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West Region Analysis


Aaron Craft
All though the West has been ripped for being the worst region it has three very dangerous teams. One of them is Ohio State who comes into the tournament playing their best basketball of the season. They have a smart, efficient Aaron Craft who has shown he can shut down opposing point guards. If they get guys to step up around high scoring Deshaun Thomas the Buckeyes could find themselves in the Final Four. New Mexico could be very scary as they have showed they can shoot and defend well. With three-point bomber Kendall Williams playing well they can beat anyone. Wisconsin could also go deep in this tournament. They have size, good shooters and Bo Ryan's teams always seem to have success in the tournament. All three of these could find themselves winning the West.

People are quick to call Gonzaga overrated but they still be a tough out in the West. Few teams can match Kelly Olynyk in the low post and they can spread out the floor with their great guards Kevin Pangos and Gary Bell. They should get into the Sweet 16 where I believe Wisconsin will beat them. Everybody says the bad them about the Bulldogs is that they haven't played anyone. But, they could be fantastic and just haven't proved it yet. So, don't think these 'Zags will go down early.

Marshall Henderson
If Ole Miss had any other team in the West I think they would find themselves in the third round. But, they have the Badgers and that is never a good thing. Few players can take over the game like Ole Miss' Marshall Henderson who will take nearly every shot on the floor. If he has a great shooting night and the Rebels get contributions from players like Murphy Holloway and Jarvis Summers, who knows, they could make a run.

The Ohio Valley Conference has been the conference of upsets the past couple of years. Morehead State has had success in the tournament and Murray State has been dangerous over the past couple of years. Belmont should be the next bracket buster from the OVC. They take on an Arizona team without a lot of size and inconsistent guard play from Mark Lyons and Nick Johnson. With star Ian Clark and great passing Kerron Johnson the Bruins should beat Sean Miller's Wildcats and might give New Mexico some issues in the third round.

My Pick: Ohio State over Wisconsin

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