1. Kansas and Wichita State are on a collision course in the Round of 32: It feels like a higher power has put together this potential matchup. The Shockers have tried and tried to set up a potential home and home series with the Jayhawks over the past few seasons, but have been unsuccessful since Kansas has absolutely nothing to gain from it. Bill Self's team may not have a choice in the Round of 32. If Wichita State gets by Indiana in the Round of 64 and Kansas takes care of business against New Mexico State, these two programs will face off in a game that could only be made in the NCAA tournament. It's tough not to love March Madness, right?!
2. Villanova's matchup in the Round of 32 is going to be a tough one: I've been wondering for weeks how the Wildcats would do against teams from some of top conferences, and it looks like Villanova will have to answer that question in the Round of 32. As long as Jay Wright's squad gets by Lafayette in its first game, the Wildcats will have to play either NC State or LSU in its second game. The Big East is significantly better this season than it was last, but this league doesn't have athletes like these two teams do up front. Villanova is going to really tested in its second game of the 2015 NCAA tournament.
3. Baylor is a major sleeper in the West Region: The Bears performed well in the best conference in the country and were the only team this season to win a game against Iowa State at Hilton Coliseum. Scott Drew's team has length, athleticism, and an active zone defense that could give teams that struggle to score fits. Most of America may pencil in a potential Elite Eight matchup between Wisconsin and Arizona in the West Region, but don't sleep on the Bears. Baylor has ball handling with Kenny Chery and Lester Medford, strength up front with Rico Gathers, and a potential breakout star in Taurean Prince.
4. UCLA didn't deserve to be in the field ahead of Miami or Temple: Members of the selection committee said immediately that the eye test factored into the Bruins getting a bid in the field of 68, but UCLA's best win was a home triumph over Utah. How is that better than Miami's win at Duke and Temple's rout over Kansas in late December? It isn't. The Hurricanes had a winning record in the ACC and the Owls were 17-6 with their team fully healthy after starting the year without Jesse Morgan and Devin Coleman. Both of these teams deserved to be in the bracket ahead of UCLA.
5. Steve Masiello again has a brutal draw in the NCAA tournament: This can't happen again, right? Last year, Manhattan advanced to the field of 68 and was matched up with Steve Masiello's mentor and former employer -- Rick Pitino and Louisville -- in the first round of the NCAA tournament. The Jaspers battled and ultimately lost a close game but still performed well in defeat. What could be tougher than that? Manhattan won't even begin in the Round of 64 -- it has to play Hampton in the First Four -- and if it wins that game, it will play Kentucky. Brutal. Just brutal.
This and That:
Best Round of 64 game: SMU vs. UCLA
Round of 64 upset: Stephen F. Austin over Utah
Toughest region: West
High seed that could make Sweet 16: NC State
Final Four: Kentucky, Wisconsin, Virginia, Iowa State
Champion: Kentucky
