West Region Prediction
In a competitive West Region, which team will break from the pack to reach the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament? Here’s our pick for this region.
According to oddsmakers at YouWager, Gonzaga is favored to win this region, as the Bulldogs are getting odds of +140 to win. Other odds are Michigan (+175), Texas A&M (+400) and Florida State (+800). The West Region semifinals and final will be held from the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.
Bet on the 2018 NCAA Tournament
THE FAVORITE
Gonzaga is the fourth seed and has managed to narrowly defeat both No. 13 UNC Greensboro and No. 5 Ohio State in the opening weekend. The Bulldogs are set to take on Florida State on Thursday night, but will have the shortest trip to the regional final in Los Angeles. The Bulldogs made a run to the championship game a year ago and that experience could payoff this weekend.
DARK HORSE
Texas A&M at +400. The Aggies looked dominant in an 86-65 win over North Carolina. It may have been the most impressive win of the second round of the tournament. A&M got the win with balanced scoring, as four players were in double figures. Texas A&M has won five of its last six, with the lone loss coming by 1 point against Alabama.
STAY AWAY
Florida State at +800. While there certainly is value with FSU having such long odds, I have a hard time seeing Florida State win two more games. The Seminoles rely heavily on offense to win, as they don’t have much of a defense. They have held their two opponents in the NCAA Tournament to 70 or less, but it will be tough to do that against Gonzaga.
PREDICTION
I said last week that I liked Gonzaga to reach the Final Four and I will stick by that. Gonzaga matches up well with Florida State in the regional semifinal. Unless the Seminoles get really hot, I expect the Bulldogs to advance. Then it will face either Michigan or Texas A&M. Zaga will have the experience edge in that matchup either way.
WEST REGION PREDICTION: GONZAGA +140