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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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CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – JANUARY 15: Ty Jerome #11 of the Virginia Cavaliers drives past Ahmed Hill #13 of the Virginia Tech Hokies in the second half during a game at John Paul Jones Arena on January 15, 2019 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – JANUARY 15: Ty Jerome #11 of the Virginia Cavaliers drives past Ahmed Hill #13 of the Virginia Tech Hokies in the second half during a game at John Paul Jones Arena on January 15, 2019 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) /

V – Virginia

All eyes in the NCAA Tournament will certainly be on the South Region and the No. 1 seed, the Virginia Cavaliers, after they were upset by a 16-seed last year in the tournament. However, this team is out for redemption and has the talent to find it. Howeer, they aren’t the only big-name school in Virginia looking for glory as the Virginia Tech Hokies aren’t to be taken lightly, especially if star guard Justin Robinson is able to return to action.

W – Will Wade

Unfortunately for the LSU Tigers, the focus of their NCAA Tournament is largely going to be on head coach Will Wade as he faces alleged NCAA infractions that have led to him being put on leave by the university. His absence hung over LSU in the SEC Tournament, where the top-seeded Tigers were upset by Florida. Though Tremont Waters and Naz Reed are tremendously talented, Wade’s shadow and ultimate absence could lead to an upset for this team.

X – Xzavier Malone-Key

Xzavier Malone-Key is one of five players for the Fairleigh Dickinson Knights, who will play Prairie View A&M in the First Four on Tuesday night for the right to face Gonzaga. While Malone-Key missed the NEC Tournament, he could be back for the Knights in March Madness, which would be huge for their chances to advance as Fairleigh Dickinson has struggled with depth all season.

Y – Yale Bulldogs

Earning the 14-seed in the East Region, the Ivy League Champion Yale Bulldogs truly didn’t play a great schedule throughout the regular season, and went just 1-2 against teams that made the field of 68. Having said that, Yale has a stud in guard Miye Oni, who averaged 17.6 points, 3.6 assists and 6.4 rebounds per game this season and can potentially take over a game as the Bulldogs face LSU in the First Round.

Z – Zion Williamson

This one was quite obvious. No single player has defined the 2018-19 college basketball season quite like Zion Williamson. From otherworldly athleticism, to a shoe blowout to everything in between, the Duke Blue Devils’ star freshman is an integral part of why they’re the No. 1 overall seed in the 2019 NCAA Tournament. And after his wholly dominant effort in the ACC Tournament where he averaged 27 points and 10 rebounds per game, Duke is a favorite to emerge victorious in March Madness on the back of Williamson.

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