2014 Sweet 16 Odds, Free Picks and Predictions: West Region Sweet 16 Matchup Previews

2014 Sweet 16 Odds, Free Picks and Predictions: West Region Sweet 16 Matchup Previews: While there isn’t a chalk region left in the 2014 NCAA Tournament Bracket, the West Region is the closest thing to it. Three of the top-four seeds in the region have made it through to the Sweet 16 with sixth-seeded Baylor as the lone surprise. In addition to the West Region nearly playing out according to seeding, the region is also the most defensive minded remaining. All four teams in the Sweet 16 will pound opponents physically and are comfortable playing at a slower pace. Needless to say, it is going to be a rough road to Arlington out of the West Region when action resumes Thursday.

2014 Sweet 16 West Region Matchup Previews

No. 4 San Diego State vs. No. 1 Arizona: After both teams survived scares in their tournament openers, Arizona and San Diego Stat cruise into the Sweet 16 on the heels of dominant showings in the Round of 32. Now, two teams that are very familiar with one another will meet for the second time this season, but unlike their November 14 showdown, both teams will be fighting to keep their seasons and championship hopes alive this time around.

These two teams have very similar styles. Both rank in the top five nationally in terms of fewest points allowed, and both will disrupt opponents with physical play on both ends of the court. Offensively, both have go-to scorers in the backcourt with Arizona relying on Nick Johnson and San Diego State depending heavily on Xavier Thames. Both guards are surrounded by athletic players on the wings, but the Wildcats will have the best athlete on the court in freshmen Aaron Gordon.

The first time these teams met, the Wildcats went on the road and knocked of the Aztecs. Arizona was actually up comfortably at times before holding off a late rally by San Diego State. Granted, a lot has changed since November. For one, Arizona has lost forward Brandon Ashley to injury. Not to mention that the pressure and stakes are a lot higher this time around. That being said, the outcome of Thursday’s game is likely to be similar. At the end of the day, the Wildcats have a little more athleticism and are just more efficient on the offensive end, and that will make all the difference in a matchup of teams that play very similar styles.

2014 Sweet 16 West Region Projected Winner: Arizona

No. 6 Baylor vs. No. 2 Wisconsin: They are the underdog of the region based on seeding, but Baylor has cruised into the Sweet 16 with dominating wins over Nebraska and Creighton. Things haven’t been as easy for the Badgers, who needed a big second-half rally to get by Oregon in the Round of 32. Now, two teams that both have plenty of size inside and underrated perimeter firepower will go head to head in a game that should feature an interesting combination of physical, half-court play and quick scores in transition.

If the Bears are going to win the game, they have to control the glass and the paint with their powerful frontcourt of Cory Jefferson and Isaiah Austin while holding their own on the perimeter against Wisconsin’s guards and skilled big men. Wisconsin on the other hand has to match Baylor’s physical play inside and hold its own on the boards and win the battle on the perimeter. If Ben Brust, Frank Kaminsky and Sam Dekker are all knocking down shots, the Badgers are going to be in business.

While Wisconsin’s shooters are the X-factor in this game, Baylor’s strong play on the defensive end could tip the scales in their favor. Granted, the Bears probably won’t knock down a ton of 3-pointers like they did in their demolition of Creighton, but the 1-3-1 zone that shut down scoring machine Doug McDermott should be effective against the Badgers, as well. Baylor’s zone is designed to run shooters off the 3-point line and to force them to take the ball into the paint where Jefferson and Austin are waiting at the rim. Wisconsin needs the 3-point shot to be effective, and the Bears are going to be able to take it away.

2014 Sweet 16 West Region Projected Winner: Baylor

2014 Sweet 16 West Region Favorite to Make the Final Four

Arizona: The West Region doesn’t have a dominant offensive team remaining, which means that defense, toughness and athleticism are going to decide which team heads on to Arlington. Arizona definitely gets the check mark in the athleticism column, and with a proven point guard like Johnson to run the show, an X-factor like Gordon making highlight-reel plays and solid size inside, the Wildcats have the pieces in place to grind their way out of the region. Arizona isn’t the most-complete team in the country, but they are the most-complete team in the West Region of the NCAA Tournament Bracket.

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