RAHL REVIEWS | MARCH MADNESS ELITE 8 | PREVIEWS & PREDICTIONS

*Conference Champion

WEST REGION

GONZAGA BULLDOGS (29-0)*

USC TROJANS (25-7)

Gonzaga -9 / 155.5

Gonzaga has just looked unstoppable. I do not want to sound hyperbolic here, but this is one of the best college basketball teams I can remember ever watching. It is hard to think that they will keep winning these games in blow-out fashion, but with the way they are playing right now, I would be a fool to pick against them again. 

Picks: Gonzaga -9 / Over 155.5

EAST REGION

MICHIGAN WOLVERINES (23-4)

UCLA BRUINS (21-9)

Michigan -7.5 / 136.5  

I try to be objective, so I have no problem admitting when I am wrong about something – and I could not have been more wrong about how Michigan would perform without Isaiah Livers. After thrashing the Seminoles with their best performance of the tournament so far, the Wolverines will take on UCLA for a spot in the Final Four. UCLA has just been flat out finding ways to win. They score when they need to, and they get stops when they need to. Their victory over Alabama was their 2nd OT win of the tournament, with the other coming against Michigan State in the First Four. I am now 0-3 picking against Michigan in this tournament, but I am going to quadruple down and say that UCLA will do what they have to do to stay in this game. 

Picks: UCLA +7.5 / Under 136.5

SOUTH REGION

BAYLOR BEARS (25-2)

ARKANSAS RAZORBACKS (25-6)

Baylor -8 / 148

The Razorbacks have been playing a dangerous game. If they keep falling behind in these games, eventually they will find that they will not always be able to come back. I expect that to happen against Baylor. The Razorbacks have looked streaky throughout their first three games. Baylor is a team that will capitalize on that and not take their foot off the gas. 

Picks: Baylor -8 / Under 148

MIDWEST REGION

HOUSTON COUGARS (27-3)*

OREGON STATE BEAVERS (20-12)*

Houston -7.5 / 129

Oregon State is the other PAC-12 team looking for Cinderella status. I keep expecting them to be stopped in their tracks, but they keep chugging along. Now they will face a Houston team who is yet to allow over 60 points in this tournament. I think this is where their hopes get dashed, but I expect they can keep it close. 

Picks: Oregon State +7.5 / Over 129