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2022 NCAA Tournament: Gonzaga, Duke, Texas Tech, Arkansas and UConn headline West Region

By Tuck Clarry

Feb 5, 2022; Provo, Utah, USA; The Gonzaga Bulldogs gather as a team to celebrate the victory over the Brigham Young Cougars 90-57 at Marriott Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 5, 2022; Provo, Utah, USA; The Gonzaga Bulldogs gather as a team to celebrate the victory over the Brigham Young Cougars 90-57 at Marriott Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports /
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NCAA Tournament A.J. Hoggard Max Christie Michigan State Spartans (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
NCAA Tournament A.J. Hoggard Max Christie Michigan State Spartans (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

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(7) Michigan State vs. (10) Davidson

We’re going to learn a lot about the Big Ten with how the Spartans look in their first game outside of the constraints of the conference. The Spartans finished the season winning just three of their last 10 games in the regular season while making a run in the conference tournament. Davidson’s aforementioned scoring could give Tom Izzo’s team issues as the Spartans have not shown an ability to force turnovers.

How the Michigan State offense shows up is going to decide this game. The Wildcats’ defense is not intimidating but the Sparties are in the bottom third in both turnovers and non-steal turnovers in the country. If Michigan State cannot consistently take care of the ball we may see the beginning of a Cinderella run for Davidson.

Prediction: Davidson

(2) Duke vs. (15) Cal-State Fullerton

The pressure is on for the Blue Devils in the final tournament appearance of Krzyzewski’s illustrious career. After a disappointing close to not just the regular season, but the ACC tournament as well, Duke should be out with something to prove as they begin their marathon to New Orleans.

They play a surprising Cal-State Fullerton who surpassed all expectations as the seventh team in the Big West preseason poll. This will be a get-right game for the Blue Devils as they look to not just find offensive success but improve the level of defense they’ve played over the last couple of months.

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As they look up the rest of this region, it should be clear that defense will be a premium, especially with adept scoring teams like Michigan State and Davidson waiting for them in the weekend and defensive forces like Texas Tech and others potentially to follow.

Prediction: Duke

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