Midwest Region

1. UNC (6)
2. Kentucky (7)
3. Auburn (13)
4. Houston (15)
5. Iowa State (16)
6. Wofford (19)
7. Kansas (20)
8. Utah State (34)
9. Ohio State (45)
10. New Mexico State (49)
11. Washington (51)
12. Seton Hall (55)

In this particular region, the top 7 seeds are better than any region and we have some movement. Kansas got a 3-seed and I know that’s too high. They’re not a 7 but that’s where they’d fall here. Auburn has a tougher road ahead as a 5, when they profile as a possible 3. You may think the region stacks as the toughest but 8-12 gets a tad softer. That said...

New Mexico State is a tough 12-seed and Northeastern beating Kansas would not surprise me at all. If Carolina ends up not playing a big major until the regional final, it wouldn’t surprise me. Of course, the storyline game is Kansas-UNC in the Sweet 16.  Kentucky-Wofford would be fun in the round of 32. Seton Hall already beat Kentucky this year should they meet in that round. I hate when that happens in the early rounds. That’s lazy bracketing, travel be damned. Houston is a good team but they got stuffed in the 2nd hardest region for a 3-seed. Basically, Iowa State in the round of 32 would be a coin flip game. It’s Kentucky or Carolina Blue in this region.