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) /

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LUBBOCK, TX – MARCH 04: Texas Tech Red Raider reacts. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images) /

West Pod C – Tulsa, OK

(6) Buffalo vs. (11) Arizona State/St. John’s

Buffalo, with C.J. Massinburg in the lead, is one of the most potent offensive teams in the entire nation. This is especially true when you consider the potential of “hit or miss” secondary star Jeremy Harris. If he gets it going, this team has Final Four potential. With regards to how they might traverse this first round matchup, their opponent remains to be seen. Either way, I think that the Bulls are the more talented team, although they will have a hard time locking up either Luguentz Dort or Shamorie Ponds. Prediction: Buffalo.

(3) Texas Tech vs. (14) Northern Kentucky

Texas Tech is the best defensive team in the country, in my opinion. With plenty of length and versatility, they are nearly impossible to score on consistently and they do an outstanding job limiting any open looks from the perimeter. On the offensive end, they certainly struggle from time to time but Jarrett Culver is the kind of star that can pace them in times of struggle. Northern Kentucky will need a heavy dose of Drew McDonald in order to pull off this upset but I do not really see that happening. The Red Raiders are simply too dominant on the defensive end of the floor. Prediction: Texas Tech.

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