Morgan State team capsule

Morgan State (27-9)

COACH: Todd Bozeman, three years at Morgan State, two years in NCAA Tournament

HOW THEY GOT IN: Automatic bid (MEAC)

MATCHUP BREAKDOWN: Having played a tough non-conference schedule, the Bears won't be awed by West Virginia. But it's safe to say they could have drawn easier opponents than the Mountaineers. West Virginia, arguably as deserving of a No. 1 seed as any team this side of Kansas, is coming off the first Big East Conference tournament title in the school's history. Morgan State must be strong with the ball against WVU's pressure defense and also needs to get all-time leading scorer Reggie Holmes going early to bolster an upset bid. The Mountaineers have size and length at almost every position. So just as important to their upset chances will be hitting the defensive glass as a team or the Mountaineers will play volleyball until they score.

GO-TO GUYS: G Reggie Holmes is the school's all-time scoring leader with 2,047 points and averages 21.8 points, although he's a bit of a volume shooter as he makes just 39 percent from the floor. In the middle, Kevin Thompson offers 12.8 points and 11.9 rebounds per game, giving the Bears a viable option when defenses gang up on Holmes. DeWayne Jackson averages 10.1 points and hits just under 44 percent from the arc.

THEY'LL KEEP WINNING IF: Holmes can score 20 or more points while getting enough help from the likes of Thompson and Jackson. Other essentials include rebounding -- Morgan State is plus four in rebounding margin per game -- and the continued ability to play a high pace while maintaining control. The team averages nearly 77 ppg and commits just 13.5 turnovers per game.

STRENGTHS: Morgan State plays more like a big program than a MEAC team. It has good athletes who are good basketball players, shown by their ability to get to the line at a clip of nearly 27 free throws per game as a team. Holmes' presence gives it a big-time scorer that opponents must respect and gameplan to stop, leaving openings for Thompson and Jackson to do their thing.

WEAKNESSES: Although they score a lot of points, the Bears don't shoot all that well as a team, making just 43 percent from the floor and barely under 34 percent from the 3-point line. Their aggression on defense leads to quick shots and turnovers but also puts the opposition on the foul line an average of nearly 25 times per game. Thompson makes just 60 percent of his free throws, so look for opponents to foul him in lieu of giving up an easy deuce.