Ucla Has Smooth Ride To Seattle
West region
You would think 10 NCAA titles would speak highly enough of UCLA basketball.
But since legendary coach John Wooden left, the titles have done nothing but put tournament pressure on the six coaches who succeeded him.
UCLA coach Jim Harrick has had his share of time in the pressure-cooker.
His 1991 squad was a fourth seed and lost to 13th-seeded Penn State, 74-69, in the first round.
In 1992, Harrick’s top-seeded Bruins lost to second-seeded Indiana, 106-79, in the regional finals.
This year’s UCLA squad is the No. 1 seed, and appears to have an easy road to Seattle, site of the Final Four.
With brothers Ed and Charles O’Bannon, UCLA has the weapons its needs for the West Region.
An almost automatic firstround victory against 11-18 Florida International - only Bradley in 1955 had more losses entering the tournament with 19 - figures to give the Bruins a ticket to Oakland, site of the West Regional tournament.
That’s when trouble could start.
Third-seeded Maryland and second-seeded Connecticut are talented and tournament-tested.
Hungry squads such as Texas, Oregon, Cincinnati and Temple would love to make a name for themselves by knocking off the nation’s top-ranked team.
If you’re looking for an early upset, you might look to Santa Clara.
Remember, in 1993, 15thseeded Santa Clara knocked off second-seeded Arizona, 64-61.
Legitimate dark horse
Utah: The Utes will attempt to legitimize the Western Athletic Conference. Keep an eye on forward Keith Van Horn, the WAC Player of the Year.