KSR NCAA Tournament Preview: West Region

@MrsTylerKSR

We wrap up our NCAA Tournament previews with the West Region. In case you missed them, check out our previews of the East Region, Midwest Region, and South Region.

The Bracket

Viewing Schedule

THURSDAY
1:30 PM	(13) UNC Greensboro	(4) Gonzaga	TNT
4:00 PM	(12) South Dakota State	(5) Ohio State	TNT
7:20 PM	(11) San Diego State	(6) Houston	TBS
9:50 PM	(14) Montana	(3) Michigan	TBS
FRIDAY
12:15 PM	(10) Providence	(7) Texas A&M	CBS
2:45 PM	(15) Lipscomb	(2) North Carolina	CBS
7:20 PM	(16) NC Central/Texas Southern	(1) Xavier	TBS
9:50 PM	(9) Florida State	(8) Missouri	TBS

Best Stars

Michael Porter Jr., Missouri

Porter Jr. was understandably rusty in his SEC Tournament debut, scoring 12 points off 5-17 from the floor in 23 minutes. When healthy, he’s the type of player that can take over games, but how much will a week help his stamina and on-court chemistry with his squad?

Trevon Bluiett, Xavier

Bluiett is everything you want in a senior guard. He hits 42% from three, and if you foul him on his way to the basket, he’ll punish you from the free throw line, where he makes 86% of his shots.

Joel Berry, North Carolina

By now, you should be more than familiar with Berry, UNC’s senior point guard. Berry is clutch in March, and although we’re all still a little sore about last year’s Elite Eight loss to the Tar Heels, we do have him to thank for getting TV Teddy Valentine banned from this year’s tournament.

Best Mascot: The San Diego State Aztec

You’re welcome, ladies.

Upset picks

(12) South Dakota State over (5) Ohio State

Most people are picking Davidson over Kentucky as the 5/12 upset, but I think South Dakota State over Ohio State is much more likely. The Jackrabbits are efficient and have a star in Mike Daum, who has 12 30-plus point performances this year, along with 10.4 rebounds per game. Plus, Ohio State hasn’t looked great lately.

(10) Providence over (7) Texas A&M

So many people are picking this it probably isn’t considered an upset. The Aggies have been incredibly inconsistent and Providence beat Xavier, the one-seed in this region, and took Villanova to OT in the Big East Tournament. Texas A&M is one of the most dangerous teams in the country when they’re playing well, but the Friars are a formidable foe.

(11) San Diego State over (6) Houston

San Diego State hasn’t lost in a month and beat Gonzaga, the four-seed in this region, but Houston is also on a roll. This will be a fun one.

All-Name Team

Kerem Kanter, Xavier (Enes Kanter’s little brother)
Keita Bates-Diop, Ohio State
Skyler Flatten, South Dakota State
Valentine Sangoyomi, Houston
Alpha Diallo, Providence

Dark Horse: (8) Missouri

If Michael Porter plays like Michael Porter can, watch out for Mizzou.

Ugliest Uniform

Boring. (But still better than checkerboard.)

Pick: (2) North Carolina

With this draw, North Carolina might as well be a one-seed. Try as I might, I can’t see a team that will stop them from making the Final Four, where they could face Kentucky. Who wants to jump on the Michigan bandwagon with me?

[mobile_ad]