Kansas State will play a maximum of four teams from the West Region in this year’s NCAA Tournament, but there’s no way of predicting (accurately, at least) who three of those four opponents could be.
We already went over North Texas here and here, so that leaves 14 other potential match ups.
Let’s start at the top of the bracket.
No. 1 Syracuse (28-4) First Big East
Much like Kansas State, Syracuse started the season outside of the rankings, and quickly rose up the polls. After winning the regular-season Big East title, the Orange likely would have ended up as the top seed in the East region, but those games are being played on their home court.
Syracuse is led by forward Wes Johnson, who averages more than 16 points and eight rebounds per game. But four of his teammates also average 10 or more points a game. The Orange are one of the most balanced teams in the nation, and they’re strong on defense, too. Jim Boeheim, who has won a national title at Syracuse, runs a legendary zone defense that regularly causes its opponents fits.
The Orange are thinking Final Four or bust.
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