NCAA Midwest Region Capsules
1. Kentucky
RECORD: 34-0. LAST 10: 10-0
BID: Automatic. RPI: 1
BEST WIN: 72-40 over then-No. 5 Kansas.
SCOUTING THE WILDCATS: Last year’s NCAA runner-up back for 54th appearance behind nation’s No. 3 defense (53.7 points per game), guards Aaron Harrison (11.3 points), Devin Booker (10.7 points per game).
2. Kansas
RECORD: 26-8. LAST 10: 6-4
BID: At-large. RPI: 2
BEST WIN: 89-76 over No. 13 Iowa State.
SCOUTING THE JAYHAWKS: Making 10th straight NCAA tournament appearance, 45th overall, behind junior forward Perry Ellis (13.8 points, 7.0 rebounds per game).
3. Notre Dame
RECORD: 29-5. LAST 10: 8-2
BID: Automatic. RPI: 15
BEST WIN: Beat Duke twice, including in ACC semifinals.
SCOUTING THE FIGHTING IRISH: Back in NCAA tournament for 34th time, first since 2013, behind senior guard Jerian Grant (16.8 points, 6.6 assists, 3.0 rebounds per game).
4. Maryland
RECORD: 27-6. LAST 10: 8-2
BID: At-large. RPI: 11
BEST WIN: 59-53 over then-No. 5 Wisconsin.
SCOUTING THE TERRAPINS: Returns to NCAA tournament after five-year absence, 25th appearance overall, behind freshman guard Melo Trimble (16.3 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists per game).
5. West Virginia
RECORD: 23-9. LAST 10: 5-5
BID: At-large. RPI: 24
BEST WIN: 62-61 over then-No. 8 Kansas.
SCOUTING THE MOUNTAINEERS: Returns to NCAA tournament after three-year absence, 26th appearance overall, behind senior guard Juwan Staten (14.5 points, 4.6 assists, 2.8 rebounds per game).
6. Butler
RECORD: 22-10. LAST 10: 6-4
BID: At-large. RPI: 32
BEST WIN: 74-66 over then-No. 5 North Carolina.
SCOUTING THE BULLDOGS: Making 13th appearance in NCAA tournament and first in two years behind junior guard Kellen Dunham (16.7 points, 2.6 rebounds per game).
7. Wichita State
RECORD: 28-4. LAST 10: 9-1
BID: At-large. RPI: 18
BEST WIN: 74-60 over then-No. 10 Northern Iowa.
SCOUTING THE SHOCKERS: Making third straight appearance in NCAA tournament, 12th overall, behind All-American junior guard Ron Baker (15.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists per game).
8. Cincinnati
RECORD: 22-10. LAST 10: 6-4
BID: At-large. RPI: 40
BEST WIN: Beat No. 20 SMU twice.
SCOUTING THE BEARCATS: Making 29th NCAA tournament appearance behind nation’s No. 6 scoring defense (55.3 points per game), junior forward Octavius Ellis (10.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.1 blocked shots per game)
9. Purdue
RECORD: 21-12. LAST 10: 6-4
BID: At-large. RPI: 52
BEST WIN: 83-67 over then-No. 22 Indiana.
SCOUTING THE BOILERMAKERS: Returns to NCAA tournament after three-year absence, 27th appearance overall, behind 7-foot junior center A.J. Hammons (11.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.9 blocks per game).
10. Indiana
RECORD: 20-13. LAST 10: 4-6
BID: At-large. RPI: 56
BEST WIN: 89-70 over then-No. 13 Maryland.
SCOUTING THE HOOSIERS: Back in NCAA tournament for 38th time, first appearance since 2013, behind junior guard Yogi Ferrell (16.1 points, 4.9 assists, 3.3 rebounds per game).
11. Texas
RECORD: 20-13. LAST 10: 5-5
BID: At-large. RPI: 42
BEST WIN: 61-59 in OT over then-No. 14 Baylor.
SCOUTING THE LONGHORNS: Making 16th NCAA tournament appearance in 17 years under coach Rick Barnes, 32nd overall, behind sophomore guard Isaiah Taylor (13.0 points, 4.6 assists, 3.3 rebounds per game).
12. Buffalo
RECORD: 23-9. LAST 10: 8-2
BID: Automatic. RPI: 30
BEST WIN: 89-84 over Central Michigan.
SCOUTING THE BULLS: Making first-ever appearance in NCAA tournament behind junior forward Justin Moss (17.7 points, 9.2 rebounds per game).
13. Valparaiso
RECORD: 28-5. LAST 10: 9-1
BID: Automatic. RPI: 50
BEST WIN: Beat Green Bay twice.
SCOUTING THE CRUSADERS: Making ninth NCAA appearance, first since 2013, behind sophomore forward Alec Peters (16.7 points, 6.8 rebounds per game).
14. Northeastern
RECORD: 23-11. LAST 10: 7-3
BID: Automatic. RPI: 85
BEST WIN: 58-57 over Richmond.
SCOUTING THE HUSKIES: Making first NCAA appearance in 24 years, eighth overall, behind senior forward Scott Eatherton (14.6 points, 6.4 rebounds per game).
15. New Mexico State
RECORD: 23-10. LAST 10: 10-0
BID: Automatic. RPI: 107
BEST WIN: 71-64 over Texas-El Paso.
SCOUTING THE AGGIES: Making 22nd appearance in NCAA tournament behind freshman forward Pascal Siakam (13.0 points, 7.7 rebounds per game).
16. Manhattan
RECORD: 19-13. LAST 10: 7-3
BID: Automatic. RPI: 169
BEST WIN: 79-69 over Iona.
SCOUTING THE JASPERS: Making second straight NCAA appearance, eighth overall, behind senior forward Emmy Andujar (16.5 points, 7.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists per game).
16. Hampton
RECORD: 16-17. LAST 10: 7-3
BID: Automatic. RPI: 256
BEST WIN: 75-64 over Norfolk State.
SCOUTING THE PIRATES: Making first NCAA appearance in four years, fourth overall, behind junior forward Dwight Meikle (13.0 points, 7.5 rebounds per game).
Compiled by correspondent Bill Kiser and The Charlotte Observer staff writer David Scott
This story was originally published March 15, 2015 at 11:44 PM with the headline "NCAA Midwest Region Capsules."