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NCAA Bracket 2016: West Region preview

By Charles Rahrig V

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March 12, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Oregon Ducks players hoist the championship trophy after the championship game of the Pac-12 Conference tournament against the Utah Utes at MGM Grand Garden Arena. The Ducks defeated the Utes 88-57. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
March 12, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Oregon Ducks players hoist the championship trophy after the championship game of the Pac-12 Conference tournament against the Utah Utes at MGM Grand Garden Arena. The Ducks defeated the Utes 88-57. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 1 Seed: Oregon Ducks

The Oregon Ducks have been one of the great surprises in college basketball this season. After losing some talent to the NBA Draft following last season, the Ducks have carried themselves valiantly to Pac-12 glory and the No. 1 seed this year behind a well-balanced roster, which includes double-digit scoring across the board.

The Ducks are led in scoring by forward Dillon Brooks and they will be looking to him along with the rest of the depth on their roster to carry them to a spot in the Final Four. What is so impressive about Oregon is their ability to fight back against adversity.

Perhaps the best showing of this fight was against the Arizona Wildcats in the semifinals of the Pac-12 Conference Tournament, when they let the Wildcats inexplicably tie the game at the end of regulation. Rather than letting Arizona steal the momentum and run away with the game in overtime, the Ducks put their foot down and had a dominant overtime win which sent them to the finals of the tournament, where they beat Utah with ease.

The Ducks finished with a 28-6 record and will have to deal with some serious contenders in their conference if they’re going to win the West Region. Their first game will come against the winner of Holy Cross and Southern.

Still, this team is as mentally tough as they come and they will be well served heading into the tournament with a championship mentality.

Next: Who is on upset alert?

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