2014 March Madness: West Region Predictions
By TJ Ackerman
Mar 15, 2014; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Arizona Wildcats forward Aaron Gordon (11) shoots against UCLA Bruins forward Travis Wear (24) during the first half in the championship game of the Pac-12 Conference college basketball tournament at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
ELITE EIGHT (REGION FINALS)
(1) Arizona Wildcats vs. (3) Creighton Bluejays
Saturday, March 29th
Analysis: This game pits the top ranked offense against the top ranked defense and boy will this game be fun! Naismith Player of the Year semifinalists Nick Johnson and Doug McDermott will square off in what should be a 40 minute battle. Toss in freshman Aaron Gordon, who is averaging 12 points per game and shooting over 48% from the field, and you’ve got a recipe for an instant classic. The mathematical models from FiveThirtyEight.com give the Wildcats a 42% chance of advancing to Dallas, compared to Creighton’s 12%. You can take those for what they are worth, given the fact that Creighton has to endure a tougher road to reach this game. It will eventually boil down to whether or not Arizona’s offense can take advantage of the Bluejay’s sub-par defense–which I believe will be the case. Arizona cuts down the nets in Anaheim.
Look for a preview of the East Region coming later this evening. For more March Madness coverage, as well as other Tampa Bay area sports content, follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook