As you know, Go, I've been championing this point in the chat room during games for weeks.
Especially against teams that overplay the wing passes on our baseline screens (in other words, when we run "2" or "3"), we need to spread defenders out and run pick and roll. As defenders "hug" their assignments in order to deny passes, p-n-r opens dribble-drive lanes, forces mismatches if the defense switches, and creates open chances when defenders must commit to helping.
The p-n-r would help against teams like NC ST and Virginia, too--teams that sag off of players (aka play pack-line defense) in order to crowd the lane with help. For example, run a high p-n-r with Ennis and Christmas. Place Fair (in the corner) and Grant (free throw line extended) on one side of the floor, and Cooney in the corner on the other side--the side Ennis wants to go. If Cooney's man remains sagging in the lane to help take away Ennis's drive off the ball screen, Cooney should loop up toward the wing/top of the key. He would likely have an open three. If the defender rushes out to stop that pass instead of helping, Ennis should have a lane to the hoop. If the defense hard hedges the ball screen, Ennis could split the defenders, or reverse dribble and hit Fair, whose defender is likely responsible for taking away Christmas's roll in the paint. Grant should down screen Fair's defender, pinning him deep in the lane. That should give Fair room for an open jumper or to drive the lane and look to draw a foul.
Spreading the floor and pulling defenders out of the lane to defend the ball screen as the offense is initiated would make longer recoveries for help defenders. Of course, our players would likely have to utilize more shot fakes as defenders close out. These fakes manipulate the defense, which is something we don't do enough of at times.
In short, the p-n-r can help the team find ways to exploit defenses more effectively. There are other tactics (quicker passes, off-ball player movement to manipulate the defense, more posts flaring against overplay, more post feeds) I'd like to see the team employ in combination with it, but p-n-r is likely the offensive key to another deep tourney run.
