NCAA West Region analysis: Arizona looks to take down Gonzaga
Arizona is on the rise. The Wildcats were playing well early this season without Allonzo Trier, but they became the Pac-12’s top team when Trier was reinstated after serving a 19-game suspension for performance enhancing drugs.
Trier, who has said he “never knowingly” took a PED, has been one of the nation’s top players since rejoining the team and was chosen Pac-12 Tournament MVP after a 23-point, eight-rebound effort against Oregon in the title game.
Arizona is the No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament West Region, behind Gonzaga, which might have its most complete team in coach Mark Few’s career. The Zags are led by point guard Nigel Williams-Goss and big men Przemek Karnowski and Johnathan Williams (a Mizzou transfer) and seek the first Final Four appearance in program history.
Is there a taller team in college basketball than third-seeded Florida State? The Seminoles tower over opponents with 7-foot-1 center Michael Ojo and 6-10 forward Jonathan Isaac, and a backcourt led by 6-7 Dwayne Bacon, who averages 16.9 points.
But Florida State slowed down the stretch, losing six of 13 entering the tournament, and catches a tricky opener against No. 14 seed Florida Gulf Coast.
West Virginia coach Bob Huggins didn’t like how his team played in the Big 12 Tournament and the Mountaineers still reached the title game. They’ll be a tough matchup for a team that is vulnerable to pressure defense.
No. 16 seed South Dakota State will be a heavy underdog to Gonzaga, but keep an eye on Jackrabbits forward Mike Daum. He’s the nation’s second-leading scorer at 25.4 points per game. The 16th seed is 0-128 against the top seed since 1985. But if the upset is ever going to happen, some player will have to prove unstoppable. Daum went for 51 earlier this season.
Best matchup
The G.E. College Bowl (look it up) matchup in the 8-9 game between Northwestern and Vanderbilt. The Wildcats are in the field for the first time and have a comedic first fan in Julia Louis Dreyfus, whose son Charlie Hall plays for Northwestern.
We're going to the dance, boys! @NUMensBball making history! #proud #B1GCats #poundtherock #NCAA @marchmadness pic.twitter.com/TpuoqtvxRV
— Julia Louis-Dreyfus (@OfficialJLD) March 12, 2017
Players to watch
Williams-Goss is an All-American and Bonzie Colson for fifth-seeded Notre Dame is one of the game’s toughest matchups.
Upset special
No. 11 seed Xavier was one of the last teams selected to the field, but the Musketeers’ KenPom efficiency ranking is better than that of their opponent, No. 6 Maryland. Plus the Terps stumbled down the stretch, losing six of the last 10.
Final Four pick
Arizona over Notre Dame
Blair Kerkhoff: 816-234-4730, @BlairKerkhoff
NCAA West Region teams at a glance
No. 1 Gonzaga
Spokane, Wash., 32-1.
Nickname: Bulldogs. Coach: Mark Few.
Conference: West Coast. Bid: WCC champion.
Tournament Record: 24-19, 19 years. Last appearance: 2016.
Scoring: Team (84.6); Nigel Williams-Goss 16.9; Przemek Karnowski 12.6; Jordan Mathews 10.4; Zach Collins 10.2; Johnathan Williams 10.2.
Rebounds: Team (40.3); Johnathan Williams 6.5; Przemek Karnowski 6.0; Zach Collins 5.7; Nigel Williams-Goss 5.7.
Assists/Turnovers: Team (16.0/11.3); Nigel Williams-Goss 4.8/2.1; Josh Perkins 3.4/2.1; Przemek Karnowski 2.0/1.7.
3-pointers: Team (.382); Jordan Mathews 68; Josh Perkins 54; Silas Melson 38; Nigel Williams-Goss 35.
Last Ten: 9-1.
No. 16 South Dakota State
Brookings, 18-16.
Nickname: Jackrabbits. Coach: T.J. Otzelberger.
Conference: Summit League. Bid: Summitt champion.
Tournament Record: 0-3, 3 years. Last appearance: 2016.
Scoring: Team (77.6); Mike Daum 25.3; Reed Tellinghuisen 11.9; A.J. Hess 9.8.
Rebounds: Team (35.0); Mike Daum 8.2; Reed Tellinghuisen 4.7; Chris Howell 4.2.
Assists/Turnovers: Team (13.3/12.9); Michael Orris 4.0/2.3; Reed Tellinghuisen 1.8/1.8; Tevin King 1.8/1.2.
3-pointers: Team (.363); Mike Daum 77; Reed Tellinghuisen 73; A.J. Hess 66.
Last Ten: 8-2.
No. 8 Northwestern
Evanston, Ill., 23-11.
Nickname: Wildcats. Coach: Chris Collins.
Conference: Big Ten. Bid: At large.
Tournament Record: First year. Last appearance: First year.
Scoring: Team (71.8); Bryant McIntosh 14.4; Scottie Lindsey 14.2; Vic Law 12.4.
Rebounds: Team (36.5); Derek Pardon 8.0; Vic Law 5.7; Sanjay Lumpkin 5.6.
Assists/Turnovers: Team (15.6/10.5); Bryant McIntosh 5.2/2.6; Scottie Lindsey 2.3/1.4.
3-pointers: Team (.343); Vic Law 55; Scottie Lindsey 56; Bryant McIntosh 38; Nathan Taphorn 37.
Last Ten: 5-5.
No. 9 Vanderbilt
Nashville, Tenn., 19-15.
Nickname: Commodores. Coach: Bryce Drew.
Conference: Southeastern. Bid: At large.
Tournament Record: 10-15, 14 years. Last appearance: 2016.
Scoring: Team (71.3); Matthew Fisher-Davis 13.6; Luke Kornet 13.2; Jeff Roberson 11.0; Riley LaChance 10.5.
Rebounds: Team (34.6); Jeff Roberson 7.1; Luke Kornet 6.2; Nolan Cressler 4.1.
Assists/Turnovers: Team (13.0/12.4); Riley LaChance 3.9/1.9; Payton Willis 1.9/1.6.
3-pointers: Team (.377); Matthew Fisher-Davis 81; Riley LaChance 68; Luke Kornet 51; Jeff Roberson 39; Nolan Cressler 34.
Last Ten: 7-3.
No. 5 Notre Dame
South Bend, Ind., 25-9.
Nickname: Fighting Irish. Coach: Mike Brey.
Conference: Atlantic Coast. Bid: At large.
Tournament Record: 37-39, 35 years. Last appearance: 2016.
Scoring: Team (78.0); Bonzie Colson 17.5; V.J. Beachem 15.0; Matt Farrell 14.2; Steve Vasturia 13.3.
Rebounds: Team (33.8); Bonzie Colson 10.2; V.J. Beachem 4.1; Steve Vasturia 3.8.
Assists/Turnovers: Team (16.0/9.4); Matt Farrell 5.5/2.5; Steve Vasturia 3.4/1.6.
3-pointers: Team (.386); V.J. Beachem 86; Matt Farrell 76; Steve Vasturia 56; Matt Ryan 34.
Last Ten: 8-2.
No. 12 Princeton
Princeton, N.J., 23-6.
Nickname: Tigers. Coach: Mitch Henderson.
Conference: Ivy League. Bid: Ivy League champion.
Tournament Record: 13-28, 24 years. Last appearance: 2011.
Scoring: Team (72.1); Devin Cannady 13.7; Steven Cook 13.6; Myles Stephens 12.2; Spencer Weisz 10.5.
Rebounds: Team (33.5); Spencer Weisz 5.4; Steven Cook 5.1; Myles Stephens 4.5.
Assists/Turnovers: Team (14.3/10.1); Spencer Weisz 3.6/1.2; Amir Bell 2.0/1.1.
3-pointers: Team (.381); Devin Cannady 79; Spencer Weisz 58; Steven Cook 49; Myles Stephens 34.
Last Ten: 10-0.
No. 4 West Virginia
Morgantown, 26-8.
Nickname: Mountaineers. Coach: Bob Huggins.
Conference: Big 12. Bid: At large.
Tournament Record: 27-27, 27 years. Last appearance: 2016.
Scoring: Team (82.0); Jevon Carter 13.1; Esa Ahmad 11.2; Nathan Adrian 9.9; Taril Phillip 9.4.
Rebounds: Team (37.3); Nathan Adrian 5.9; Jevon Carter 4.9; Esa Ahmad 4.2; Elijah Macon 4.1.
Assists/Turnovers: Team (16.7/12.3); Jevon Carter 4.3/1.9; Nathan Adrian 3.0/1.4; Tarik Phillip 3.0/1.5.
3-pointers: Team (.361); Jevon Carter 62; Daxter Miles Jr. 37; Tarik Phiilip 33; Lamont West 33; Nathan Adrian 32.
Last Ten: 7-3.
No. 13 Bucknell
Lewisburg, Pa., 26-8.
Nickname: Bison. Coach: Nathan Davis.
Conference: Patriot League. Bid: Patriot champion.
Tournament Record: 2-6, 6 years. Last NCAA Appearance: 2013.
Scoring: Team (76.1); Zach Thomas 16.0; Nana Foulland 14.9; Kimbal Mackenzie 11.5; Stephen Brown 10.9.
Rebounds: Team (34.4); Nana Foulland 7.8; Zach Thomas 6.6; Nate Sestina 3.8.
Assists/Turnovers: Team (14.6/13.3); Stephen Brown 4.8/1.8; Zach Thomas 3.5/3.1; Kimbal Mackenzie 2.4/1.6.
3-pointers: Team (.377); Kimbal Mackenzie 59; Zach Thomas 56; Stephen Brown 48; Matt O’Reilly 34.
Last Ten: 8-2.
No. 6 Maryland
College Park, 24-8.
Nickname: Terrapins. Coach: Mark Turgeon.
Conference: Big Ten. Bid: At large.
Tournament Record: 41-25, 26 years. Last NCAA Appearance: 2016.
Scoring: Team (74.2); Melo Trimble 17.0; Anthony Cowan 10.5; Justin Jackson 10.4; Kevin Huerter 9.0.
Rebounds: Team (35.9); Justin Jackson 6.1; Kevin Huerter 5.0; Damonte Dodd 4.4.
Assists/Turnovers: Team (14.0/13.3); Anthony Cowan 3.7/2.3; Melo Trimble 3.7/3.0; Kevin Huerter 2.6/1.4.
3-pointers: Team (.363); Kevin Huerter 62; Melo Trimble 57; Justin Jackson 44; Jaylen Brantley 31.
Last Ten: 4-6.
No. 11 Xavier
Cincinnati, 21-13.
Nickname: Musketeers. Coach: Chris Mack.
Conference: Big East. Bid: At large.
Tournament Record: 24-26, 26 years. Last appearance: 2016.
Scoring: Team (72.2); Trevon Bluiett 17.6; Edmond Summer 15.0; J.P. Macura 14.1.
Rebounds: Team (36.5); RaShid Gaston 6.4; Trevon Bluiett 5.6; J.P. Macura 4.3; Edmond Summer 4.3.
Assists/Turnovers: Team (14.3/12.6); Quentin Goodin 3.2/1.8; J.P. Macura 2.9/2.1; Trevon Bluiett 2.1/2.0.
3-pointers: Team (.336); Trevon Bluiett 77; J.P. Macura 58; Malcolm Bernard 41; Kaiser Gates 32.
Last Ten: 3-7.
No. 3 Florida State
Tallahassee, 25-8.
Nickname: Seminoles. Coach: Leonard Hamilton.
Conference: Atlantic Coast. Bid: At large.
Tournament Record: 15-14, 14 years. Last appearance: 2012.
Scoring: Team (82.5); Dwayne Bacon 16.9; Jonathan Isaac 11.9; Xavier Rathan-Mayes 10.4.
Rebounds: Team (37.7); Jonathan Isaac 7.6; Terance Mann 4.7; Dwayne Bacon 4.0.
Assists/Turnovers: Team (14.7/11.8); Xavier Rathan-Mayes 4.8/1.8.
3-pointers: Team (.356); Dwayne Bacon 57; PJ Savoy 38; Xavier Rathan-Mayes 38; Jonathan Isaac 30.
Last Ten: 6-4.
No. 14 Florida Gulf Coast
Fort Myers, 26-7.
Nickname: Eagles. Coach: Joe Dooley.
Conference: Atlantic Sun. Bid: Atlantic Sun champion.
Tournament Record: 3-2, 2 years. Last appearance: 2016.
Scoring: Team (79.5); Brandon Goodwin 18.2; Zach Johnson 11.8; Demetris Morant 10.7; Christian Terrell 10.3.
Rebounds: Team (37.7); Demetrius Morant 8.0; Marc-Eddy Norelia 4.8; Brandon Goodwin 4.6.
Assists/Turnovers: Team (15.4/12.6); Brandon Goodwin 4.0/2.0; Zach Johnson 3.0/2.7; Christian Terrell 2.4/1.1.
3-pointers: Team (.350); Brandon Goodwin 53; Christian Terrell 51; Zach Johnson 51.
Last Ten: 9-1.
No. 7 Saint Mary’s (Calif.)
Moraga, Calif., 28-4.
Nickname: Gaels. Coach: Randy Bennett.
Conference: West Coast. Bid: At large.
Tournament Record: 4-8, 8 years. Last appearance: 2013.
Scoring: Team (72.0); Jock Landale 16.8; Calvin Hermanson 13.0; Emmett Naar 9.5.
Rebounds: Team (35.6); Jock Landale 9.3; Dane Pineau 6.2; Joe Rahon 3.8.
Assists/Turnovers: Team (16.8/10.5); Joe Rahon 5.8/1.7; Emmett Naar 5.7/2.4.
3-pointers: Team (.399); Calvin Hermanson 83; Evan Fitzer 44; Emmett Naar 36; Joe Rahon 34.
Last Ten: 8-2.
No. 10 VCU
Richmond, Va., 26-8.
Nickname: Rams. Coach: Will Wade.
Conference: Atlantic 10. Bid: At large.
Tournament Record: 13-15, 15 years. Last appearance: 2016.
Scoring: Team (75.0); JeQuan Lewis 14.7; Justin Tillman 12.5; Mo Alie-Cox 9.5; Samir Doughty 9.0.
Rebounds: Team (36.3); Justin Tillman 8.5; Mo Alie-Cox 4.2.
Assists/Turnovers: Team (15.5/12.8); JeQuan Lewis 4.6/2.5; Jonathan Williams 3.1/1.5; Samir Doughty 2.2/190; Doug Brooks 2.0/1.0.
3-pointers: Team (.336); JeQuan Lewis 81; Doug Brooks 35.
Last Ten: 7-3.
No. 2 Arizona
Tucson, 30-4.
Nickname: Wildcats. Coach: Sean Miller.
Conference: Pacific-12. Bid: Pac-12 champion.
Tournament Record: 54-32, 33 years. Last appearance: 2016.
Scoring: Team (76.3); Allonzo Trier 17.3; Lauri Markkanen 15.6; Rawle Alkins 11.0; Dusan Ristic 10.6; Kadeem Allen 9.7; Kobi Simmoms 9.2.
Rebounds: Team (36.8); Lauri Markkanen 7.1; Dusan Ristic 5.6; Rawle Alkins 5.1; Allonzo Trier 5.0; Kadeem Allen 4.1.
Assists/Turnovers: Team (13.8/11.4); Parker Jackson-Cartwright 4.2/1.4; Kadeem Allen 3.1/190; Allonzo Trier 2.7/1.8; Kobi Simmoms 2.1/1.3.
3-pointers: Team (.398); Lauri Markkanen 67; Rawle Alkins 42; Kobi Simmons 32.
Last Ten: 9-1.
No. 15 North Dakota
Grand Forks, 22-9.
Nickname: Fighting Hawks. Coach: Brian Jones.
Conference: Big Sky. Bid: Big Sky champion.
Tournament Record: First year. Last appearance: First year.
Scoring: Team (80.5); Quinton Hooker 19.1; Geno Crandall 15.6; Corey Baldwin 10.3; Conner Avants 9.8.
Rebounds: Team (35.8); Drick Bernstine 7.2; Conner Avants 4.9; Quinton Hooker 4.7; Geno Crandall 4.1.
Assists/Turnovers: Team (15.3/13.6); Geno Crandall 4.3/3.3; Quinton Hooker 3.6/1.8; Drick Bernstine 2.5/1.9.
3-pointers: Team (.385); Quinton Hooker 79, Corey Baldwin 70; Geno Crandall 38.
Last Ten: 9-1.
This story was originally published March 12, 2017 at 8:54 PM with the headline "NCAA West Region analysis: Arizona looks to take down Gonzaga."