MARCH MADNESS - WEST REGIONAL

WEST REGIONAL



Seed – Team - Rating
1. Duke – 91
2. San Diego State – 89
3. Connecticut – 86
4. Texas – 89
5. Arizona – 84
6. Cincinnati – 85
7. Temple – 82
8. Michigan – 82
9. Tennessee - 80
10. Penn State – 81
11. Missouri – 83
12. Memphis – 77
13. Oakland – 79
14. Bucknell – 75
15. Northern Colorado – 73
16. Hampton - 69


Thursday, March 17


Verizon Center – Washington, DC


(6) CINCINNATI vs. (11) MISSOURI
The Tigers opened as the favorite here, and if they win this, we’ll pay with a smile. They’ve been the isolated run-and-gun team in a halfcourt conference (the Big XII), boasting lousy fundamentals and careless defensive habits. To those who think defense doesn’t matter (i. e., losers), they pass the eye test, but their isolated single win over a Top-25 foe this year speaks volumes, loudly. The Bearcats hit a lull once their lengthy early winning streak was snapped (hardly unique, psychologically), but they righted their ship smartly, and their Big East tourney loss to the Irish was no disgrace. They play physical defense, and should take Mizzou right out of their game. Mike Anderson’s broadly rumored to be ticketed for the Arkansas job, now that John Pelphrey’s hit the bricks. Good luck reviving Hawgball, in the competitive SEC. CINCINNATI, 72-65


(3) CONNECTICUT vs. (14) BUCKNELL
The Bisons have been known to surprise here (ask #3-seed Kansas, in ’05!), and we harbor significant measures of concern after the Huskies managed Herculean task of winning five games in five days to cop the Big East tourney, largely thanks to Bronx hometown hero, Kemba Walker. But we’re not wholly sold on Bucknell’s ability to compete deep here, even at the chunky number. Five-day layoff will aid UConn, but marginally-concerned about their mental after recent sustained toting of the barge. CONNECTICUT , 74-62


McKale Center – Tucson, AZ


(7) TEMPLE vs. (10) PENN STATE
This looms classic Pennsylvania –style defensive bloodbath, made more interesting by the potential absence of both Temple tall tree Micheal Eric (for the year) and PG Scootie Randall (who avows he’s playing). Penn State HC Ed DeChellis likely saved his job with this NCAA run, keyed by stellar defensive play and the focus on getting senior Talor Battle a "Big Dance" glance. Should Randall play, favor Temple, though not by much, as lack of McDonald's-type height has typically handicapped Owls this time of year, and without Eric, it threatens to do so, again. TEMPLE, 53-50


(2) SAN DIEGO STATE vs. (15) NORTHERN COLORADO
After finally slaying the BYU beast, SDS nestles into its well-deserved #2 seed, and should make the most of it. A choice collection of basketball players who weren’t quite enough for more blueblooded programs (Kawhi Leonard is a bloody marvel, and he’s not alone), HC Steve Fisher plotted and planned for years for this Aztec campaign, and it’s panned out. Northern Colorado boasts one showpiece guard, Devon Beitzel, but they’re smallish and have zero history of sustained roundball success. Welcome to the jungle, though Fisher has an admirable habit of not going for the kill against the overmatched. SAN DIEGO STATE, 80-61


Friday, March 18


Time-Warner Cable Arena – Charlotte, NC


(1) DUKE vs. (16) HAMPTON
The Pirates somehow upset Iowa State back in ’01, but haven’t been seen in this setting since losing to Monmouth in a ’06 play-in. But Virginia outfits back to face the daunting assignment of entertaining the defending champs. Coach K was focused on winning another ACC tournament championship, and snagged it, further burnishing the legacy. MEAC reps in the main tourney have tended to be marginally-undervalued over the years (prior to Morgan State’s recent pair of failures), and would lean towards taking this hefty number, but without any strong conviction. DUKE, 80-61


(8) MICHIGAN vs. (9) TENNESSEE
Bruce Pearl has come up with more than his share of stark upsets over the years, but it’s tough to operate under the glare of the NCAA’s hottest lights, and though we’d rather be taking tangible points with a John Beilein team, willing to swing away with the rejuvenated Wolverines and star-guard-in-the-making Tim Hardaway Jr., so long as we needn’t lay anything for the privilege. Folks rave about the Melvin Goins/Scotty Hopson guard combo, but they’re too careless with the ball for our tastes, and Pearl’s squad’s lack of sustained focus drives us to distraction. Would much rather ride with the side which looks like it’s coming, rather than one headed in the wrong direction. MICHIGAN, 66-63


BOK Center – Tulsa, OK


(5) ARIZONA vs. (12) MEMPHIS
Talented athletes from Memphis with multiple lessons still to be learned won their way into this by nipping UTEP on the Miners’ home floor in the C-USA final. It’s been a roller-coaster ride for the Tigers, who took a good while to jell and continue to endure sustained blank periods encompassing partial or entire games. Meanwhile, the Wildcats have arrived at this stage of their development a year ahead of schedule, even though they somehow lost the Pac-10 final to Washington. The potential within the Memphis roster could be dangerous to Arizona, especially at a chunky number. ARIZONA, 74-71

(4) TEXAS vs. (13) OAKLAND
This result largely depends on Texas’ state of mind. We understand the Big XII championship result; Kansas places great emphasis on conference titles, and the Jayhawks are a better club than are the Longhorns. Oakland’s Golden Grizzlies come in heavily-hyped, led by big body Keith Benson, a marked defensive presence. Despite our negative feelings towards Texas, very-possibly headed for another late-season early-departure before too long, Summit League reps have markedly-underperformed in recent times, and Texas figures to be able to disrupt their rhythm more than occasionally, especially when dedicating themselves to pressuring the point. Not crazy taking less than double digits in a likely track meet, though Oakland remains an offensively-talented outfit which scared Pitt straight in the early going in last year’s Dance before injury intervened. TEXAS, 83-70