NCAA Tournament: The Cinderella, best first-round matchup and player to watch in each region
The teams, players and games to watch in each region of the NCAA Tournament.
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EAST
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GET TO KNOW NO. 1
Villanova (30-4, RPI 2, SOS 19)
Jay Wright's squad aims to get back to the Final Four for the third time in 10 seasons - and maybe duplicate the 2016 national championship. The Wildcats won the Big East tournament for the third time in four seasons and lead the nation in scoring with 87.1 points per game. National player of the year candidate Jalen Brunson directs an offense with a multitude of scorers; six average at least 10 points. NBA scouts rave about Mikal Bridges, a 6-foot-7 wing with a 7-1 wingspan who averages 18 points. Bracketologists are calling Villanova's path to the Final Four the easiest among No. 1 seeds.
CINDERELLA
No. 11 St. Bonaventure
Despite getting tossed in the semifinals of the Atlantic 10 tournament, the Bonnies earned an at-large bid thanks to a strong RPI (tied for 23rd), road record (9-4)
