Waiting until the last minute to fill out your 2022 March Madness bracket?  Maybe you are waiting for the First Four games to be completed?  Perhaps you are not quite sure which teams to pick and would rather have some random facts and statistics thrown in your general direction?

Well, if that’s the case… then you’ve come to the right place.

I’m all about running through a similar formula when I fill out my bracket every year.  Yes, I’m one of those people that prepares a spreadsheet of statistics to compare teams.  I do realize that anything can (and does) happen in this tournament.  For me, I have always been a stats guy and I prefer certain numbers in front of me, just in case something stands out.

For this year’s tournament, I decided to comb through all the numbers and present a random assortment of facts and stats about the teams in this year’s tournament.

Sixteen to be exact – four for each region.

Without further ado, I present you with a random assortment of 2022 March Madness stats and facts.  May some of these numbers and notes help prevent you from tearing your bracket in half by the end of opening weekend.

KP’s 2022 March Madness Stats and Notes to Help You Fill Out Your Bracket

West Region

Davidson Shooting – Steph Curry has to be proud.  This Davidson team ranks 8th in the country in 3PT shooting percentage, as well as 18th in FG percentage, and 16th in assist turnover ratio.  This team also features four players that average in double figures.

Gonzaga Consistency – Yes, the competition faced isn’t always the cream of the crop.  Still, you can’t argue the numbers.  The Zags rank 1st in the nation in Scoring Offense, 1st in Scoring Margin, 3rd in Rebound Margin, 7th in Assist to Turnover Ratio, 1st in FG percentage, and 3rd in Field Goal Percentage defense.  That’s insane.  So, what team will upset them in a way March Madness can only provide?

Arkansas Triples – When it comes to shooting behind the arc, Arkansas ranks 313th in the country in 3PT FG percentage.  That isn’t everything, but if they were to fall behind against a hot shooting team, a need for three-pointers could be a necessity.

Michigan State Top Scorers – The Spartans have just one player that averages in double figures on the season.  That can point to depth and a number of players capable of stepping up in big moments.  MSU’s 4-6 record over its last ten games also point to a lot of inconsistency and a lack of star power.

 

East Region

Purdue Balance – The Boilermakers have a unique balance of power inside and hot shooting outside.  Purdue ranks 2nd in the nation in Rebound Margin – and that’s in a Big Ten conference that features a lot of big bodies.  The Boilers are also 6th in FG percentage and 4th in 3PT percentage.

Murray State’s Streak – Murray State is the only team in the region to have won each of its last ten games.  Sure, the competition hasn’t always been as strong, but the confidence of winning can elevate a team.  Consider the following: Murray State is 2nd in Scoring Margin and 22nd in FG Percentage (a team that can shoot and also has a tendency to blowout lesser opponents).

Boards and More Boards – The East Region features four of the top rebounding teams in the nation.  Kentucky (1st), Purdue (2nd), Murray State (6th), and North Carolina (9th) all rank in the nation’s top ten in Rebound Margin.

Top Seed Balance – Each of the top five seeds in the region feature at least four players with a scoring average in double figures.  

 

South Region

Clutch ‘Nova – One clear rule: Make your free throws.  Deliver from the charity stripe.  In March Madness, think of all the close games, the bonus late in games, and a need to hit those freebies when they count.  The 2nd seeded Villanova Wildcats are 1st in the nation in FT percentage.  That could be a difference from a big win and a heartbreaking loss in March.

Cockburn – Illinois star Kofi Cockburn is one of just four players in this year’s tournament that averages more than 20 points per game.  He is a star presence that can make a difference – and did so time-and-time again in the Big Ten this season.

Guard Play – Ten teams in the South Region feature guards as its top two scorers.  That includes four of the top six seeds in the region (Villanova, Tennessee, Houston, and Colorado State).

Nine and One – Four of the top five seeds are 9-1 over their last ten games.  Only Illinois (6-4) fails to land in that category.  This is easily the hottest batch of top seeds when it comes to record.

 

Midwest Region

Bottom Feeders, Hot Shooters – Three of the lowest seeds in the Midwest Region rank in the country’s top five when it comes to 3PT shooting percentage.  That includes South Dakota State (1st), Colgate (2nd), and Jacksonville State (5th).  

Hot Hawkeyes – Iowa streaked through the Big Ten tournament.  The Hawkeyes have the nation’s #1 ranked team when it comes to Assist Turnover Ratio.  That’s equally impressive considering the team is ranked 4th in Scoring Offense, as well.  

Free Throws? – There are plenty of teams in this region that struggle from the free throw line.  Consider them a liability in close games.  That includes USC (321st), San Diego State (250th), and Iowa State (280th).  

Offense vs Defense – San Diego State has the 307th ranked team when it comes to Scoring Offense and the 2nd ranked team in Scoring Defense.  

All Stats via ncaa.com Men’s Basketball D1

 

Thank you for visiting The Wife Hates Sports!

If you enjoy The Wife Hates Sports, you can support my work by buying from Fanatics through my site.  It’s of no additional charge to you.  I simply get a cut of any Fanatics purchase through links here.  That goes for any Fanatics Experience ad within posts or via the banners on the home page.