It really has been March Madness in the first days of the tournament. From 68 we are now down to 32 teams remaining. Lets take a look at 8 of those teams in the West Region.
2015 NCAA Tournament Round of 32 Preview: West Region
(1) Wisconsin vs (8) Oregon March 22, 7:45 pm (TruTV) Omaha, Nebraska
There’s two ways this game will go. It will either be a lot of Oregon mistakes because Wisconsin is controlling the tempo, or Oregon will control the tempo and run Wisconsin out of the gym. Both are very logical and very possible to happen. Joseph Young for the Ducks is a nightmare player for any club to contain, and he’s most dangerous in transition. Wisconsin needs to win this game by depending on their size advantage. Take Wisconsin in this to be safe, they are very smart and take care of the ball. However, if Wisconsin lets Oregon run, Oregon with have a date in the Sweet 16 after this big win.
(5) Arkansas vs (4) North Carolina March 22, 8:40 pm (TNT) Jacksonville, Florida
Turnovers will be the downfall of one of these teams. Either North Carolina will take care of the ball and prevent turnovers ultimately winning the game, or Arkansas’ frantic defense will cause the Tar Heels to be careless with the ball and send them packing. The Tar Heels turned the ball over 17 times in the Round of 64 game against Harvard. The Razorbacks rank 7th in the nation in turnover ratio, having forced 551 turnovers in 35 games this season. On the other hand, the way Arkansas causes these turnovers is running a full-court defensive set to speed up the opposing team’s play. Every team North Carolina plays is told in preparation to slow them down, not speed them up. North Carolina is an extraordinary transition team. It will be interesting, however UNC will take better care of the ball, like they have the last part of the season, and pull away with a victory. It’s a mistake to speed North Carolina up period.
(14) Georgia State vs (6) Xavier March 21, 6:10 pm (TNT) Jacksonville, Florida
Xavier loves to play in the paint, much like Georgia State’s first opponent, Baylor did. Georgia State’s press forced 21 turnovers, turning those turnovers into 21 points. Georgia State is, yet again, outsized. Xavier has a 6’10” center and forward, Georgia State runs a 3 guard set with one 6’10” body down low. From a matchup standpoint, it all favors Xavier. From an analyst standpoint, it’s skeptical because Georgia State contained and out played a bigger Baylor squad in the Round of 64. Take the upset in this one, Georgia State to the Sweet 16! The Cinderella Story of 2015.
(10) Ohio State vs (2) Arizona March 21, 5:15 pm (CBS) Portland, Oregon
Arizona is the best all-around team in the tournament. Ohio State has had a down year, but they’re a good basketball team that has a lot of heart, and that’s just dangerous. Arizona only allows 59 ppg, but they gave up 72 points to Texas Southern in the Round of 64 rout. Defense will win this game for Arizona. Maybe they weren’t taking Texas Southern seriously, but if they have a repeat performance of that defensive game, Arizona is in trouble. However, Arizona is just too good for Ohio State to beat them in a 40 minute game. Arizona’s defense will come to play. The Wildcats sore to a Sweet 16.
