West Region – Round of 32
1. Gonzaga vs. 8. Northwestern
Not only did the Northwestern Wildcats earn their first ever NCAA Tournament berth, but I also have them earning their first ever victory in the Round of 64. They won’t be making their first Sweet 16, however. Though I’m not as high on the Zags as others may be, there’s a distinct discrepancy in talent between the Wildcats and Bulldogs in this matchup, the advantage going to the latter.
The Pick: Gonzaga
5. Notre Dame vs. 4. West Virginia
As previously stated, West Virginia is one of the elite defensive teams in the league and, subsequently, in March Madness. Meanwhile, I’m not sure that Notre Dame is truly elite in any capacity. Even so, Mike Brey has proven time and again that he’s one of the best coaches in the sport, maximizing the success of his team at every turn. I see that leading to a big win in what should be a tough matchup for the Irish.
The Pick: Notre Dame
6. Maryland vs. 14. Florida Gulf Coast
Dunk City has returned and earns another big upset to advance to the Round of 32. Unfortunately, the road is going to stop there for Florida Gulf Coast. While they’re a talented group, we’ve seen time and again when teams pull off a big upset in their first game, they’re just out of gas in the next—even if it’s against a team that’s a step down from the one they just beat. As such, Melo Trimble and Maryland move on.
The Pick: Maryland
7. Saint Mary’s vs. 2. Arizona
Once more, what I said in the first round remains relevant. Saint Mary’s just doesn’t have the athleticism or overall top-end talent to compete with the other elite teams in the country. The Arizona Wildcats certainly qualify as one of the elite teams in this tournament, thus spelling the end of this run for the Gaels.
The Pick: Arizona