NCAA Tournament: UCLA Basketball’s Path Through the Big Dance

Final Four and Championship Game

If the Bruins were not already beaten up from their regional semis and final, then they are going to take a few more body blows if they make it to the Final Four. The only good thing the Bruins have in their favor will be that the Final Four will be in Phoenix, just a short plane ride away.

The South Region winner would take on the West Region winner. Out of the South, the two likely candidates will be #1 Gonzaga and #2 Arizona. How about that? If I had to guess, I would say Arizona comes out of this Region, which means the Bruins and Wildcats would meet for a fourth time this season. Arizona has UCLA’s number, but the Bruins have beaten the Cats.

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It is possible UCLA gets revenge. They have to, especially if they want to make it to the National Championship Game.

Out of the East Region, #1 Villanova and #2 Duke seem to be the likely picks for the Final Four. In the Midwest, #1 Kansas, #2 Louisville and #3 Oregon could all come out as the regional winner.

The point here is not to try an project the Final Four contestants, but show what the Bruins have to face in the Championship Game, pending they make it that far. All of these teams would be a brutal match-up.

Even though UCLA was given 12/1 odds to win the National Championship, actually doing it seems like a Herculean task. Sure, winning six in a row for any of the teams in the tournament is going to be difficult, but UCLA seems to have an incredibly tough draw.

Next: UCLA Basketball: Bruins Give Their Take on the NCAA Tournament

It is what it is. Take it one game at a time.