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East | South | Midwest
UCLA marches on.
The Bruins are heavy favorites in the West, after strafing through the region in the two previous years. It's hard to find flaws.
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| Kevin Love has put together an amazing freshman year at UCLA. (US Presswire) |
They won't be tested until a possible Sweet 16 matchup against Connecticut.
Here is a breakdown of the West Region:
Three storylines
1. UCLA trying to reach its third consecutive Final Four. Do I have to tell you the last time that happened?
2. Scott Drew's incredible job at Baylor . The Bears are in for the first time in 20 years and for the fifth time overall.
3. Keno Davis' incredible job at Drake . From preseason ninth-place pick in the Valley to 28 wins and the school's first NCAA berth in 37 years.
West Region picks
Who will win: UCLA. Virtual home-court advantage in the first and second rounds. Oh yeah, they have Ben Howland, Kevin Love and Darren Collison, too.
Dark-horse pick: Connecticut. Hasheem Thabeet rules the paint. Forward Stanley Robinson has gotten more confident with his shot. A.J. Price guides them all. A Sweet 16 berth is almost assured.
Most likely upset: West Virginia or Arizona over Duke in the second round. Because of the unending hype, you never know how good Duke really is. I'm saying the young Devils are not good enough to get through a quality second-round opponent.
Best mascot: That weird guy who juggles for UCLA. He both fascinates and frightens me.
Best point guard: Collison. Pay attention, posers. This is how you handle the ball, get everyone involved and make clutch shots.
