SB Nation Los Angeles - All Postshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48949/la-fave.png2013-11-22T00:00:02-08:00http://losangeles.sbnation.com/rss/current/2013-11-22T00:00:02-08:002013-11-22T00:00:02-08:00Jim Mora for Coach of the Year
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<figcaption>Stephen Dunn</figcaption>
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<p>At first glance, Jim Mora's resume doesn't quite stack up to some of the other names in the race for Liberty Mutual's <a href="http://coachoftheyear.com/">Coach of the Year</a> Award.</p>
<p>Art Briles and Nick Saban have better results, for example -- the former has impressively led Baylor from the ranks of the unranked to the doorstep of the BCS, all while replacing cog after cog in his yardage-eating machine. The latter has demonstrated fantastic coaching in his own right, simply by continuing to do what he has been expected to. Win. Maintaining a standard of excellence is arguably difficult as actually creating one in the first place.</p>
<p>By comparison to those two, who head sparkling, lossless programs, Mora's body of work might pale. The Bruins have a pair of blemishes on their 8-2 record, after all -- a 24-10 loss to then No. 13 Stanford and a 42-14 defeat to then No. 3 Oregon. Neither are blemishes worth being ashamed of, but both remain blemishes nonetheless.</p>
<p>Simply having them on the ledger may appear to hurt his case, but it would be foolish to disqualify him entirely based on that. To truly understand Jim Mora's qualifications -- and they are numerous -- for this year's Coach of the Year award, we must look beyond the results of the games themselves.</p>
<p>We must understand his success, his excellence in its proper context.</p>
<p>In his first year at UCLA, Mora began an immediate and impressive turnaround, taking over a decidedly mediocre Bruins team that Rick Neuhiesel left behind and leading it to a Pac-12 South title. Had Ka'imi Fairbairn not missed a game winning kick in the Pac-12 Championship Game -- or had they gained even ten more yards <i>for </i>that kick -- the Bruins might have made a Rose Bowl in the first year of his tenure. That much speaks for itself, in regard to his ability.</p>
<p>What he has accomplished in his second season has only built upon that initial success, and in many ways, been even more impressive, as the Bruins are far better now than they were last season.</p>
<p>Even with the losses to Stanford and Oregon, there have been no real slip-ups in 2013, no unacceptable and unbearable losses like the one to unranked Cal last year. He has kept the Bruins playing well despite an abundance of injuries, youth and general transition -- two true freshmen start on the offensive line and <a href="http://ucla.rivals.com/cdepthtext.asp">fourteen more on the two-deep</a>, including Hornung Award finalist and two-way star <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/208081/myles-jack">Myles Jack</a>, who was recently pressed into playing running back due to injuries.</p>
<p>Indeed, in a time when they could have easily taken a step back, Mora once again has the Bruins in Pac-12 South contention and in position to remain there for years to come, thanks <i>to </i>that youth. It is true that team remains powered by the twin stars of <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/38230/brett-hundley">Brett Hundley</a> and Anthony Barr, but Mora's ability to prepare so many freshmen around them to contribute speaks volumes as well. In the case of Jack specifically, it also demonstrate Mora's tendency to get the most out of his players, which only further underscores of his Coach of the Year worthiness.</p>
<p>In a little over 20 games, he has already done more to end the football monopoly in Los Angeles than his predecessor ever did, and with last year's victory over USC, he has returned the coveted Victory Bell to Pasadena, to boot.</p>
<p>With the level he has the Bruins are playing at, they may not relinquish it for quite some time.</p>
<p>However, the strongest evidence for his candidacy has little to do with football at all, and actually takes place off the field.</p>
<p>Earlier this season, just days before the team was set to leave for a road game against Nebraska, UCLA walk-on <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/162612/nick-pasquale">Nick Pasquale</a> was struck by a car and killed. Moments like these can often fracture teams or derail seasons, but Mora has managed to use this unimaginable tragedy to rally the program, continuing to honor Pasquale's memory all season long in a classy, tasteful manner.</p>
<p>In a moment that ranks about as memorable as any this year, the Bruins opened their first home game after his death with <a href="http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/college-football/story/_/id/9706923/ucla-bruins-honor-nick-pasquale-running-play-10-players">only ten men on offense,</a> using the extra spot to signify Pasquale's absence, and while Mora is not an avid user of social media, a look up and down his account (@<a href="https://twitter.com/UCLACoachMora">UCLACoachMora</a>) will show his continued <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaaf-dr-saturday/ucla-coach-jim-mora-holds-press-conference-regarding-204126773--ncaaf.html">dedication and passion</a> to this cause.</p>
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<p>The energy in this place will be off the charts, bring all you got. Go Nuts 4 Nick! <a href="http://t.co/1ohIIEKWs7">pic.twitter.com/1ohIIEKWs7</a></p>
— Jim Mora (@UCLACoachMora) <a href="https://twitter.com/UCLACoachMora/statuses/381098527817883648">September 20, 2013</a>
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<p>In short, how Mora has handled himself and his team in the wake of Pasquale's death fully encapsulates the Coach of the Year Award's criteria of sportsmanship, integrity and responsibility, while maintaining the same excellence he has led the Bruins to on the field.</p>
<p>A vote for him here is a vote to give the award to its most deserving candidate. Do so <a href="http://coachoftheyear.com/">here </a>-- should Mora win, he would also have another $50,000 to donate between the <a href="http://nickpasqualefoundation.com/">Nick Pasquale Foundation</a> and his own <a href="http://www.countonmefoundation.org/">Count on Me Family Foundation</a>, which is dedicated to promoting community awareness and empowering other children's organizations.</p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/2013/11/22/5131956/jim-mora-for-coach-of-the-yearNam Le2013-04-18T20:24:45-07:002013-04-18T20:24:45-07:00Datone Jones projected to go to Denver
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<figcaption>Pat Lovell-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The UCLA defensive end is projected to go to Denver as a late first-round pick in one mock draft.</p> <p><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/ucla-bruins" class="sbn-auto-link">UCLA Bruins</a> defensive end <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/38229/datone-jones" class="sbn-auto-link">Datone Jones</a> is hovering around the first round of the NFL Draft, but one prominent NFL writer sees him getting selected next Thursday night by a team with a new opening at his position.</p>
<p>Sports Illustrated's Don Banks, <a target="_blank" href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/nfl/news/20130417/2013-nfl-mock-draft-6/index.html">in his latest mock draft on Wednesday</a>, projects Jones will be selected by the <a href="https://www.milehighreport.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Denver Broncos</a> with the 28th overall pick.</p>
<div class="read-more">
<strong>More</strong>: <a target="new" href="http://www.bruinsnation.com">UCLA coverage at Bruins Nation</a> <a target="new" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-mock-draft">NFL Draft coverage at Mocking the Draft</a>
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<p>Banks writes that going with Jones could give the Broncos another option for replacing <span>Elvis Dumervil</span>, who signed with the <a href="https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Baltimore Ravens</a> this offseason:</p>
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<p>Jones is a versatile and well-experienced collegiate player and represents very solid bottom-of-the-first-round value. He's not the most explosive of pass rushers, but he's going to generate steady heat on the passer and help offset some of the loss of rush felt by the unscripted Elvis Dumervil departure.</p>
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<p>Jones is <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-mock-draft/2013/4/11/4211844/2013-nfl-draft-defensive-end-rankings">the fourth-rated defensive end</a> in prospect rankings from SB Nation's Matthew Fairburn (though Fairburn lists Jones just outside the first round <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-mock-draft/2013/4/15/4220870/2013-nfl-mock-draft-trades-lane-johnson-darrelle-revis">in his latest mock draft</a>). In 2012, Jones registered 62 total tackles, 19.0 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and two blocked kicks for the Bruins.</p>
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https://losangeles.sbnation.com/ucla-bruins/2013/4/18/4241414/2013-nfl-mock-draft-datone-jones-broncosGriffin Gotta2013-04-06T07:00:08-07:002013-04-06T07:00:08-07:00How to watch the Final Four
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<figcaption>Streeter Lecka</figcaption>
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<p>There are plenty of ways to catch the Final Four on Saturday. Don't miss a minute of the action.</p> <p>The 2013 Final Four tips off on Saturday evening. Despite having only two games on the slate, these are both interesting matchups that should lead to some exciting basketball.</p>
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<div class="read-more">
<b>Complete Final Four coverage: </b><a target="_blank" href="http://www.cardchronicle.com">Card Chronicle</a><b> </b><a target="_blank" href="http://www.maizenbrew.com">Maize n Brew</a><b> </b><a target="_blank" href="http://www.nunesmagician.com">Nunes Magician</a><b> </b><a target="_blank" href="http://www.midmajormadness.com">Mid Major Madness</a>
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<p>Louisville and Wichita State are the first game of the evening. The Shockers are the first No. 9 seed to crash the Final Four party since Penn in 1979, and they'll try to keep their run going against the No. 1 overall seed.</p>
<p>Later, Michigan and Syracuse hope to break long title droughts. The Wolverines haven't won it all since 1993, and this is the Orange's first Final Four appearance since their championship run in 2003.</p>
<p>Here's everything you need to know about Saturday's schedule.</p>
<p><b>Game times: </b><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/louisville-cardinals">Louisville Cardinals</a> vs. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/wichita-st-shockers">Wichita St. Shockers</a>, 6:09 P.M. ET</p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/michigan-wolverines">Michigan Wolverines</a> vs. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/syracuse-orange">Syracuse Orange</a>, 8:49 P.M. ET</p>
<p><b>Location: </b>Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia</p>
<p><b>TV: </b>CBS</p>
<p><b>Online: </b>Both games streaming for free at <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncaa.com/march-madness-live">March Madness Live</a></p>
<p><b>Radio: </b>Westwood One (check your local listings)</p>
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https://losangeles.sbnation.com/2013/4/6/4189212/final-four-2013-streaming-watch-online-tv-schedule-radioJon Benne2013-04-04T05:13:06-07:002013-04-04T05:13:06-07:00Datone Jones in the 1st round?
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<figcaption>Ron Chenoy-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>Experts have been mixed on where Datone Jones will land, but one of the latest mocks has him going at the end of the first round.</p> <p>UCLA defensive end <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/38229/datone-jones" class="sbn-auto-link">Datone Jones</a> could be selected in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft if the latest mock draft projection proves to be true.</p>
<div class="read-more">
<strong>More</strong>: <a href="http://www.bruinsnation.com/" target="new">Bruins Nation</a> <a href="http://www.conquestchronicles.com/" target="new">Conquest Chronicles</a> <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-mock-draft" target="new">Mocking the Draft</a>
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<p>Jones is projected to be selected by San Francisco with the 31st pick in the latest mock draft from <a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/nfl/news/20130403/nfl-mock-draft-4/?xid=sbnation" target="_blank">Don Banks of Sports Illustrated. </a>Jones is considered to be one of the best 3-4 defensive ends in the draft and could be an ideal fit in San Francisco. The 49ers already have Justin Smith and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/36926/aldon-smith" class="sbn-auto-link">Aldon Smith</a> at defensive end, but Jones could play a backup role before eventually replacing Justin Smith down the road.</p>
<p>While Banks currently projects him to go in the first round, Jones' projection has varied from the first to third rounds. Jones is not included in the latest first-round mock draft from <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-mock-draft/2013/4/1/4168448/2013-nfl-mock-draft" target="_blank">SB Nation's Dan Kadar</a>. He is, however, mentioned as a possibility for the Indianapolis Colts with the No. 24 pick.</p>
<p>Jones is the lone UCLA or USC player projected to go in the first round. USC quarterback <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/78123/matt-barkley" class="sbn-auto-link">Matt Barkley</a> and wide receiver Robert Woods have also been mentioned as possible first-round picks.</p>
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https://losangeles.sbnation.com/ucla-bruins/2013/4/4/4181432/nfl-mock-draft-2013-datone-jones-uclaMark Sandritter2013-03-30T19:53:18-07:002013-03-30T19:53:18-07:00Wichita State upsets Ohio State in Elite Eight
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<figcaption>Jeff Gross</figcaption>
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<p>The Staples Center did not faze the Wichita State Shockers, as they upset the Ohio State Buckeyes in the West regional final.</p> <p>The No. 9 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/wichita-st-shockers">Wichita St. Shockers</a> Cinderella run continues to the Final Four after the team upset the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/ohio-st-buckeyes">Ohio St. Buckeyes</a> 70-66 in the West regional final.</p>
<p>Although it ended up being a close game, it appeared for awhile that Wichita State would run away with the game. The Shockers held a 13-point halftime lead and led by 20 at the 11-minute mark, but for the second day in a row a Big Ten team came roaring back against a team from Kansas. The story ended differently this time though, as freshman point guard <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/177159/fred-van-vleet">Fred Van Vleet</a> sunk a clutch jumper with one minute left to extend the lead to six, followed by two free-throws from <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/146494/ron-baker">Ron Baker</a> to ice the game.</p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/100872/malcolm-armstead">Malcolm Armstead</a> had an impressive performance, leading the Shockers with 14 points, seven rebounds and three assists. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/177563/cleanthony-early">Cleanthony Early</a> and Van Vleet each had 12 points, while <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/146495/tekele-cotton">Tekele Cotton</a> chipped in 10. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/124095/deshaun-thomas">Deshaun Thomas</a> led the Buckeyes with 23 points, while <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/150834/laquinton-ross">LaQuinton Ross</a> had 19.</p>
<p>Wichita State will face either the No. 1 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/louisville-cardinals">Louisville Cardinals</a> or the No. 2 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/duke-blue-devils">Duke Blue Devils</a> in the Final Four.</p>
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https://losangeles.sbnation.com/2013/3/30/4166262/march-madness-2013-elite-8-results-scores-wichita-state-shockersConnor Moylan2013-03-30T07:00:05-07:002013-03-30T07:00:05-07:00Ohio State takes on Wichita St. at Staples Center
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<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The experts heavily favor Ohio State, but Wichita should be accustomed to the underdog label by now.</p> <p>After squeaking by Iowa State and Arizona on last-second three-pointers, Ohio State will have the displeasure of facing upset-minded Wichita State in the Elite Eight. The Shockers have done just that, taking out perennial contenders Pitt and Gonzaga, while eliminating Cinderella-to-be La Salle.</p>
<p>Wichita State has been phenomenal in the tournament, pounding the paint at will and getting big buckets from Cleanthony Early. The Buckeyes have been getting clutch shots late, with game-winners by <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/150834/laquinton-ross" class="sbn-auto-link">LaQuinton Ross</a> and Aaron Craft. Let's take a run through some experts' picks to get a better idea of who will be heading to Atlanta to play in the Final Four:</p>
<p>Before Thursday's Sweet 16 action, <a target="_blank" href="http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/82063/on-the-record-expert-predictions">ESPN's experts selected the team they though would win each region</a>. Nine of the 11 experts picked Ohio State, while Jason King and Bruce Pearl picked Arizona. They are already wrong, as Ohio State took care of Arizona on Thursday. But you get the idea: no love for Wichita State.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.rantsports.com/ncaa-basketball/2013/03/29/2013-ncaa-tournament-elite-8-preview-ohio-state-vs-wichita-state/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+RantSports+(Rant+Sports)">Joseph Nardone of RantSports predicts</a> much of the same for the regional final, predicting a 65-61 victory for Ohio State. He notes the physical play of Wichita, but also the apparent never-ending luck of the Buckeyes.</p>
<p>The lone standout to pick Wichita is <a target="_blank" href="http://www.koat.com/news/sports/Preview-Wichita-State-vs-Ohio-State/-/9153850/19524400/-/ssp1gxz/-/index.html">KOAT out of Albuquerque</a>, who cites -- what else -- the "big play" of the Shockers. But the piece goes on to point out the disparity in field goal percentage between Wichita and its opponents. The Shockers, who led their conference in field goal defense, have held their opponents to just 35.5 percent shooting. That includes a Gonzaga team that shot almost 50 percent on the season up to that point.</p>
<p>The analysis here is simple -- if the Buckeyes can score over 70 like they have in every game this tournament, they will win. If the Shockers can bang bodies inside force Ohio State into bad shots, they will reach their first final four in almost half a century.</p>
<p><b>Game time/TV: </b>7:05 p.m. ET, CBS</p>
<p><b>Location: </b>Staples Center, Los Angeles</p>
<p><i>For more on Ohio State, check out <a href="http://www.landgrantholyland.com" target="_blank">Land-Grant Holy Land</a>. For more on Wichita State, head over to</i><a target="_blank" href="http://www.midmajormadness.com/"> <i>Mid-Major Madness.</i></a></p>
<p>For the full NCAA Tournament bracket, head <a target="_blank" href="http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/tournament/bracket">here</a>.</p>
<p>Here's how we got here, West region style:</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/2397959/Screen_Shot_2013-03-29_at_3.28.45_PM.png"><img src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/2397959/Screen_Shot_2013-03-29_at_3.28.45_PM_medium.png" class="photo" alt="Screen_shot_2013-03-29_at_3"></a> <br id="1364596225396"></p>
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https://losangeles.sbnation.com/2013/3/30/4162658/ncaa-tournament-schedule-2013-bracket-elite-8Thomas Todd2013-03-28T11:49:27-07:002013-03-28T11:49:27-07:00La Salle, Wichita State highlight chalkless West
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<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Not much went according to plan in the West region, with Ohio State the best squad left standing amongst a No. 6 seed, a No. 9 seed and a No. 13 seed.</p> <p>The West Region! Where nothing went according to plan, insanity reigned and the person who picked teams based on mascots got your office pool looking topsy turvy.</p>
<p>Thursday brings the regional semifinals in Los Angeles -- you know, the Sweet 16 -- and there is a near complete absence of chalk. While other brackets had an upset here and there, the West went fully insane, with only one of the top four seeds winning its first two games and making it to the Staples Center.</p>
<p>That leaves two strange matchups, but we'll take them nonetheless as some teams look to continue shocking -- ugh -- runs to the Final Four.</p>
<p>Here's a look at Thursday night's matchups, with both games on TBS. All times listed are Pacific:</p>
<h4>4:47 p.m.: No. 6 Arizona (27-7, 12-6 Pac-12) vs. No. 2 Ohio State (28-7, 13-5 Big Ten)</h4>
<p>We were so close to this region being even more nuts: No. 10 Iowa State pushed the Buckeyes, with former Michigan State player <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/52347/korie-lucious" class="sbn-auto-link">Korie Lucious</a> reminding the Big Ten champions how good he was by drilling five threes. But there was a questionable charge call, and the Buckeyes wound up with the ball and about 50 seconds to play. The Buckeyes didn't go 2-for-1, and they didn't give the ball to their star, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/124095/deshaun-thomas" class="sbn-auto-link">Deshaun Thomas</a> -- they had <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/124097/aaron-craft" class="sbn-auto-link">Aaron Craft</a> pull up for a long two, which deflected out of bounds off an Iowa State defender. With the ball again, Craft held again, pulled up and the ice water flowed as he drilled a three for the win.</p>
<p>Arizona got lucky from the topsy-turvy nature of the bracket, as the Wildcats had to face No. 14 Harvard instead of regional rival New Mexico. They trounced the Crimson, with Xavier transfer <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/52527/mark-lyons" class="sbn-auto-link">Mark Lyons</a> dropping 27 as he went to his second Sweet 16 in as many years with two different teams. Craft, an irritant on defense, will likely end up on Lyons, while the Wildcats will have to find an answer for Thomas, who has been all-everything for the Buckeyes and can score at will.</p>
<h4>7:17 p.m.: No. 13 La Salle (24-9, 11-5 A-10) vs. No. 9 Wichita State (28-8, 12-6 MVC)</h4>
<p>Which one of these mid-major squads can rise to the occasion and make it to the Elite Eight?</p>
<p>The Explorers have proven they deserved one of the final at-large spots in the tourney, winning their First Four game against Boise State, absolutely pounding Kansas State in the first half, going up 18 before holding on for a two-point win in the Round of 64. And then came their Round of 32 win over Ole Miss, where <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/124622/tyrone-garland" class="sbn-auto-link">Tyrone Garland</a> swooped to the basket and laid in a game-winner in the final seconds for a 74-72 victory over the Rebels.</p>
<p>The Shockers just outshot Gonzaga in the Round of 32, who had only lost twice on the season. Wichita State was up 13, and that was before it started drilling three after three after three, hitting five in a row at one point, finishing 14-of-28 from beyond the arc.</p>
<p>Each side has things they can exploit: La Salle is led from the backcourt, with <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/123778/tyreek-duren" class="sbn-auto-link">Tyreek Duren</a> and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/101135/ramon-galloway" class="sbn-auto-link">Ramon Galloway</a> splitting scoring and passing duties and each possessing silky shooting from beyond the arc. Meanwhile, Wichita State lives in the paint, as the Shockers have a strong rebounding team behind <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/177563/cleanthony-early" class="sbn-auto-link">Cleanthony Early</a> and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/146493/carl-hall" class="sbn-auto-link">Carl Hall</a>, who are 1-2 in scoring and 2-1 in rebounding on the team, respectively. They're best on the offensive glass, where La Salle will offer little resistance.</p>
<p>Here's how the West regional has played out so far:</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/2392463/westregion.jpg"><img src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/2392463/westregion_medium.jpg" class="photo" alt="Westregion_medium"></a> </p>
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https://losangeles.sbnation.com/2013/3/28/4157546/2013-march-madness-schedule-bracket-sweet-16-ohio-state-la-salle-wichita-state-arizonaRodger Sherman2013-03-27T11:00:07-07:002013-03-27T11:00:07-07:00Expert picks for West region
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/-xxXuu0UoSHfzFVHgqkJG6UVtnc=/0x162:4000x2829/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/10472639/20130323_jla_ad3_068.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The experts are split between the 'Cats and Buckeyes out west.</p> <p>No team should feel safe in the West this March. The opening rounds of the NCAA Tournament saw top-seeded Gonzaga fall to Wichita State, and also saw losses from No. 3 New Mexico, No. 4 Kansas State and No. 5 Wisconsin. On Thursday night, four teams will battle to advance to the Elite 8.</p>
<p>The first game, starting at 7:47 p.m. ET, will feature No. 2 Ohio State against No. 6 Arizona. The nightcap will pit No. 9 Wichita State against No. 13 La Salle at 10:17 p.m.</p>
<p>The experts seem split between Arizona and Ohio State. Jeff Goodman and Matt Norlander of <a target="_blank" href="http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/ncaa-tournament/expert-picks/straight-up/regional-semifinals">CBS Sports</a> like the Wildcats to march on, while Gary Parrish and Jeff Borzello favor the buckeyes. Parrish and Norlander also like Wichita State to win its Sweet 16 matchup, while Goodman and Borzello like La Salle to continue its Cinderella run.</p>
<p>USA Today college hoops scribe <a target="_blank" href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.usatoday.com%2Fvideos%2Fsports%2Fncaab%2F2013%2F03%2F25%2F2019241%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Flosangeles.sbnation.com%2F2013%2F3%2F27%2F4151002%2F2013-ncaa-bracket-predictions-sweet-16-elite-8" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener">Eric Prisbell picked Arizona</a> to win the West and return to the Final Four for the first time since 2001.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/-college-basketball-mens-tournament/news/20130325/sweet-16-west-regional/#ixzz2Ob6Z23HD">Andy Glockner of Sports Illustrated</a> has Ohio St. winning the West behind the dynamic duo of <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/124097/aaron-craft" class="sbn-auto-link">Aaron Craft</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/124095/deshaun-thomas">Deshaun Thomas</a>.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>They're the most polished and accomplished team left. They have an excellent coach and staff, probably the best pure scorer in the region, the best on-ball defender in Aaron Craft, X-factor guys like <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/145881/sam-thompson" class="sbn-auto-link">Sam Thompson</a> and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/150834/laquinton-ross" class="sbn-auto-link">LaQuinton Ross</a>, and are comfortable playing bigger or smaller and uptempo or slower.</p>
</blockquote>
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https://losangeles.sbnation.com/2013/3/27/4151002/2013-ncaa-bracket-predictions-sweet-16-elite-8Scott Coleman