Regional analysis: West

Regional rank: 4 (easiest)

Going sweet: UConn (1), Memphis (2), Missouri (3), Washington (4)

Dark horse: Utah State (11)

Once ranked in the top 25, everyone's down on the Aggies after their late-season loss at St. Mary's, but the WAC champs, coached by Stew Morrill, have a good matchup (Marquette) and a relatively short trip to Boise.

Don't touch: Purdue (5)

The Big Ten champs are good for a game but their best player (Robbie Hummel) has been playing with a balky back all season. Plus, the Boilers went 4-5 on the road in the conference.

Five-star players: G A.J. Price, UConn; G Tyreke Evans, Memphis; F Jon Brockman, Washington; G Greivis Vasquez, Maryland; G Jerel McNeal, Marquette

Did you know?: Both of UConn's national championship teams (1999 and 2004) went through the West Regional in Phoenix (the Suns' arena, not the new football field where this regional is being held).

Underrated coach: Mike Anderson, Missouri

Won at UAB (three NCAA trips) and won the Big 12 title in his third season at Mizzou.

Overrated coach: none

The Pick: UConn's 3-3 since Jerome Dyson, basically its version of Danny Green, went out for the season with a knee injury. The wins are over South Florida (so what), Notre Dame (so what) and Marquette (without Dominic James).

The losses are to Pitt (twice) and Syracuse, in the epic Big East Tournament six-overtime game.

Washington has the guards, Isaiah Thomas and Justin Dentmon, to neutralize A.J. Price and a forward, Jon Brockman, to matchup with Hasheem Thabeet.

Plus, way too many people like UConn. If it was that easy, everyone would get it right.