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2019 NCAA Tournament Bracket Analysis: West Region Predictions
Gonzaga is a no. 1 seed for good reason, with a 30-3 record on the season, but the Bulldogs are coming off an awful outing against Saint Mary's in the WCC Tournament Final, where Saint Mary's recorded a double-digit victory over a team that went 16-0 in conference. Still, AccuScore is giving Gonzaga and Rui Hachimura the benefit of the doubt that they'll shake off the stunning defeat and absolutely wax their first two games, with Fairleigh and Baylor combining for a 16% chance of knocking out the Bulldogs before the Sweet 16. Notably, though, AccuScore is picking Baylor to upset Syracuse by the slightest of edges in the opening round.
Marquette and Murray State is a close matchup, but the computer is picking Marquette to advance before falling to Florida State, after the Seminoles bulldoze Vermont. Unfortunately, Gonzaga is waiting for Florida State to start the second week of the tournament.
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No. 2 Michigan should make easy work of Montana, with the computer giving Nevada the edge over Florida. However, a 59% edge for Michigan over Nevada isn't overwhelming, but the Wolverines are expected to make it to the Sweet 16, where they'll meet Texas Tech.
Buffalo and Arizona State has the other best odds for an early upset in this region, with Arizona State losing out 48% to 52% to Buffalo despite the Sun Devils holding a no. 11 seed. Either way, Texas Tech is projected to make quick work of the winner of those two to advance to the second week of tournament play.
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Gonzaga is a clear favorite at 67% to advance past Florida State, while Michigan 53% over Texas Tech is far less convincing. AccuScore projects Gonzaga to advance past the Wolverines in the Elite 8 and make the Final Four, with Gonzaga holding the second best odds of any team in the tournament to win it all, according to AccuScore. Gonzaga has a 22.8% chance to advance to the national title game and a 13.9% chance of winning the entire tournament, which only trails Virginia's 16.6% odds.
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Be sure to check out all of AccuScore's Region-by-Region Bracketology Previews:
South Region
East Region
Midwest Region
