NCAA Tournament West Region Preview

Story posted March 17, 2022 in CommRadio, Sports by Connor Fenix

It’s arguably the most exciting time of the year for major sports fans. March Madness is back in full swing with thrilling matchups, brackets ready to be busted, and anticipation of which No. 1 seed will go down first.

Selection Sunday showcased the best teams in the country and where they will stack up in this year’s tournament, and the Big Dance will kick off on Thursday afternoon.

While the goal remains the same and is in sight for all 68 teams, only one will be able to rally through one of the most intimidating sections of the tournament – the West Region.

Here’s a look at the first-round matchups coming out of the West.

No. 1 Gonzaga Bulldogs vs. No. 16 Georgia State Panthers

After securing a position in the national championship last year, the Gonzaga Bulldogs enter this tournament as a No. 1 seed once again. This year feels different, though, with all-Americans Chet Holmgren and Drew Timme eager to earn their respect and finally get that championship the program has been chasing for so long.

They’re set for a date with the Georgia State Panthers, who are coming out as champions of the Sun Belt Conference. While this game seems like a walk in the park for Gonzaga, a No. 1 seed has shockingly been eliminated from the first round before, and Georgia State is a hot squad who mustered to win 12 of its last 13 games, including three straight to capture the Sun Belt crown.

This will be an interesting matchup, as both teams bring in a combined 19-1 record in each of their last 10 games.

No. 2 Duke Blue Devils vs. No. 15 Cal State Fullerton Titans

It’s coach Mike Krzyzewski’s final run in an NCAA Tournament as head coach of the Duke Blue Devils.

Duke has been battle-tested all season long, with star freshman Paolo Banchero being a matchup nightmare on both sides of the court. Duke is coming off an 82-67 loss to Virginia Tech in the ACC Championship, and Coach K will need stellar play from Wendell Moore and Jeremy Roach if he wants to take his talented roster to the Final Four.

On the other end, Cal State Fullerton is making just its fourth-ever NCAA Tournament appearance and the first since 2018. The Titans are led by the 6-foot-7 senior forward E.J. Anosike, a graduate transfer from Sacred Heart who also played a season in Tennessee.

Cal State Fullerton hasn’t won an NCAA Tournament game since 1978 when it managed to reach the Sweet 16. All favor points to Duke, but when the Blue Devils are off, they are beatable.

No. 3 Texas Tech Red Raiders vs. No. 14 Montana State Bobcats

After reaching the national championship in 2019, Texas Tech returns to this year’s tournament as a No. 3 seed (same as 2019).

The Red Raiders transition from former head coach Chris Beard to Mark Adams has gone flawlessly. Texas Tech brings in a defense that is considered one of the best in the country and has earned them wins over Kansas and Baylor who are both No. 1 seeds this year.

Led by 6-foot-8 fifth-year senior Bryson Williams, the Red Raiders are looking for the right magic to get them back to the Final Four.

Montana State enters this matchup as Big Sky regular season and tournament champs to clinch its first NCAA Tournament bid since 1996. Coach Danny Sprinkle and big man Jubrile Belo will look to lead this squad past a tricky Texas Tech team.

No. 4 Arkansas Razorbacks vs. No. 13 University of Vermont Catamounts

The SEC is a very difficult conference to predict when it comes to basketball. The Razorbacks rallied to the Elite Eight last year after a slow start and they have followed a similar path this year.

Once winless in the SEC, Arkansas was able to finish fourth in the conference by the end of the year. Vermont enters this matchup as an elite shooting team that ranked in the top five in effective-field-goal percentage. The team’s ability to score is what will keep them toe-to-toe with the Razorbacks.

This matchup very well may be the first upset of the tournament, as the Catamounts do an impressive job of taking care of the ball and out-rebounding opponents.

No. 5 UConn Huskies vs. No. 12 New Mexico State Aggies

Both teams are 7-3 in their last 10 games and UConn has a lot to be hopeful about. The Huskies bring in an athletic lineup who can defend and crash the glass.

Senior guard R.J. Cole will lead the team with his aggressive ability and unselfishness with the ball. Cole and 6-foot-9 center Adama Sanogo are two key players that will help the Huskies make it to the second round.

Meanwhile, New Mexico State had a clean run in the WAC Tournament and is making its third-ever NCAA Tournament appearance under head coach Chris Jans.

The makeup of this team is all upperclassmen, a component that deems them a dangerous squad who isn’t a push-over.

No. 6 Alabama Crimson Tide vs. No. 11 Notre Dame Fighting Irish

The Crimson Tide have had a pretty consistent year, with nonconference victories over Gonzaga, Baylor, and Houston. Last year, though, the Crimson Tide fell in the Sweet 16 due to their struggle in the defensive battle against UCLA.

The Fighting Irish, on the other hand, excel at spreading the ball over the court and bring in young talent that could do damage. They are also riding momentum after topping Rutgers in double overtime to get to the first round.

No. 7 Michigan State Spartans vs. No. 10 Davidson Wildcats

Tom Izzo and his squad of Spartans have not missed an NCAA Tournament since 1997, but after a shaky performance in the Big Ten Tournament, Michigan State will have to utilize its experienced core to make a deep run.

The Spartans bring in Gabe Brown, who was a member of the 2019 team who reached the Final Four, but the second half of the season for the Spartans was less than ideal.

Once 18-4 at the start of February, Michigan State must return to its early season form if it wants a shot to make it back to the Final Four. Davidson, on the other hand, is back in the Big Dance for the first time since 2018. The Wildcats will be led by Atlantic 10 Player of the Year Luka Brajkovic after he helped the team to a 25-win season, tied for the most since Steph Curry was in his senior year.

No. 8 Boise State Broncos vs No. 9 Memphis Tigers

This is going to be an exciting matchup for sure. Boise State finished an impressive 15-3 in the Mountain West Conference, and all credit must go to head coach Leon Rice.

Rice has made numerous changes to his starting lineup since the Broncos started off 3-4, and a name in particular to watch is senior guard Abu Kigab. Kigab is a well-rounded player with an impressive ability to score.

Meanwhile, the Memphis Tigers enter this game with a few players that standout for head coach Penny Hardaway. The Tigers are extremely athletic and talented on both sides of the ball, making them an intimidating matchup for any opponent. Led by Jalen Duren, the Tigers will be a team many opponents won’t want to encounter this March.


Connor Fenix is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email cjf5726@psu.edu.