Lawrence, 32-2.
Nickname: Jayhawks. Coach: Bill Self.
Conference: Big 12. Bid: Big 12 champion.
Region: Midwest. Seed: No. 1.
Tournament Record: 84-37, 38 years. Last appearance: 2009.
Scoring: Team (81.8); Sherron Collins 15.6; Xavier Henry 13.6; Marcus Morris 12.3; Cole Aldrich 11.2.
Rebounds: Team (40.5); Cole Aldrich 9.9; Marcus Morris 6.1; Markieff Morris 5.4; Xavier Henry 4.2.
Assists/Turnovers: Team (17.1/13.0); Sherron Collins 4.4/2.3; Tyshawn Taylor 3.4/1.8; Brady Morningstar 3.0/1.1.
3-pointers: Team (.409); Sherron Collins 68; Xavier Henry 66; Tyler Reed 38.
Last Ten: 9-1.
The Skinny: Collins may be the most gritty backcourt player in the country, while Aldrich allows them to play a brutally efficient inside-outside game. That's assuming, of course, opposing teams can keep the athletic Jayhawks from getting out in transition, where they're at their best.
Lehigh
Bethlehem, Pa., 22-10.
Nickname: Mountain Hawks. Coach: Brett Reed.
Conference: Patriot League. Bid: Patriot champion.
Region: Midwest. Seed: No. 16.
Tournament Record: 0-3, 3 years. Last appearance: 2004.
Scoring: Team (75.1); C.J. McCollum 18.9; Marquis Hall 11.0; Zahir Carrington 10.8; Gabe Knutson 9.6.
Rebounds: Team (36.5); Zahir Carrington 6.7; Gabe Knutson 5.6; C.J. McCollum 4.9.
Assists/Turnovers: Team (15.1/13.0); Marquis Hall 5.7/2.2; C.J. McCollum 2.4/1.9.
3-pointers: Team (.400); C.J. McCollum 70; Marquis Hall 53; Dave Buchberger 38; Michael Ojo 29.
Last Ten: 8-2.
The Skinny: The Mountain Hawks are in the tournament for the fourth time in team history (1985, 1988, 2004). Lehigh, which set a school-record for wins, added to the lopsided total of No. 1 seeds winning the conference tournament: make it 16 out of 20 in Patriot League history.
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Las Vegas, 25-8.
Nickname: Rebels. Coach: Lon Kruger.
Conference: Mountain West. Bid: At large.
Region: Midwest. Seed: No. 8.
Tournament Record: 33-15, 16 years. Last appearance: 2008.
Scoring: Team (73.3); Tre'Von Willis 17.3; Chace Stanback 10.7; Oscar Bellfield 9.2.
Rebounds: Team (34.0); Chace Stanback 5.8; Derrick Jasper 4.9.
Assists/Turnovers: Team (16.3/11.7); Oscar Bellfield 4.8/2.0; Tre'Von Willis 3.4/2.5; Derrick Jasper 2.9/1.3.
3-pointers: Team (.330); Kendall Wallace 60; Oscar Bellfield 45; Tre'Von Willis 40; Chace Stanback 32.
Last Ten: 6-4.
The Skinny: Matt Shaw and Derrick Jasper are both coming off injuries, and when they're healthy the Runnin' Rebels are tough to beat. Shaw sprained his ankle on Feb. 17 and missed four games, while Jasper was in street clothes for eight games after partially tearing the MCL in his left knee on Jan. 26.
Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, 28-4.
Nickname: Panthers. Coach: Ben Jacobsen.
Conference: Missouri Valley. Bid: MVC champion.
Region: Midwest. Seed: No. 9.
Tournament Record: 1-5, 5 years. Last appearance: 2009.
Scoring: Team (63.3); Jordan Eglseder 12.0; Adam Koch 11.8; Kwadzo Ahelegbe 10.7; Ali Farokhmanesh 9.3.
Rebounds: Team (32.5); Jordan Eglseder 7.3; Adam Koch 4.9; Lucas O'Rear 4.5.
Assists/Turnovers: Team (10.7/10.5); Kwadzo Ahelegbe 2.7/2.9.
3-pointers: Team (.353); Ali Farokhmanesh 67; Johnny Moran 30.
Last Ten: 8-2.
The Skinny: The Panthers win games with defense, plodding their way to a Missouri Valley Conference tournament title by beating Wichita State 67-52 in the finals. Eglseder has been on a tear after serving a three-game suspension for a drunken driving arrest.
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East Lansing, 24-8.
Nickname: Spartans. Coach: Tom Izzo.
Conference: Big Ten. Bid: At large.
Region: Midwest. Seed: No. 5.
Tournament Record: 48-22, 23 years. Last appearance: 2009.
Scoring: Team (72.6); Kalin Lucas 14.9; Raymar Morgan 11.5; Durrell Summers 10.1; Draymond Green 10.1; Chris Allen 9.1.
Rebounds: Team (39.0); Draymond Green 7.9; Raymar Morgan 6.2; Delvon Roe 5.2; Durrell Summers 4.6.
Assists/Turnovers: Team (16.7/14.0); Kalin Lucas 3.9/2.5; Korie Lucious 3.3/1.7; Draymond Green 3.0/1.7; Chris Allen 2.1/1.5.
3-pointers: Team (.333); Chris Allen 51; Kalin Lucas 32.
Last Ten: 5-5.
The Skinny: Izzo said after wrapping up a share of his sixth Big Ten regular-season title that he doesn't keep track of such things. National titles are another matter, and he'd like to add another to his trophy case. Lucas and Morgan could help him do it, forming one of the best backcourts in the country.
New Mexico St.
Las Cruces, 22-11.
Nickname: Aggies. Coach: Marvin Menzies.
Conference: Western Athletic. Bid: WAC champion.
Region: Midwest. Seed: No. 12.
Tournament Record: 10-19, 17 years. Last appearance: 2007.
Scoring: Team (78.6); Jahmar Young 20.5; Jonathan Gibson 17.5; Troy Gillenwater 14.4; Wendell McKines 10.8; Hamidu Rahman 10.4.
Rebounds: Team (35.5); Wendell McKines 9.9; Hamidu Rahman 8.1; Troy Gillenwater 6.4.
Assists/Turnovers: Team (14.4/12.9); Hernst Laroche 3.7/1.8; Wendell McKines 3.2/2.0; Jahmar Young 3.2/2.8; Jonathan Gibson 2.8/2.2.
3-pointers: Team (.371); Jonathan Gibson 102; Jahmar Young 73; Gordo Castillo 42.
Last Ten: 7-3.
The Skinny: The success of Menzies should not come as much of a surprise. He spent two seasons under Rick Pitino at Louisville, and has also worked with Lon Krueger, Henry Bibby and Steve Fisher. Not a bad way to learn the ropes.
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College Park, 23-8.
Nickname: Terrapins. Coach: Gary Williams.
Conference: Atlantic Coast. Bid: At large.
Region: Midwest. Seed: No. 4.
Tournament Record: 37-22, 23 years. Last appearance: 2009.
Scoring: Team (79.3); Greivis Vasquez 19.5; Landon Milbourne 12.5; Eric Hayes 11.1; Sean Mosley 10.5.
Rebounds: Team (38.6); Jordan Williams 8.3; Sean Mosley 5.2; Landon Milbourne 4.9; Greivis Vasquez 4.6.
Assists/Turnovers: Team (16.4/11.8); Greivis Vasquez 6.3/3.4; Eric Hayes 3.8/1.6; Sean Mosley 2.7/1.7.
3-pointers: Team (.384); Greivis Vasquez 67; Eric Hayes 59.
Last Ten: 8-2.
The Skinny: Vasquez was the ACC player of the year for a reason. He's a big-time scorer, decent defender, and he plays with a passion that sometimes rubs opposing fans the wrong way. In that respect, he plays much like Williams coaches.
Houston
Houston, 19-15.
Nickname: Cougars. Coach: Tom Penders.
Conference: Conference USA. Bid: CUSA champion.
Region: Midwest. Seed: No. 13.
Tournament Record: 26-23, 18 years. Last appearance: 1992.
Scoring: Team (78.6); Aubrey Coleman 25.6; Kelvin Lewis 15.3; Maurice McNeil 8.3.
Rebounds: Team (34.0); Maurice McNeil 7.4; Aubrey Coleman 7.4; Kendrick Washington 4.1; Kelvin Lewis 4.0.
Assists/Turnovers: Team (12.6/9.1); Desmond Wade 4.9/1.8; Aubrey Coleman 2.6/2.3.
3-pointers: Team (.356); Kelvin Lewis 100; Aubrey Coleman 50; Adam Brown 46.
Last Ten: 6-4.
The Skinny: The Cougars, the seventh seed in the conference tournament, claimed its first NCAA tournament berth in 18 years. Penders is in the tournament for the first time since 1999, when he was at George Washington. He joins an elite fraternity of eight coaches who have taken four different schools to the NCAA tournament - including Rick Pitino, Eddie Sutton and Lon Kruger.
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Knoxville, 25-8.
Nickname: Volunteers. Coach: Bruce Pearl.
Conference: Southeastern. Bid: At large.
Region: Midwest. Seed: No. 6.
Tournament Record: 13-18, 17 years. Last appearance: 2009.
Scoring: Team (73.6); Wayne Chism 12.5; Scotty Hopson 12.5; Bobby Maze 9.6; P.J. Prince 9.3.
Rebounds: Team (37.0); Wayne Chism 7.1; Brian Williams 5.7.
Assists/Turnovers: Team (14.9/13.0); Bobby Maze 3.0/1.4; J.P. Prince 2.9/2.4.
3-pointers: Team (.327); Scotty Hopson 47; Wayne Chism 29.
Last Ten: 7-3.
The Skinny: How's this for a rollercoaster ride? Four of the Vols' players get arrested on New Year's Day, leaving them with only six scholarship players for an extended stretch, and they still beat the No. 1 team less than two weeks later. When it comes to coaching through controversy, Pearl ought to write a book.
San Diego State
San Diego, 25-8.
Nickname: Aztecs. Coach: Steve Fisher.
Conference: Mountain West. Bid: MWC champion.
Region: Midwest. Seed: No. 11.
Tournament Record: 0-5, 5 years. Last appearance: 2006.
Scoring: Team (70.6); Kawhi Leonard 12.8; Billy White 11.2; Malcolm Thomas 11.0; D.J. Gay 10.3.
Rebounds: Team (37.1); Kawhi Leonard 9.9; Malcolm Thomas 7.8; Billy White 4.4.
Assists/Turnovers: Team (13.6/13.4); D.J. Gay 3.2/1.8; Chase Tapley 2.2/1.2; Malcolm Thomas 2.2/1.9.
3-pointers: Team (.322); D.J. Gay 59; Kelvin Davis 35; Chase Tapley 35.
Last Ten: 9-1.
The Skinny: The Aztecs have won at least 20 games a school-record five straight seasons, even though they've been banged up. Tyrone Shelley has missed time with a right thumb injury and Chase Tapley has been out with a hurt left hand.
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Washington, 23-10.
Nickname: Hoyas. Coach: John Thompson III.
Conference: Big East. Bid: At large.
Region: Midwest. Seed: No. 3.
Tournament Record: 45-24, 25 years. Last appearance: 2008.
Scoring: Team (73.2); Austin Freeman 16.7; Greg Monroe 16.1; Chris Wright 14.8; Jason Clark 10.6.
Rebounds: Team (33.3); Greg Monroe 9.5; Julian Vaughn 4.4.
Assists/Turnovers: Team (15.5/13.8); Chris Wright 4.1/2.2; Greg Monroe 3.7/3.2; Austin Freeman 2.4/1.9.
3-pointers: Team (.388); Jason Clark 66; Austin Freeman 58; Chris Wright 40.
Last Ten: 5-5.
The Skinny: Anybody in the country had a more eventful start to March than Freeman? He was taken to a hospital with stomach pain and it turned out he has diabetes. He quickly returned to the court and scored 20-plus against Cincinnati. His leadership is key for a team that doesn't have a senior.
Ohio
Athens, 21-14.
Nickname: Bobcats. Coach: John Groce.
Conference: Mid-American. Bid: MAC champion.
Region: Midwest. Seed: No. 14.
Tournament Record: 4-12, 11 years. Last appearance: 2005.
Scoring: Team (74.2); Armon Bassett 16.9; D.J. Cooper 13.1; DeVaughn Washington 11.2; Tommy Freeman 10.1.
Rebounds: Team (37.5); Kenneth van Kempen 6.9; D.J. Cooper 5.4; DeVaughn Washington 5.1; Reggie Keely 4.4.
Assists/Turnovers: Team (14.1/12.8); D.J. Cooper 5.9/2.6; Armon Bassett 3.5/2.1.
3-pointers: Team (.359); Tommy Freeman 84; Armon Bassett 66; D.J. Cooper 57.
Last Ten: 7-3.
The Skinny: Bassett and Cooper form quite the one-two punch in the backcourt, and both of them should be back next season. Bassett set Mid-American Conference tournament records with 119 points and 49 free throws over four games. Groce helped coach Greg Oden and Mike Conley Jr. while an assistant at Ohio State.
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Stillwater, 22-10.
Nickname: Cowboys. Coach: Travis Ford.
Conference: Big 12. Bid: At large.
Region: Midwest. Seed: No. 7.
Tournament Record: 38-22, 23 years. Last appearance: 2009.
Scoring: Team (74.3); James Anderson 22.6; Obi Muonelo 13.4; Keiton Page 10.7.
Rebounds: Team (36.0); Marshall Moses 8.2; Matt Pilgrim 6.8; James Anderson 5.8; Obi Muonelo 5.1.
Assists/Turnovers: Team (12.5/12.7); Ray Penn 3.0/1.8; Keiton Page 2.7/1.4; James Anderson 2.4/2.3; Obi Muonelo 2.3/1.9.
3-pointers: Team (.352); Obi Muonelo 78; James Anderson 74; Keiton Page 71.
Last Ten: 6-4.
The Skinny: The Cowboys got in despite losing to Kansas State in the quarterfinals of the Big 12 tournament. They have a lot of weapons on offense and beat the Wildcats earlier in the season, so don't read too much into that disappointment Thursday night.
Georgia Tech
Atlanta, 22-12.
Nickname: Yellow Jackets. Coach: Paul Hewitt.
Conference: Atlantic Coast. Bid: At large.
Region: Midwest. Seed: No. 10.
Tournament Record: 22-15, 15 years. Last appearance: 2007.
Scoring: Team (73.3); Gani Lawal 13.1; Derrick Favors 12.5; Iman Shumpert 10.1.
Rebounds: Team (40.1); Gani Lawal 8.7; Derrick Favors 8.5; Zachery Peacock 4.1.
Assists/Turnovers: Team (14.2/16.4); Iman Shumpert 4.0/3.1; Maurice Miller 2.3/1.6.
3-pointers: Team (.372); Brian Oliver 60; Iman Shumpert 36.
Last Ten: 5-5.
The Skinny: Plenty of players overcome adversity in their careers, but very few like D'Andre Bell. He was diagnosed in October 2008 with spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the spine that can result in debilitating injury if it's left untreated. He had surgery and missed all of last season, but was cleared to play over the summer and moved right back into the starting lineup.
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Columbus, 27-7.
Nickname: Buckeyes. Coach: Thad Matta.
Conference: Big Ten. Bid: Big Ten champion.
Region: Midwest. Seed: No. 2.
Tournament Record: 43-24, 25 years. Last appearance: 2009.
Scoring: Team (74.2); Evan Turner 20.3; William Buford 14.5; Jon Diebler 12.8; Dave Lighty 12.7.
Rebounds: Team (33.5); Evan Turner 9.2; William Buford 5.6; Dallas Lauderdale 5.0; David Lighty 4.6.
Assists/Turnovers: Team (14.7/11.3); Evan Turner 5.9/4.2; William Buford 3.2/1.7; David Lighty 2.8/2.4.
3-pointers: Team (.388); Jon Diebler 84; William Buford 42; David Lighty 34; Jeremie Simmons 30.
Last Ten: 9-1.
The Skinny: At a ceremony in January honoring the Buckeyes' 1960 national title team, Turner broke the trophy he was supposed to give Jerry Lucas. Good thing he's not as clumsy on the court. Turner is one of the best all-around players in the country, a triple-double waiting to happen.
UC Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, Calif., 20-9.
Nickname: Gauchos. Coach: Bob Williams.
Conference: Big West. Bid: Big West champion.
Region: Midwest. Seed: No. 15.
Tournament Record: 1-3, 3 years. Last appearance: 2002.
Scoring: Team (68.2); Orlando Johnson 17.9; James Nunnally 15.0; James Powell 9.4.
Rebounds: Team (32.7); James Nunnally 5.7; Orlando Johnson 5.4; Jaime Serna 4.2.
Assists/Turnovers: Team (13.9/15.6); Will Brew Jr. 2.6/1.9; Orlando Johnson 2.3/2.8; James Nunnally 2.0/3.0.
3-pointers: Team (.379); James Powell 58; James Nunnally 46; Orlando Johnson 44.
Last Ten: 9-1.
The Skinny: Powell's free throws in the closing seconds of the Big West tournament final helped the Gauchos get by Long Beach State, while Johnson has emerged as a star after sitting out a year following a transfer from Loyola Marymount. Johnson models his game after Paul Pierce, his favorite athlete.
