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2014 West Region Preview & Picks – Free March Madness Predictions

WEST REGION PREDICTIONS – 2014

The Arizona Wildcats will not have the easiest road to the Final Four, with teams like Wisconsin, Baylor, Oklahoma State and Oregon –who upset the Wildcats at the end of the season–all ready to do battle in the West Region.

Everyone in this Region has a legitimate shot at making the trip to Arlington, which should make for some very competitive action.

So with that, here’s my thoughts as to who comes out of the West Region with the championship.

Odds to win WEST Region from Bovada:

Favorites

Arizona +165— At No. 6, Arizona is the only Top 25 team in the Pac-12, and will likely be in a dogfight against No. 16 Weber State in the opening round. Defense and rebounding are the name of the game for the Wildcats who rely six different players that produce the team’s well-balanced offensive attack.

Baylor +2200 — Baylor didn’t even appear that it would even be worthy of an NIT invite after a 2-8 start in Big 12 play, but the Bears are a different team now, playing good defense and putting points on the board. They had won 10 of their previous 11 games entering the Big 12 tournament title game on Saturday, and will be a difficult matchup for any team it faces.
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Contenders

San Diego State +800 — The Aztecs are in the NCAA tournament for the fifth straight year, and will matchup against 13th-seeded New Mexico State in round one. SDSU lost to New Mexico in the Mountain West tournament title game on Saturday, but I expect them to bounce back here. However, having to possibly face the Cowboys, Aztecs or Wildcats, lessens their odds of winning the West.

Oregon +1800 — The Ducks have won seven in a row, but will need to get past a very good No. 10 BYU in a rematch of a Dec. 21 game played in Eugene. Oregon prevailed 100-96 in overtime in that one. Last season the Ducks drew No. 5 Oklahoma State in their opening game. Oregon defeated the Cowboys before losing to eventual national champion Louisville in the Sweet 16. If they meet the Cowboys again this year, it will be different.

Sleeper

Oklahoma State +1200 — The Cowboys get to play a team they actually know a little bit about first up. A year ago, when the Cowboys were a No. 5 seed, they were presented with a real challenge by No. 12 Oregon who knocked them out of the tournament in the first game. This time the Pokes’ are ranked 9th, but the favor is a team they know something about. I like their chances at taking the providing they avoid a bout with Arizona.

Prediction

Baylor will top Nebraska, Creighton and Wisconsin on their way to a matchup against top-seeded Arizona in the West Region with the Wildcats eventually coming out on the top of heap.

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By Matt Martz

Matt has returned to CappersPicks.com. The pull was too great. He missed providing his free picks and insider sports gambling analysis to his loyal readers. Please take it easy on him till he gets back into his groove. Cheers!