For just the third time since 1997, the Colorado Buffaloes will appear in the NCAA Tourney. It’s the second consecutive selection for Tad Boyle and the Buffaloes. So what makes this Pac-12 team so dangerous? 1. This might just be the deepest team in Tad Boyle’s tenure at Colorado. Four players are averaging double-figure scoring, while a fifth rests at 9.0 points per game. Every one of those players is averaging at least 3.0 rebounds. 2. When it comes to players ready to
Oklahoma State is into the Big Dance as a No. 5 seed in the Midwest Region. Here are five things to know about the Cowboys: 1. Point guard Marcus Smart nearly has Jason Kidd numbers. Seriously. The freshman is averaging 15.4 points per game, 5.7 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 2.9 steals. Kidd’s numbers as a freshman: 13 points, 5 rebounds, 7.7 assists and 3.8 steals. In other news… 2. Smart is the Big 12 Player of the Year. He carried Oklahoma State
After missing the NCAA Tournament in 2012, the Arizona Wildcats are back in 2013. Led by head coach Sean Miller, Arizona will be a No. 6 seed in the West Region. So what should you know about this Pac-12 power? 1. The Arizona Wildcats have made it to the Sweet Sixteen in each of their past two appearances. That includes a run to the Elite Eight in 2011. 2. Arizona has five wins against teams currently in the NCAA Tournament. That includes victories
The ultimate Cinderella is back, ladies and gentlemen. After missing the NCAA Tournament in 2012, Brad Stevens and the Butler Bulldogs have made it into the 2013 dance as a No. 6 seed. Could we be in store for another magical run? 1. The Butler Bulldogs have competed in two of the past three National Championship games. In that time, they’ve defeated the likes of Florida, Wisconsin, Michigan State, Kansas State, Syracuse and VCU. They eventually lost, but set the standard for
For the first time since 2008, the Oregon Ducks are in the NCAA Tournament. The Ducks won their first Pac-12 conference tournament title since 2007 and will now play as a No. 12 seed in March Madness. The question is, what makes the Ducks such a tantalizing team? 1. The last time that Oregon won the Pac-12 conference tournament was 2007. Led by Aaron Brooks, that team went on to the Elite Eight. Could we see another magical run by Dana Altman and company? 2.
After a one-year hiatus, the UCLA Bruins are back in the NCAA Tournament. Led by coach Ben Howland and a cast of freshmen, the Bruins are seeded No. 6 in the South Region. So what do you need to know about UCLA? 1. UCLA enters the NCAA Tournament without second leading scorer Jordan Adams. Adams suffered a broken bone in his right foot during the semifinals of the Pac-12 Conference Tournament. Adams was averaging 15.3 points and 2.2 steals at the time
For the fourth consecutive season, the UNLV Rebels are going to the NCAA Tournament. They finished the 2012-13 regular season at 25-9 and were granted with a No. 5 seed. So what do you need to know about UNLV? 1. If there is anything you need to know about UNLV, it’s that they move the ball well and crash the boards hard. They’re sixth in the nation in rebounding and ninth in assists. Point guard Anthony Marshall (5.8 assists) and power forward
The Kansas Jayhawks won the Big 12 championship and will be making their 25th consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance, more than any other team in the nation. Here are five things to know about the Jayhawks: 1. They’ve won nine straight Big 12 titles. Kansas dominates that league like no other. The Jayhawks have also won nine of the 17 Big 12 tournaments that have been played, including six of the past eight. They dominate the Big 12 like 2. Their numbers are