SOUTHERN JAGUARS

Seed: No. 16

Coach: Roman Banks

Record: 23-9

Strength: The Jaguars are an accomplished defensive team that holds opponents to 57.1 points per game (13th nationally). The numbers are even more impressive for field-goal percentage defense (36.5 percent, second nationally) and 3-point percentage defense (28.4, third nationally). Southern limited Grambling to 31 points and Prairie View to 39.

Season highlight: Southern was 4-6 when it knocked off Texas A&M 53-51 in December in College Station. Malcolm Miller led the way with 17 points, including a pair of free throws with 5.8 seconds left. The Jaguars then went 19-3, including a win over Prairie View in the SWAC title game to clinch the school’s first trip to the NCAA tournament since 2006.

Style of play: Southern tries to keep games in the 40s and 50s with its defense. At the other end of the floor, the Jaguars are fairly efficient (43.4 percent field goals) and average just 10.9 turnovers per game. Guards Derick Beltran and Miller combine for nearly 32 points per game.