NCAA Tournament: Gonzaga, Michigan, Texas Tech and FSU remain in West Region

Predictions

When the bracket was released there wasn’t much argument that the West was the toughest bracket and the top four seeds have looked great in the first two rounds. Anyone of these four teams has a legitimate shot at making it to the Final Four and if you picked any of them you would have a great argument. Gonzaga was the number one team for a good portion of the year.

Michigan was ranked as high as two this year and was in the top ten most of the year. Texas Tech got inside the top ten for a few weeks, but was hovering around it all year and is currently ninth. Florida State stumbled early but have been right on the outside of the top ten also finished the year ranked tenth. Put that together and four of the top ten ranked teams remain in this same bracket.

Florida State vs Gonzaga

In the first game Gonzaga and Florida State meet for the second year in a row in the Sweet 16, but this time the Bulldogs are fully healthy. The Seminoles still have a ton of size and athleticism but so does Gonzaga. This Bulldog team is more experienced and on a mission. This game should be a very good and high scoring game, but Gonzaga just has too much and they get their revenge as they pull away late to get the win.

Winner – Gonzaga

Texas Tech vs Michigan

Unlike the first game of the night this game will be a defensive slugfest and could have both teams finish the game in the fifties. Both teams are great defensive teams and streaky offensive teams. Texas Tech looked great against Buffalo in the second round and completely shut down the high-flying Bulls. Michigan completely took control of both of their games with their defense and made life miserable for both Florida and Montana. This game is a tossup, but Michigan’s experience in the tournament and Zavier Simpson leading the way will help the Wolverines make it to their second straight Elite Eight.

Winner – Michigan

Michigan vs Gonzaga

Michigan is looking to make their second straight Final Four, while Gonzaga is looking to make their second ever Final Four. This is where the Bulldogs prove the doubters that they belong and are one of the big boys. They may have a slightly better record because of the conference they play in but they are just as good as everyone else. The combination of Hachimura and Clarke are just too much for Michigan.

The Wolverines offensive problems are just too much for them to overcome as they just can’t quite score with the Bulldogs. It is close for most of the game, but the Bulldogs size and depth are too much as they pull away in the second half for a trip to the Final Four.

Winner – Gonzaga