The NCAA men’s hockey tournament bracket is set, and this year’s field is heavy on Hockey East, the Big Ten and — as usual — intrigue.

Ten of the 16 teams are from the two strongest conferences in the country (six from Hockey East, four from the Big Ten). Most of the usual suspects of the past few seasons are here, including conference champions Western Michigan, Minnesota State and Cornell, while two teams — UConn and Bentley — are in the field for the first time.

Boston College and Michigan State, the top two seeds, have been at the head of the class all season, but the field is deep with legitimate contenders. Three No. 3 seeds — Denver, Quinnipiac and UMass — have recent national championship banners that show they know what it takes to win it all.

And there’s plenty of star power, from BC’s Ryan Leonard and Michigan State’s Isaac Howard to Minnesota’s Jimmy Snuggerud and Denver’s Zeev Buium.

Regional play begins Thursday, with the regional finals Saturday and Sunday. All games will be broadcast on the ESPN family of networks and/or streamed on ESPN+.

We asked ESPN college hockey analysts Andrew Raycroft and Sean Ritchlin for their takes on some of the top storylines entering the tournament, including the teams and players to watch, and who will be making the trip to St. Louis for the Frozen Four on April 10 and 12.

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Are BC and Michigan State on a collision course for the national title game? Who has the best chance of crashing their party?

Raycroft: As good as BC and Michigan State have been this year, it is hard for me to see a scenario where we get all chalk. There are too many good teams further down the PairWise rankings, such as defending champion Denver, that can cause havoc in the regionals. With the leadership the Pioneers have back from last year — Matt Davis, Zeev Buium, Jack Devine, coach David Carle — it’s hard to look past the reigning champs.

Ritchlin: Michigan State’s surge feels like the real deal, especially with its elite defensive structure and confident goaltending. The Spartans are not just winning — they’re controlling games. When BC’s top lines are clicking, they’re scary, but the Eagles need to show they can battle through the slower, grind-it-out games too. You can’t just rely on speed and skill in the NCAAs, and their loss to Northeastern in the Hockey East quarterfinals might be the wake-up call the Eagles needed.

But Western Michigan is a complete team that just posted a massive win over Denver in an overtime thriller for the NCHC championship. The Broncos are built like a tournament team, deep and balanced, and they’ve been quietly consistent all year.

What team in the lower half of the field will be the toughest out?

Raycroft: UMass finished the tough Hockey East regular season on an 11-3-2 run, with the three losses coming to top-six teams in the PairWise. The Minutemen have beaten all the Hockey East teams in the tournament at least once this season.

Ritchlin: Penn State is the kind of team no one wants to face right now. Since January, the Nittany Lions have flipped a switch. Their high-motor forecheck and aggressive puck pursuit is textbook Guy Gadowsky hockey — relentless, physical and opportunistic. When PSU’s forwards are flying and finishing checks, it wears teams down quickly. Maine’s structure and discipline are no joke, but PSU’s speed and net-front chaos could really throw the Black Bears off their rhythm. Plus, being in Allentown is a massive advantage for Penn State. The fan energy will feel like a home game, and that can be a real difference-maker in tournament hockey.

What player is the most important to his team’s success?

Raycroft: Boston College goalie Jacob Fowler. The Mike Richter favorite, who has a 1.63 goals-against average and .940 save percentage, will need to continue his historic play for the No. 1 seed to win it all.

Ritchlin: Michigan State goalie Trey Augustine. He has already proved he can handle the pressure, and not just in college — we’re talking World Juniors, where the stakes and spotlight are massive. Augustine is cool under fire, quick laterally and doesn’t give up many second chances. When he’s locked in, he gives the Spartans the confidence to push offensively, knowing he’s a wall in the back.

What’s your take on the Hobey Baker race?

Raycroft: Boston College forward Ryan Leonard or Penn State forward Aiden Fink. I think BC losing the Beanpot and in the Hockey East tournament could hurt Leonard because his “big” moments were earlier in the season, whereas Fink’s have been more recent as the Nittany Lions have been one of the hottest teams in the country over the past month-plus. I think you can make a pretty good argument for both.

Ritchlin: Leonard might not lead the nation in scoring, but he’s the most complete player in college hockey. He plays in all situations, brings physicality and has proved himself on the international stage. Michigan State forward Isaac Howard has been clutch all year, scoring big goals in key moments. He’s not the flashiest player, but he’s a true gamer whose impact shows up when it counts. Jack Devine leads the country in points and is the offensive engine for Denver, but his scoring has come in waves, and that streaky production could give voters pause. Still, his skill and vision are top tier.

Prediction time: Who will make the Frozen Four?

Raycroft

Boston College: I trust the Eagles learned from their upset loss in the Hockey East quarterfinals, and it won’t happen again in Manchester.

Michigan State: Toledo is a tough regional for the No. 2 overall seed, but Trey Augustine and Isaac Howard will prevail.

Western Michigan: The highest scoring team in the nation will continue to fill the net in Fargo.

UConn: Despite losing to Maine in the Hockey East final, the Huskies will get revenge in the regionals.

Ritchlin

Boston College: BC is explosive offensively, and when the Eagles’ top line is buzzing, they’re nearly unstoppable. If they can tighten up defensively, they’ve got the firepower to win it all.

Michigan State: Arguably the most balanced team in the field, the Spartans have elite goaltending, a strong structure and are trending upward at the perfect time. They look like a championship team.

Western Michigan: Coming off a gritty NCHC title win, the Broncos are deep, physical, and confident. This is a veteran group that knows how to win close games and will be dangerous in a one-and-done format.

Penn State: The Nittany Lions are relentless on the forecheck and playing with serious purpose. If they ride their momentum and the crowd in Allentown shows up, they’re a real threat.