2015 Pre-NCAA Tournament All South Regional Team

The South Region is led by Duke, Gonzaga, and Iowa State however the other teams in the South Region have a lot of star players making for an unpredictable bracket. Almost half of the nation’s Top 10 scoring offenses play in this region so all the games will be fun to watch.

The bracket has a good mixture of top teams and low seeded mid-majors that are loaded with talent capable of making a run past the first weekend of tournament.

Here are five players to watch as the 2015 NCAA Tournament unfolds.

 

South Region

Duke center Jahlil Okafor

The ACC Player of the Year has been a force all season. The freshman leads Duke with just under 18 points a game while grabbing nine rebounds. Okafor also shoots just under 67 percent from the field. The Blue Devils look to rebound from a first round exit last year with Okafor leading the way.

Iowa State forward Georges Niang

The junior forward broke his foot in the first round last year and is motivated more than ever to have a great tournament this year. Niang averages 15.5 points and five rebounds per game. Niang and the Cyclones won the Big 12 Tournament and look to make a big splash in the NCAA tournament.

Gonzaga guard Kevin Pangos

The senior guard has been the most important player for Gonzaga all year. Pangos averages 11.5 points and five assists per game for the No. 2 seeded Bulldogs. Gonzaga has had trouble advancing in the NCAA tournament in the past few years but with Pangos leading them, the Bulldogs could finally reach their first Final Four.

SMU guard Nic Moore

The junior guard scores just over 14 points a game and dishes just over five assists per contest. Moore has been the Mustangs best player all year.

Coach Larry Brown is making his first appearance in the NCAA tournament since 1988 and with Moore leading the team could advance past the first weekend.

Eastern Washington guard Tyler Harvey

Harvey leads the nation with 22.9 points a game and 122 made 3-pointers. The junior guard also shoots 47 percent from the field. Harvey hopes to lead his Eagles in the upset of Georgetown in the first round and make a “Cinderella” run past the first weekend.

 

Written by Charlie Beuttel

Photo credit: amestribe.com; No. 31 Georges Niang looks to lead ISU into the Final Four out of the South Region.