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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 /
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Mar 18, 2017; Buffalo, NY, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers guard Jevon Carter (2) controls the ball against Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Temple Gibbs (left) in the second half during the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 18, 2017; Buffalo, NY, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers guard Jevon Carter (2) controls the ball against Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Temple Gibbs (left) in the second half during the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports /

West Virginia Mountaineers

Realistically, it would’ve been disappointing not to see them make it this far in the tournament. Based on seeding, they should’ve made it here, so the only thing that’s worth noting is they did what they were supposed to.

Bucknell gave them a surprising challenge in the opening round, but West Virginia handled the pressure very well. Next for them was a test against Notre Dame, but they seemed to pass with flying colors.

Now that the Mountaineers will be pitted against Gonzaga, we’ll see what this team’s about when they have to square off with a higher seed than them. If they’re able to knock off the Bulldogs, then credit can be given where it’s due.

But until then, they haven’t impressed me too much to have them higher on this list.

An area they’ll need to focus on against Gonzaga is on the boards. Beating Bucknell in rebounding wasn’t a problem, but they squeezed by the Fighting Irish. Gonzaga will look to that to help them get second chance buckets, and the Mountaineers have to cut that source of life support off.

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