Oregon’s path is only getting harder.  No. 2 Oklahoma, No. 3 Texas A&M and No. 4 Duke all advanced to the Sweet Sixteen last weekend, making the West the only region to have all top four seeds advance to the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament.
Here’s a breakdown of the four remaining teams in the West Region
No. 1 Oregon (30-6, 14-4 Pac-12): Throughout the tournament, the Ducks have looked unstoppable on offense when they move the ball and find the open teammate. But, as was evidenced by its offensive output in the second round, they are prone to an off night. Brooks leads Oregon in scoring in the tournament, averaging 18 points per game. In addition, Dorsey, Elgin Cook and Chris Boucher all average double figures. Defensively, Jordan Bell and Boucher have been phenomenal protecting the rim.
Oregon advances if: it stays efficient on offense by moving and setting screens, allowing teammates great looks. Defensively, the Ducks need to protect the three-point line by switching every screen.
No. 2 Oklahoma (27-7, 12-6 Big-12): Scoring is never a problem with the Sooners, and the luxury to offset the occasional offensive lapse is having Buddy Hield on your team. Hield was sensational in the Sooners’ second round victory over VCU. He scored 20 of Oklahoma’s final 25 points en route to 36 overall. The presence of Ryan Spangler, Isiah Cousins and Jordan Woodard gives the Sooners an experienced core as well.
Oklahoma advances if: Hield continues to play at the highest level while getting one more contributor on offense. If the Sooners play defense and rebound, thus leading to fast break opportunities in transition, they’ll be difficult to stop.
No. 3 Texas A&M (28-8, 13-5 SEC): The Aggies may just be thankful to be at this stage after the theatrics that occurred last weekend. They erased an 11-point deficit in just 33 seconds to tie Northern Iowa and send the game into overtime. Danuel House and Jalen Jones are 6-foot-7 high-scoring guards and create mismatches for opposing teams. Tyler Davis mans the middle and point guard Alex Caruso controls the tempo of the game.
Texas A&M advances if: House and Jones get going from the perimeter, thus opening up things down low for Davis. The Aggies play tremendous team defense so causing turnovers will allow for easy buckets in transition.
No. 4 Duke (25-10, 11-7 ACC): The experience of Grayson Allen and Marshall Plumlee combined with the talent of Brandon Ingram make them a very tough out. Allen averages 21.3 points on the season and Plumlee had a career-high 23 points against UNC-Wilmington. And Ingram, who is a 6-foot-9 athletic wing that can shoot over the top of a defender or hit the three, is a nightmare for any opponent.
Duke advances if: It can find a way to stay out of foul trouble. The Blue Devils play six men during the game so getting off to a quick start is imperative. If Allen find a rhythm from the outside, Plumlee occupies space down low and Ingram does a little bit of everything, there isn’t a team that can keep up.
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