March Madness preview: Get to know NCAA basketball teams coming to play in Wichita
We knew March Madness was returning to Wichita this week, as Intrust Bank Arena is slated to host NCAA Tournament men’s basketball games on Thursday and Saturday.
Now that the bracket has been officially finalized, we know which teams are coming to Wichita in search of tickets to the Sweet 16.
For fans, tickets to the games are available to purchase for all three sessions in Wichita at Select A Seat.
The Eagle has compiled a thorough preview to serve as a guide for local fans to learn about the eight teams coming to play in Wichita.
March Madness schedule for Wichita
Midwest regional
No. 1 seed Houston (30-4) vs. No. 16 seed SIU Edwardsville (22-11), 1 p.m.
No. 8 seed Gonzaga (25-8) vs. No. 9 seed Georgia (20-12), 3:35 p.m. approximately
West regional
No. 6 seed Missouri (22-11) vs. No. 11 seed Drake (30-3), 6:35 p.m.
No. 3 seed Texas Tech (25-8) vs. No. 14 seed UNC Wilmington (27-7), 9:10 p.m. approximately
Open practice schedule for NCAA Tournament teams in Wichita
Note: Open practices on Wednesday are held at Intrust Bank Arena and are free for the public to attend.
11 a.m. — SIU Edwardsville Cougars
11:45 a.m. — Houston Cougars
12:30 p.m. — Georgia Bulldogs
1:15 p.m. — Gonzaga Bulldogs
2 p.m. — Drake Bulldogs
2:45 p.m. — Missouri Tigers
3:30 p.m. — UNC Wilmington Seahawks
4:15 p.m. — Texas Tech Red Raiders
Houston Cougars
Matchup: No. 1 seed in Midwest vs. No. 16 SIU Edwardsville
Vitals: 30-4, No. 3 NET, Big 12 champions
Coach: Kelvin Sampson, 11th season, 293-83
Location: Houston, Texas (603 miles from Wichita)
NCAA appearances, last: 27, 2024
Result-based metrics: No. 6 KPI, No. 2 SOR, No. 3 WAB
Predictive metrics: No. 2 BPI, No. 3 KenPom, No. 1 T-Rank
Best win: 69-61 win at Texas Tech on Feb. 24
Worst loss: 73-70 overtime neutral loss to San Diego State on Nov. 30
Starting lineup: Milos Uzan, 6-4, jr., G (11.5 pts, 3.0 reb, 4.3 ast, 42.6% 3pt); L.J. Cryer, 6-1, sr., G (15.2 pts, 42.2% 3pt); Emanuel Sharp, jr., 6-3, G (12.6 pts, 3.1 reb, 1.4 stl, 42.8% 3pt); J’Wan Roberts, sr., 6-7, F (10.8 pts, 6.3 reb); Joseph Tugler, so., 6-7, F (5.6 pts, 5.7 reb, 2.1 blk).
Scouting report: With the No. 11 offense and No. 2 defense, Houston doesn’t have much of a weakness. The Cougars are the fourth-best 3-point shooting team (39.8%) and pound the offensive glass. On defense, Houston protects the rim ferociously and limits scoring chances inside the arc. Teams who have sped up Houston, who plays at the 360th pace in the country, have found more success than trying to win a low-possession game. Roberts (ankle) missed the last two wins in the Big 12 tournament and his injury is worth monitoring for Houston.
Texas Tech Red Raiders
Matchup: No. 3 seed in West vs. No. 14 UNC Wilmington
Vitals: 25-8, No. 7 NET, at large from Big 12
Coach: Grant McCasland, second season, 48-19
Location: Lubbock, Texas (508 miles from Wichita)
NCAA appearances, last: 21, 2024
Result-based metrics: No. 21 KPI, No. 10 SOR, No. 15 WAB
Predictive metrics: No. 8 BPI, No. 7 KenPom, No. 7 T-Rank
Best win: 82-81 overtime win at Houston on February 1
Worst loss: 78-77 neutral loss to Saint Joseph’s on November 21
Starting lineup: Elijah Hawkins, 5-11, sr., G (9.1 pts, 3.3 reb, 6.4 ast, 1.6 stl); Chance McMillian, 6-2, sr., G (14.2 pts, 4.1 reb); Kerwin Walton, sr., 6-5, G (5.8 pts, 40.2% 3pt); Darrion Williams, jr., 6-6, F (14.3 pts, 5.2 reb, 3.7 ast); J.T. Toppin, so., 6-9, F (18.1 pts, 9.2 reb, 1.3 blk).
Scouting report: Few teams can score like the Red Raiders, as Toppin has made a strong case as an All-American candidate with his explosive scoring inside. Texas Tech has the No. 5 offense because it rarely turns it over, shoots well all over the floor and hits the glass hard. The defense is solid (No. 37 overall) but not great, as Texas Tech has been susceptible at times with its defensive rebounding. The Red Raiders also carry some injury concerns entering Wichita, as two starters — McMillian (upper body) and Williams (right foot) — both missed the last Big 12 tournament game and are considered questionable to return this week.
Missouri Tigers
Matchup: No. 6 seed in West vs. No. 11 Drake
Vitals: 22-11, No. 16 NET, at large from SEC
Coach: Dennis Gates, third season, 55-45
Location: Columbia, Missouri (320 miles from Wichita)
NCAA appearances, last: 30, 2023
Result-based metrics: No. 29 KPI, No. 29 SOR, No. 24 WAB
Predictive metrics: No. 31 BPI, No. 15 KenPom, No. 16 T-Rank
Best win: 83-82 win at Florida on January 14
Worst loss: 61-53 loss at Texas on January 21
Starting lineup: Anthony Robinson, so., 6-2, G (9.2 pts, 3.1 reb, 3.5 ast); Tony Perkins, sr., 6-4, G (8.7 pts, 2.6 reb, 2.6 ast); Tamar Bates, sr., 6-5, G (13.4 pts, 2.7 reb); Mark Mitchell, jr., 6-8, F (14.1 pts, 4.6 reb, 1.9 ast); Trent Pierce, so., 6-10, F (6.8 pts, 3.3 reb).
Scouting report: Missouri sputtered to the finish line, losing five of its last seven games, but is as dangerous as any team: The Tigers boast the No. 5 offense in the country. MU gets to the foul line better than almost anyone and is one of the best shooting teams in the country. The roster features three 40% 3-point shooters, including Wichita native and super sub Caleb Grill. Where Mizzou has struggled is the defensive end, as they are one of the worst defensive rebounding teams in the country and foul a bit too much. But if the Tigers can force enough turnovers, their potent offense could make them a tough out.
Gonzaga Bulldogs
Matchup: No. 8 seed in Midwest vs. No. 9 Georgia
Vitals: 25-8, No. 8 NET, West Coast Conference champions
Coach: Mark Few, 26th season, 741-151
Location: Spokane, Washington (1,600 miles from Wichita)
NCAA appearances, last: 27, 2024
Result-based metrics: No. 26 KPI, No. 39 SOR, No. 35 WAB
Predictive metrics: No. 10 BPI, No. 9 KenPom, No. 11 T-Rank
Best win: 58-51 neutral win over Saint Mary’s on March 11
Worst loss: 97-89 overtime loss at Oregon State on January 16
Starting lineup: Ryan Nembhard, sr., 6-0, G (10.8 pts, 3.1 reb, 9.8 ast, 1.7 stl); Nolan Hickman, sr., 6-2, G (11.0 pts, 2.5 reb, 2.3 ast); Khalif Battle, sr., 6-5, G (13.2 pts, 3.5 reb, 1.5 ast); Ben Gregg, sr., 6-10, F (9.4 pts, 5.2 reb); Graham Ike, sr., 6-9, C (17.1 pts, 7.5 reb).
Scouting report: Gonzaga will be looking for its 10th straight Sweet 16 run, although it will have to extend the streak from its lowest seed during that run. The Zags were preseason title contenders, but stumbled a few more times than expected. Still, the analytics love them and suggest they are much better than the typical No. 8 seed. Gonzaga has a top-10 offense because it rarely turns it over, scores extremely well inside the arc and shoots 80.1% as a team from the foul line. At the other end, the Bulldogs make you work for baskets and feature a top-30 defense that does just about everything well.
Georgia Bulldogs
Matchup: No. 9 seed in Midwest vs. No. 8 Gonzaga
Vitals: 20-12, No. 33 NET, at large from SEC
Coach: Michael White, third season, 56-45
Location: Athens, Georgia (1,030 miles from Wichita)
NCAA appearances, last: 13, 2015
Result-based metrics: No. 38 KPI, No. 35 SOR, No. 33 WAB
Predictive metrics: No. 38 BPI, No. 34 KenPom, No. 30 T-Rank
Best win: 88-83 win vs. Florida on February 25
Worst loss: 81-75 neutral loss to Oklahoma on March 12
Starting lineup: Silas Demary, so., 6-5, G (13.4 pts, 4.0 reb, 3.1 ast); Blue Cain, so., 6-5, G (9.6 pts, 4.2 reb, 1.5 ast); Dylan James, so., 6-9, F (3.3 pts, 2.2 reb); R.J. Godfrey, jr., 6-7, F (6.5 pts, 3.9 reb); Asa Newell, fr., 6-11, C (15.3 pts, 6.8 reb, 1.0 blk).
Scouting report: Led by star freshman big man Asa Newell, the Bulldogs are back in the Big Dance for the first time in a decade. Georgia survived in the rugged SEC with its defense, which ranked No. 26 in the country with one of the best effective field goal percentage defenses nationally — again thanks in large part to Newell. Georgia really struggles taking care of the ball, but it crashes the glass hard and racks up the fouls to shoot a ton of free throws.
Drake Bulldogs
Matchup: No. 11 seed in West vs. No. 6 Missouri
Vitals: 30-3, No. 56 NET, Missouri Valley Conference champions
Coach: Ben McCollum, first season, 30-3
Location: Des Moines, Iowa (389 miles from Wichita)
NCAA appearances, last: 8, 2024
Result-based metrics: No. 33 KPI, No. 32 SOR, No. 41 WAB
Predictive metrics: No. 73 BPI, No. 58 KenPom, No. 58 T-Rank
Best win: 81-70 neutral win vs. Vanderbilt on November 24
Worst loss: 66-59 loss vs. Murray State on January 5
Starting lineup: Bennett Stirtz, jr., 6-4, G (19.1 pts, 4.4 reb, 5.7 ast, 2.2 stl); Isaiah Jackson, sr., 6-3, G (3.9 pts, 3.4 reb, 1.9 ast); Mitch Mascari, sr., 6-5, G (9.8 pts, 2.2 reb, 1.3 ast); Daniel Abreau, sr., 6-6, F (10.4 pts, 3.3 reb, 1.0 ast); Cam Nayawu, so., 6-9, F (7.2 pts, 5.4 reb).
Scouting report: The Bulldogs have become one of the nation’s darlings this season under first-year head coach Ben McCollum, who has immediately translated his success from the Division II level to Division I. Drake plays at the slowest pace in the country and sports a top-50 defense that forces turnovers at a high rate and boards out very well on the defensive end. The offense can struggle shooting at times, but the Bulldogs manufacture points at the free throw line better than most and is a top-20 offensive rebounding team. Bennett Stirtz is also one of the best players in the country and could become the face of a Cinderella story if Drake wins in Wichita.
UNC Wilmington Seahawks
Matchup: No. 14 seed in West vs. No. 3 Texas Tech
Vitals: 27-7, No. 102 NET, Colonial Athletic Association champions
Coach: Takayo Siddle, fifth season, 106-46
Location: Wilmington, North Carolina (1,379 miles from Wichita)
NCAA appearances, last: 7, 2017
Result-based metrics: No. 88 KPI, No. 84 SOR, No. 83 WAB
Predictive metrics: No. 111 BPI, No. 105 KenPom, No. 109 T-Rank
Best win: 85-83 win at Charleston on January 23
Worst loss: 72-59 loss vs. Colgate on November 27
Starting lineup: Donovan Newby, sr., 6-1, G (14.6 pts, 2.7 reb, 3.5 ast); Joshua Williams, jr., 6-5, G (5.5 pts, 2.9 reb, 2.5 ast); Bo Montgomery, sr., 6-5, 180, G (9.1 pts, 3.8 reb, 2.1 ast); Sean Moore, sr., 6-4, G (8.8 pts, 6.5 reb, 1.3 ast); Harlan Obioha, jr., 7-0, C (9.3 pts, 5.9 reb, 1. blk).
Scouting report: For a No. 14 seed, UNC Wilmington packs a punch with its offense that ranks top-85 in the country. The Seahawks led the CAA in offensive efficiency, as they pounded the glass and made nearly 37% of their 3-pointers in conference play. UNCW likes to play at a slow pace and found success at the conference level by dominating the glass, helped by 7-foot Hoxie native Harlan Obioha inside. For a mid-major, UNC Wilmington features some talent at the center position with Obioha and super sub Khamari McGriff, a 6-foot-9 junior who averages 11.6 points off the bench.
SIU Edwardsville Cougars
Matchup: No. 16 seed in Midwest vs. No. 1 Houston
Vitals: 22-11, No. 216 NET, Ohio Valley Conference champions
Coach: Brian Barone, sixth season, 86-102
Location: Edwardsville, Illinois (451 miles from Wichita)
NCAA appearances, last: First time
Result-based metrics: No. 225 KPI, No. 185 SOR, No. 153 WAB
Predictive metrics: No. 240 BPI, No. 217 KenPom, No. 218 T-Rank
Best win: 69-48 neutral win vs. Southeast Missouri on March 8
Worst loss: 82-57 loss at Green Bay on November 19
Starting lineup: Ray’Sean Taylor, sr., 6-1, G (19.3 pts, 4.5 reb, 3.8 ast, 2.0 stl); Brian Taylor, jr., 6-4, G (12.0 pts, 4.1 reb, 2.9 ast); Desmond Polk, sr., 6-4, G (6.2 pts, 3.3 reb); Ring Malith, jr., 6-9, F (11.5 pts, 7.2 reb, 1.4 ast); Kyle Thomas, so., 6-10, C (6.0 pts, 3.3 reb, 1.0 blk).
Scouting report: For the first time since transitioning to Division I in 2008, SIU Edwardsville is going dancing. The Cougars missed out on the regular season crown in the Ohio Valley, but won the conference tournament in dominant fashion in the title game. There’s not much SIUE does well, at least in terms of a national scale, but it can hang its hat on a top-40 ranking in defensive effective field goal percentage. Like most 16 seeds, the Cougars will just be happy to be a part of the party in Wichita.
This story was originally published March 16, 2025 at 5:36 PM.
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