March Madness guide: What to look for in the NCAA Tournament

Updated Mar. 15, 2022 4:47 p.m. ET

Associated Press

is about to get its roar back.

A year after attendance was limited, the 2022 NCAA tournaments are a full-go for fans again. Arenas will be packed from San Diego to Buffalo, the road to a title paved with the sounds we've come to expect with all those buzzer beaters and breakout performances.

Two years of pent-up energy is about to be released and it's going to be a noisy ride.

Here's a few things to watch on the men's side as

THE FAVORITES

Gonzaga.

Arizona. Tommy Lloyd has taken what he helped create with Mark Few at Gonzaga and turned

Kansas. Ochai Agbaji and

Baylor.

POSSIBLE CINDERELLAS

South Dakota State. The Jackrabbits put points up in bunches and haven't lost since mid-December.

Loyola Chicago. Never doubt a team with Sister Jean on its side.

Murray State. The Racers have three players who can take over a game at any time and hit the tournament on a 20-game winning streak.

Chattanooga. The Mocs have some bite and a big-time scorer in Malachi Smith.

STAR PLAYERS

, Gonzaga. Built like a center, plays like a guard, unlike anyone we've ever seen.

, Duke. Potential No. 1 NBA draft pick has the game to take Coach K on a deep run in his final NCAA Tournament.

, Kentucky. The Wildcats' big man wants a rebound, he's going to get it. Got an offensive game to go with that tenacity, too.

, Iowa. Electric and efficient. He could be this year's bracket breakout star.

, Purdue. His first step looks like a blur to flailing defenders. His finishes at the rim make the nightly highlight reels.

, Bryant. Loves to talk trash. Has the game to back it up with a nation-leading 25.1 points per game.

MUST-WATCH GAMES

No. 4 Arkansas vs. No. 13 Vermont, West Region, Thursday in Buffalo. Eric Musselman's Razorbacks had a bit of trouble with Colgate last year before making a run to the Elite Eight. The veteran Catamounts will be a tough out with their efficient, five-out offense.

No. 6 Texas vs. No. 11 Virginia Tech, East Region, Friday in Milwaukee. The Longhorns have a scrappy defense, but closed the season with three straight losses. The Hokies have gotten hot at the right time, winning four games in four days to win the ACC Tournament.

No. 7 Michigan State vs. No. 10 Davidson, West Region, Friday in Greenville, South Carolina. The Spartans are always dangerous in the bracket with Tom Izzo at the helm. The Wildcats have been known to pull off upsets — remember Steph Curry's run in 2008? — and have two guards who can fill it up in Foster Loyer and Hyunjung Lee.

No. 7 Ohio State vs. No. 10 Loyola Chicago, South Region, Friday in Pittsburgh. The Ramblers have had a knack for pulling off upsets with Sister Jean in their corner, including that memorable run to the 2018 Final Four. The Buckeyes have high-volume scorer E.J. Liddell on their side, but limped down the stretch in the build-up to the bracket.

ODDS

The favorites to win it all, according to

Longest shots: 22 teams are plus-50,000, including Iowa State, TCU, Creighton and Notre Dame.

Best bets to reach the title game: Gonzaga-Arizona plus-950, Gonzaga-Kansas plus-1,100, Gonzaga-Auburn plus-1,600.

Conference of national champion: West Coast plus-290, SEC and Big 12 plus-370, Pac-12 pus-500.

Biggest spreads, first round: Gonzaga minus-23.5 vs. Georgia State; Baylor minus-21.5 vs. Norfolk State; Duke minus 18.5 vs. Cal State-Fullerton.

HOW TO WATCH

Get the remote ready! Find the full TV schedule

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