In the West Region of this year’s NCAA Tournament, one injury stands out amongst all the rest. The number one-seeded Arizona Wildcats will continue their pursuit of a championship without their best player as sophomore Brandon Ashley recovers from surgery to mend a broken foot. Fortunately Ashley’s injury occurred in February providing the Wildcats with enough time to adjust to new roles and expectations. Freshmen Rondae Hollis-Jefferson has grown as a player and both of his double-doubles came after Ashley’s injury. Gabe York and Elliott Pitts have also upped their productivity since Ashley went down and will do their best to insure Arizona avoids an upset at the hands of a currently healthy Weber State squad.
BYU will also be without their best player after Kyle Collinsworth suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee during the West Coast Conference tournament title game. Collinsworth is the Cougars’ second-leading scorer and team leader in rebounds and assists. Junior Matt Carlino will replace Collinsworth in the starting lineup and be counted on to help carry the offensive load along with Tyler Haws. They will face a hungry and healthy Oregon team seeking revenge for a December overtime loss.
The remaining teams in the West have each survived early season injuries and properly managed them when they have occurred. Creighton has not faltered despite knee injuries to Isaiah Zierden and Grant Gibbs and a left acromioclavicular sprain has not affected the shooting stroke of Doug McDermott. The Blue Jay’s opponent, the Rajin Cajuns of Louisiana-Lafayette, will bring in a healthy squad that earned a tournament berth despite a foot fracture that kept senior guard Bryant Mbamalu sidelined for the first 12 games of the season.
Former Big 12 opponents Baylor and Nebraska will clash with both teams 100 percent. Nebraska’s Walter Pitchford survived a midseason scare when a knee injury ended up being a simple bone contusion.
A Sweet 16 version of Bedlam remains a possibility for Oklahoma and Oklahoma State. The Sooners briefly lost Je’lon Hornbeck to a foot fracture but he returned after just four games. Standing in their way is a healthy North Dakota State team looking to represent the Summit League. The other team from Oklahoma has survived this season despite the loss of Michael Cobbins, out with a torn Achilles. The Cowboys will face off against the resilient Gonzaga Bulldogs, a team that withstood injuries to several key contributors. The Zags played without Gary Bell Jr. for a stretch as he nursed a broken hand and Sam Dower missed time with a lower back injury. 2012 WCC Newcomer of the Year Kevin Pangos has played through a painful case of turf toe as well as an additional ankle injury. Now with the team relatively healthy they are primed to go toe-to-toe with Oklahoma State.
Injuries aren’t a concern for the second-seeded Wisconsin after Ben Brust’s back injury proved to be minor. The same can be said for their opponents, American University. San Diego State is also healthy and primed to advance against a New Mexico State team that will employ 7’5”, 355 pound Sim Bhullar at center. Bhullar missed six games in January with a foot injury but will be available for the Aggies.