2022 NCAA Tournament: Key storylines and questions for West Region

Feb 23, 2022; Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Paolo Banchero (5) celebrates with Blue Devils guard Jeremy Roach (3) against the Virginia Cavaliers in the closing seconds of the second half at John Paul Jones Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

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NCAA Tournament Gonzaga Bulldogs Drew Timme Chet Holmgren James Snook-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Which player will have the biggest impact in this region?

Thedinga

JD Notae of Arkansas. Arkansas will go as far as he takes them, with a high ceiling but a fairly low floor as well. If Notae is on, the Razorback bunch can certainly make it to the Sweet 16 and even give Gonzaga everything it can handle. But, if Notae isn’t super sharp (i.e. their loss in the SEC tournament), I know a certain team in the Northeast who would love to pull off an upset.

Heiser

I think Chet Holmgren will have the biggest impact in this region. Opposing teams will likely only have enough reliable frontcourt personnel to key in on Drew Timme, freeing up the Gonzaga freshman to make a major contribution.

A criticism of Holmgren that has been floating around is that he shrinks against better competition. As a consensus top-3 selection in the 2022 NBA Draft, he’ll have the opportunity to solidify that status while silencing the doubters against a litany of difficult opponents in the West Region.

Surratt

Drew Timme.

Timme is arguably the best player in college basketball. Will he be a good NBA player? No, probably not but he dominates the game and you have seen it over the past two years. If Gonzaga is to do what the team should do and win the national championship Timme will always have to be on and that starts in the west region. Gonzaga should roll through the west region up until the final four and Timme will be the face of it although Chet will probably get the draft recognition.

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