2019 NCAA Tournament: The Madness Begins

 

Theme of the Day – Mid Majors Belong

Next year, when everyone argues about the 67 and 68th team and the argument is between a mediocre Big East team, a mediocre ACC team, and a 4-5 loss mid-major? Let’s just remember that mid-majors belong. Murray State won and many others played well enough to win. Next year, instead of debating St John’s, TCU, Alabama, a 16-16 Texas, or 17-15 Indiana, just give me UNC-Greensboro, okay?

Thursday was a day filled with close losses and near-upsets. And while teams like Belmont, Vermont, Bradley, and Yale couldn’t seal their respective deals, they managed to remain competitive with very good power conference teams. More on those games below.

Big East’s Very Bad Day

St. John’s flopped hard in the play-in game, losing to Arizona State Wednesday night. On Thursday, Marquette, the co-regular season champions got blown out by Murray State as a 5 seed, the highest seeded Big East team.

Many felt Seton Hall should be favored over 7th seeded Wofford. Well, thanks to Fletcher McGee (a name everyone should be aware of now), Terriers took it to Seton Hall to advance.

If you really want to have fun with the Big East – former members Louisville and Syracuse also lost as higher seeds.

Villanova is the only Big East team to survive and advance

Near Upsets

Murray State is the only team to really pull off a major upset, thought it never really felt that shocking given the trajectory of both teams coming into the tournament.

Belmont was a trendy upset pick over Maryland and lost by 2 as Belmont failed to convert in the final seconds.

New Mexico State was another trendy upset as a 12 over 5, vs Auburn. Tigers tried hard to let NMSU win, but the Aggies failed in the final seconds. They had a wide open layup opportunity and instead of taking the shot kicked it out, obviously thinking they were down three, and on the three point attempt, would get fouled! They hit 1 of 3 FTs but would get possession on an out of bounds play. Final shot was missed and Auburn survived. Tough break.

Yale lost by 5 to LSU but kept scrapping and hanging around. Yale was 8-37 from three. That will help contribute to a loss, for sure.

I’m not sure anyone expected Bradley to keep it close with Michigan State, but the Missouri Valley champs hung around until the final few minutes when they seemed to simply run out of gas.

Same for Vermont, who hung around with Florida State for about 35 minutes, before the Seminoles took control of the game.

Fun facts

Minnesota beat Louisville 86-76, with all 86 points coming from their starters. They only got 18 minutes worth of bench play in the game. Gophers improved to 2-6 in tournament games since their 1997 Final Four appearance

Coming into 2019, Wofford was 0-4 in NCAA Tournament games, before picking up the school’s first victory.

Per Darren Rovell – Why Fletcher Magee, who is two makes from being the NCAA’s career three-point leader, chose Wofford over Kansas State & UCF. “They would send me these handwritten notes rather than those mass mailings.”

Ja Morant

The next section is about top performers, but Morant deserves his own section for his outstanding game, helping lead Murray State to their first tournament win since 2010.

Morant had 17 points (5-9 shooting), 16 assists, 11 rebounds

Here is what he accomplished with those numbers

• Fourth player in NCAA tournament history to get 15 points and 15 assists in a game. First since Earl Watson in 2000 (via @ESPNStatsInfo).
• First triple-double in the tournament since Draymond Green did it for Michigan State in 2011
• 8th triple-double all-time in the NCAA Tournament

Top Performers

Dylan Windler, Belmont – 35 points, 11 rebounds wasn’t enough as Bruins fell just short of beating Maryland

Fletcher McGee, Wofford – 24 points on 7-12 shooting from three in Wofford’s first ever tourney win

Markus Howard, Marquette – 26 points in loss to Murray State

Dedric Lawson, Kansas – 25 points, 11 rebounds as Jayhawks cruise past Northeastern

What’s Next

Florida vs Michigan – a rematch from every college football season ever. Amazing how these teams always seem to play each other, including most recently in CFB’s Peach Bowl on New Year’s Eve. Last time on the hardwood was 2013, in the Elite 8, a game Michigan won to advance to the Final Four.

Wofford vs Kentucky – This is going to be awesome. This game is in the 2:00 slot, which means it’s the only game at this time. You’re going to see 49 states and 16 countries rooting for Wofford to win this game. No PJ Washington could be a factor for Kentucky.

Gonzaga vs Baylor – Zags are 4-0 all-time vs Baylor

Minnesota vs Michigan State – Spartans won the lone meeting in 2019 and have won 5 of 6 overall vs Gophers

Villanova vs Purdue – Boilermakers try for their third straight Sweet 16, while Villanova tried for a third National title in four years

Kansas vs Auburn – Auburn is seeking their first Sweet 16 since 2003

Maryland vs LSU – LSU hasn’t been to the Sweet 16 since 2006

Murray State vs Florida State – Murray State has never won more than 1 game in a single NCAA Tournament

What to Watch For Friday

UC Irvine, UCF and Liberty are among the teams seeking their first NCAA Tournament wins

Arizona State coach Bobby Hurley, winners of Wednesday’s play-in game, face Hurley’s former team, Buffalo. He went 42-20 in 2 years at Buffalo and is still seeking his first official (field of 64) NCAA Tournament win as a head coach.

Cincinnati is making their 9th straight tournament appearance, vs Iowa. Bearcats are just 6-8 during that run with one Sweet 16 appearance. They have won 3 of their last 4 first round games.

Virginia looks to snap their one game losing streak to 16 seeds, this time against Gardner Webb, who is making their first ever NCAA Tournament appearance.

For Oregon vs Wisconsin, something has to give. The Ducks have won at least 1 tournament game in each of their last 5 tournament appearances and have gone to, at least, the Sweet 16 in each of their last two (2016, 2017). From 2014-2017, Wisconsin has made (at least) the Sweet 16 each year, including two Final Fours and a National Championship game loss. 

15th seeded Colgate is 2-0 all-time vs #2 Tennessee. Now granted, they haven’t met since 1960, but the Vols look for their win over win over the tooth paste brand.

Utah State, since the 1971 tournament, are just 1-15, with the lone win coming in 2001 vs Ohio State. Aggies have lost 6 straight Tournament games overall. They face Washington, who is in the tournament for the first time since 2011.

2019 NCAA Tournament: History of South Region Schools

 

1 Virginia vs 16. Gardner Webb

Virginia Cavaliers

All-time appearances -23
All-time record – 29-22
Last appearance – 2018 – Lost to #16 UMBC

Virginia made history in 2018, becoming the first 1 seed to ever lose to a 16 seed, losing in blow out fashion to UMBC. Prior to last year’s shocking, the Cavs had won a Tournament game in 4 consecutive tournaments, with their last win coming in 2017 as a 5 seed over UNC-Wilmington.

Gardner-Webb Bulldogs

All-time appearances – 1
All-time record – N/A

Gardner-Webb upset Campbell and than beat Radford to win the Big South for the first time and make their first ever NCAA Tournament appearance. Bulldogs are 0-3 all-time in postseason play losing in the Division II Regional Quarterfinals. In Division ! they lost in the 2013 CIT to Eastern Kentucky and the 2015 CBI to Colorado.

All-time series

Virginia won the only ever meeting in 2012

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8. Ole Miss vs 9. Oklahoma

Ole Miss Rebels

All-time appearances – 9
All-time record – 5-8
Last appearance – 2015 – Lost to Xavier in second round

Ole Miss is appearing in their first NCAA tournament since 2015. They’ve only advanced to the Sweet 16 once, in 2001.

Oklahoma Sooners

All-time appearances -32
All-time record- 41-31
Last appearance – 2018 – Lost to Rhode Island in first round

Lon Kruger has been Oklahoma head coach for 8 years and is overseeing his 6th Tournament team. Kruger is 6-5 with Oklahoma in the tournament, including a Final Four appearance in 2016.

All-time series

These teams have met three times (1998-2000), with Ole Miss winning 2 of the 3 games. The average margin of victory in the three games is 3.6 ppg.

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5. Wisconsin vs 12. Oregon

Wisconsin Badgers

All-time appearances -25
All-time record- 38-22
Last appearance – 2017 – Lost in Sweet 16 to Florida

2018 snapped a 19 year tournament appearance streak for the Badgers. From 2014-2017, Wisconsin has made (at least) the Sweet 16 each year, including two Final Fours and a National Championship game loss. 

Oregon Ducks

All-time appearances – 16
All-time record – 23-14
Last appearance – 2017 – Lost in Final Four to UNC 

Ducks missed tournament in 2018, following a Final Four run in 2017. They were poised to miss the tournament in 2019, but won the PAC-12 tournament as the 6 seed. Ducks have won at least 1 tournament game in each of their last 5 tournament appearances and have gone to, at least, the Sweet 16 in each of their last two (2016, 2017).

All-time series

Wisconsin has beat Oregon in 5 out of 7 meetings, most recently winning in 2014 and 2013. Oregon’s two wins came in 1952 and 1981.

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4. Kansas State vs 13. UC Irvine

Kansas State Wildcats

All-time appearances – 31
All-time record- 37-34
Last appearance – 2018 – Lost in Elite 8 to Loyola-Chicago

Prior to last year’s Elite 8 run, Kansas State hadn’t advanced to the second weekend since 2010 (lost in Sweet 16). Coach Bruce Weber is 4-4 since his arrival to KState in 2012

UC Irvine Anteaters

All-time appearances – 2
All-time record – 1

UC Irvine’s only tournament appearance was in 2015 as a 13 seed, losing to Louisville.

All-time series

No previous meetings between school

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6. Villanova vs 11. Saint Mary’s

Villanova Wildcats

All-time appearances -38
All-time record – 64-36
Last appearance – 2018 – Won National Championship

Villanova has won 2 of the last 3 NCAA Tournaments. Minus their runs in 2016 and 2018, you’d have to go back to 2009 to find the last time Villanova made it out of the first weekend.

Saint Mary’s Gaels

All-time appearances – 10
All-time record – 5-9
Last appearance – 2017 – Lost to #2 Arizona in second round

Randy Bennett has been the Gaels head coach since 2001 and is 4-6. In the current format of the Tournament, their only Sweet 16 appearance was 2010.

All-time series

These teams have met 3 times, not since 2009 when Saint Mary’s won. They also won the very first meeting in 1992, giving them a 2-1 edge over Villanova.

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3. Purdue vs 14. Old Dominion

Purdue Boilermakers

All-time appearances – 30
All-time record – 39-30
Last appearance – 2018 – Lost in Sweet 16 to Texas Tech 

2019 is Purdue’s 5 straight tournament. 2000 is the last time they made it to the Elite 8 and haven”t made the Final Four since 1980. Matt Painter has been Purdue head coach since 2005 and is 12-10 overall in tournament games. 

Old Dominion Monarchs

All-time appearances – 12 
All-time record – 3-11
Last appearance – 2011 – Lost to Butler in first round 

ODU last made the tournament in 2011 and last won a game in 2010, beating Notre Dame in the first round, before losing to Butler in round two. They beat Villanova in a 3OT classic in 1995.

All-time series

Purdue has won both previous games against Old Dominion, in 2015 and 1978.

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7. Cincinnati vs 10. Iowa

Cincinnati Bearcats

All-time appearances – 33
All-time record – 46-29
Last appearance – 2018 – Lost in the second round to Nevada

Cincinnati has made 9 straight tournament appearances under head coach Mick Cronin. During that time they are 6-8 and have just one Sweet 16 appearance. Bearcats have won their first round game in 3 of the last 4 years.

Iowa Hawkeyes

All-time appearances -26
All-time record- 29-27
Last appearance – 2016 – Lost in second round to Villanova

Iowa has made one Sweet 16 since 1988 and that was in 1999. In the 13 tournament appearances since 1988, Iowa has won at least 1 game with the exception of 3 years (2005, 2006, 2014).

All-time series

Cincinnati is 6-2 vs Iowa, winning the most recent meeting in 2005. Prior to that, they hadn’t played until 1980, when Iowa last won.

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2. Tennessee vs 15. Colgate

Tennessee Volunteers

All-time appearances -22
All-time record – 20-22
Last appearance – 2018 – Lost to Loyola-Chicago in second round

Tennessee has never made the Final Four. In 22 appearances they have 7 Sweet 16s and just 1 Elite 8 (2010). 5 of those 7 Sweet 16s have come since 2000. 

Colgate Raiders

All-time appearances – 3
All-time record – 0-2
Last appearance – 1996 – Lost to UConn in first round

Colgate’s only two appearances came in 1995 and 1996, both as 16 seeds. They were competitive both times losing by 14 and 9 points, respectively.

All-time series

In 2 meetings, Colgate is 2-0 vs Tennessee with the wins coming in 1955 and 1960.

2019 NCAA Tournament: History of West Region Schools

 

1. Gonzaga vs 16. Fairleigh Dickinson/Prairie View A&M

Gonzaga Bulldogs

All-time appearances -22
All-time record- 31-21
Last appearance – 2018 – Lost in Sweet 16 to Florida State

2019 is Gonzaga’s 21st consecutive tournament appearance. Mark Few has done an incredible job building this program. Since 2009, Gonzaga has won at least 1 game every year. In fact, during this 21 year run, only 3 times has Gonzaga lost in the first round. 2014 was the last time they didn’t make it to the Sweet 16. Their lone Final Four was 2017, when they lost to UNC in the National Championship game. 

Fairleigh Dickinson Knights

All-time appearances – 6
All-time record – 0-5
Last appearance – 2016 – Lost in First Four to Florida Gulf Coast

In five previous appearances, FDU has been a 16 seed 4 times and a 15 seed once. Their average margin of defeat is 14 points (skewed by the 31 point defeat to FGCU in 2016).

Prairie View A&M Panthers

All-time appearances – 2
All-time record – 0-1

Prairie View has not made the NCAA Tournament since 1998, when they lost by over 50 points as a 16 seed to Kansas. PV won the SWAC Tournament Championship over Texas Southern. They previously won the NAIA National Championship in 1962. 

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8. Syracuse vs 9. Baylor

Syracuse Orange

All-time appearances – 36
All-time record- 68-39
Last appearance – 2018 – Lost to Duke in Sweet 16

Made the Final Four in 2 of their last 4 tournament appearances (2016 and 2013). 2006 was the last time Syracuse went one-and-done, they have won at least 1 game in 8 straight tournaments.

Baylor Bears

All-time appearances -12
All-time record- 13-13
Last appearance – 2017 – Lost in Sweet 16

Since 2010, Baylor has won 2 of more tournament games in 4 out of 6 appearances. 

All-time series

Syracuse has won both all-time meetings in 2013 and 2006.

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5. Marquette vs 12. Murray State

Marquette Golden Eagles

All-time appearances -33
All-time record – 41-32
Last appearance – 2017 – Lost in first round to South Carolina 

Steve Wojciechowski is 0-1 in tournament games as Marquette head coach. Prior to the 2017 appearance, Marquette last made the tournament three straight years from 2011-2013 and made the Sweet 16 each year (Elite 8 in 2013). 

Murray State Racers

All-time appearances -17
All-time record- 3-16
Last appearance – 2018 – Lost to West Virginia in first round as a 12 seed

Murray State’s last win came in 2012 over Colorado State. From 1990-2006 they made 10 appearances and lost all 10.

All-time series

Marquette has won both all-time meetings, most recently in the 2012 NCAA Tournament, with 3-seeded Marquette beating 6-seeded Murray State

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4. Florida State vs 13. Vermont

Florida State Seminoles

All-time appearances -17
All-time record- 19-16
Last appearance – 2018 – Lost in Elite 8 to Michigan 

In their last 4 tournament appearances, since 2011, Florida State has won at least one game each year. They are 7-4 in that time frame. 

Vermont Catamounts

All-time appearances – 7
All-time record –  2-6
Last appearance – 2016 – Lost in first round to Purdue

Vermont had one of the most famous victories in NCAA Tournament history back in 2005, when they were a 13 seed and upset Syracuse in overtime. Their other win came in the First Four in 2012. But they have never won more than one game and have also never lost by single digits. 

All-time series

Florida State won the only meeting between schools in 1976

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6. Buffalo vs 11. Arizona State/St. John’s

Buffalo Bulls

All-time appearances – 4
All-time record – 1-3
Last appearance – 2018 – Lost in second round to Kentucky 

Buffalo won the school’s first ever tournament game in 2018, upsetting Arizona as a 13 seed in the first round. 

Arizona State Sun Devils

All-time appearances – 16
All-time record 13-15

St. John’s Red Storm 

All-time appearances -29
All-time record- 27-31
Last appearance – 2015

STJ has made the Tournament just 4 times since 2000 and that year was their last victory, beating Northern Arizona in the first round as a 2 seed, before losing to Gonzaga. Including that Gonzaga game, Johnnies have lost 4 Tournament games in a row, most recently as a 9 seed to San Diego State in 2015.

All-time series

St. John’s and Arizona State have played twice, with Arizona State winning in 2017 and St John’s winning in 2010.

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3. Texas Tech vs 14. Northern Kentucky

Texas Tech Red Raiders

All-time appearances -16
All-time record- 11-17
Last appearance – 2018 – Lost in Elite 8 to Villanova

Last year’s run to the Elite 8 were the first tournament wins for Texas Tech since 2005. 

Northern Kentucky Norse

All-time appearances – 2
All-time record – 0-1
Last appearance – 2017 – Lost to Kentucky in first round 

2012 was the Norse first official season as a D1 team and it wasn’t until 2016 that they were eligible to qualify for the NCAA tournament, which they incredibly did that season. Their lone appearance was a 79-70 loss to Kentucky in 2017

All-time series

Texas Tech won the lone meeting in 2012

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7. Nevada vs. 10. Florida

Nevada Wolfpack 

All-time appearances – 9
All-time record – 6-8
Last appearance – 2018 – Lost to Loyola-Chicago in Sweet 16

Last year’s Sweet 16 appearance was Nevada’s first since 2004. They have never advanced beyond that point. Eric Musselman is 2-2 in two tournament appearances. Prior to his arrival, Nevada did not make the tournament between 2008-2016. 

Florida Gators

All-time appearances -22
All-time record- 46-19
Last appearance – 2018 – Lost to Texas Tech in Round 2

2019 is the Gators’ third straight appearance, led by coach Mike White. 7 of the Gators last 9 trips to the Tournament have included an Elite 8 appearance (only 2018 and 2010 has not). Out of their 21 appearances, they have gone one and done just 5 times. Gators are 17-7 in Tournament games since 2007, when they last won the National Championship (coming off back-to-back titles)

All-time series

This is the first all-time meeting between Florida and Nevada.

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2. Michigan vs 15. Montana

Michigan Wolverines

All-time appearances -29
All-time record – 59-27
Last appearance – 2018 – Lost in National Championship game to Villanova

Michigan has made the tournament 9 of the last 11 years, dating back to 2009, which followed a decade-long drought (1998). Dating back to 2009, Wolverines have won at least one game in every tournament and in 4 of their last 5 (dating back to 2013 Championship game), they have made at least the Sweet 16. 

Montana Grizzlies

All-time appearances – 12
All-time record – 2-12
Last appearance – 2018 – Lost to Michigan in first round 

Montana has played in 4 tournaments since 2010 and in each of their last 3 games (2018, 2013, 2012) they failed to break 50 points. Grizzlies last won in 2006, as a 12 seed beating Nevada in the first round. In 1975, when the tournament was much smaller, they lost in the Regional Third place game. That was their first tournament and the furthest they have ever made it. 

All-time series

Michigan beat Montana in the first round of the 2018 Tournament, 61-47

2019 NCAA Tournament: History of East Region Schools

 

1 Duke vs 16. NC Central/North Dakota State

Duke Blue Devils 

All-time appearances – 43
All-time record – 112-38
Last appearance – 2018 – lost to Kansas in Elite 8

Tournament history: Duke has made X straight tournament appearances. They last won the National Championship in 2015 and that’s the last time they made the Final Four. Coach K has the most tournament wins of all-time (94) and is tied with John Wooden with 12 Final Four appearances and trails Wooden with 5 total Championships. 

North Carolina Central Eagles

All-time appearances – 9 
All-time record – 0-3
Last appearance – 2018 – Lost to Texas Southern in First Four 

This is NC Central’s 3rd consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance, with each of the last two being played in the First Four in Dayton. 

North Dakota State Bison

All-time appearances – 4
All-time record – 1-3
Last appearance – 2015 – Lost to Gonzaga in first round 

NDSU only win came in 2014, as a 12 seed, beating Oklahoma in overtime. 

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8. VCU vs 9. UCF

VCU Rams

All-time appearances -17
All-time record- 13-16
Last appearance – 2017 – Lost in first round to Saint Mary’s

Last time VCU made it to second weekend was 2011, when Rams made it to Final Four. Since 2014, VCU is 1-4 in tournament games. 

UCF Knights

All-time appearances – 5
All-time record – 0-4
Last appearance – 2005 – Lost in first round to UConn as a 15 seed

Knights have never won an NCAA Tournament game. They have been a 16 seed twice, 14, and 15. In 8 years as Stanford head coach, Johnny Dawkins made 2 NCAA tournament appearances, winning at least 1 game each time and  making the Sweet 16 in 2014. He also led the Cardinals to 2 NIT Championships. 

UCF is one of 12 schools seeking their first ever NCAA Tournament win

All-time series

No previous matchups

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4. Mississippi St vs 13. Liberty

Mississippi State Bulldogs

All-time appearances – 11
All-time record- 11-10
Last appearance – 2009

Mississippi State snaps a 9 year tournament drought this year, marking the first time in Ben Howland’s four year tenure that they are in the Big Dance. Howland coached UCLA to three straight Final Fours from 2005-2008 . Mississippi State was one-and-done in 2009, losing to Washington as a 13 seed. In their 10 all-time tournament appearances, the Bulldogs have one at least one game in 7 of those appearances and they have won exactly one game in 4 of their last 6 appearances, dating back to 2002.

Liberty Flames

All-time appearances: 4
All-time record: 0-3
Last appearance – 2013 – Lost to NC A&T in First Four 

Liberty has only made 3 tournaments previously, losing by 20 both times in the field of 64 and by 1 in their First Four game in 2013. Flames got here by beating Lipscomb in the Atlantic Sun Championship game. They also won at UCLA in early December. 

All-time series

No previous matchups

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4. Virginia Tech vs 13. Saint Louis

Virginia Tech Hokies

All-time appearances – 11
All-time record – 6-10
Last appearance – 2018 – Lost in first round to Alabama

2019 will be the Hokies third consecutive tournament appearance, all under coach Buzz Williams. They are 0-2. Last win came in 2007 against Illinois in the first round. The only time Virginia Tech ever advanced beyond the second round was 1967, in their first tournament appearance. Since than, they have been one-and-done 5 of their 9 tournaments.

Saint Louis Billikens 

All-time appearances – 11
All-time record – 6-10
Last appearance – 2014 – Lost in second round to Louisville

Saint Louis last made the tournament three straight years from 2012-2014, winning their first round game each year. They have never won more than 1 game in the tournament. 

All-time series

Virginia Tech won 7 of 8 all-time vs Saint Louis. Billikens won the most recent meeting last season.

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6. Maryland vs 11. Belmont/Temple

Maryland Terrapins

All-time appearances – 27
All-time record – 41-26
Last appearance – 2017 – Lost to Xavier in first round as a 6 seed

Mark Turgeon has been the Terps head coach since 2011 and has only 3 tournament appearances (2015-2017), entering 2019. He is 3-3 overall as Terps coach in the Tournament. 

Belmont Bruins 

All-time appearances – 8
All-time record – 0-7
Last appearance – 2015

2015 was their last appearance, losing to Virginia by 12. They have been a 15 seed four times and their highest seed has been 11. Closest game was a 71-70 loss to Duke in 2008

Temple Owls

All-time appearances -33
All-time record- 33-32
Last appearance – 2016 – Lost in first round to Iowa 

This is coach Fran Dunphy’s 8th and final appearance in the NCAA Tournament with Temple. He is retiring after the season. Dunphy, who replaced John Chaney in 2006, is just 2-7 in tourney games and never made it to second weekend.

All-time series

Temple and Belmont have never faced each other and Maryland and Belmont have never faced each other.

Temple has a 5-4 edge all-time over Maryland, winning the last three matchups (2012, 2010, 2006). Maryland’s last win over Temple came in 2004

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3. LSU vs 14 Yale

LSU Tigers

All-time appearances -22
All-time record- 24-24
Last appearance – 2015 – Lost in first round to NC State as a 9 seed

Since 2000, LSU has only appeared in the tournament 6 times, with 2019 being their first since 2015. Their last win came in 2009 as a 9 seed in a first round win over Butler. Prior to that, they made the Final Four in 2006 (they’ve been to 4 total)

Yale Bulldogs

All-time appearances – 5
All-time record 1-5
Last appearance – 2016 – Lost in second round to Duke 

The second round loss to Duke in 2016, came after Yale beat Baylor, to win their first (and only) NCAA tournament game ever. Prior to that appearance, the school hasn’t made the tournament since 1962. 

All-time series

Yale won the only meeting between the schools in 1969

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7. Louisville vs 10. Minnesota

Louisville Cardinals 

All-time appearances – 39
All-time record – 76-43
Last appearance – 2017

2017 was the first time in 5 tournament appearances (since 2011) that they did not advance to (at least) the Sweet 16. They are 16-4 over that run. 

Minnesota Gophers

All-time appearances – 14
All-time record – 13-13
Last appearance – 2017 – Lost to Middle Tennessee State in first round 

Since a Final Four appearance in 1997, Gophers are just 1-6, with the lone win coming in 2013. 

All-time series

Each team has won 3 meetings, with Louisville winning the most recent battle in 2014.

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2. Michigan State vs 15. Bradley

Michigan State Spartans

All-time appearances -33
All-time record -65-31
Last appearance – 2018 

2019 is the 22nd consecutive NCAA Tournament for the Spartans. 2015 is the last time Michigan State advanced to the Sweet 16, actually making the Final Four that year. They are just 2-3 the last three years, which includes a loss as a 2 seed to 15th seeded Middle Tennessee State and 11th seeded Syracuse last year. During this 22 year run, Spartans have one National title and 7 Final Four appearances and 1 loss in the National title game.

Bradley Braves 

All-time appearances: 9
All-time record: 11-8
Last appearance – 2006 – Lost in Sweet 16

Bradley knocked off last year’s Cinderella darling Loyola-Chicago and Northern Iowa in the Missouri Valley Conference to earn their first bid since 2006. That year, they made the Sweet 16 after upsetting Kansas as a 13 seed, followed by a win over 4th seeded Pitt. They ultimately fell to Derrick Rose’s Memphis team.

All-time series

Michigan leads 7-1. Most recent meeting was 2012. Bradley’s lone win came in 1997.

2019 NCAA Tournament: History of Midwest Region Schools

 

1 North Carolina vs 16. Iona

North Carolina Tar Heels

All-time appearances – 50
All-time record – 124-46
Last appearance – 2018 – Lost in Sweet 16 to Texas A&M

UNC has made 28 straight tournament appearances. They won the 2017 National Championship, after losing the 2016 National Championship. 2014 is the last time UNC failed to make the Sweet 16. 

Iona Gaels

All-time appearances – 14
All-time record – 1-13
Last appearance – 2018 – Lost to Duke in first round

2019 in the Gaels’ fourth consecutive tournament appearance. They have lost 12 straight games, since their lone win in 1980 against Holy Cross.

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8. Utah State vs 9. Washington

Utah State Aggies

All-time appearances – 21
All-time record – 6-22
Last appearance – 2011 – Lost to Kansas State in their first game

Aggies do not have a good Tournament record. They have played in the regional third place game three times (1939, 1962, 1964) and made the Elite 8 in 1970. Since 1971 tournament, they are 1-15, with the lone win coming in 2001 vs Ohio State. Aggies have lost 6 straight Tournament games overall.

Washington Huskies

All-time appearances -17
All-time record- 18-17
Last appearance – 2011

After 7 years of no March Madness, the Huskies return, for the first time under second-year head coach Mike Hopkins. They lost in the round of 32 to UNC in their last appearance in 2011. They have won at least one game in each of their last 5 tournament appearances. They haven’t advanced beyond Sweet 16 since 1953.

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5. Auburn vs. 12. New Mexico State

Auburn Tigers

All-time appearances – 10
All-time record – 13-9
Last appearance – 2018 – Lost to Clemson in second round

Before Bruce Pearl’s team won their first round game in 2018, Auburn hadn’t appeared in or won a tournament game since 2003. With the exception of their first tournament appearance in 1984, Auburn has won at least 1 game in each of their 8 tournament appearances.

New Mexico State Aggies

All-time appearances – 24
All-time record – 10-26
Last appearance – 2018 – Lost to Clemson in first round 

This is New Mexico State’s 3rd straight tournament and 7th out of 8 overall. During this time period of WAC dominance, the Aggies are 0-7. Their last tournament win came in 1993 against Nebraska. Overall, they have lost 11 straight games. 

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4. Kansas vs 13. Northeastern

Kansas Jayhawks

All-time appearances -49
All-time record – 107-46
Last appearance – 2018 – Lost in Final Four to Villanova (National Semifinals)

2019 is the 30th consecutive tournament appearance for the Jayhawks, an amazing run. 1989 was the last time the NCAA Tournament was held without Kansas. This run has included 7 Final Four appearances and one National Championship (2008). Kansas has made the Elite 8 each of the last three years. 2006 is the last time Kansas lost in the first round.

Northeastern Huskies

All-time appearances – 9
All-time record – 3-8
Last appearance – 2015 – Lost to Notre Dame in first round

The Huskies three tournament wins came in their first three appearances in 1981, 1983, 1984. They haven’t won in their 5 appearances since.

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6. Iowa State vs. 11 Ohio State

Iowa State Cyclones

All-time appearances -20
All-time record 19-19
Last appearance – 2017 – Lost to Purdue in second round

Cyclones missed tournament in 2018, snapping a 6 year streak of making it. They went 7-6 over that stretch with two Sweet 16 appearances (2014, 2016) and just one first round elimination.

Ohio State Buckeyes

All-time appearances – 33
All-time record – 56-31
Last appearance – 2018 – Lost in second round to Gonzaga

2014 (3 appearances ago) is the last time OSU failed to win 1 game. Only 4 times in their 33 appearances have the Buckeyes failed to win at least 1 game in the tournament. 2013 was the last time they made the second weekend.

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3. Houston vs 14. Georgia State

Houston Cougars

All-time appearances -21
All-time record- 27-25
Last appearance – 2018 – Lost in second round to Michigan

Cougars 2018 tournament ended in dramatic fashion as Michigan hit a buzzer beating three to survive and advance. Cougars are much better in 2018. Prior to last year, Houston hadn’t made the tournament since 2010 and hadn’t won a game since 1984. That year, they lost in the National Championship game.

Georgia State Panthers 

All-time appearances – 5
All-time record – 2-4
Last appearance – 2018 – Lost in first round to Cincinnati 

Coach Ron Hunter has helped lead GSU to the Tournament 3 times in the last 5 years. In 2015, they beat Baylor as a 14 seed, before losing to Xavier in the second round. 

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7. Wofford vs 10. Seton Hall

Wofford Terriers

All-time appearances – 5
All-time record – 0-4
Last appearance – 2015 – Lost in first round

All four of Wofford’s tournament appearances have come between 2010-2015 and they have been seeded as a 12, 13, 14, 15. The margin of defeat is 8 ppg, but that’s largely skewed by a 17 point loss to Michigan in 2014.

Wofford is one of 12 schools seeking their first ever NCAA Tournament win

Seton Hall Pirates

All-time appearances – 13
All-time record – 16-12
Last appearance – 2018 – Lost to #1 Kansas in second round

Seton Hall hasn’t made it to Sweet 16 since 2000. 2019 is the fourth straight appearance under coach Kevin Willard. They are just 1-3 in that stretch.

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2. Kentucky vs 15. Abilene Christian

Kentucky Wildcats

All-time appearances -58
All-time record – 128-52
Last appearance – 2018 – Lost in Sweet 16

2019 is Kentucky’s 6th straight tournament appearance and only once (2016) have they failed to get to the second weekend. John Calipari has been Kentucky coach for 9 seasons, with 8 NCAA Tournament appearances and 1 NIT. Those 8 appearances include 4 Final Fours, 2 National Championship appearances, and 1 win. No Final Fours since 2015. 

Abilene Christian Wildcats

All-time appearances – 1

ACU began playing Division 1 basketball in 2013-14. They beat New Orleans to win the Southland Conference Tournament. They made the Division 2 tournament 9 times, compiling a 9-11 record. 

2019 CBB Championship Saturday: History of Schools

 

Saturday features 14 Conference Tournament Championship games, which means 14 automatic NCAA Tournament bids are at stake.

A look back at the history of each school in their respective conference tournament championship games.

ACC – Duke vs Florida State

Duke has won 20 ACC Tournament Championships in 32 appearances

Florida State has won just 1 ACC Championship, in 2012 and lost to Duke in the 2009 Championship game

Big East – Villanova vs Seton Hall

Villanova has won 3 of the last 4 Big East Championships and 2 of the last 3 National Championships. Wildcats only won once prior to this recent run (1995).

Seton Hall has the 1 championship in the last 4 years that Villanova did not win (2016). At the time it was their first since 1993, and third overall.

Big 12 – Kansas vs Iowa State

Kansas is 11-2 all-time in Big 12 Championship games, which is the most wins and appearances of any Big 12 team

Iowa State is 4-0 all-time in Championship games, with their most recent win coming in 2017 and a win over Kansas in 2015.

PAC-12 – Washington vs Oregon

Washington is seeking their first PAC-12 Tournament Championship since 2011. They have only won 3 and they came back-to-back in 2010 and 2011 and 2005

Oregon has won 4 tournament championships, most recently in 2016. Since 2015, they are the only-non Arizona team to win the tournament.

Mountain West – San Diego State vs Utah State

San Diego State upset Nevada to get to the Finals. They won the 2018 Tournament and have won 5 all-time, the most among active MWC teams

Utah State is making their first appearance in the MWC Championship game, since joining in 2013. Their last conference championship win was 2011 when they were still in the WAC.

America East – UMBC vs Vermont

UMBC beat Vermont last year in this game (their second all-time America East championship) and famously became the first 16 seed to win a first round game

Vermont has won this tournament 7 times, most recently in 2017

MAC – Buffalo vs Bowling Green

Buffalo has won 3 of the last 4 MAC Championships (2015, 2016, 2018) but never won prior to 2016. The Bulls won the school’s first ever NCAA Tournament game in 2018, beating Arizona in round 1.

Bowling Green is the only active MAC team who has never won the MAC Tournament Championship. Their last NCAA Tournament appearance was 1968.

Conference USA – Western Kentucky vs Old Dominion

Neither school has ever won the CUSA Tournament Championship, thought WKU has been a CUSA member since 2014-15, and ODU since 2013-14.

WKU last tournament championship came in 2013 in Sun Belt. They lost to Marshall in the CUSA Finals last year

Old Dominion last tournament championship was the 2011 Colonial. They lost in the CUSA FInals in 2016.

MEAC – North Carolina Central vs Norfolk State

NC Central has won the last 2 tournament championships (and gone 0-2 in NCAA tournament play). They have won 3 championships all-time, starting in 2014

Norfolk State has won the tournament just once, back in 2012. They won their first round game that year, as a 15 seed against 2 seeded Missouri. I would know….I picked Missouri in the Final Four…

SWAC – Texas Southern vs Prairie View

Texas Southern has 8 SWAC Tournament Championships, including each of the last 2 and 4 total since 2014. Only Southern (9) has more Championships

Prairie View is seeking just their second SWAC title and first since 1998. The 1998 year was their one and only NCAA Tournament appearance (a loss to Kansas as a 16 seed)

Big Sky – Eastern Washington vs Montana

Montana has 10 Championships (tied with Weber State) in 19 appearances (most). They are looking for their second straight championship win.

Eastern Washington has 2 championships in 7 appearances, most recently in 2015. Before that, it was in 2002.

Big West – UC Irvine vs Cal State Fullerton

UC Irvine’s only tournament win came in 2015

Cal State Fullerton won in 2018 and won 3 times overall (1978, 2008, 2018).

WAC – Grand Canyon vs New Mexico State

This is a rematch of the 2018 championship game. New Mexico State won to improve to 8-2 all-time in WAC Championship games. They have won 2 in a row and 7 of the last 8 years, dating back to 2012.

Grand Canyon only began playing Division 1 basketball in 2013. Needless to say, they have never won the WAC.

Southland – New Orleans vs Albiline Christian

New Orleans has just 1 Southland Tournament championship and that came in 2015.

Abilene Christian is playing in their first Southland Tournament Championship game. They have only been playing Division 1 basketball since the 2013-14 season.

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What’s at stake for Tournament bids

Teams to root against if you are on bubble – Oregon, San Diego State, Bowling Green. None of them are NCAA Tournament teams without wins today, but their opponents are all locks.

Memphis plays Houston and Wichita State plays Cincinnati in the semifinals of the AAC Tournament. Neither of those teams are at-large contenders and could steal a bid with two more wins

Atlantic 10 Championship is tomorrow, but the final four ensures a bid stealer. VCU lost on Friday, which means they are likely to grab an at-large bid. That leaves St. Bonaventure, Rhode Island, Davidson, and Rhode Island to battle it out for the automatic qualifier.

Everyone else is a one-bid conference

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Fun Facts About 2019 NCAA Tournament

 

M!KEDROPSPORTS presents some fun facts and things to know about the 2019 NCAA Tournament. Keep an eye on this page as it will continue to be refreshed.

Most consecutive NCAA tournament appearances

Kansas (30), Duke (24), Michigan State (22), Gonzaga (21), Cincinnati (9), UNC (9)

Teams seeking first NCAA tournament win in 2019

Northern Kentucky, Fairleigh Dickinson, Colgate, Wofford, Gardner Webb, Liberty, UCF, NC Central, Prairie View, Abiline Christian

For more on these teams

Teams with a realistic chance to win first National Championship in 2019

Virginia (0 title game appearances), Gonzaga (0-1), Tennessee (0 Final Fours)

Teams with multiple Final Four appearances and 0 championships

Houston (5), LSU (4), Kansas State (4), Virginia (2)

Teams with most NCAA Tournament appearances but 0 Final Four (entering 2019)

Tennessee (21), Texas Tech (15)

Tournament appearance droughts ended

• 2015 – Ole Miss, St John’s, LSU, Belmont, Wofford, UC Irvine, Harvard, North Dakota State, Northeastern
• 2014 – Saint Louis
• 2013 – Liberty
• 2011 – Washington, Utah State, Old Dominion
• 2009 – Mississippi State
• 2006 – Bradley
• 2005 – UCF
• 1998 – Prarie View
• 1996 – Colgate

First NCAA Tournament appearance

Abiline Christian, Gardner Webb

Tournament mascot counter 

• 2 Gaels
• 2 Huskies
• 4 Wildcats
• 2 Tigers
• 4 Bulldogs
• 2 Knights 
• 2 Wolfpack
• 2 Eagles
• 2 Panthers
• 2 Aggies

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