Despite the fact that Gonzaga was handed a No. 1 seed and are atop the polls, there is still a suspicion that they will fail to live up to the top billing in this year’s tournament.
That is because they play in the West Coast Conference, not exactly a glamour league in terms of NCAA basketball.
But this has been a wide open year in college basketball as some of the traditional powerhouses are having down years and the parity has ruled the game.
That parity is reflected in the West Region where Gonzaga will have to contend with the likes of Wisconsin, Ohio St. and Kansas St. in order to reach the Final Four.
The Favourites
The Zags are led by a pair of Canadians, Kelly Olynyk and Kevin Pangos, who provide a solid inside-outside threat although they are not Gonzaga’s only weapons.
Olynyk’s frontcourt mate Elias Harris also provides plenty of scoring from the wing as he averaged double digits in scoring along with the Canadians.
A potential second-round matchup with Pitt should provide an interesting tactical battle as Panthers freshman centre Steven Gray will be a big test for Olynyk.
Down the road, the Zags top opposition will be the second-seeded Buckeyes of Ohio St.
Aaron Craft, The Big 10 Conference tournament’s Most Outstanding Player, sets the table for the Buckeyes as he darts in and out of the key, getting the ball to junior forward Deshaun Thomas and others in the right positions.
The Darkhorse
The Big Ten was by far the best conference in the nation this year and two of the conference’s finest, Wisconsin and Ohio St., are in the West Region.
The Badgers, once one of college basketball’s biggest laughingstocks, have become perennial entrants into the tourney under Bo Ryan.
Ryan’s Badgers upset Michigan and Indiana last week in the Big Ten tourney before falling to Michigan St. in the semis so they will be a tough out for anyone.
Best opening round matchup
If not for the Belmont/Arizona matchup the Notre Dame-Iowa St. game would be the best bet for an upset in this region.
The Fighting Irish have been upset by a double-digit seed in each of their last four NCAA appearances. Care to make it five?
Best bet for an upset
In a region packed with strong frontcourts, Belmont may have the best backcourt.
They will be facing an Arizona team that is 5-5 over their past 10 games — wreaks of upset right?
Players to watch
Kelly Olynyk, Gonzaga – He’s Canadian, the West Coast Conference player of the year and may or may not shave his armpits. Need I say more?
Rodney McGruder, Kansas State – McGruber jokes will stop almost immediately once people reazlie how good this kid is.
Kaleb Tarczewski, Arizona – In a region full of talented big men, this freshman may end up being the best at the next level.