Duke is the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament and the heavy betting favorite. The Blue Devils feature phenom Zion Williamson back from a knee injury and dominating, R.J. Barrett proving why he's a future top-five NBA draft pick and point guard Tre Jones becoming a scarier offensive threat each game.
But there are plenty of potential pitfalls for Duke on the way to the Final Four out of the East Region -- a list that starts with No. 2 seed Michigan State, the Big Ten tournament champions who are a perennial tough out under Tom Izzo.
1. DukeRecord: 29-5Nickname: Blue DevilsConference: ACCPlayer to Watch: Zion Williamson (22.1 PPG, 8.9 RPG, 2.2 SPG, 1.8 BPG)
16. North Carolina CentralRecord: 18-15Nickname: EaglesConference: MEACPlayer to Watch: Rasean Davis (14.6 PPG, 8.9 RPG)
16. North Dakota StateRecord: 18-15Nickname: BisonConference: SummitPlayer to Watch: Vinnie Shahid (12.8 PPG)
8. VCURecord: 25-7Nickname: RamsConference: Atlantic 10 (at-large)Player to Watch: Marcus Evans (13.8 PPG)
9. Central FloridaRecord: 23-8Nickname: KnightsConference: American (at-large)Player to Watch: Tacko Fall (7-foot-6, 10.9 PPG, 2.5 BPG)
5. Mississippi StateRecord: 23-10Nickname: BulldogsConference: SEC (at-large)Player to Watch: Quinndary Weatherspoon (18.2 PPG, 1.7 SPG)
12. LibertyRecord: 28-6Nickname: FlamesConference: Atlantic SunPlayer to Watch: Scottie James (13.1 PPG, 8.8 RPG)
4. Virginia TechRecord: 24-8Nickname: HokiesConference: ACC (at-large)Player to Watch: Justin Robinson (13.7 PPG, 5.2 APG)
13. Saint LouisRecord: 23-12Nickname: BillikensConference: Atlantic 10Player to Watch: Javon Bess (15.3 PPG, 6.7 RPG)
6. MarylandRecord: 22-10Nickname: TerrapinsConference: Big Ten (at-large)Player to Watch: Bruno Fernando (13.7 PPG, 10.4 RPG)
11. BelmontRecord: 26-5Nickname: BruinsConference: Ohio Valley (at-large)Player to Watch: Dylan Windler (21.4 PPG, 10.7 RPG)
11. TempleRecord: 23-9Nickname: OwlsConference: American (at-large)Player to Watch: Shizz Alston Jr. (19.7 PPG, 5.0 APG)
3. LSURecord: 26-6Nickname: TigersConference: SEC (at-large)Player to Watch: Naz Reid (13.7 PPG, 7.2 RPG)
14. YaleRecord: 22-7Nickname: BulldogsConference: IvyPlayer to Watch: Miye Oni (17.6 PPG, 6.3 RPG)
7. LouisvilleRecord: 20-13Nickname: CardinalsConference: ACC (at-large)Player to Watch: Jordan Nwora (17.2 PPG, 7.5 RPG
10. MinnesotaRecord: 21-13Nickname: Golden GophersConference: Big Ten (at-large)Player to Watch: Jordan Murphy (14.8 PPG, 11.5 RPG)
2. Michigan StateRecord: 28-6Nickname: SpartansConference: Big TenPlayer to Watch: Cassius Winston (18.9 PPG, 7.6 APG)
15. BradleyRecord: 20-14Nickname: BravesConference: Missouri ValleyPlayer to Watch: Darrell Brown (14.7 PPG, 43.9% 3-PT)