NCAA Tournament Sweet 16: Kentucky Looks To Win Midwest

NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 Preview: Kentucky Looks To Claim Midwest Region

Mar 21, 2015; Louisville, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Aaron Harrison (2) high fives fans after the game against the Cincinnati Bearcats in the third round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at KFC Yum! Center. Kentucky wins 64-51. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

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Mar 21, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Mike Brey celebrates on the court after defeating the Butler Bulldogs 67-64 in overtime in the third round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at Consol Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

‘Bigger Than Basketball’ Stories

Through the midst of all the social media talk, the corporate sponsorship, the endless commercials and the actual game, it’s easy to forget that there’s much more to the NCAA tournament and March Madness than basketball. These are people, human beings with emotions and feelings.

Here’s a quick sampling of some of those stories with the teams still involved:

* Here’s IndyStar’s Gregg Doyle on Mike Brey, who coached his team to the win over Butler in the Round of 32 one day before his birthday and just a few hours after his mother had passed away.

* Sports Illustrated’s Pete Thamel on West Virginia and Bob Huggins, whose ties to Ohio make for an interesting return in the Sweet 16.

* CBSSports.com’s Matt Norlander on how Wichita State’s win over Kansas means much more than this season’s success or the bragging rights for the state of Kansas.

* New York Times’ William C. Rhoden on Kentucky, the perception of being unbeatable and how teams have beaten other undefeated, ultra-talented teams in the past.

Next: Notre Dame-Wichita State Preview