Bracket Breakdown: Midwest

Aaron Harrison and Russ Smith

The Midwest bracket features the undefeated Wichita State Shockers, but the selection committee did the Shockers no favors by grouping them with Kentucky, Louisville, Duke and Michigan. In the toughest region of the four, it's hard to say who will advance to Dallas. While Wichita State is undefeated and went to the Final Four last season, it's hard to see them moving through a region loaded with potential national champions. Let's break it down.

Midwest Region winner: Louisville won the Midwest last season and they will win it again this year. Since February they are a 12-1 with a loss at Memphis being the only blemish. The Cards are hot right now and steamrolled their way through the American Conference tournament. However, the committee didn't think too highly of the AAC (sorry SMU) and put Louisville back at a four seed. It's an interesting decision, but it shouldn't slow Rick Pitino's squad at all.

The second round matchup with Manhattan should be a breeze and, while their third round game could be tough, they should move to Indy with little trouble. From there, they will be tested with two elite opponents. Whether that be Wichita State or Kentucky in the Sweet 16, it's not a cakewalk by any means. My head says pick Wichita State to meet them there, but a Kentucky-Louisville matchup in the NCAA Tournament would be phenomenal. In the Elite 8 they could face Duke, which would be a rematch of last year's Midwest Elite 8 game, or they could face Michigan. Despite the difficult road, the Cardinals score the basketball too well (82 ppg) and have too many weapons to be denied a third straight Final Four.


Jabari Parker and Nik Stauskas

Upset Pick: Tennessee over UMass
It beats me why UMass received such a high seed considering that they were the sixth seed in the Atlantic-10 tournament. Now, they are a six seed in the NCAA Tournament. That's major respect to the conference from the selection committee, but don't expect them to win a game. Tennessee, assuming they beat a slumping Iowa team, has played well of late. The Vols had won five of eight before giving Florida all they could handle in a 56-49 defeat in the SEC tournament semis.

You want to be playing your best ball heading into the tournament and it appears Tennessee is doing just that. UMass is not, having alternated wins and losses in their last six games. For that reason, expect the 11-seeded Volunteers to advance to the third round.

Player to Watch: Jabari Parker, Duke
Parker is the best freshman in the game and he leads the Blue Devils into March thinking they can make a run at the title. He posted stats of 19.2 points and 8.8 rebounds per game this season, but has seen his game-by-game field goal percentage fluctuate drastically over the past few weeks. Still, his skill set is impressive for someone his size and age, and the tournament may be the last time we get to watch him in a Duke uniform. Thankfully, the Blue Devils should at least make it to the Sweet 16, which will give us at least three more chances to watch him. He's a special talent and a player you don't want to miss.

Potentially Intriguing Matchup: Kentucky vs. Louisville (Sweet 16)
I am not actually picking this matchup to happen, but it would be some great television if it did. There's five or six different potential matchups you could talk about here, but we will settle with this one because it's a rivalry. Don't forget that Kentucky beat Louisville earlier in the season 73-66. The Cats have had their well-chronicled struggles this season, but in that prior meeting they had four freshmen score in double figures. For Louisville, they received a 7-20 shooting night from Russ Smith and a 3-11 performance from Luke Hancock. Should that happen again, Kentucky will move to the Elite 8. A lot has to happen for us to see this game, but it would be a dandy at Lucas Oil Stadium should it happen.

Bottom Line: There are plenty of great teams in the Midwest Region, but Louisville has the most postseason experience of them all and will advance to Dallas.

5 Things to Watch Before March Madness

Cleanthony Early of Wichita State

It doesn't seem that long ago that we were full from the Thanksgiving feasts and settling in for a day of hoops on television during the Maui Invitational. Nor does it seem that long ago that a trio of freshmen introduced themselves to the nation at the United Center in front of a worldwide audience on ESPN. However, that was November and the Madness is quickly approaching.

Plenty has happened since the beginning of the season: Duke and Syracuse have treated us to a couple of thrillers, Jim Boeheim lost his mind and couldn't get his jacket off, Sean Miller has Arizona rolling out west and those Wichita State Shockers have a goose egg in the loss column. Still, there are still some things to keep an eye on before Selection Sunday. Here's a few storylines to watch before The Big Dance.

1. Can Wichita State enter the tournament undefeated?
The Shockers are a win against Missouri State away from finishing the regular season undefeated. No matter what conference a team is in, that is an unbelievable accomplishment. But can Wichita State enter the tournament undefeated? Thinking back to 2004, the St. Joseph's Hawks, led by Jameer Nelson and Delonte West, completed the regular season undefeated, only to lose in the Atlantic 10 tournament. The Shockers will have to win three games in the Missouri Valley tournament to enter the tourney with an unblemished record. Wichita State winning the conference tournament also has an effect on the NCAA Tournament because if they were to lose then that would mean another MVC team who wouldn't be getting in now would steal a bid from somebody.

2. How will Oklahoma State finish the season?
It's been a rollercoaster ride for Travis Ford and the Oklahoma State Cowboys this season. At the beginning of the season many people, including us at The World of Wadley, though the Pokes would unseat Kansas from the Big 12 throne, but they have been dreadful since late-January, going 2-7. OK State is currently 18-10 overall, but just 6-9 in the Big 12. Still, the conference is so balanced this year, the Cowboys will most likely make the tournament. There's no room for slip-ups though and that is a tall task. The remaining three games on the regular season schedule are Kansas, Kansas State and Iowa State. Good luck with that.

3. Who will come out on top in the tough Big Ten?
The Big Ten has been a tough conference to figure out this season, but figures to get about six teams into the Dance. As of now, Michigan is atop the standings at 12-3, but Michigan State is one game back at 11-4 and Wisconsin is still in the hunt at 10-5. Michigan has a pretty favorable schedule with home games against Minnesota and Indiana and a road contest at Illinois. Wisconsin's is also favorable with games against Penn State, Purdue and Nebraska. Meanwhile, the Spartans must finish the year with Illinois, Iowa and Ohio State. It would appear that Michigan could and should win the Big Ten title.

4. Pay attention to the Mountain West Conference tournament final
This is assuming a lot of things, but if the top two teams in the conference square off for the conference tournament title then it will be a dandy between San Diego State and New Mexico. The Aztecs are 23-3 and have spent some time in the top 10 this year. New Mexico, under first year coach Craig Neal, are 23-5 and defeated SDSU back on February 22. That game was in Albuquerque and got a little chippy after the final horn. It's worth noting that these two teams finish the regular season with a game in San Diego on March 8. Potentially two more games between these two is a real treat for college basketball fans.

5. Watch the Missouri-Tennessee game on March 8
Both the Tigers and Volunteers are bubble teams and finish the regular season with a head-to-head matchup in Knoxville. In Joe Lunardi's latest Bracketology he has Tennessee as one of the last four in and Mizzou as one of the first four out. Obviously, both teams need to take care of business before this game and, if they do, their matchup will have a big effect on the NCAA Tournament. Both teams are more than capable of winning a game in the Dance.

The Mystery of Michigan

The final score was 79-69, merely a ten point loss for the Michigan Wolverines. Nothing to really panic about based off the score alone for a team that just ventured into the chaotic environment of Cameron Indoor on Duke University's campus. After all, the Blue Devils are a top ten team and have the best freshman in the country on their side. Jabari Parker and sophomore transfer Rodney Hood led the way for Duke in a game that Coach K's squad controlled from start to finish. The Blue Devils continue to play outstanding basketball and recovered nicely from their loss to Arizona this past week. Yet in the midst of Duke's seventh win, the performance by the Wolverines raised several questions that will need immediate answering if you're John Beilein.

Stauskas was ineffective against Duke's gritty defense

Will the players adjust to their new roles?

It's no secret that Michigan's style of play will take some getting used to for the players who are returning this season. After losing sharp-shooting Tim Hardaway, Jr. and do-it-all point guard Trey Burke to the NBA, the Wolverines offense certainly lacked the go-to scorers that last year's team presented. The role players from last year (specifically returning sophomores Mitch McGary, Glenn Robinson III, and Nik Stauskas) must adjust to the fact that they now shoulder much more responsibility in every category. McGary had a very respectable game with fifteen points and fourteen rebounds while Stauskas was basically non-existent, scoring four points all of which were off of free throws. Robinson III added eight points and junior Jon Horford posted a goose egg in the scoring category while only playing six total minutes.

I will take nothing away from Duke, they deserved to win and clearly outplayed Michigan. However, Michigan did not have a veteran step up and take charge. The loss of Burke and Hardaway, Jr. showed in the lack of leadership and that's where the Wolverines will need to put in some work. In big games like last night, guys like Nik Stauskas and Glenn Robinson III cannot afford to drop off. Both have big-game experience and have been stellar in the spotlight before. Yet the Wolverines appeared disjointed and immature under the pressure of the Cameron Crazies. John Beilein could have a long season ahead of him if no one emerges as an established leader on the floor.

Can Mitch McGary stay healthy/reach potential?

McGary has the potential to be the B1G's best center

Last night we got a little taste of what the 6'10, 250 pound sophomore is capable of. And while 15 points and 14 boards is nothing short of impressive, McGary didn't quite seem to play the type of game he could be capable of playing. Given his build, McGary can handle the ball and step out to fifteen feet with relative ease. However, last night's game consisted of the Michigan center settling for jump shots too often. With the quick feet and physicality that the All-American possesses, there was no reason McGary could not get down on the block and either A) score at will or B) get to the foul line.

That is a big part of how successful Michigan can be. Yes, McGary can hit jump shots and has proven his versatility in being able to do so. With that in mind, is McGary capable of going down to the block and exhibiting good post moves? The Big Ten this year doesn't possess more than a few great post defenders. If McGary develops a low post game as opposed to the high post/face up game he refers to now, Michigan could be deadly simply because their big man could be one of the hardest players in the conference to guard.

Will youth play a part in where Michigan finishes?

While Michigan's hopes of winning dwindled as the clock moved closer to zero, it became clear, as I said earlier, that Michigan did not have a veteran emerge in the late-game situation to give the team another breath of life. The Wolverines don't have many upperclassmen on hand with Jon Horford being the only junior and Jordan Morgan being the lone senior. Everyone else is a freshman or sophomore which will mean that the adjustment to the college game will have to come quickly for Beilein's young team.

Obviously success with youth is very possible. With the exception of Hardaway, Jr. who was a junior and Trey Burke who was a sophomore, the core of last year's National Championship team has returned. But with that in mind, players will have to adjust to life without the nation's best player and a first round draft pick. A loss to Duke in Durham is no reason to panic or even bat an eye if you take into account the fact that no team outside of the ACC has won at Cameron Indoor since 2000. Rather it's the way Michigan performed that could cause a little worry. Michigan is a good team and a contender for the Big Ten title once again. They have the necessary pieces, but can they all fall into place?

College Basketball 2013-14 Top 25

Kentucky's six McDonald's All-Americans

How to define college basketball? Is it a guard's game or a big man's game? Is it a freshman's game or an upperclassman's game? Is the focus on who left or who stayed? Here's the answer to all three questions: both. In the ever-changing landscape of basketball at the collegiate level there will not a year more undefinable than this one. Some teams (Kentucky) will rely heavily on freshmen, but others (Michigan State) will call on their veterans to take them to Dallas. Guard play is the backbone for some schools while others will score through the post.

With the season just around the corner, here is the World of Wadley Top 25. Apologies for the incredibly long post, but that's what happens when you have to rundown 25 teams. Enjoy...

1. Kentucky Wildcats -- SEC
Can you have too much of a good thing? We're about to find out. John Calipari has six McDonald's All-Americans in the freshmen class and those have fans thinking national title in Lexington. Combine the six freshmen with two key returners in Alex Poythress and Willie Cauley-Stein and the 'Cats have a title team.

2. Michigan State Spartans -- Big Ten
Talent, depth and experience. This is how Michigan State usually gets the job done and this year is no different. Gary Harris decided to stay in East Lansing for another year and that means Tom Izzo and MSU should be in the Final Four. Adreian Payne anchors the inside and Branden Dawson is now fully recovered and confident after his ACL injury. If these Spartans stay healthy they could make the school's seventh Final Four trip during Izzo's tenure.

3. Duke Blue Devils -- ACC
There is not a team in the nation with a more lethal lineup at the wing position than Duke does. Rasheed Sulaimon averaged 11.6 points during a solid freshman campaign and he is joined by a transfer, Rodney Hood, who has the potential to be great. Hood comes from Mississippi State where he averaged 10.3 points two years ago. Add in one of the most talented freshman in the nation in Jabari Parker and this is a team with some serious talent.

4. Louisville Cardinals -- AAC
When Russ Smith decided to stay in Louisville for another season it immediately put the Cards in the title talk. Winning back-to-back titles is no easy task, but with their leading scorer, Smith, back and the return of last year's Final Four Most Outstanding Player, Luke Hancock, maybe Louisville has a chance. Several other returners will help carry the Cards to an AAC title and the Final Four.

Marcus Smart

5. Kansas Jayhawks -- Big 12
KU has had the Big 12 in a choke hold for about a decade now and the hype surrounding their star freshman Andrew Wiggins is immense. Wiggins is hailed the best player since LeBron James, but how far can he take the Jayhawks? Perry Ellis must make big strides inside this season. The other addition to the program that many have overlooked is the transfer of Tarik Black. A 6'9" beast in the paint, Black's addition is huge for Bill Self.

6. Arizona Wildcats -- Pac-12
Sean Miller has landed several McDonald's All-Americans at Zona, but none bigger than star freshman Aaron Gordon. Gordon is tabbed an All-American by several different media outlets and will be added to a frontcourt that was already solid. Sophomores Brandon Ashley and Kaleb Tarczewski both had solid freshmen campaigns. Nick Johnson will anchor the backcourt.

7. Michigan Wolverines -- Big Ten
Trey Burke and Tim Hardaway Jr. both went to the NBA, but there is plenty left in Ann Arbor for the Wolverines to have another great season. Start with Mitch McGary, who came on strong at the end of last season and, if he can stay on the floor for extended minutes, is going to be an All-American. Glenn Robinson III is also back and so is sharpshooter Nik Stauskas. Expect the winner of the Big Ten to come from the state of Michigan.

8. Oklahoma State Cowboys -- Big 12
It's a rare day when a lottery pick decides to stay in school for another year, but Marcus Smart did just that. Because of his decision, OK State is a real threat to dethrone Kansas in the Big 12. Also returning is Le'Bryan Nash and Markel Brown, meaning that the Cowboys have the top three scorers from the conference back on their roster. Depth may be an issue, but there's no denying the talented trio in Stillwater.

9. North Carolina Tar Heels -- ACC
Here is the biggest question mark in the nation. P.J. Hairston was surrounded by controversy all offseason, but somehow will get to play basketball this season. That's good news for the Heels because they need his shooting. They also need James Michael McAdoo to continue making strides. Add in some development from Marcus Paige and Brice Johnson and UNC could have a very good team.

C.J. Fair

10. Syracuse Orange -- ACC
It's all about C.J. Fair for the Orange. He is the returning leader in points, rebounds and assists and is one of the few proven players on the roster. Rakeem Christmas and DaJuan Coleman are the others, but Syracuse needs Christmas to be more of a presence of this season. The Orange will hand the reins to Tyler Ennis at point guard. Ennis is a true freshman.

11. Florida Gators -- SEC
Billy Donovan has already suspended three of his players for multiple games to start the season, but no need to worry. The Gators are almost always a lock to make a deep run in March and this year will be no different. Contrary to their conference-rival Kentucky, Florida has a veteran-loaded roster headlined by Patric Young. Yet Donovan expects big contributions from freshman Kasey Hill, a McDonald's All-American.

12. Ohio State Buckeyes -- Big Ten
Don't consider us big Buckeye believers, but they do have the talent to be great. However, they have question marks. Aaron Craft is a heady point guard, but needs to be more of an option when it comes to scoring. LaQuinton Ross and Lenzelle Smith Jr. will shoulder the scoring load while Sam Thompson and Amir Williams will be nice complementary pieces.

13. Wisconsin Badgers -- Big Ten
Every year Bo Ryan has been at Wisconsin they have finished in the top four in the Big Ten. It's going to happen again. Book it. The only area to be skeptical of is the post. Frank Kaminsky will be counted on heavily inside. Ben Brust and Traevon Jackson will handle the backcourt duties. Keep an eye on Sam Dekker. The sophomore could be something special.

14. Memphis Tigers -- AAC
There is plenty of experience for the Memphis Tigers this season. Joe Jackson led the team in points and assists last season and he will run the point again. Chris Crawford and Geron Johnson also scored in double figures last season. The wild card of the roster is Michael Dixon Jr. Dixon is a Missouri transfer who played a significant role on Mizzou's 2012 team. One thing to watch: Memphis is no longer in the weak C-USA. The AAC schedule will be more difficult.

15. Gonzaga Bulldogs -- WCC
The Zags had a terrific season in 2012-13, but will have to move on without Kelly Olynyk and Elias Harris. The cupboard is not completely bare though as a trio of backcourt members return. Kevin Pangos and Gary Bell Jr. will be starters and Pangos averaged 11.6 points last year. Bell put up 9.0 and that will most likely go up. David Stockton will come off the bench and and he is an assist machine (3.4 last season in 18.7 mpg)

16. Virginia Commonwealth -- Atlantic-10
VCU returns four starters from last year's team that made a Sweet 16 run. Shaka Smart always has the Rams playing high-tempo, pressure defense, but they still lack the size and strength to play with the big boys. However, the Rams will be great in transition if the risks they take on defense pay off. Juvonte Reddic, Treveon Graham and Briante Weber are the top returners.

17. Oregon Ducks -- Pac-12
The Ducks made a surprise run to the Sweet 16 last season, but there are some expectations this season. Oregon welcomes the addition of Mike Moser to the roster, a UNLV transfer. Moser is an athletic forward who can either play power forward or small forward. Dominic Artis, Johnathan Loyd and Damyean Dotson are a solid trio in the backcourt.

18. Marquette Golden Eagles -- Big East
Marquette is one of the teams that will rely heavily on their post presence. Davante Gardner is a large fellow, but is surprisingly nimble. He put up 11.6 points last season and was named the Big East Sixth Man of the Year. Chris Otule is back at center while Jamil Wilson is expected to be more of a factor this season. The backcourt is a bit of a mystery as of now.

Cleanthony Early

19. Wichita State Shockers -- MVC
The Shockers shocked the nation last year with a Final Four run and nearly upset eventual national champion Louisville in the semifinals. Cleanthony Early is the top returner after averaging 13.9 points and 5.6 rebounds last season. He should be a first round pick in June. Fred VanVleet is a year wiser and he will run the point again after averaging 2.3 assists last season.

20. Notre Dame Fighting Irish -- ACC
Notre Dame is new to the ACC, but the same consistency that Mike Brey had in the Big East should carry over. The guard tandem of Eric Atkins and Jerian Grant is potent as the two combined for 25.5 points and nearly 400 assists. Add sharpshooting Pat Connaughton and freshman Demetrius Jackson to the mix and Brey's Irish should be solid in their ACC debut.

21. Indiana Hoosiers -- Big Ten
Putting Indiana in here is a bit of a gamble, but if Tom Crean is as good of a coach as we think he is and Yogi Ferrell and Will Sheehey made the strides that have been reported then the Hoosiers should be fine. IU lost four 1,000 point scorers, but highly-touted freshman Noah Vonleh can fill a void at the forward position. Transfer Evan Gordon scored 10.0 ppg at Arizona State and he can also provide some help.

22. UCLA Bruins -- Pac-12
Steve Alford enters his first year in Westwood with a roster of quality players, but last year was a tumultuous one in LA. Jordan Adams and Kyle Anderson were better than the over-hyped Shabazz Muhammad last season. Adams is the top returning scorer while Anderson is the top returner in the rebounds and assists department. The Wear twins, David and Travis, will handle the inside duties.

23. UConn Huskies -- AAC
Having a good backcourt is essential to success, or at least that is one way of thinking. UConn has arguably one of the best backcourts in the nation with Shabazz Napier and Ryan Boatright. The pair combined for nearly 50 percent of the team's points and over 60 percent of the team's assists. The Huskies' leading rebounder DeAndre Daniels (5.5) is back as well.

24. New Mexico Lobos -- MWC
Steve Alford is no longer in Albuquerque, but the Lobos should still win the Mountain West Conference under new head coach, and one of Alford's former assistants, Craig Neal. Last year's MWC Player of the Year, Kendall Williams, returns after averaging 13.3 points and 4.9 assists last year. The conference's leading rebounder, Alex Kirk, is also back.

25. Baylor Bears -- Big 12
The Bears would not even sniff this list is it wasn't for the return of Isaiah Austin and Cory Jefferson. Jefferson led the team in points at 13.3 and Austin was close behind at 13.0 ppg. Austin also led the team in rebounding at 8.3 per game. Baylor needs Austin to be a bit more assertive if they are to compete with Kansas and Oklahoma State.

Notre Dame and Michigan Prepare for One Last Showdown

Historically in the Midwest there is no greater college football than at Notre Dame and Michigan. Forty times the two teams have met and their storied histories and gaudy team records make their rivalry one to circle on the calendar. On Saturday the two will meet again, as has become the norm early in each season, but this time will be different. Because this time will be the last one for a while.

It's a complaint that has been filed too many times to count by college sports fans, but it's inescapable. Conference realignment stinks. Period. Kansas and Missouri no longer play basketball, Nebraska and Oklahoma won't see each other on the gridiron any time soon and Syracuse and Georgetown have played their last conference basketball game. Now, because of Notre Dame's new agreement with the ACC, the Irish won't play Michigan through at least 2017.

Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly made a silly remark earlier this week that the ND-Michigan rivalry wasn't "one of those historic, traditional Notre Dame rivalries." Earlier today he backtracked and said that the game was "a great and historical rivalry." Kelly was wise to change his tune because he was dead wrong with his first remarks.

Back in 1887 Michigan won the first meeting ever between the two teams and they proceeded to rack up eight straight victories against the Irish. Since those eight games, Notre Dame has a slight edge in the series, going 16-15-1. The rivalry is evenly matched and pits two of the top teams in college football against each other.

The two schools are numbers one and two in winning percentage all-time and numbers one and three in all-time wins. On top of that, they both own 11 championships. Every game since 2009 has been decided by seven points or less and in 2011 Denard Robinson left us with an instant classic as he led the Wolverines back from a 24-7 deficit and scored the game-winning touchdown with two seconds left in the first night game ever at The Big House.

With Notre Dame joining the ACC, Michigan was left out of the Irish's schedule. Wolverines head coach Brady Hoke insists that Notre Dame "chickened out" but the reality is that the conference alignment will always have the final say. Notre Dame has agreed to play five games against ACC competition which is absolutely ridiculous because everyone really wants to see the Irish play a team like Wake Forest instead of Michigan. Wrong.

So this is it for awhile. Notre Dame and Michigan on a September Saturday. Enjoy this one because in an ever-changing world of college sports it may not be back again. However, this game is historic and it's traditional and that is why it's one of the best rivalries in college football.