West Region
1.Gonzaga over 6.USC
USC’s Evan Mobley and Isaiah Mobley are two big men that can counter Gonzaga’s Drew Timme. I can also see USC’s athletic wings being able to handle Jalen Suggs, Andrew Nembhard, and Corey Kispert for awhile. But at the end of the day, Gonzaga is the best team in the country and will find a way to win. Projected Score: Gonzaga 85, USC 76
East Region
1.Michigan over 11.UCLA
UCLA has become yet another team to go from the First Four to the Elite 8, one step away from the first weekend of April and the Final Four. Michigan has surprised a few people, being without leading scorer Isaiah Livers since the middle of March. The fans and media have to remember, this team won the regular season championship in the toughest conference during the regular season. Projected Score: Michigan 80, UCLA 74
South Region
1.Baylor over 3.Arkansas
Arkansas has gone down by 14, 10, and 12 in their three respective games. The Razorbacks cannot play the same way they on Saturday night in their win over Oral Roberts. Moses Moody, the 2021 SEC Player of the Year, has not had his best game of the tournament yet. If he gets going for the hogs, they have a chance to win this game. Baylor had to come back in their Sweet 16 game as well. One of the best three point shooting teams in the country did not shoot as well they could. Baylor star Jared Butler made just a single three, but, I can see Butler and the Bears shooting a lot better on Monday. Projected Score: Baylor 82, Arkansas 74
Midwest Region
2.Houston over 12.Oregon State
Oregon State won the Pac-12 tournament and three games in the tournament they were not favored in just to make it here. Former Kansas transfer Quentin Grimes has been excellent for Houston, leading the Cougars to their first Elite 8 appearance since the “Phi Slama Jama” era with wing Clyde Drexler and big man Akeem Olajuwon. I see Oregon State’s run coming to an end on Monday night. Projected Score: Houston 72, Oregon State 66
