The Chaos Region
East Region
Duke's injuries create chaos
(1) Duke -- Duke enters as the 1-seed but faces a gauntlet without Caleb Foster. Cameron Boozer can carry them far, but the depleted backcourt opens the door for chaos -- and St. John's walks right through it.
East Region
Region Path: Michigan State to the Final Four
(3) Michigan State over (14) North Dakota State
It's March. It's Izzo. Jeremy Fears Jr. at the point guard position. Michigan State lives for tournament time — 14-seeds rarely have the depth to hang for 40 minutes.
(3) Michigan State over (11) South Florida
Izzo's tournament pedigree ends USF's 11-game win streak. Michigan State's rebounding and Fears Jr.'s composure are too much for an 11-seed in the Round of 32.
(3) Michigan State over (2) UConn
Izzo in March trumps inconsistent UConn. Fears Jr. controls tempo, MSU's rebounding suffocates UConn's drought-prone offense. The Spartans' physicality wears UConn down.
(3) Michigan State over (5) St. John's
The Izzo March magic peaks. MSU's rebounding and Fears Jr.'s composure outlast St. John's in a physical Elite 8 battle. Michigan State's tournament DNA carries them to the Final Four.