NCAA Tournament: Gonzaga, Michigan headline West Region primer

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 11: Rui Hachimura #21 and Corey Kispert #24 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs celebrate during a semifinal game of the West Coast Conference basketball tournament against the Pepperdine Waves at the Orleans Arena on March 11, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Bulldogs defeated the Waves 100-74. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

2 of 7

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – MARCH 15: Florida State Seminoles react. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

Teams to watch in the West Region

Favorite to win: Gonzaga

As the top seed in the region, it should not come as a surprise to see Gonzaga as the favorite here. Even with their loss to Saint Mary’s in the WCC Tournament final, I don’t think anyone should be persuaded to bet against the Bulldogs. This is arguably head coach Mark Few’s most talented team ever in Spokane and the team absolutely rolled through the last couple of months. With a strong veteran leader in Josh Perkins and a strong group of NBA-level talents also on the roster, Gonzaga definitely has the ingredients needed to make a deep run in the Big Dance.

Sleeper pick: Florida State

Florida State is the most dangerous No. 4 seed in the entire bracket, in my opinion. Although the team definitely suffered their fair share of questionable losses this season, they have also proven that they can beat just about anyone. With superb depth and strong player on both ends of the floor, the Seminoles could be a dangerous team with Final Four potential. Head coach Leonard Hamilton is seemingly better as the underdog and that could apply here as his team is not exactly the favorite to win the West.

If the slipper fits…St. John’s

St. John’s only barely squeaked into the NCAA Tournament but their talent level cannot be denied. Coaching has seemingly held the team back at times this season but they have the starplay needed to make a Cinderella run. Shamorie Ponds is the clear-cut star of the team but he is far from alone. Mustapha Heron, LJ Figueroa, and Marvin Clark also join him to make one of the toughest group of top four players in this region, even as a No. 11 seed.

Home/March Madness