1. Arizona/16. Long Island
Nothing to see here.
8. Villanova/9. Utah St.
Nova having to go all the way to San Diego to play a Utah St team that feels they are VERY undervalued and have a chip on their shoulder despite winning the MWC tournament. Utah St offense is too much, and the have a LONG sad flight home.
5. Wisconsin/12. High Point
The Panthers now hold the nations longest winning streak as they cruised past Winthrop in the Big South finals. They are a fast paced team, but are quick, not in a hurry. They don't turn the ball over on offense, and their defense is 5th best in the country at taking the ball away. This game is being played in Portland, so neither fan base will be recognizable I'd imagine, so advantage underdog. Could go either way.
4. Arkansas/13. Hawaii
Not a lot to say here. Hawaiis defense is what they hang their hat on, but with the athleticism of Acuff and flexibility of Brazille, I don't see how the Warriors stay in this one.
6. BYU/ 11. Texas
First the play in game, I think Texas handles NC St fairly easily. They have the interior to slow down Van Lubin and Copeland, and their guards defend very well. Then BYU gets the Horns. It appears BYU is finding that now Saunders is gone, everything HAS to go through AJ Dybantsa. Which he is totally capable of taking over. But does the opposition have what it takes to stop him, and I don't think the Horns do. Their bigs are athletic enough to guard him on the perimeter, and the guards aren't big enough to guard him in the post.
3. Gonzaga/Kennesaw St
The Zags are going to be without Braden Huff for the first weekend at minimum. That should effect them here, but maybe could effect how the weekend ends.
7. Miami FL/10. Missouri
Great game. Battle of similar styles, but the Canes have been the more consistent team. Mark Mitchell is going to be a handful for Cane defense to figure out, but as we saw in the SEC tourney, he alone can't do it for the Tigers. I think Jai Lucas is a better in game coach than Dennis Gates too.
2. Purdue/15. Queens
It is March after all, but not yet for Purdue haters. They get by this one.
My Final Four in the Region:
Arizona/Purdue/BYU/Arkansas with Zona beating Purdue.
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