March Madness West Region: Dark Horse, Cinderella, & Winner

West Region Best Bet: #3 Baylor (+700)

The Bears have an incredible offense that has given them some fantastic results this season. Toledo transfer RayJ Dennis has been a home run pickup, ranking seventh in the nation in assists per game at 6.8 while being second on the team in scoring. Ja'Kobe Walter and Jalen Bridges are hyperefficient wings with the scoring punch to take over a game. Meanwhile, seven-footer Yves Missi is an excellent piece in the frontcourt who has been a consistent paint presence all season. 

The limitation here is the defense, but that has improved throughout the year. Bart Torvik's T-Rank had the Bears 93rd in the nation in defensive efficiency from the start of the season to January 31st, while they are now up to 62nd from February 1st onward. That's good enough to make a run in this weaker region, and we see value at this price.

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West Region Favorite: #2 Arizona (+230)

The lone region where the #1 seed, North Carolina, is not the betting favorite to make it to Phoenix is right here. Despite two consecutive underachieving seasons in the NCAA Tournament under Tommy Lloyd, Arizona is favored to get it done in the West. 

Caleb Love and Kylan Boswell make up the backcourt as volume scorers that can shoot you into or out of a game any night. Their talent is undeniable, and they must come up big for the Wildcats to make a deep run. Big man Oumar Ballo is a wrecking ball in the front court and should overwhelm any team that lacks formidable size in their path. Pelle Larsson and Keshad Johnson round out the starting five as tertiary wings that are efficient in everything they do, a pair that may be the key to success for Arizona in this NCAA Tournament.

NCAA ATS Picks: Day 1 Early Games | Day 1 Late Games | 

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West Region Dark Horse: #11 New Mexico (+1100)

One of the most under-seeded teams in the field relative to KenPom, the Lobos have become a popular darling to make a deep run in the West. They were given a vulnerable pod with an opening-round matchup against an over-seeded Clemson and a Baylor team that has struggled defensively. 

New Mexico boasts arguably the best backcourt in the region, with Donovan Dent, Jaelen House, and Jamal Mashburn Jr. as a three-headed nightmare of guards. 

This is the lowest price you will see on a #11 seed to reach the national semifinals, and it's with good reason based on their combination of draw and talent.

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West Region Cinderella: #12 Grand Canyon (+4500)

We are completely sold on the Lopes. Tyon Grant-Foster is a name you will be familiar with after this weekend. A former high-major player who has dominated for Grand Canyon all season is about to go national. Grant-Foster may even be in the conversation as a first-round pick in the upcoming NBA Draft if he plays to his ceiling in the NCAA Tournament. Ray Harrison provides an experienced backcourt mate for TGF, while Gabe McGlothan is a stretch forward who can shoot lights out from deep. 

I've got the Antelopes into the second weekend in my bracket, and they are capable of going even further and downing whoever comes out of that top pod in this region.

See if the Lopes crack our Top 5 Cinderellas list

West Region Best Bet: #3 Baylor (+700)

The Bears have an incredible offense that has given them some fantastic results this season. Toledo transfer RayJ Dennis has been a home run pickup, ranking seventh in the nation in assists per game at 6.8 while being second on the team in scoring. Ja'Kobe Walter and Jalen Bridges are hyperefficient wings with the scoring punch to take over a game. Meanwhile, seven-footer Yves Missi is an excellent piece in the frontcourt who has been a consistent paint presence all season. 

The limitation here is the defense, but that has improved throughout the year. Bart Torvik's T-Rank had the Bears 93rd in the nation in defensive efficiency from the start of the season to January 31st, while they are now up to 62nd from February 1st onward. That's good enough to make a run in this weaker region, and we see value at this price.

Get to know the South Region with SportsGrid's full preview