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Sporting News, The, March 25, 1996 by Mike DeCourcy

It didn't take long for analysts to proclaim this the weakest of the four regionals, and the teams in the West have played down to that billing. Purdue, Memphis and Iowa are gone, but three of the top four seeds are still battling for a trip to the Meadowlands.

Why Georgia will advance: There is no more concern about the lack of tournament experience in a gifted senior class. The Bulldogs have won two games, including one over top-seeded Purdue, so they understand what is necessary to survive. Georgia's strong, athletic frontcourt could overmatch the remaining teams in the West. And there is a sense of urgency, because most of the leading players would complete their eligibility with a loss.

Why Georgia won't advance: There isn't enough outside shooting to challenge Syracuse's stiff 2-3 zone. And the Bulldogs aren't accustomed to attacking zone defenses, because few teams in the Southeastern Conference use them much. The Bulldogs spent everything they had to get this far and may relax for having accomplished what they have.

Why Syracuse will advance: The Orangemen play with the biggest lineup in the Sweet 16 and understand how to disguise their lack of quickness. Forward John Wallace and center Otis Hill are as productive as any forward-center tandem in the tournament. Hill and small forward Todd Burgan get a lot of open jumpers because of defensive attention paid to Wallace, and they are making them consistently. Guards Lazarus Sims and Jason Cipolla are making big shots.

Why Syracuse won't advance: A team that executes well against the zone and makes open shots will force the Orangemen into playing man-to-man, which they do poorly. Cipolla and reserve Marius Janulis struggle to defend athletic shooting guards, and Hill has problems against quick post men. Like most Syracuse teams, this one goes about seven deep, so it might not wear well.

Why Arizona will advance: The loss of Joseph Blair, who was declared academically ineligible, during the season freed the Wildcats to play a speedier game. Iowa Coach Tom Davis calls them the most athletic team in the tournament. Point guard Reggie Geary not only is an exceptional leader, he defends the ball as well as anyone. Center Ben Davis, who began his career at Kansas five years ago, found a home in Arizona -- and in the lane, where he controls the boards at both ends.

Why Arizona won't advance: A team that can restrict the Wildcats to playing a halfcourt game and has the muscle to make it hurt is likely to prevail. The Wildcats' shooting touch remains suspect. And though Davis has proved himself as a rebounding machine, can he defend a big, productive center? That's question he hasn't been forced to answer.

Why Kansas will advance: It was clear the Jayhawks were the class team in the West as soon as the brackets were announced. How could they not have been the No. 1 seed? Kansas has a great offensive concept and superior players to make it work. The Jayhawks have the most reliably dangerous point guard, junior Jacque Vaughn, in the field. Opponents find it difficult to stop hard-working big men Raef LaFrentz and Scot Pollard at once.

Why Kansas won't advance: Any team with Jerod Haase at the off-guard is a threat to get carried away shooting, and small forward Paul Pierce sometimes adds to that concern. Defensively, the Jayhawks labor to keep pace with teams that have frontcourt quickness. This program is quietly developing a reputation for failing to live up to expectations. The Jayhawks were seeded No. 1 in their regionals in '92 and '95 but were knocked out by ninth and fourth seeds, respectively.

TSN's pick: Arizona. The all-or-nothing Wildcats either lose in the first round or make the Final Four. That must be written somewhere in the NCAA bylaws.