We’ve covered the East, Midwest and South Regions, so let’s get to the West Region.

West Region - 1st Round

(1) UCLA v (16) Mississippi Valley State….The Bruins are talented enough to go all the way through this bracket unchallenged and even be back in the National Title game, this is just the first step for them.  UCLA moves on

(9) BYU v (8) Texas A&M….The Aggies are a team that can put points on the board against anyone, but so can BYU.  BYU has an upset win over Louisville (#6 at the time) back in November and played #1 UNC very tough.  BYU is going to come ready to play, but so will Texas A&M.  This will be a back and forth game right to the end, but BYU will hang on.  BYU moves on

(5) Drake v (12) Western Kentucky….I have a sneaking feeling that Drake is going to look right past Western Kentucky, but they played Tennessee and Gonzaga very tough, losing both by a combined 9 points.  Drake better come ready to play or we’ll be watching another 12/5 upset.  Guess what, this is a 12/5 upset special.  Western Kentucky upsets Drake 68-62

(4) UConn v (13) San Diego….after losing their first 3 games against Top 25 teams (Memphis, Gonzaga, Georgetown) they won their next 4 (Marquette, Indiana, Pitt, Notre Dame) but only one of those games was on the road (Indiana).  So, I’m not quite convinced that they’re quite the powerhouse everyone expects this team to be.  San Diego on the other hand has an upset win at Kentucky in late December.  Yes, Kentucky isn’t quite the same team they usually are, but for a team like the Toreros to upset Kentucky on the road is no small feat.  In the end, UConn has more experience on this stage.  UConn moves on

(6) Purdue v (11) Baylor…..Who to pick, who to pick.  I know I should probably take Purdue for their 2 wins over 8th ranked Wisconsin both at home and on the road as well as 10th ranked Michigan State, but lost to Illinois in the 1st round of the Big 10 tournament, talk about a let down.  I think Purdue looks right past Baylor and gets bitten for it.  Baylor with the upset

(3) Xavier v (14) Georgia….Georgia was a huge surpise in the SEC, going through Mississippi, Kentucky, Mississippi State and Arkansas to win the SEC Title, so they’re on a huge roller coaster of emotions and in high gear going into their 1st round game against Xavier.  I think Xavier should be the stronger team, but I’m not so sure after losing to St. Joseph’s in the Atlantic 10 Tournament, but I don’t think Georgia continues it’s amazing out of nowhere run.  Xavier moves on

(7) West Virginia v (10) Arizona….Arizona no doubt has the experience to know what it takes to win, especially this being their 24th straight (correct me if I’m wrong on that) appearance in the NCAA Tournament.  They definetely played a tough schedule in 2008, but will that carry them past West Virginia as a 10 seed?  I think it should.  Arizona wins late, moves on

(2) Duke v (15) Belmont….I’ve talked to a few people who think Duke is believing the hype on themselves this year and may just get upset in the 1st round.  Though I trust their opinions on most things, not on this one.  Believe all you want Cameron Crazies.  Duke moves on

West Region - 2nd Round

(1) UCLA v (8) BYU…..to much Kevin Love, too much UCLA experience.  Bruins move on to the Regional Semis

(12) Western Kentucky v (4) UConn….This should be a great game, until the end of the 1st half.  UConn wins big

(6) Purdue v (3) Xavier…Purdue I think survived a scare from Baylor and they won’t recover.  Xavier moves on

(10) Arizona v (2) Duke….Yes Arizona has the experience, but I think the ‘Cats get outcoached and outplayed.  Blue Devils move on

West Region - Regional Semifinals

(1) UCLA v (4) UConn…these two teams are among the most talented in this tournament, but I think the Bruins are the better team.  UCLA moves on to the Regional Finals

(3) Xavier v (2) Duke….I really didn’t think Duke would get this far, but their run doesn’t end here.  Blue Devils head to Regional Finals

West Region - Regional Finals

(1) UCLA v (2) Duke….A great Finals matchup, no question about it.  Both teams have a storied past with great coaching, but one thing will be in the Bruins corner that will give them that extra boost.  His name?  John Wooden.  UCLA to the Final 4.

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