2018 NCAA Tournament: West Region preview

Teams on upset alert

Michigan

The Wolverines are playing the Montana Grizzlies in the first round and this might be the best matchup of mascots. The Grizzlies vs the Wolverines would be something fun to watch in real life.

But I digress.

Montana won the Big Sky conference with a 26-7 record and there are always a couple of big upsets in the first round. Montana can check that list this year.

Michigan hasn’t played in nearly two weeks after the early playing of the Big 10 conference championship. If they come out rusty against Montana, the Grizzlies could be primed for the first big upset this year.

Gonzaga

Gonzaga is on upset alert as they face off with SOCON champions, the UNC-Greensboro Spartans.

The Spartans are led by former UNC player Wes Miller and this team is young and good, a lethal combination for the NCAA Tournament.

Gonzaga will have the size advantage, but UNCG has the guards to keep up with the Bulldogs.

Francis Alonso leads the charge for UNCG and he is averaging 16 points on 41% shooting and 40% from three. Alonso got hot against Delaware earlier this year and dropped 32 points on eight threes. He’s capable of doing it again.

This would be a huge win for Wes Miller who is making his tournament debut. If he has any aspirations of coaching at UNC one day, this win would look sharp on the resume.