NCAA Bracket Update: West Coast Teams to the Sweet 16

Coming into the tournament was the talk that teams from the West coast, especially the Pac-10, will have limited participation in the tournament and would not be able to compete with the teams from the Midwest or the East coast. Coming into the second round with a record of 6-5 and St, Mary’s cruised by Villanova to stroll into the sweet 16. The question remains how many more will get in.

Out of the gate the PAC-10 made statement about the criticisms of the PAC-10 this season. The California Bears took care of of Louisville while Washington was able to take out Marquette, the second Big East team of the day. Washington will be taking on New Mexico and will give the West their second spot in the sweet 16.

BYU escaped Florida in double overtime but will know have to to on a very talented Kansas State squad. California will have a tough challenge and will be hoping to catch the Duke Blue Devils looking ahead in the tournament.

St, Mary’s shocked everyone by beating Richmond in the first round and knocking off the seconded seated Wildcats. The Gonzaga Bulldogs played very well against the Florid State Seminoles in the first round and will be taking on Syracuse. The Bulldogs are very experienced road team and will not be intimated by the Orange.

The East coast bias will never go away but the programs from the West coast are starting to get some respect. Two teams will make the sweet 16 with the possibility of three more teams alive and kicking.