NCAA Tournament Region Preview: East

Monday through Thursday this week, The Blue Zone will be breaking down each region in this year's NCAA Tournament. Today we continue with the East.

The No. 1 seed: Virginia (28-6, 16-2 in the ACC). The Cavaliers snuck up on the nation halfway through the season, but ACC foes like Duke know just how dangerous Tony Bennett's squad is. Virginia allows the fewest points per game in the nation at 55.3—thanks to a stifling man-to-man defense that protects the rim and does not give up driving lanes—and enters the NCAA tournament on a tear, winners of 16 of its past 17 games. Without a true superstar, the Cavaliers feature a balanced scoring attack that includes a nicely-sized backcourt of Malcom Brogdon and Joe Harris, along with a sturdy, athletic frontcourt in Akil Mitchell, Mike Tobey and Anthony Gill.

The other contenders: Fourth-seeded Michigan State is a very trendy pick to make a title run because Tom Izzo's Spartans are finally at full strength. Keith Appling, Adreian Payne, Branden Dawson and Gary Harris have all missed significant time due to injury this season but were in the lineup for Michigan State's romp to the Big Ten tournament title. Second-seeded Villanova has just four losses all season, but three of them were blowouts against Syracuse and twice against Creighton (twice). The No. 3 seed in the East, Iowa State, is the third conference tournament champion from a power conference in the region, and features a potent offensive attack led by Melvin Ejim and DeAndre Kane. Sixth-seed North Carolina has been streaky all year, and could make a run if Marcus Paige can shoot the lights out.

The potential Cinderella: After an upset of Creighton in the Big East tournament final, No. 11 seed Providence has a chance to prove that the league is more than just the Jays and Villanova. The Friars are led by Bryce Cotton at 21.4 points per game, and have an abundance of experience in tight games this season, posting a 3-3 record in overtime games this season. Providence gave up 27 points to Doug McDermott and will need to contain potent offenses in North Carolina and Iowa State to crack the Sweet 16, but the Friars are athletic enough to handle the job on the defensive end.

The regional narrative: Compelling storylines. Two pairs of geographic neighbors could meet in the Round of 32: N.C. Central—making its first tournament appearance in school history—could lock horns with the Tar Heels if it upsets Iowa State, and St. Joseph's could meet Villanova in a battle for Philadelphia. In addition, Providence head coach Ed Cooley lost his house in a fire, setting a lengthy Friar run up as an early favorite for "most heart-warming story of the tournament." The question: Does great defense beat great offense?

Second-round matchups

Thursday

• No. 5 Cincinnati vs. No. 12 Harvard, 2:10 p.m.
• No. 4 Michigan State vs. No. 13 Delaware, 4:40 p.m.
• No. 7 Connecticut vs. No. 10 St. Joseph's, 6:55 p.m.
• No. 2 Villanova vs. No. 15 Milwaukee, 9:25 p.m.

• No. 8 Memphis vs. No. 9 Georgia Washington, 6:55 p.m.
• No. 6 North Carolina vs. No. 11 Providence, 7:20 p.m.
• No. 1 Virginia vs. No. 16 Coastal Carolina, 9:20 p.m.
• No. 3 Iowa State vs. No. 14 N.C. Central, 9:50 p.m.