Even though the Cincinnati Bearcats are in the NIT, does not mean that you won’t get an awesome NCAA Tournament preview. We kicked things off with games in the South, East, and Midwest. Now, we finish up with the West region. Before you jump in, sign up for the Bearcats Blog Tournament Challenge. It’s on ESPN.com. Search for Bearcats Blog, or click here. Stats by Ken Pomeroy.
West
1 Syracuse Orange 28-4
How they got here: At large (Big East Regular Season Champions)
Best Players: Wesley Johnson 16-8.4-2.3 assists-1.7 steals-1.9 blocks Andy Rautins 11.7-5 assists-2 steals
Ken Pom Off/Def Rank: 9/20
16 Vermont Catamounts 25-9
How they got here: America East Tournament Champions
Best Players: Marqus Blakely 17.4-9.4-3.7 assists-2.4 steals-1.9 blocks Maurice Joseph 14.1-2.6
Ken Pom Off/Def Rank: 142/135
Predicted Winner (KenPom/Me): Syracuse by 17. I actually think this one will be closer. Not like 3 points closer, but inside 17.
8 Gonzaga Bulldogs 26-6
How they got here: At large (WCC Regular Season Champions)
Best Players: Matt Bouldin 15.8-4.6-4.1 assists-1.4 steals Elias Harris 14.7-7.2
Ken Pom Off/Def Rank: 44/66
9 Florida State Seminoles 22-9
How they got here: At large (ACC 3rd place tie)
Best Players: Solomon Alabi 11.6-6.2-2.4 blocks Chris Singleton 10.3-7.1-2.2 assists-2.3 steals-1.5 blocks
Ken Pom Off/Def Rank: 118/1
Predicted Winner (KenPom/Me): Florida St by 4. Kind of surprising, but like Ken Pom, I expect Florida St to lock down Gonzaga. The Noles can’t score very well, but they won’t let you score either.
4 Vanderbilt Commodores 24-8
How they got here: At large (SEC 2nd place)
Best Players: Jermaine Beal 14.7-3.2 assists A.J Ogilvy 13.4-6.2-1.5 blocks
Ken Pom Off/Def Rank: 25/64
13 Murray State Racers 30-4
How they got here: Ohio Valley Tournament Champions
Best Players: Ivan Aska 10.6-4.9 B.J Jenkins 10.5-3.2 assists-1.8 assists
Ken Pom Off/Def Rank: 67/45
Predicted Winner (KenPom/Me): Vanderbilt by 3. Murray’s top players may not have the greatest numbers, but they are really balanced. I like them to pull the upset.
5 Butler Bulldogs 28-4
How they got here: Horizon League Tournament Champions
Best Players: Gordon Hayward 15.4-8.5 Shelvin Mack 13.9-3.5-3.1 assists-1.8 steals
Ken Pom Off/Def Rank: 54/16
12 UTEP Miners 26-6
How they got here: At large (C-USA Regular Season Champions)
Best Players: Randy Culpepper 18-1.8 steals Derrick Caracter 13.8-8
Ken Pom Off/Def Rank: 78/14
Predicted Winner (KenPom/Me): Butler by 2. This is a toss up, and I think Butler is going to take it down.
2 Kansas State Wildcats 26-7
How they got here: At large (Big 12 2nd Place)
Best Players: Jacob Pullen 19.8-3.5 assists-1.8 steals Denis Clemente 16.2-4.2 assists
Ken Pom Off/Def Rank: 15/17
15 North Texas Mean Green 24-8
How they got here: Sun Belt Tournament Champions
Best Players: Josh White 14.9-3.5 assists Tristan Thompson 14.1-3.3
Ken Pom Off/Def Rank: 157/178
Predicted Winner (KenPom/Me): Kansas St by 20. Of course
7 Brigham Young Cougars 29-5
How they got here: At large (MWC 2nd Place)
Best Players: Jimmer Fredette 21.7-3.1-4.7 assists-1.2 steals Jackson Emery 12.6-4.5-2.8 assists-2.7 steals
Ken Pom Off/Def Rank: 10/21
10 Florida Gators 21-12
How they got here: At large (SEC East 4)
Best Players: Kenny Boynton 13.6-2.6-2.7 assists Erving Walker 12.6-3.4-4.9 assists-1.4 steals
Ken Pom Off/Def Rank: 36/69
Predicted Winner (KenPom/Me): BYU by 7. Ken Pom loves them some BYU, and in this match up, I do as well.
3 Pittsburgh Panthers 24-8
How they got here: At large (Big East 5th place)
Best Players: Ashton Gibbs 15.8 Brad Wanamaker 12.1-5.7-4.7 assists-1.2 steals
Ken Pom Off/Def Rank: 41/32
14 Oakland Grizzles 26-8
How they got here: Summit League Champions
Best Players: Keith Benson 17-10.5-3.4 blocks
Ken Pom Off/Def Rank: 97/212
Predicted Winner (KenPom/Me): Pittsburgh by 12. I agree
6 Xavier Musketeers 24-8
How they got here: At large (A-10 2nd Place)
Best Players: Jordan Crawford 19.7-4.8-2.9 assists
Ken Pom Off/Def Rank: 16/51
11 Minnesota Golden Gophers 21-13
How they got here: At large (Big 10 6th Place)
Best Players: Lawrence Westbrook 12.6-2.6 Blake Hoffarber 10.1-3.5
Ken Pom Off/Def Rank: 23/43
Predicted Winner (KenPom/Me): Xavier by 1. This is yet another 6-11 toss up. I think the Muskies are better though.
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