The Dagger previews the South Region of the 2012 NCAA tournament. Read our previews of the East, Midwest and West. Three who can carry their teams: * Austin Rivers, G, Duke * Royce White, F, Iowa State * Jeremy Lamb, G, UConn Most intriguing opening round matchup: No. 5 Wichita State vs. No. 12 VCU The selection committee's irritating habit of pitting mid-majors against one-another in the opening weekend of the tournament prevented VCU and Wichita State from taking swings at high-major opponents. Nonetheless, this matchup between the Sweet 16-capable Rams and Shockers is still one of the opening day of the tournament's most intriguing games. Wichita State can be erratic on defense at times, but the combination of big man Garrett Stutz, sharp shooter Joe Ragland and slasher Toure Murray Shockers has made the Shockers both balanced and efficient on offense. VCU, on the other hand, can be spotty on offense after graduating four starters from last year's Final Four team, but it relies on the same "havoc" defense to create pressure and force turnovers. Best potential round of 32 game: No. 1 Kentucky vs. No. 9 UConn Here's the problem with the potential matchup between last year's national champ and the favorite to win the title this season: There's a good chance it never happens. Iowa State's inside-outside duo of Royce White and Scott Christopherson is capable of toppling UConn in the round of 64, especially if the Cyclones slow the pace and get hot from behind the arc. If the Huskies do survive against Iowa State, then top-seeded Kentucky would have a round of 32 opponent who is one of the few teams in the field with comparable talent to the Wildcats. UConn underachieved in conference play to finish below .500, but there cannot be many No. 9 seeds with championship experience and two first-round picks in their starting lineup.
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