2022 NCAA Tournament: Gonzaga, Duke, Texas Tech, Arkansas and UConn headline West Region
By Tuck Clarry
San Diego Pod
(6) Alabama vs. (11) Rutgers/Notre Dame
The first four victors that are 11 seeds usually are a good candidate to go on a little run in the big dance once they travel to where the rest of their pod is playing. It’s a combination of gaining experience and shaking off rust as well as a bit of an advantage in the higher seed not knowing their opponent until two days before the game.
This would also benefit a team playing Alabama, which has struggled to play against their potential and not look past opponents. But neither Rutgers nor Notre Dame fits the bill of a team that Alabama wouldn’t play up for as two teams representing power 5 conferences, especially with the winner of that matchup flying from Dayton all the way to San Diego.
Prediction: Alabama
(3) Texas Tech vs. (14) Montana State
The Red Raiders will not be the only stout defense on the court when they tip-off against the Bobcats on Friday. Montana State won the Big Sky because of their consistent defense both at the three-point line and inside. However, the level of Texas Tech’s defense is just at a whole other stratosphere. The Red Raiders will prove that they’re better than their seed by how quickly and efficiently they take care of Montana State. They should win this one running away despite the slow pace that Adams’ team likes to run.
Prediction: Texas Tech