West Regional Preview

Now, I will look at the other regional that will take place on Thursday, the West Regional. The final four in this region are Duke, Arizona, San Diego St., and UCONN. However before taking a look ahead I will look back at the first two rounds in this region. I will tell you who I see making the elite 8 and the final 4 out of this region.
First weekend recap:
This region has seen some great games (Duke-Michigan, Arizona-Texas, and SDST-Temple) as well as some controversy in those great games specifically Arizona-Texas. Duke has gotten here with the help of a returning Kyree Irving and great inside play. Arizona has been led to this point by Derrick Williams and UCONN's player of the year candidate Kemba Walker has gotten his team two wins away from the final 4. San Diego State's team first mentality and great play by Kawhi Leonard has resulted in their 1st sweet sixteen appearance ever two hours from their campus.
Sweet Sixteen Preview
Duke vs. Arizona
The team that was happiest to see Texas' final shot fail was Duke as Arizona is a much better matchup for them, setting up a rematch of the 2001 title game won by Duke. Duke loves to run ball screens and Arizona is no where near as good as Texas when it comes to defending ball screens. Duke has many players who can beat you including the Plumlee brothers, Nolan Smith, Irving, and Kyle Singler as well as a great coach in Coach K. In order for Arizona to win other players besides Lamont Jones and Derrick Williams to step up and play great as Duke and Coach K are great at taking what you do the best away. I just don't see Arizona overcoming a talent deficit and the coaching mismatch, Duke wins 75-66.
UCONN vs. San Diego State
This could be the best game of the entire sweet 16 round as you get two great teams led by two national championship winning head coaches in San Diego State's Steve Fisher and Jim Calhoun of UCONN. The key to this game is can the Aztecs contain The Huskies player of the year candidate Kemba Walker and can players like Jeff Lamb and Alex Oriaki step up and help Kemba out. The aztecs are led by Malcom Thomas, Kawhi Leonard, and DJ Gay all of whom must have a great game for the aztecs to advance. In the end I see there being too muh Kemba and UCONN winning 65-60.
ELITE EIGHT
UCONN vs. Duke
A rematch of the 1999 National title game and 2003 National semifinal game both won by UCONN. That is a key story as Calhoun dominates Coach K in their prior matchups. Just like in the Sweet 16 players like Lamb and Oriaki need to step up and help Kemba carry the load. If I were Duke I let Kemba get his and shut everyone else down as you won't be able to stop Kemba you can only hope to limit his scoring. While Duke has their own player of the year candidate in Nolan Smith, more experience, and a better supporting cast I see Kemba and Calhoun leading UCONN to the final 4 74-70 as Calhoun continues his dominance over Coach K.