from what most considered a down year. As a perennial powerhouse conference, having just four teams qualify for the Big Dance is more of an indictment than an accomplishment. NC State entered the 2012-2013 season with huge expectations, anchored by elite-level talent along its frontline. For the Wolfpack, their postseason mimicked its lackluster regular season as upperclassmen including Lorenzo Brown, Richard Howell and C.J. Leslie were not enough to overpower Temple’s Khalif Wyatt. NC State allowed Wyatt to perform a Herculian effort to the tune of 31 points, ensuring a disappointing second-round exit. After a rough start to the season, North Carolina head coach Roy Williams decided it was time to ride a smaller, more athletic lineup the rest of the season. The Tar Heels dispatched of adrilled a three-point shot leaning to his right with just one minute to go. The ACC still has a great shot to land two teams in the Final Four.

BIG 12 CONFERENCE (3-4)

Ouch. A losing record for the Big 12 after the first weekend is certainly not what most had anticipated. No. 4 seed Kansas State and five-seed Oklahoma State were sent home after just one day of tournament play. The Wildcats never took advantage of their size against a hungrier La Salle team, while OK State ran into a buzz saw that is the Oregon Ducks. Iowa State had the most legitimate shot of being the Big 12’s wildcard squad. They beat down a Notre Dame team by 18 points, led by a barrage of nine three-pointers from