NCAA Bracket 2018: Complete Guide to East Region
The Villanova Wildcats earned the No. 1 seed in a star-studded East Region for the 2018 men's college basketball tournament.
Several candidates for National Player of the Year grace the 18-team quadrant, since the East includes two of the "First Four" matchups. The results of those two showdowns will shape the typical eight-game slate spread around Thursday and Friday.
And whichever team emerges will have earned it.
The selection committee also placed Purdue, Texas Tech, Wichita State, West Virginia and Florida in the region. Each of those programs held a position in the latest AP Top 25 poll.
Between the high-caliber top teams and a couple of intriguing mid-major schools, the East Region should provide nonstop entertainment during the most wonderful time of the season.
1st-Round Schedule and TV Info
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Thursday
(Games in Pittsburgh, PA)
Villanova (1) vs. LIU Brooklyn or Radford (16), 6:50 p.m. ET, TNT
Virginia Tech (8) vs. Alabama (9), after 'Nova/16, TNT
(Games in Dallas, TX)
Texas Tech (3) vs. Stephen F. Austin (14), 7:27 p.m. ET, truTV
Florida (6) vs. St. Bonaventure or UCLA (11), after TTU/SFA, truTV
Friday
(Games in Detroit, MI)
Purdue (2) vs. Cal State Fullerton (15), 12:40 p.m. ET, truTV
Arkansas (7) vs. Butler (10), after Purdue/Fullerton, truTV
(Games in San Diego, CA)
Wichita State (4) vs. Marshall (13), 1:30 p.m. ET, TNT
West Virginia (5) vs. Murray State (12), after Wichita/Marshall, TNT
Must-See Games
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No. 8 Virginia Tech vs. No. 9 Alabama
In the 2017 tournament, Virginia Tech held the No. 9 seed in Villanova's region. However, a loss to Wisconsin prevented the Hokies from getting a chance to challenge the then-reigning champions.
Could Alabama do the same in 2018? Highlighted by likely first-round NBA draft pick Collin Sexton, the Crimson Tide have reached the Big Dance for the first time since 2012.
This showdown may be decided on the perimeter. Alabama has limited its opponents to a 31.9 percent clip from three-point range, which ranks 24th in the country. Virginia Tech, on the other hand, is 37th nationally from beyond the arc and connects at a 38.5 rate.
No. 5 West Virginia vs. No. 12 Murray State
Murray State's adjusted tempo ranks 216th in the country, according to KenPom.com. West Virginia will try to speed up the Racers.
The Mountaineers deploy a full-court press, so Murray State must be prepared for constant pressure on the ball. Jevon Carter, one of the many stars in the East Region, averages 2.9 steals per game and is one swipe away from setting a single-season program record.
But if the Racers can handle West Virginia's aggressive defense, Bob Huggins' team will be in trouble.
No. 6 Florida vs. No. 11 St. Bonaventure/UCLA
This is a bit of a disadvantaged position for Florida, which must wait a couple of days to actually know its opponent. St. Bonaventure and UCLA will square off Tuesday in Dayton, Ohio.
No matter which side emerges, the Gators have a tough matchup.
St. Bonaventure owns the 20th-best three-point percentage (39.8) in Division I, and UCLA (38.3) isn't far behind in 44th. Per NCAA.com, Florida's defense ranks 241st in that category, so Mike White's club must focus on controlling the perimeter to stave off an upset.
Top Storylines
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Keenan Evans Is Healthy, Right?
Texas Tech's star guard had a rough stretch immediately following a toe injury. In addition to missing one tilt, Keenan Evans mustered just 12 points over a three-game stretch in late February. The Red Raiders lost all four of those contests.
During a pair of Big 12 tournament games, the senior totaled 38 points while shooting an even 50 percent from the field. He averaged 34 minutes in those matchups, so Evans seems healthy.
Any setback, however, would be damaging for Tech.
Redemption for Villanova?
After a stretch of five opening-weekend exits in six years, Villanova finally broke through in 2016 and celebrated a national title.
The trend returned last year, though.
Wisconsin knocked off the top-seeded Wildcats, sending them home before the Sweet 16. This Villanova roster is talented yet again, but many college basketball viewers won't be quick to trust Jay Wright's club, and understandably so.
There's No Easy Mid-Seed Team
Last season, seventh-seeded South Carolina raced through an outstanding region that included Villanova, Duke and Baylor. The East is stacked, but assuming anything is unsafe.
While we'll discuss the biggest potential Cinderella shortly, the second-tier group is composed of teams seeded sixth to 10th. And it's foreseeable that Florida knocks off Texas Tech, or the winner of Arkansas/Butler pushes Purdue to the wire. Virginia Tech and Alabama won't be an easy out for Villanova.
Discount any of them at your own peril.
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Stars to Watch
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Jalen Brunson, Villanova
Villanova has two National Player of the Year candidates, but point guard Jalen Brunson is the most recognizable star.
The junior guard leads the Wildcats with 19.4 points and 4.7 assists, and he only commits 1.7 turnovers per game. Brunson shoots 53.1 percent from the floor—including 41.3 beyond the arc—and is proficient off the bounce and as a spot-up weapon.
Collin Sexton, Alabama
Entering the SEC tournament, the Crimson Tide were teetering on the bubble. For every prediction that listed Alabama in the field, another had Sexton and Co. among the first teams out.
That all changed when the freshman took over. He capped a 27-point effort with a buzzer-beating scoop shot to stun Texas A&M before shredding Auburn for 31 points in a much-needed win. Sexton scored 21 points in the loss to Kentucky during the SEC finals.
Carsen Edwards, Purdue
Purdue has surrounded All-Big Ten center Isaac Haas with a collection of terrific shooters, and Carsen Edwards is the leader.
A popular All-American choice, the sophomore has poured in 18.5 points per game while hitting triples at a 41.2 percent clip. He also dishes 3.0 assists to propel the Boilermakers, who boast the second-most efficient offense in the nation, per KenPom.
Favorites Most Likely to Fall
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No. 6 Florida
This isn't a knock on Florida as much as it's a testament to the strength of the 11 seeds. St. Bonaventure recently had a 13-game winning streak snapped, and UCLA has a couple of excellent guards.
The Gators aren't a perfect team. In addition to the issues defending three-pointers, Florida is 271st nationally in total rebounding percentage, per Sports-Reference.com. When the SEC team loses the battle on the boards, it's only 10-8 this season.
Though the Gators have Sweet 16 potential, their flaws are apparent and exploitable by a couple of quality at-large squads.
No. 4 Wichita State
Marshall is allergic to defense, and Wichita State has the fifth-most efficient offense in Division I, per KenPom. This matchup might not be close.
If shots aren't falling for the Shockers, however, late-game struggles may become a huge problem. They finished just 3-5 in games decided by five points or less, as well as 5-5 when connecting on 33.3 percent or less of their treys.
Wichita State vs. West Virginia is an intriguing second-round matchup, but the Shockers cannot look beyond Marshall.
Most Likely Cinderella
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No. 12 Murray State Racers
Controlling the tempo is crucial for Murray State.
Eight of West Virginia's 10 season losses occurred when the estimated pace was lower than 71 possessions per 40 minutes. The Mountaineers have a 9-8 record under that mark compared to 15-2 above it.
Jonathan Stark and Ja Morant will be central figures as the Racers attempt to execute that task. They've combined for 10.3 assists per game as the primary ball-handlers. Additionally, Stark paces Murray State with 21.8 points, and Morant adds 12.6.
Turnovers destroy a team's chances opposite West Virginia, so Stark and Morant must be careful to protect the ball.
Who Will Make the Sweet 16
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No. 1 Villanova
History would be made if either North Carolina Central or Texas Southern upended Villanova, but that bold we are not. The streaky nature of both Virginia Tech and Alabama leads us to favor the Wildcats, who are 22-0 when keeping their opponent below 76 points.
No. 5 West Virginia
If either Murray State or Wichita State excels beyond the arc, West Virginia may be destined for an early exit. After a rough defensive showing in the Big 12 final, though, we expect the Mountaineers to lock down the outside. This would be WVU's third trip to the Sweet 16 in the last four seasons.
No. 6 Florida
Quite the range of emotions, huh, Gators fans? The first-round matchup will probably be close until the final buzzer, and Texas Tech would hold a clear rebounding advantage. But the Red Raiders are 4-6 when forcing 12 or fewer turnovers, and Florida boasts the second-lowest turnover percentage in the country, per Sports-Reference.com.
No. 2 Purdue
As long as the Boilermakers navigate Cal State Fullerton—and hey, like we said earlier, assume nothing—they'll have a favorable second-round matchup. Per NCAA.com, Arkansas and Butler rank 215th and 308th, respectively, in three-point defense. Purdue and its second-rated perimeter attack can shred either program.
The Elite Eight Matchup Will Be...
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No. 1 Villanova vs. No. 2 Purdue
The chalk?! How boring, right?
West Virginia is a tempting choice because of its physical, aggressive style, but the Mountaineers are 0-7 when allowing more than 80 points. Villanova averages a nation-best 87.1.
On the other side of the bracket, Florida's respectable run won't advance any further. Purdue doesn't rely on an opportunistic defense, so a slow-paced meeting with the Gators won't be a problem for the Boilers and their superior backcourt.
Purdue is a proud basketball program, but the school would be celebrating its first Elite Eight appearance since 2000.
And the Final Four Team Is...
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Villanova's defense is beatable, but six players average double figures and—most importantly—everyone is healthy.
This season, the Wildcats are 23-1 with the starting lineup of Brunson, Mikal Bridges, Phil Booth, Eric Paschall and Omari Spellman, and the only loss occurred in December. Plus, since Booth returned in late February, Villanova is a perfect 5-0.
"Now that we've got everybody back, we're back kind of playing how we did before the injuries," head coach Jay Wright said, per ESPN.com's Kieran Darcy. "So it's just a weird year that way. But it's kind of interesting now. I think we feel we're a new team, rather than a team that's kind of stale at the end of the year."
Although history suggests the 'Cats are a risky pick, we're riding the most talented team in the East Region.
Follow Bleacher Report writer David Kenyon on Twitter @Kenyon19_BR.
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