COOLER TALK - WEST REGION

The top heavy West Region is NOT the part of the bracket that you want to get crazy with upset picks. It may seem like a good choice to have one or two upsets in each region, but this West isn't wild. Here is what I got for the West Region games...

Match-up everyone is looking towards - Missouri v. Memphis. Both teams should make it to the Sweet 16 and when they do this game could be the clash of the tourny. High-flying offensive squad versus a stingy, shutdown defensive team. Can't miss Tiger Showdown. 

Star power you want to gaze - A.J. Price has certainly stepped up in for the UCONN Huskies since Dyson went down with the season ending injury. His performance towards the seasons end and in the Big East tourny were impressive. And if UConn is to go far Price will be a major reason why. 

Unusual S(tar)uspect - The freshman star leading the Washington Huskies, Isaiah Thomas, is lighting in a bottle. A 5-8 scoring machine can shoot from any spot on the floor and will go inside to mix it up with the big fellas. I know Tyreke Evans is the more well-known freshman baller in this bracket, but I promise Thomas won't disappoint. 

Sweet 16 picks - Like I said this bracket is heavy on top and full of Huskies and Tigers... I am going with UConn, Missouri, Memphis, and Washington...

Advice to You who wants to pick the upset - Utah State is a very good team with a very good big man, Gary Wilkinson (a double-double machine), but there half court, slowed-down style of offense won't be very affective against a fast and strong Marquette team (even without Dominic James). And just because Mississippi State got hot and won the SEC title doesn't mean you should pick them. Watching the end of the SEC title game, showed that they didn't even want to win, but Tennessee was unable to take it. Don't take the bait. 

Final Four pick - I have to go with the team that can score and play defense better than any other in the region. The West region will go to Memphis, as they make their second Final 4 appearance in two years.