Ohio St

While you definitely need guards to win a national title big men are very important in their own right. Whether a team has projected lottery picks or guys who have been solid throughout their careers, a team has to be able to hold their own in the paint. If not a tournament experience that can last two or three weeks gets derailed far sooner. Here are some front courts you'll need to know this week.

South Region

It's stated all the time this season. Guard play makes all the difference in the NCAA tournament, and to be honest it's hard to argue with that statement. So who are some of the top guard groups in this year's field? Here are 12 below along with a few superlatives. Not all of the usual suspects make the list, but try not to automatically dismiss the less heralded names either. 

South Region 

(2) Ohio State vs. (15) Loyola (Md.): East Region

 

Records

.pdf bracket

Duke

Kansas

Kentucky

Michigan St

Missouri

North Carolina

Ohio St

Syracuse

3 Seed (Baylor, Florida St, Georgetown, Marquette)

4 Seed Or Below

Here's a look at every game played up until 6 pm on Saturday and how it affects NCAA Tournament Bracketology.

 

Bubble

Duke

Kansas

Michigan St

Missouri

Ohio St

Other (Baylor, Marquette, Murray St, etc..)

Cincinnati and Louisville advance to the Big East final, marking the first time that no original members will be in the game.