North Carolina Central Eagles
Record: 28-5
Head coach: LeVelle Moton (5th season)
Season summary: Not only are the Eagles making their first NCAA tournament appearance in program history, but they are also the highest-seeded MEAC team in conference history. This team is no stranger to playing strong opponents, facing tournament teams Wichita State and Cincinnati. The Eagles also notched an 82-72 overtime win at N.C. State Nov. 20. One key reason why the Eagles have won 20 games in a row is their half-court defense, which is ranked second in the nation allowing just 0.74 points per possession in the half court. The team is led by guard Jeremy Ingram, who has registered 20.6 points per game and 3.8 rebounds per game this season. Ingram dropped 37 points in the team’s 77-66 loss to Wichita State. The Eagles are inexperienced at this level of postseason play but have the tools needed to upset third-seeded Iowa State.
How they make a run: Ingram scores 30 or more points in both second and third round games to propel N.C. Central to the Sweet 16.
How they falter: Opposing teams lock down on Ingram and prevent him from putting up big numbers, creating a huge offensive void that the Eagles cannot fill.
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