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Previewing the South Regional: Is Dunk City’s reign over?

Favorite: Florida

Are the Gators the best team left in the South? I don’t know. I don’t think anyone does. What I do know, however, is that the Gators will play their first game in the regional against a team that finished in second place in the Atlantic Sun in Florida Gulf Coast. The Gators have the ability to overwhelm opponents, and I expect nothing less from them against FGCU.

That gets Billy Donovan’s club to the Elite 8, where I think that the Gators happen to matchup well with both Kansas and Michigan. Scottie Wilbekin is the kind of ball-hawk in the back court that can give Trey Burke trouble, and I just don’t see Kansas being able to break down the Gator’s defense with Elijah Johnson and Naadir Tharpe running the show.

But they could also win: Michigan

Scott Van Pelt has a saying that he likes to use: How good is your good? When you are playing your best basketball, how good can your team be? We’ve seen how good the Wolverines can be when they start clicking. There’s a reason that they climbed all the way up to No. 1 in the country at one point this season. There’s a reason they ran both VCU and South Dakota State out of The Palace at Auburn Hills when Trey Burke didn’t play well in either game. The key? Glenn Robinson III. He’s played his best this season when going up against mediocre competition. John Beilein needs him to play his best if they are going to advance out of the South.

(Click here to browse through all of our Sweet 16 previews)

Most Important Player: Ben McLemore, Kansas

Glenn Robinson III might fit here as well, but we’ll go with McLemore since he’s not only a guy that many believe will be a top five pick in the draft, but he hands-down the most talented player on the Jayhawk roster. He’s also played terribly through two tournament games. He’s scored 13 points and shooting just 14.3% from the floor in those two games, including an 0-9 performance last Sunday when he scored just two points in the win over North Carolina. If he doesn’t get going, Kansas isn’t going to be making the Final Four.

Story line to watch: Florida Gulf Coast, obviously. Can they keep the dream aline? I know they beat Miami, Georgetown and San Diego State this season, but they also got swept by Lipscomb and finished second in the Atlantic Sun. They also spent the entirety of this week being besieged by a media crush that couldn’t get enough of Dunk City. Two weeks ago, they were a nameless group who happened to have a coach that married a supermodel. Now FGCU is a national sensation. With the media attention comes the pressure. How will the Eagles react to it?

Rank ‘em:

1. Florida
2. Michigan
3. Kansas
4. Florida Gulf Coast

And the winner is?: Michigan

I’m going to go out on a limb and say that the Wolverines pull it off. I think that Burke has a huge weekend, his supporting cast hits their threes and Mitch McGary continues his outstanding play in this tournament.

You can find Rob on twitter @RobDauster.