Bracketology 2023: 8 biggest storylines during Championship Week

Feb 26, 2023; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines center Hunter Dickinson (1) is congratulated by teammates after making a three point basket to tie the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

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Bracketology Arizona Wildcats guard Kerr Kriisa Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /

4. UCLA, Arizona, and Gonzaga fighting to stay in the West Region

The battle for the 1 seeds all features programs east of the Mississippi River, which is actually a rarity. In the past five years, it’s been the Gonzaga Bulldogs as the team with a 1 seed and automatically in the West Region.

The Bulldogs aren’t in that position this time around, doomed by a home loss to LMU. But assuming that they beat Saint Mary’s in the WCC title game, they’re just about guaranteed a 3 or 4 seed in the West Region. That leaves two other contenders, Arizona and UCLA fighting for the other spot.

This is where the 1 seed issue comes in. The only way both the Bruins and Wildcats can be in the West Region together is that they meet in the Elite 8 potentially. So they can’t be the 2 and the 3 seed. And right now, both are around the 2/3 seed line. In the bracket reveal, Arizona had the edge but they lost two games since, including one to UCLA.

These teams have the chance to meet in the Pac-12 title game for Round 3 and assuming that the 1-line is set, the winner could end up as the 2 seed with a favorable geographical path, with the other going elsewhere. That makes what happens in that tournament so important.

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