2010 NCAA Tournament Bracket: Breaking Down the West Region

Welcome to the West Region of the 2010 NCAA big dance!

In this bracket, questions abound and there are sure to be surprises.

For example, can Syracuse rebound from their first round loss in their conference tournament to run through the bracket?

What about Kansas State? There is no in-state rival named Kansas to get in their way in this bracket. Can the Wildcats play up to their #2 seed?

And how about BYU? Will the Cougars shake off their recent failures in the tournament to advance?

These are but a few of the questions this bracket offers.

So with no further delay, lets take a look at this intriguing region...

The Team to Beat: Syracuse

Of course, it doesn't take a genius to pick the #1 seed as the team to beat.

However, if Syracuse does win the national championship, it will mark the first time in NCAA history that a team who lost in the first round of their conference tournament went on to win it all.

Having said that, the balance of Syracuse's starting five, led by Wes Johnson makes them a tough team to prepare for. With five players averaging double figures in points, the Orange make for a difficult team to defend, and the aforementioned Johnson is simply a beast.

Despite this, the NCAA selection committee did the Orange no favors if Gonzaga gets by Florida State…the Zag's match up pretty well with Syracuse.

Upset Special: Murray State vs. Vanderbilt

A thirteen seed over a four? Sure, why not?

The Racer's 30-4 record admittedly did come over inferior competition but this team is talented.

Though not a big team (their tallest player is 6'9"), they are a very athletic and quick group. With five players averaging at least ten points per game but none over eleven, the Racer's balance makes them difficult to defend.

Meanwhile, Vanderbilt has gone 4-3 in their last seven games including a ten point loss to Mississippi State in the second round of the SEC tournament.

Of course, Vandy did play Kentucky tough back in late February but I think that the Commodores may be surprised by the Racer's upbeat tempo.

Murray St. over Vanderbilt just barely beat out my other upset special, which is UTEP over Butler.

Team Most Likely to be Upset: BYU

Until BYU can find a way to advance beyond the early rounds in the big dance, there will be questions about them.

And this won't be a huge upset in any event. BYU is a seven seed and their opponent, Florida, is a tough, battle tested SEC team that is led by a coach (Billy Donovan) who knows what it feels like to cut the nets after winning it all.

Despite the Cougars going 7-2 in the last nine games (and their two losses were by a combined six points), if the Gators can bottle up Jimmer Fredette and his 21.7 ppg, they can put pressure on the other Cougars to score and that is no given.

Although the Gators have been woefully inconsistent (4-4 over their last eight games), they still have the size and athleticism to give BYU trouble.

Plus, that early round departure monkey can be tough to shed as well for the Cougars

Most Anticipated Game: Gonzaga vs. Syracuse

Unfortunately, for the most anticipated game, I will have to project to the second round.

Assuming that Gonzaga can get by Florida State, which is no given seeing as how it is a #8 vs. #9 seed, the Zags have the style to give Syracuse some problems.

Led by Matt Bouldin, Gonzaga is a blend of savvy veterans and youthful exuberance. If they put it all together, they can take the Orange down.

Of course, there will be some very intriguing match-ups as the bracket progresses but until it does, this looks like the game that will garner the most interest in the early going.

Player to Watch: Derrick Caracter

Derrick Caracter, a 6'9", transfer from Louisville who only became eligible to play for the Miners in December, has been a force ever since.

Caracter, who averaged over 14 ppg and 8.5 rebounds in the regular season, just keeps getter better as time goes on.

If UTEP can continue to get solid guard play from Randy Culpepper and Derrick Caracter plays as he has all season, Butler, their first round opponent will have their hands full.

Derrick Caracter is only a junior but if he declares this year, you will see him in the NBA in 2011.

Best Storyline: Florida

Since Billy Donovan led the Gators to national championships in the 2005-2006 & 2006-2007 seasons, it has been pretty slim pickings.

Two NIT appearances in the last two years has led to this years #10 seed, sporting a 21-12 record in a pretty tough SEC.

For the Gators to advance in this bracket they will have to take care of a battle tested Gonzaga team that will make Florida work for everything they get.

Can Donovan capture any of the magic from those two national championships? Or will the Gators make an early exit?

Certainly the 2007-2008 Florida team was not expected to do much of anything after losing almost the complete team after their last championship, but this is now two years later and a first round exit might lead to some grumbling...

Player you aare Going to Hear More About: Jordan Crawford

Jordan Crawford, Xavier’s 6’4” combo guard can really fill it up. Scoring at almost a 19 ppg clip, Crawford also rebounds (just under five rpg) and can dish it off (3 assists avg.) when needed.

Just a sophomore, Crawford is just now starting to realize his potential.

Along with Terrelle Holloway, also a sophomore, Xavier has one of the best backcourts in the country. And next year they will be that much better.

Having said that, they will have a fairly tough opening game with a Minnesota team that just advanced to their conference championship game.

But if Jordan Crawford continues to play the way he has all season, you will hear more from Xavier.

The Pressure is On: Jamie Dixon

When will Jamie Dixon lead the Pittsburgh Panthers to a final four?

Although Pittsburgh has made the big dance every year since 2002 and made the “sweet sixteen” five times in those years, there has only been one “elite eight” appearance (2009) and that was with a #1 seed.

Meanwhile, in those same years, the Panthers have been no worse than a #3 seed five times, including this year’s #3.

Not to say coach Dixon’s job is in jeopardy (it isn’t), but isn’t it time the Panthers sniff that elusive final four?

Conclusion

So there it is. Some are saying this bracket may be the weakest of the four but I’m not buying it.

Beyond Syracuse, which certainly has the talent to go all the way, the region also features a tough Kansas State team that can give any team fits al long as it isn’t the team whose fans chant “Rock chalk Jayhawk.”

This may be the year Jamie Dixon gets the Panthers to the final four and Gonzaga, Xavier and perhaps Butler can all catch fire and make noise.

Surely there will be upsets (Murray State?) and a “Cinderella” story or two.

Bring on March Madness!