By Gethin Coolbaugh, The Sports Xchange
EAST REGION
Top seeds: 1) North Carolina, 2) Xavier, 3) West Virginia, 4) Kentucky
Upset Watch: Florida Gulf Coast, the beloved squad known as "Dunk City," shocked the world in 2013, its first season as a Division I team. The No. 15 seeded Eagles upset No. 2 seed Georgetown and advanced to the Sweet 16. As impressive a run as that was, making headway in this year's dance would top that. If they can make it past Farleigh Dickenson in the play-in game, top-seeded North Carolina is waiting -- the preseason pick of many to prevail in March.
Get To Know: North Carolina senior forward Brice Johnson was one of only two unanimous selections to the 2016 All-Atlantic Coast Conference First Team. The Naismith Trophy semifinalist's production increased significantly from his junior year, when he averaged 12.6 points and 7.8 boards and was named third-team All-ACC. This season, Johnson carried the Tar Heels with averages of 16.6 points and 10.6 rebounds, especially so with five double-doubles in six games to open the season while Marcus Paige was sidelined with a broken right hand.
EAST REGION
Top seeds: 1) North Carolina, 2) Xavier, 3) West Virginia, 4) Kentucky
Upset Watch: Florida Gulf Coast, the beloved squad known as "Dunk City," shocked the world in 2013, its first season as a Division I team. The No. 15 seeded Eagles upset No. 2 seed Georgetown and advanced to the Sweet 16. As impressive a run as that was, making headway in this year's dance would top that. If they can make it past Farleigh Dickenson in the play-in game, top-seeded North Carolina is waiting -- the preseason pick of many to prevail in March.
Get To Know: North Carolina senior forward Brice Johnson was one of only two unanimous selections to the 2016 All-Atlantic Coast Conference First Team. The Naismith Trophy semifinalist's production increased significantly from his junior year, when he averaged 12.6 points and 7.8 boards and was named third-team All-ACC. This season, Johnson carried the Tar Heels with averages of 16.6 points and 10.6 rebounds, especially so with five double-doubles in six games to open the season while Marcus Paige was sidelined with a broken right hand.