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NCAA Bracketlogy: Five Teams Miami Hurricanes are Most Likely to Play

By Alan Rubenstein

Mar 9, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Miami Hurricanes guard Davon Reed (5) controls the ball against North Carolina Tar Heels guard Nate Britt (0) during the second half of an ACC Conference Tournament game at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sportsat Barclays Center.
Mar 9, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Miami Hurricanes guard Davon Reed (5) controls the ball against North Carolina Tar Heels guard Nate Britt (0) during the second half of an ACC Conference Tournament game at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sportsat Barclays Center. /
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While Miami is often the underdog on paper, they are seldom a Cinderella that fans would root for or get behind. Northwestern is that team. The Wildcats are on the verge of their first NCAA Tournament bid in school history.

They hosted the very first NCAA Championship game between Oregon and Ohio State in 1939 and also hosted the 1956 Final Four. They did win the 1931 National Championship with a 16-1 record via poll.

Northwestern has made seven NIT appearances. They had one each in 1983, 1994 and 1999 under Rich Falk, Kevin O’Neill and Ricky Byrdsong. Bill Carmody led the Wildcats to four NITs in a row from 2009-12.

Under the circumstances, this has arguably been Northwestern’s greatest season ever. The Wildcats 22-10 record is their best since going 15-5 in the 1945-46 season. Head Coach Chris Collins has taken what Carmody built and improved the program to another level.

Northwestern is balanced team led by their dynamic backcourt of Bryant McIntosh and Scottie Lindsay. Northwestern stuggled earlier this season when Lindsay missed four games with Mononucleosis.

McIntosh leads the offense with 14.5 points per game and 5.2 assists per game. The Wildcats run a very efficient offense, ranking 50th in the country in assists. Lindsay is second in scoring at 14.0 PPG.

They are an average offense. NU does not shoot the three well. They rank 226th in the country in three-point percentage. They are 33rd in free throw percentage, but 275th in free throw attempts.

Dererk Pardon is their horse inside averaging 8.8 PPG and 8.0 rebounds. Forward Nathan Taphorn and Vic Law are the Wildcats best outside shooters. Taphorn connects on 43.6 percent of his three point attempts and Law 39.1.

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