sports

DIFFERENCE MAKER

Ben McLemore, Kansas

This guard certainly didn’t get his game at a thrift store. He averages 16.4 points and 5.3 rebounds. As a shooting guard (43.7 percent on three-pointers) and potential NBA lottery pick, Wolves fans should pay particularly close attention.

Most eye-catching stats: He has scored at least 30 points three times, including a 36-point game against West Virginia.

THREE STORY LINES

[ 1 ] Michigan started the year 20-1 and looked like a national title contender. But a 6-6 finish dropped the Wolverines to a No. 4 seed. They would be a tough Sweet 16 matchup for Kansas.

[ 2 ] Gophers fans will have a keen eye on the UCLA matchup —but another on No. 5 seed VCU, coached by Shaka Smart and the former school of new Minnesota AD Norwood Teague.

[ 3 ] A loss to Syracuse in the Big East semis likely cost Georgetown a No. 1 seed, but the Hoyas have a nice path to Atlanta.