The West Region provided some great first weekend games. One of the big highlights was Ja Morant shining brightly in Murray State’s victory over Markus Howard and Marquette. Morant was still strong in a loss to Florida State. Looking back at last weekend, we’re certain that Morant has improved his draft stock dramatically. As for the rest of the region, the Sweet 16 turned out chalk. So, Let’s take a look at the players and games to watch.
The Second Weekend in the West
Players to Watch
From our top seed, Gonzaga, the player to watch for is Brandon Clarke. He had the game of his life in a victory over Baylor in the round of 32. He and Rui Hachimura could make a major statement against a Florida State team that has a deep bench. A bench that beat Virginia in the ACC tournament.
Our fourth seed and team that’s facing Gonzaga, Florida State’s Terance Mann is the guy to watch for. Mann, like the guy from Field of Dreams, has a radical presence on the court. In the movie, Ray Kinsella had a dream to catch a game at Fenway Park with Mann. On the basketball court, Leonard Hamilton has a dream that he and Mann share- a trip to the Final Four in Minneapolis. If Gonzaga can stop Mann, Mfiondu Kabengele can pick up where Mann leaves off.
Our third seed, Texas Tech, Jarrett Culver stands out. Tech is known for their defense, as only three players are averaging 10 or more points per game. And, Tariq Owens leads the team in blocks, he could block a lot of shots that Michigan can put up. If they advance, the Elite Eight could very well be a low-scoring tilt.
And finally, from our second seed, Michigan, Jon Teske will have to play very strong in the middle, where Wagner was the last tournament. With experience, he can do this. So, Luke Yaklich will have to draw up a great defensive plan for a low-scoring Sweet 16 game. Then, either a rematch of last year’s Elite Eight game with FSU or a matchup with Gonzaga. Jordan Poole will have to be hot from 3 and Ignas Brazdeikis will have to help Teske in the middle for a Final Four to happen for the Wolverines.
Games to Watch
This is actually quite simple, as there are only three of them. Gonzaga-FSU, and Texas Tech-Michigan. So, in game one, FSU’s bench will be deep. However, Gonzaga will have the rematch factor on their minds from last NCAA tournament. Expect Clarke to have a great game and because of that, the Zags will be too much for the Seminole bench. The Zags advance to the Elite Eight.
It took a hot shooting night for Texas Tech to get past C.J. Massinburg and Buffalo. They will have to repeat this against a defense that’s just as good as theirs in Michigan. The first to score 60 points will win this game. With more experience than Tech, Michigan gets this done. A region that went chalk to start the second weekend remains chalk to finish it.
Who Wins this Region?
So, In an Elite Eight matchup that features the “Champions of the West” against champions actually from the West, this can be high-scoring. If Clarke and Poole get hot from beyond the arc, the first to 90 might win this one. Gonzaga has experienced only a Few losses under Mark Few, and they want to get back to where they were in 2017. However, the Wolverines were in the title game just last year, and look to get back there again. The chalk bracket is no more. Michigan’s defense holds Gonzaga under 90 and becomes the real Champions of the West.
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