2015 Bracketology Picks: NCAA Tournament West Region Odds, Predictions & Bracket Projections

2015 Bracketology Picks: NCAA Tournament West Region Odds, Predictions & Bracket Projections: The West Region of the NCAA Tournament Bracket could make an argument for being the toughest of the four this year. After all, Wisconsin and Arizona are the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds, respectively, and both have already won 31 games. Power programs like North Carolina and Ohio State are also lurking the region, along with a Cinderella from a few years back, VCU. With that in mind, here is a breakdown of the West Region.

NCAA West Bracket Favorites to Make the Final Four

Wisconsin: The Badgers were in the Final Four last year, and the entire core of that team is back, including Wooden Award frontrunner Frank Kaminsky. As with most Bo Ryan-coached teams, the Badgers can stretch the floor with their big men, and they are comfortable playing in the half court. However, this current group also has some excellent athletes in Nigel Hayes and Sam Dekker to go along with their overall skill and experience. The Bottom line is that Wisconsin has all the ingredients of a Final Four team.

Arizona: Arizona may be one of the most impressive No. 2 seeds in recent memory. The Wildcats enter the NCAA tournament with a 31-3 record, and all three losses came on the road by a combined nine points. As was the case last year, Arizona can get the job done on the defensive end, but thanks to the return of Brandon Ashley and the addition of freshman Stanley Johnson, the Wildcats boast a top 25 scoring offense, as well. Arizona has the pieces in place to make a run to Indianapolis.

North Carolina: The Tarheels are loaded with athletes at every position, and at times, they look unstoppable on the offensive end. Entering the NCAA tournament, North Carolina ranks 17th in scoring, second in rebound and second in assists, and the Tar Heels have a nice inside-outside scoring combo in guard Marcus Paige and forward Brice Johnson. Granted, they have had issues closing games, but at their best, the Tarheels have defeated the likes of Louisville, Virginia and Ohio State. The talent to cut down the nets is there. The Tarheels just have to put it together.

NCAA West Bracket Upset Specials

Ohio State over VCU: Ohio State has been on the wrong end of a lot of close games this year, but the Buckeyes have plenty of experience on their roster, which always helps in March. They also have star freshman D’Angelo Russell stuffing the state sheet on a regular basis, and he is the type of player that can take over any game. Equally as important, the Buckeyes utilize a smaller, athletic lineup that is well-equipped to handle the intense pressure that the Rams apply. Look for Russell and company to beat VCU’s press and send the Rams home early for the second year in a row.

Georgia State over Baylor: Sure, the Panthers win in the Sun Belt tournament title games was ugly, but this team has some legit weapons. R.J. Hunter is on the radar of NBA scouts, and he and Ryan Harrow are averaging a combined 39.5 points per game. On the flip side, Baylor has an offense that can absolutely fall flat at times, and the Bears really don’t have a go-to scorer. If Hunter or Harrow can get hot, the Bears may not be able to find an answer.

NCAA West Bracket High Seeds on Alert

Baylor: The Bears enter the NCAA tournament ranked 114th in the country in scoring, and they also rank 189th in field goal percentage. Granted, Rico Geathers is a beast on the boards, but his points come more from hustle plays than set plays in the half court. Meanwhile, Baylor doesn’t shoot very well from the foul line either, which could be a major issue down the stretch of any game. They are one bad shooting performance away from an early exit.

NCAA West Bracket PREDICTION: Wisconsin Badgers

Odds to win the West Region
Arizona #2
7/4
Wisconsin #1
7/4
North Carolina #4
10/1
Baylor #3
12/1
Ohio State #10
18/1
Arkansas #5
20/1
VCU #7
20/1
Xavier #6
22/1
BYU #11
40/1
Oklahoma State #9
50/1
Ole Miss #11
50/1
Oregon #8
50/1
Wofford #12
75/1
Harvard #13
100/1
Georgia State #14
150/1
Coastal Carolina #16
300/1
Texas Southern #15
300/1