Let’s preview the East Region.
Best First Round Matchups
#6 BYU vs. #11 VCU (Thursday, approx. 4:05 PM ET – TNT)
From Around The Corn’s perspective, this is the most intriguing matchup of the entire First Round. BYU can be very potent offensively, knocking down threes and generally speaking playing at a pace that suits its talent crop. The Cougars are inconsistent, though, and VCU is one of the very best when it comes to consistency and efficiency, particularly on defense. Both of these teams can do damage in later rounds, but getting through this one will be very difficult.
#7 Saint Mary’s vs. #10 Vanderbilt (Friday, approx. 3:15 PM ET – truTV)
The Gaels are very physical and that may make Vanderbilt very uncomfortable in this game. However, the Commodores are better than their 20-12 overall record and sub-.500 conference record suggest. There were a ton of good performances from Vanderbilt throughout the season and it feels like they are a bit of an underrated team coming into the Tournament. This is a textbook definition of a game that could go either way.
#4 Arizona vs. #13 Akron (Friday, approx. 7:35 PM ET – truTV)
The Wildcats seem to have righted the ship heading into the Tournament, making the Big 12 title game before bowing out valiantly to an excellent Houston squad. Akron cannot be taken lightly, however. The Zips are an experienced bunch that won’t be intimidated by an up-tempo pace, and have only lost one game in all of 2025. For fans of fast, back-and-forth play, this is the premier matchup of the First Round.
Team That Could Make a Run
BYU
Stop if you’ve heard this one before. Actually, don’t stop – because you have. The Cougars were one of Around The Corn’s teams that could make a run last year, too, and we all know how that ended up working out.
Things don’t begin easily for BYU, as VCU presents the kind of matchup that could give the Cougars a ton of fits. But if Kevin Young’s squad can get past the First Round (and that’s a fairly big “if”), the potential matchups are much more favorable going forward. Given BYU’s comfort level engaging in back-and-forth, offensive affairs, this is a squad that can make a deep run if it can get by the one team in its way that will want to try to slow things down. Unfortunately for the Cougars, that one team is staring right back at them, and they’re not blinking.
Buyer Beware
Alabama
The Crimson Tide aren’t in any major danger of getting ousted by Robert Morris. But beyond that, Alabama has to find a suitable replacement for Grant Nelson’s production under the impression that the 6’11” forward won’t be available, or at least be at 100 percent health, for the duration of this Tournament.
Nelson’s length is a difficult to find out on the street, and he was incredibly important to Alabama’s run in last year’s Big Dance. His left leg injury has him listed as questionable heading into the Crimson Tide’s first game this week, though that listing seems almost too positive. If he is not back, the complexion of Alabama changes, and it goes from legitimate title contender to a team that might not make it to the second weekend.
Remember The Name
Josh Hubbard, Mississippi State
The sophomore Hubbard really began to break out during his freshman year, but has built upon that success and did not crack under the pressure of being Mississippi State’s go-to guy this season. As a relatively poor shooting team as a whole, the Bulldogs rely on Hubbard extensively to avoid scoring droughts, both with his ability to put the ball in the net himself as well as distribute it to the post, where teammate Cameron Matthews does most of his damage.
Not a ton is expected of the Bulldogs in this Tournament, if only because of their likely date with top seeded Duke if Mississippi State were to beat Baylor in the First Round. However, Hubbard has the ability to go off, and any shock victory that the Bulldogs orchestrate this season will have his fingerprints all over it.
Richie Saunders, BYU
If you’re in need of a dagger three pointer, Saunders is one of the first guys you’d call from the collegiate ranks. The 6’5” junior has been an assassin for the Cougars this season, shooting at a 43.3 percent clip from behind the arc (up from 36.4 percent last season) while averaging nearly double the number of shots taken from that distance compared to last season.
Saunders is also a capable slasher and can create his own shot, or free throw opportunities, off the dribble. For as good as Saunders can be, his skills will be put to the test early when BYU takes on VCU, which plays the type of defense that can neutralize a player like him.
John Tonje, Wisconsin
Tonje has been around the block a bit, having played at Colorado State and Missouri previously, but seems to have found a true home in Madison. He excelled as a swingman within Greg Gard’s offense, finding opportunities to score despite there being a few other possession-oriented players within Wisconsin’s rotation. The Badgers’ leading scorer does so efficiently, mixing in an ability to get to the basket off the dribble with well-timed three point shooting.
Wisconsin presents some difficult matchups for opposition and may be primed for a deep run in this year’s Tournament. If that happens, Tonje will become a household name, which is one of the few things he hasn’t achieved yet during his time as a Badger.
Mark Sears, Alabama
The consensus first-team All-American is already a name that most college basketball fans will know, but leaving him off this shortlist would be ignoring just how important he is to Alabama’s success. The 6’1” senior is the engine for the Crimson Tide’s high-octane offense, with a preference to push the ball up the court quickly and no fear of pulling up for a three-pointer on fastbreaks. Simply put, the way he plays is different than most other guards in the country, not because it isn’t effective, but because there aren’t many other guys who can afford to do so.
With Grant Nelson’s status questionable heading into the Tournament, even more pressure will be placed on the shoulders of Sears to deliver for the Crimson Tide. That shouldn’t be a problem, as he thrives while in the spotlight.
Around The Corn’s Picks
First Round
#1 Duke over #16 Mount St. Mary’s
#9 Baylor over #8 Mississippi State
#5 Oregon over #12 Liberty
#4 Arizona over #13 Akron
#6 BYU over #11 VCU
#3 Wisconsin over #14 Montana
#10 Vanderbilt over #7 Saint Mary’s (CA) (upset alert)
#2 Alabama over #15 Robert Morris
Second Round
#1 Duke over #9 Baylor
#5 Oregon over #4 Arizona
#6 BYU over #3 Wisconsin (upset alert)
#2 Alabama over #10 Vanderbilt
Sweet 16
#1 Duke over #5 Oregon
#6 BYU over #2 Alabama (upset alert)
Elite 8
#1 Duke over #6 BYU
