LA Sports Hub
Fansided

March Madness 2017: Ranking and previewing all Sweet 16 teams

By Keith Rivas

Dec 3, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Bryce Alford (20) dives for the ball during the first half against the Kentucky Wildcats at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Bryce Alford (20) dives for the ball during the first half against the Kentucky Wildcats at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
10 of 18
Next
March 18, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Nigel Williams-Goss (5) speaks with forward Killian Tillie (33) in a stoppage in play against the Northwestern Wildcats during the second half in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
March 18, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Nigel Williams-Goss (5) speaks with forward Killian Tillie (33) in a stoppage in play against the Northwestern Wildcats during the second half in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /

Gonzaga Bulldogs

If Gonzaga has taught us anything this year as a No. 1 seed, it’s that a top team is beatable in the first round. Coming out of the gate, Gonzaga only led South Dakota State by four at halftime.

The Jackrabbits came to play, and the Bulldogs didn’t seem like they were all on the same page. Thankfully for them, they averted disaster by putting up a 40 point second half and eventually winning by 20.

Their second round game versus Nortwestern couldn’t have happened without controversy, as a missed call in the closing minutes could’ve changed the way the Bulldogs feel right now.

Edging the first-time tournament team by six points isn’t all that impressive — and for that reason, they’re a team that needs to be on upset watch.

They’ll play West Virginia, but the Mountaineers can get in the Bulldogs’ head, depending on how the game starts. If Gonzaga does start sloppy against West Virginia, expect nothing short of a dog fight the rest of the way.

Home/UCLA