Cooper Flagg's health is the biggest storyline in the East Region as top-seeded Duke awaits the return of its freshman sensation. The Blue Devils beat North Carolina and Louisville in the ACC Tournament without the ACC Player of the Year,

No. 11 seed VCU is another potential Cinderella story and a prime candidate to pull off a first-round upset. The 28-6 Rams enter NCAA play having won 12 of their last 13 games, including an Atlantic 10 championship game over George Mason.