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The South region is loaded, it consists of last year’s National Champ (Florida) and Runner-Up (Houston), and many more threats. This is a region where I can see anyone seeded 1-5 can win it. Here is the official seeding.

1. Florida
2. Houston
3. Illinois
4. Nebraska
5. Vanderbilt
6. North Carolina
7. Saint Mary’s
8. Clemson
9. Iowa
10. Texas A&M
11. VCU
12. McNeese
13. Troy
14. Penn
15. Idaho
16. Prairie View A&M

I see some upsets in this region, but the top seeds will end up dominating. Here are my power rankings.

1. Florida: The Gators have won 12 out of their last 13 games and are on an absolute heater. They love to score the ball, averaging 86.8 PPG. They have five guys averaging over 10 PPG, and another with 9.7. Florida also leads the nation in rebounds per game, with a whopping 45.4. Todd Golden has already proven he can coach in March, as shown by the national championship win last year, outcoaching Bruce Pearl and Kelvin Sampson in the Final Four. The Gators should be the favorite out of the South.
2. Houston: The Cougars are coming off winning 5 of their last 6 games. They are 2nd in the country in points allowed per game, with only 62.9. Kelvin Sampson is an amazing defensive coach, and they should be able to swarm teams in the tourney. Despite the stellar defense, they still manage to put up 77.1 points a game. The Cougars also have the least turnovers a game in the nation, with only 8.5. Houston is looking for revenge after last year’s title game loss to the Gators.
3. Vanderbilt: The Commodores have won 4 of their last 5, including beating Tennessee 2x and beating the South’s 1 seed, Florida, by double digits. They started their season 16-0, lost some momentum, and now they have picked it back up quickly. The South is full of high-powered offense, as Vandy averages 86.4 PPG. The ‘Dores also have the backcourt of Tyler Tanner and Duke Miles, who average 19.1 and 16.5 points a game. If Vandy can make it to a rematch with Florida, that will be so fun to watch.
4. Illinois: The Illini are a high-powered offensive squad, they put up 84.4 PPG. They are also one of the top rebounding teams in the country, averaging 11th ranked 40.7 a game. They have star freshman Keaton Wagler, who is capable of dropping 40 any time he sets foot on the court. However, they went 2-3 to close out the regular season. Illinois must pick up some momentum to keep it going in the tourney.
5. Nebraska: The Cornhuskers started out their season 20-0; however they are 6-6 in their last 12. They are fading at the wrong time and it will be interesting to see if they can right the ship. Nebraska moves the ball very well, as they are ranked 14th in the country, with 18 assists per game. If the Huskers can get hot again as the tourney starts up, they will be dangerous.
6. Saint Mary’s: The Gaels have won 8 out of their last 9 games. They won a shared title of the WCC by upsetting Gonzaga to close out the regular season. They are an extremely dangerous team from 3, shooting 38.9%. Saint Mary’s is also top 15 in the nation in rebounds per game, with 40.3. If they can get past Texas A&M in the first round, their stifling defense (allowing 64.6 PPG) can go toe to toe with the Houston Cougars.
7. North Carolina: The Tar Heels are in an interesting spot, as they are missing their star guard Caleb Wilson. They have some marquee wins over Duke, Kentucky, Kansas, and Virginia. However they are 4-3 in their last 7. The Tar Heels average 80 PPG and shoot 47.3% from the field. They are gonna need guys like Seth Trimble, Luka Bogvac, and Derek Dixon.
8. VCU: The Rams have won 16 out of their last 17 games. They average 81.6 PPG, it seems that almost the entire South can score the ball. The Rams haven’t beat much high level competition, but if they can stay on this heater and score the ball, UNC needs to watch out.
9. Iowa: The Hawkeyes have had a very up and down season. However, they have lost 7 out of their last 10. They shoot 49.1% from the field and have a superstar in Bennett Stirtz. He averages 20 PPG and leads the team in assists and steals. Stirtz is going to have to put the team on his back here if they want to beat Clemson.
10. Clemson: The Tigers are in a similar spot to Iowa, they are 4-6 in their last 10 games. They only allow 66.7 points a game, and their leading scorer only averages 11.9 PPG. Clemson’s defense will have to be on point for anything to happen in this tournament for them.
11. Texas A&M: The Aggies are another squad who has limped into the tourney, losing 3 of their last 5. However, they can also light up the scoreboard, averaging 87.7 PPG. They also are ranked 12th in the nation in assists per game, with 18.1. They also have 5 guys averaging double digits. They have the offensive firepower to go on a run, but they play a defensive minded team in Saint Mary’s.
12. Troy: The Trojans have won 5 of their last 6 and they won the iconic Sun Belt bracket. We have yet ANOTHER team who can light it up, as Troy averages 80.3 PPG. The Trojans are a trendy upset pick on a struggling Nebraska team, and I could see it happening. Troy also has Thomas Dowd, who averages a double-double, with 14.8 PPG and 10.1 RPG. Watch out for these guys.
13. McNeese: The Cowboys are a trendy upset pick every year it seems like. I can see why, as they have won 10 games in a row. This is getting crazy, the Cowboys also average 80 PPG. Expect the South to be full of shootouts. McNeese also allows 66.5 PPG, so they can score and defend. That’s a very simple, but scary combo when a team can do both.
14. Penn: Fran McCaffery’s squad won the Ivy League by pulling off 2 upsets in 2 days. They were able to beat Yale due to TJ Power scoring 40 points. The Quakers are a super 3 point shooting team, putting up an average of 38.6%. Penn could give Illinois some trouble, but they would have to be on their absolute A-Game.
15. Idaho: The Vandals ran through the Big Sky as a 7 seed. They have won 7 of their last 8 and have four guys averaging double figures. Unfortunately, these guys play a vengeful Kelvin Sampson led team, who plays stellar defense.
16. Prairie View A&M: The Panthers ran through the SWAC as the 8 seed. They also beat the Patriot League champs in Lehigh in the First Four. They looked dominant, physical and held Lehigh to 55 points. However, they get to play Florida in the first round, so there is about a 99% chance that their season will be over come Friday.

Sweet 16 Predictions

Florida vs Vanderbilt

Houston vs Illinois

I think these picks are pretty self-explanatory. The clear 4 best teams in the region dominate and meet up in Houston, Texas.

Upset Picks

Troy over Nebraska

VCU over North Carolina