NCAA Tournament - West Region

Much like the South, the West is disproportionately weak compared to the East and Midwest. The case could even be made that the West, with the Arinze Onuaku injury, is even worse than the South. It's not true, but the case CAN be made. The one thing this region has is the potential for first round upsets. Minnesota, UTEP, Murray St and Oakland could all win their first games (well not Oakland). But if Onuaku isn't healthy for the Sweet 16, this will be the most anti-climactic of all the regions.

FAVORITE
It's still Syracuse. As of now it looks like Onuaku will be good enough to play after the first weekend and with him healthy this team is easily one of the best in the country. I'll admit I had my doubts about Wes Johnson at the beginning of the year, but having seen him play a few times now, he is LEGIT.

***(I know Evan Turner is asked to do more, but Johnson has the fluid athleticism of an NBA player NOW. Just saying...)***

The other guy I really like on this team is Scoop Jardine. I don't know why people aren't fawning over this kid 'cause he is one of the most skilled point guards in the country. He WILL be first team All-Big East next year, if not All-American. Overall, Syracuse is far and away the most talented team in the region.

NEXT IN LINE
Kansas St and Pittsburgh could both take this region. Pittsburgh already beat Syracuse, in the Carrier Dome no less. They win the Houston Rockets How-Is-This-Team-Good Award, but they have good guards and experience to go around. K-State, meanwhile, has arguably the best backcourt duo in the country in Denis Clemente and Jacob Pullen.

SLEEPER
BYU. I wanted to pick UTEP, but they're not going to beat anyone that actually matters. I don't give the Cougars much of a shot against KSU - or Pitt if they somehow make it there - but with a point guard named Jimmer who scores over 20 points/game by getting to the line as often as he does and does NOT jack up 10 threes every game, who knows.

WINNER
Syracuse. If Onuaku doesn't play or is nowhere close to the player he was before the injury they'll probably lose, but the Orange are just far more talented than KSU and Pitt. Both teams are built to beat 'Cuse, especially K-State, but I just don't see it. Wesley Johnson MOP.