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March Madness A-Z guide to the 2019 NCAA Tournament

By Cody Williams

CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 16: Duke Blue Devils forward Zion Williamson (1) and Duke Blue Devils guard Tre Jones (3) at the end of the of the ACC Tournament championship game with the Duke Blue Devils versus the Florida State Seminoles on March 16, 2019, at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, NC. (Photo by Jaylynn Nash/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 16: Duke Blue Devils forward Zion Williamson (1) and Duke Blue Devils guard Tre Jones (3) at the end of the of the ACC Tournament championship game with the Duke Blue Devils versus the Florida State Seminoles on March 16, 2019, at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, NC. (Photo by Jaylynn Nash/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 14: Marquette Golden Eagles guard Markus Howard (0) during the second half of the Big East Tournament quarterfinal game between the Marquette Golden Eagles and the St. John’s Red Storm on March 14, 2019 at Madison Square Garden in New York, NY. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 14: Marquette Golden Eagles guard Markus Howard (0) during the second half of the Big East Tournament quarterfinal game between the Marquette Golden Eagles and the St. John’s Red Storm on March 14, 2019 at Madison Square Garden in New York, NY. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

L – Liberty Flames

Sitting at the 12 slot in the East Region, the Liberty Flames are going to be a trendy upset pick as they take on the Mississippi State Bulldogs. The Flames went 14-2 in the Atlantic Sun for the regular season before winning the tournament. They have balance with Scottie James, Caleb Homesley and Lovell Cabbil Jr. all averaging double digits this season as well. However, with their lone win against a Power 6 team coming against an awful UCLA team, Liberty’s upset chances might be overblown.

M – Markus Howard

Matched up with Ja Morant and 12-seeded Murray State is Markus Howard and the No. 5 seed Marquette Golden Eagles. Howard is one of the most explosive scorers in the country that can go off for 40 on any night, averaging 25 points per game on the season. Marquette has been ice cold, losing five of their last six games coming into March Madness, but Howard is dynamic and special enough to get hot and take over the tourney.

N – Nevada Wolf Pack

Eric Musselman’s Nevada Wolf Pack were mega-hyped coming into the 2018-19 season after they reached the Sweet 16 last year (the Wolf Pack lost to Loyola-Chicago). Led by twins Caleb and Cody Martin, Nevada started off on that right track, but faltered way more in the Mountain West than anyone expected as they went 15-3 in the regular season and lost in the conference tournament semifinals. Now they’ll start the NCAA Tournament by taking on Florida and with plenty of questions to answer — namely, if they’re for real or not.

O – Old Dominion Monarchs

After going 13-5 in Conference-USA play in the regular season and then winning the tournament, the Old Dominion Monarchs are the league’s only representative in March Madness this year. The 14-seed in the South Region, this team relies heavily on the duo of B.J. Stith (16.9 points, 7.4 rebounds per game) and Ahmad Caver (16.5 points, 5.6 assists, 4.3 rebounds per game). They’ll vie for an upset as they take on the Purdue Boilermakers in the First Round.

P – Pitino

At the bottom of the East Region lies one of the most fascinating matchups of the 2019 NCAA Tournament as the No. 7 Louisville Cardinals take on the No. 10 Minnesota Golden Gophers. That, of course means that Rick Pitino’s former employer will be taking on the team coached by his son, Richard Pitino. Rick has never been shy about seeking vindication, so if he helps his son get Minnesota ready for this matchup and to exact some Pitino justice, don’t be surprised.

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