http://wizbangsports.com/2008/03/more_drama_in_the_west.php
The West Region has been and continues to be a source of intrigue in this tournament. Duke fell to seven seed West Virginia. This actually wasn't a big surprise given how Duke has played in this tournament. They apparently left their three-point shot at home.
Xavier looked very solid against Purdue and actually might be the hottest team in the West right now. Hey, my bracket is shot; I can say all kinds of crazy stuff now. Seriously though, in terms of experience, speed and balance, they match up well against anyone.
My game of the day was the UCLA - Texas A&M game. The bottom line up front is that the Aggies choked. The Bruins did not play well (maybe Duke-itis?). In fact, save for a six foot guard named Darren Collison, UCLA could have been embarrassed. Collison tossed a game high 21 points and freshman Kevin Love dominated the boards to keep the Bruins in the game.
But it wasn't UCLA's superior play that beat the Aggies; the Aggies beat the Aggies. When you have a number one seed in your sights, you have to hit better than 20% from the arc and for certain better than 40% from the line.
A&M let this one slip away and the Bruins survive to fight another day. They face the winner of the San Diego - Western Kentucky game. If the Bruins don't figure out a way to be more consistent; enter Cinderella; exit UCLA.
