Breaking down NCAA tournament teams in Nashville

A look at the teams that will play their first- and second-round NCAA tournament games at Bridgestone Arena on Friday and Sunday:

SOUTH REGION

(2) CINCINNATI vs. (15) GEORGIA STATE

Cincinnati Bearcats. Location: Cincinnati.

Record: 30-4, 16-2. Bid: American champ.

Last appearance: 2017, lost to UCLA in Round of 32.

Coach: Mick Cronin (5-9 in nine appearances).

Overview: The Bearcats’ game isn’t always pretty, but it is effective. They play hard-nosed defense, while their scoring balance makes defending them a challenge. On the down side, they don’t shoot free throws particularly well (68.8%) and their perimeter shooting isn’t always reliable.

Projected starters: F Kyle Washington, 6-9, Sr. (11.3 ppg, 5.4 rpg); F Gary Clark, 6-8, Sr. (12.8 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 2.1 apg); G Jacob Evans, 6-6, Jr. (12.9 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 3.2 apg); G Justin Jenifer, 5-10, Jr. (4.9 ppg, 2.5 apg); G Jarron Cumberland, 6-5, So. (11.0 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.9 apg)

Georgia State Panthers. Location: Atlanta.

Record: 24-10, 12-6. Bid: Sun Belt champ.

Last appearance: 2015, lost to Xavier in Round of 32.

Coach: Ron Hunter (1-2 in two appearances).

Overview: The Panthers have three things in their favor: a star guard, the ability to shoot from deep and force turnovers. Georgia State is led by conference player of the year D’Marcus Simonds, who led the Sun Belt in scoring (20.9 ppg) and was fourth in assists (4.5 apg). The Panthers shot a league-leading 38.6% from three-point range and boast a +3.09 turnover margin.

Projected Starters: G D’Marcus Simonds, 6-3, So. (20.9 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 4.5 apg); G Devin Mitchell, 6-4, Jr. (12.2 ppg, 45 3FG%); F Jeff Thomas, 6-5, Jr. (10.9 ppg, 4.3 rpg); F Malik Benlevi, 6-5, Jr. (9.6 ppg, 6.5 rpg); F Jordan Session, 6-8, Sr. (7.7 ppg, 6.1 rpg).

(7) NEVADA vs. (10) TEXAS

Nevada Wolf Pack. Location: Reno.

Record: 27-7, 15-3. Bid: Mountain West at-large.

Last appearance: 2017, lost to Iowa State in Round of 64.

Coach: Eric Musselman (0-1 in one appearance).

Overview: The Wolf Pack had to sweat a little on Selection Sunday after running into a San Diego State buzzsaw in the MWC tournament. Their overall body of work got them into the field, but their chances to make a deep run took a major hit when starting point guard Lindsey Drew went down with a torn Achilles tendon last month. As a result, they’re left with a thin bench, so any foul trouble will be hard to overcome.

Projected starters: F Caleb Martin, 6-7, Jr. (19.1 ppg, 5.3 rpg); F Jordan Caroline, 6-7, Jr. (17.9 ppg, 8.8 rpg); F Cody Martin, 6-7, Jr. (13.6 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 4.6 apg); G Kendall Stephens, 6-7, Sr. (13.2 ppg, .917 ft%, .444 3fg%); G Hallice Cook, 6-3, Sr. (4.9 ppg)

Texas Longhorns. Location: Austin.

Record: 19-14, 8-10. Bid: Big 12 at-large.

Last appearance: 2016, lost to Northern Iowa in Round of 64.

Coach: Shaka Smart (7-6 in six appearances).

Overview: Texas struggled to gain momentum in the rugged Big 12 and with the loss of sophomore guard Andrew Jones, who was diagnosed in January with leukemia. But behind junior guard Kerwin Roach, freshman forward Mohamed Bamba and junior transfer Dylan Osetkowski, the Longhorns found enough consistency to reach the NCAA Tournament. Texas’ hopes might hinge on freshman Mohamed Bamba’s injured toe. Bamba had 14 double-doubles and ranks second nationally in blocks, averaging 3.7 a game, but was hampered in the final weeks of the regular season after the injury. Freshman forward Jericho Sims emerged in Bamba’s absence as an interior threat.

Projected starters: G Matt Coleman, 6-2, Fr. (9.7 ppg, 4.1 apg); G Kerwin Roach II, 6-4, Jr. (11.9 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 3.6 apg); G Jase Febres, 6-5, Fr. (3.5 ppg, 1.8 rpg); F Dylan Osetkowski, 6-9, Jr. (13.6 ppg, 7.1 rpg); F Mohamed Bamba, 6-11, Fr. (12.9 ppg, 10.4 rpg, 3.7 bpg).

WEST REGION

(1) Xavier vs. (16) North Carolina Central or (16) Texas Southern

Xavier Musketeers. Location: Cincinnati.

Record: 28-5, 15-3. Bid: Big East at-large.

Last appearance: 2017, lost to Gonzaga in Elite Eight.

Coach: Chris Mack (10-7 in seven appearances).

Overview: Instead of the plucky 11 seed making an unexpected run through the regional, Xavier will be the favorite. How well the Musketeers handle it largely depends on Trevon Bluiett, the senior catalyst. There are other scoring options, and the defensive focus usually is good, but when the star’s shots are falling Xavier’s chances for success vastly improve.

Projected starters: G Trevon Bluiett, 6-6, Sr. (19.5 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 2.5 apg, 42.1 ); G J.P. Macura, 6-5, Sr. (12.2 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 3.0 apg); F Kerem Kanter, 6-10, Sr. (10.4 ppg, 4.5 rpg); G Quentin Goodin, 6-4, So. (8.8 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 4.9 apg); F Naji Marshall, 6-7, Fr. (8.1 ppg, 4.4 rpg)

North Carolina Central Eagles. Location: Durham.

Record: 19-15, 9-7. Bid: Mid-Eastern Athletic champ.

Last appearance: 2017, lost to UC Davis in First Four.

Coach: LeVelle Moton (0-2 in two appearances).

Overview: The Eagles are a strong rebounding team and possess the leadership and experience from upperclassmen who will be looking to break through after a close loss in the First Four last year.

Projected starters: G Jordan Perkins, 6-1, Fr. (8.4 ppg, 5.4 apg, 40.4 3FG%); G Reggie Gardner Jr., 6-3, Fr. (11.2 ppg, 76.0 FT%); F Pablo Rivas, 6-6, Sr. (11.8 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 50.2 FG%); F Zacarry Douglas, 6-8, Jr. (4.1 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 48.0 FG%); C Raasean Davis, 6-9, Jr. (15.0 ppg, 8.0 rpg.)

Texas Southern Tigers. Location: Houston.

Record: 15-19, 12-6. Bid: SWAC champ.

Last appearance: 2017, lost to North Carolina in Round of 64.

Coach: Mike Davis (7-8 in eight appearances).

Overview: Texas Southern took a bizarre road, starting 0-13, and for the second year in a row did not play a home game until January. But the Tigers emerged again as one of the top teams in the Southwestern Athletic Conference once league play began, and they secured a pair of double-digit tournament victories to head to the NCAA tournament for the fourth time in six seasons.

Projected starters: G Demontrae Jefferson, 5-7, So. (23.7 ppg, 4.5 apg.; G Donte Clark, 6-4, Sr. (18.6 ppg, 5.3 rpg); G Derrick Bruce, 6-3, Jr. (13.9 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 84(PERCENT) FT); F Marquis Salmon, 6-8, Sr. (5.3 ppg, 6.2 rpg,); G Cainan McClelland, 6-4, Fr. (2.6 ppg).

Missouri Tigers. Location: Columbia.

Record: 20-12, 10-8. Bid: SEC at-large

Last Appearance: 2013, lost to Colorado State in Round of 64.

Coach: Cuonzo Martin (3-2 in two appearances).

Overview: Missouri scores a lot of points from beyond the arc and is relatively efficient (38.5 percent). The Tigers are solid on defense, allowing 68.1 points a game. One question: Heralded freshman Michael Porter Jr., who returned in the SEC tournament after missing all but two minutes of the season. Can he get fit and explosive enough to be a factor? Another question: No. 2 scorer Jordan Barnett has been arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated. His status is in question.

Projected Starters: G Kassius Robertson, 6-3, Sr. (16.2 ppg, 3.0 rpg; F Jordan Barnett, 6-7, Sr. (f13.7 ppg, 5.9 rpg; F Kevin Puryear, 6-7, Jr. (8.6 ppg, 4.3 rpg; F Jeremiah Tilmon (8.4 ppg, 4.3 rpg; G Jordan Geist, 6-2, Jr. (7.4 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 2.9 apg).

Florida State Seminoles. Location: Tallahassee.

Record: 20-11, 9-9. Bid: ACC at-large.

Last appearance: 2017, lost to Xavier in Round of 32.

Coach: Leonard Hamilton (7-8 in eight appearances).

Overview: The Seminoles are more of a sum-of-parts success. Only Terance Mann received enough votes to be honorable mention on the all-ACC team. Ten players are part of the rotation that plays up-tempo to take advantage of their athleticism and overcomes a lack of consistent outside shooting.

Projected starters: G Terance Mann, 6-6, Jr. (13.2 ppg, 5.7 rpg); F Phil Cofer, 6-8, Sr. (13.1 ppg, 5.1 rpg); G Braian Angola, 6-6, Sr. (12.9 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 3.0 apg; G CJ Walker, 6-1, So. (8.5 ppg, 2.7 apg); C Christ Koumadje, 7-4, Jr. (7.4 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 1.6 bpg)