West Region – by Ryan ZumMallen of LBPostSports
#6 Marquette vs. #11 Utah State
Playing in the Big East must suck sometimes. The Eagles are currently losers of five of their last six, but lost those five to Louisville, UConn, Pittsburgh, Syracuse and Nova. The one chance they got against an inferior team during that stretch, they crushed St. John’s by 29. Give Utah State a chance if you’re brave, but Eagle guards Jerel McNeal and Wesley Matthews will probably prove too much to handle.
#3 Missouri vs. #14 Cornell
The NCAA Tournament is familiar territory to Cornell, entering the Dance as a 14-seed last season. Missouri, on the other hand, hasn’t been to the Tourney is six years. So, obviously, Cornell has the upper hand. Ha! No, but seriously though, Missouri is as dangerous a team as any in the field, winners of 11 of their last 13 and Big XII Tournament Champs. Cornell made it here by holding four of their last five opponents to under 60 points, but that won’t happen against the Tigers.