Western Hoops Making a Statement

Not since UCLA in 2008 has a basketball team from a Western conference advanced to the NCAA Final Four. Gonzaga and Oregon still have that chance this year after winning and advancing to the Elite 8.

In Sweet 16 play, Gonzaga beat West Virginia 61-58 while Oregon outlasted Michigan 69-68. Ironically the Zags went into the game favored by 3pts and Oregon was favored by 1. The guys in Vegas know what they are talking about.

Well maybe not all the time! Arizona was favored to beat Xavier but lost 73-71. It was an 11 seed beating a 2 seed.

Saturday Gonzaga plays Xavier and Oregon faces Kansas for a trip to the final 4.

Tonight UCLA tangles with Kentucky in Memphis, the most talked about sweet 16 showdown! Also in Memphis is North Carolina so if you are counting on UCLA to represent the west in the final four beware, the road has some serious hazards.

By the way another western team, Wyoming of the Mountain West remains alive in post season play. The Cowboys have advanced to the best of three championship series in the CBI against Coastal Carolina. The series begins next Monday.