchup with upset-minded Yale in the first round. The Bulldogs took down Auburn in this same 4 vs. 13 matchup last year.

“It was a great year last year,” Yale forward Nate Townsend said. “Obviously, you know, we got pretty high after that first win, so I think now we know a little bit what to expect, and this team’s just, you know, super locked in for preparing and getting it done when next weekend comes.”

Who will battle it out in the West Region?

The top two seeds in the West seem to be on a collision course. The Florida Gators are the SEC Tournament champions, and St. John’s is the Big East champion. They have identical 30-4 records heading into the tournament.

The only team with a better record in the West Region is the Missouri Valley champions, Drake, at 30-3. They’re in the tournament for the third straight season, and one of six Bulldog mascots in the Big Dance.

Grand Canyon could be the Cinderella in the West, having made it into the tournament in four of the last five seasons.

Texas Tech is dealing with some injury concerns regarding two star players.

Can Duke fend off contenders in the East Region?

Speaking of injuries, in the East, everyone assumes that Duke super-freshman Cooper Flagg will be available for the tournament after suffering a sprained ankle last week. The Blue Devils informed the committee he is preparing to play, if not in the first-round matchup Friday, March 21, at least for the second round Sunday, March 23. The Devils may eventually have to run-and-gun with Alabama, the No. 2 seed, but there are many obstacles in the way between now and then.

That includes the possible dark horse in the East Region—high-flying Brigham Young, who was runner-up in the Big 12 tournament and averages 81 points per game.

Watch out for the potential Cinderella Akron Zips, who have won 21 of their last 22 games. Overrated in the East Region could be Oregon, which was seventh among the eight Big 10 teams to make the dance. They match up with 12-seed Liberty in the first round.

“You don’t win 28 games by accident, so they were gonna do something well,” Oregon head coach Dana Altman said of the Flames. “We’ll just have to challenge shooters, and our defense will have to be really good –– try to limit their threes. A team like that is always dangerous.”

Who will give Houston a run in the Midwest Region?

Houston and Tennessee are the top two seeds in the Midwest Region. The Cougars won the Big 12 tournament and the Vols finished second in the SEC Tournament after beating Auburn and Alabama.

The possible dark horse in this part of the bracket is Clemson, the only team in the ACC to beat Duke this season. As for a Cinderella, it’s strange to pick Texas in that scenario, but they are an 11-seed and will have to win a play-in game just to make it to the big bracket.

Longhorns coach Rodney Terry described playing every day in a league that got a record 14 teams into the tournament.

“In my 28 years of coaching division one basketball this is the most challenging conference race I’ve ever been a part of as a coach,” Terry said. “I give my guys a lot of credit for staying the course and continuing to work the season.”

The play-in games, called the “First Four,” will be Tuesday, March 18, and Wednesday, March 19. Then, the 64-team tournament gets underway with 16 games starting at noon EST on Thursday, March 20.