West regional capsules, analysis,

1. ARIZONA

Nickname: Wildcats. Location: Tucson.

Record: 30-4, (15-3). Bid: Pac-12 at-large.

Last appearance: 2013, lost to Ohio State in regional semifinal.

Coach: Sean Miller, 11-6 in six appearances.

Overview: The Wildcats ran away with the Pac-12 regular-season title, finishing three games ahead of secondplace UCLA. Losing Brandon Ashley, the team’s third-leading scorer, to a seasonending foot injury was a midseason blow. But Pac-12 player of the year Nick Johnson and freshman of the year Aaron Gordon kept the team rolling. Twitter: @ APlayersProgram Did you know? With all three of their regular-season losses coming on the road, Arizona watched as opposing fans rushed the court each time.

Starters: G Nick Johnson, 6-3, Jr. (16.2 ppg, 4.0 rpg), F Aaron Gordon, 6-9, Fr. (12.1 ppg, 7.8 rpg), C Kaleb Tarczewski, 7-0, So. (10.1 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 58.5 FG%), G T.J. McConnell, 6-1, Jr., (8.5 ppg, 5.5 apg), G Gabe York, 6-3, So. (6.8 ppg, 39.3 3FG%).

2. WISCONSIN

Nickname: Badgers. Location:

Madison.

Record: 26-7, 12-6. Bid: Big Ten

at-large.

Last appearance: 2013, lost to Mississippi in second round.

Coach: Bo Ryan, 16-12 in 12 appearances.

Overview: The Badgers had a streaky season, starting 16-0, losing five of six and winning eight in a row before losing the regular-season finale. An experienced team, Wisconsin made it to the Big Ten semifinals and enters the NCAAs with confidence from a strong finish. Twitter: @BadgerMBB.

Did you know? Guard Traevon Jackson’s father, Jim Jackson, was the fourth overall pick in the 1992 NBA draft. He played for 12 teams in 14 NBA seasons.

Starters: G Ben Brust, 6-1, Sr. (12.4, ppg, 4.7 rpg, 88.4 FT%); G Traevon Jackson, 6-2, Jr. (10.8 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 3.9 apg); G Josh Gasser, 6-3, Jr. (9.5 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 46.2 3FG%); F Sam Dekker, 6-7, So. (12.9 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 46.8 FG%); F Frank Kaminsky, 7-0, Jr. (13.4 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 40.3 3FG%).

3. CREIGHTON

Nickname: Bluejays. Location:

Omaha.

Record: 26-7, 14-4. Bid: Big East

at-large.

Last appearance: 2013, lost to Duke in the third round.

Coach: Greg McDermott, 2-5 in five appearances.

Overview: The Blue Jays made the transition to the Big East look seamless, finishing second and making the tournament final. They have two key ingredients to make a NCAA run: experience and great shooting. All five starters make at least 40% of their three-pointers. Twitter: @gocreighton

Did you know? Creighton is the only school to rank in the top 10 in attendance for men’s basketball, baseball and men’s soccer.

Statistics: F Doug McDermott, 6-8,

Sr. (26.5 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 52.9 FG%, 44.7 3FG%, 86.7 FT%); F Ethan Wragge, 6-7, Sr. (10.7 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 47.8 3FG%, 82.4 FT%); G Grant Gibbs, 6-5, Sr. (7.6 ppg, 48.6 3FG%); G Austin Chatman, 6-0, Jr. (7.6 ppg, 4.3 apg, 40.3 3FG%); G Jahenns Manigat 6-1, Sr. (7.1 ppg, 3.0 ag, 41.1 3FG%, 88.2 FT%).

4. SAN DIEGO STATE

Nickname: Aztecs. Location: San

Diego

Record: 29-4, 16-2. Bid: Mountain West at-large.

Last appearance: 2013, lost to Florida Gulf Coast in the third round.

Coach: Steve Fisher, 23-12 in 13 appearances.

Overview: Any team facing the Aztecs must figure out a way to score on a defense that ranks near the top in every major category. The domination in that area carried them to one of the best records in the country, despite an offense — led by Mountain West player of the year Xavier Thames — that doesn’t shoot well from the field or free throw line. Twitter: @GoAztecs

Did you know? Since the 2010-11 season, San Diego State has the nation’s top record (33-10) in games decided by six points or fewer.

Statistics: G Xavier Thames, 6-3, Sr. (16.9 ppg, 3.0 apg, 38.6 3FG%, 82.9 FT%); F Skylar Spencer, 6-10, So. (5.1 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 57.0 FG%); F Winston Shepard, 6-8, So. (12.3 ppg, 5.2 rpg); F J.J. O’Brien, 6-7, Jr. (8.3 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 56.8 FG%); F Josh Davis, 6-8, Sr. (8.0 ppg, 9.9 rpg).

5. OKLAHOMA

Nickname: Sooners. Location:

Norman.

Record: 23-9, 12-6. Bid: Big 12

at-large.

Last appearance: 2013, lost to San Diego State in second round.

Coach: Lon Kruger, 14-14 in 14 appearances.

Overview: The Sooners have consistency to their advantage: All five starters have started every game, and Tyler Neal is the Big 12 co-sixth man of the year, providing an offensive boost. That offense is second in the league (82.2), but the defense is last (75.9). The Sooners are dangerous from the foul line at a league-best 75%, tied for 17th nationally. Twitter: @ou_athletics.

Did you know? Kruger is the only coach to lead five different teams to the NCAA tournament — Kansas State, Florida, Illinois, UNLV and Oklahoma.

Starters: G Isaiah Cousins, 6-4, So. (11 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 81.3 FT%); G Buddy Hield, 6-4, So. (16.8 ppg, 4.4 rpg); G Jordan Woodard, 6-0, Fr. (10.3 ppg, 4.6 apg); F Cameron Clark, 6-7, Sr. (15.2 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 43.7 3FG%); F Ryan Spangler, 6-8, So. (9.9 ppg, 9.4 rpg, 60.0 FG%).

6. BAYLOR

Nickname: Bears. Location: Waco, Texas.

Record: 24-11, 9-9. Bid: Big 12 at-large.

Last appearance: 2012, lost to Kentucky in regional final.

Coach: Scott Drew, 6-3 in three appearances.

Overview: Despite losing to Iowa State in the conference tournament final, the Bears have been on an impressive late-season run, winning nine of their last 11. Senior guard Brady Heslip is the best three-point shooter in the conference and 18th in the country with 3.09 a game and fifth in percentage at 46.4. Twitter: @ BaylorAthletics Did you know? Football was banned by Baylor in 1906. The ban lasted just one year due to the student backlash.

Starters: G Brady Heslip, 6-2, Sr. (11.5 ppg, 46.4 3FG%, 72.2 FT%); G Kenny Chery, 5-11, Jr. (86.7 FT%, 11.7 ppg, 5 apg); F Royce O’Neale, 6-6, Jr. (52.1 FG%, 44.0 3FG%, 4.7 rpg); F Cory Jefferson, 6-9, Sr. (50.9 FG%, 41.4 3FG%, 13.4 ppg, 8.1 rpg); C Isaiah Austin, 7-1, So. (10.6 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 3.1 bpg).

7. OREGON

Nickname: Ducks. Location:

Eugene.

Record: 23-9, 10-8. Bid: Pac-12

at-large.

Last appearance: 2013, lost to Louisville in regional semifinal.

Coach: Dana Altman, 4-9 in nine appearances.

Overview: The Ducks won’t be flying under the radar this March after making a Sweet 16 run in 2013. Oregon won eight games in a row before falling to UCLA in the conference tournament quarterfinals. Sharpshooter Joseph Young paced an offense that ranked No. 12 in the country with 81.8 points a game. Twitter: @OregonMBB

Did you know? Oregon won the first NCAA men’s basketball national tournament in 1939.

Starters: G Joseph Young, 6-2, Jr. (18.2 ppg, 40.6 3FG%); F Mike Moser, 6-8, Sr. (13.7 ppg, 8.2 rpg); G Damyean Dotson, 6-5, So. (10.1 ppg); G Johnathan Loyd, 5-8, Sr. (7.5 ppg, 4.8 apg); C Waverly Austin, 6-11, Sr. (1.9 ppg).

8. GONZAGA

Nickname: Bulldogs. Location: Spokane, Wash.

Record: 28-6, 15-3. Bid: West Coast

champion.

Last appearance: 2013, lost to Wichita State in Round of 32.

Coach: Mark Few, 15-14 in 14 appearances.

Overview: The Zags are in their 16th consecutive NCAA tournament, but a deep run would be a surprise for this group that lacks a complete post presence. When the treys aren’t falling, Sam Dower has to do a lot. Twitter: @ZagMBB

Did you know? Gonzaga is the home of the Bing Crosby Library, featuring a collection of recordings, photographs and awards. Crosby grew up in Spokane and attended Gonzaga in the 1920s before pursuing his career in Hollywood.

Starters: F Sam Dower, 6-9, Sr. (15.0 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 59.0 FG%, 82.8 FT%); G Kevin Pangos, 6-2, Jr. (14.1 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 3.7 apg, 87.5 FT%, 41.1 3FG%); G Gary Bell Jr., 6-2, Jr. (11.2 ppg, 80.3 FT%, 42.7 3FG%); G David Stockton, 5-11, Sr. (7.5 ppg, 4.2 apg); C Przemek Karnowski, 7-1, So. (10.2 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 59.0 FG%).

9. OKLAHOMA STATE

Nickname: Cowboys. Location:

Stillwater.

Record: 21-12, 8-10. Bid: Big 12

at-large.

Last appearance: 2013, lost to Oregon in second round.

Coach: Travis Ford, 1-4 in four appearances.

Overview: The Cowboys are picking up steam again after an up-and-down season. The team started 16-3 before losing seven in a row, including a loss at Texas Tech where star guard Marcus Smart shoved a fan and was suspended for three games. Twitter: @OSUAthletics

Did you know? Opening in 1938, Oklahoma State’s Gallagher-Iba Arena is the conference’s oldest basketball venue. The original maple floor remains in use.

Starters: G Marcus Smart, 6-4, So. (17.9 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 4.7 apg, 2.7 spg); G Phil Forte, 5-11, So. (13.2 ppg, 86.7 FT%, 45.2 3FG%); G-F Markel Brown, 6-3, Sr. (17.2 ppg, 3 apg, 5.6 rpg); G-F Le’Bryan Nash, 6-7, Jr. (14.2 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 52.3 FG%); F-C Kamari Murphy, 6-8, So. (6.4 rpg, 55.1 FG%).

10. BRIGHAM YOUNG

Nickname: Cougars. Location: Pro

vo, Utah.

Record: 23-11, 13-5. Bid: West Coast

at-large.

Last appearance: 2012, lost to Marquette in round of 64.

Coach: Dave Rose, 4-6 in six appearances.

Overview: The Cougars’ advancement hopes took a huge hit with the loss of G Kyle Collinsworth (14.0 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 4.6 apg) to a knee injury in the WCC tournament final. Creating open looks for Tyler Haws could be a challenge. Twitter: @byubasketball

Did you know? Among BYU’s many prominent alumni is Philo T. Farnsworth, credited with the invention of electronic television.

Starters: G Tyler Haws, 6-5, Jr. (23.4 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 88.0 FT%, 41.1 3FG%); G Matt Carlino, 6-2, Jr. (13.7 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 4.3 apg); F Eric Mika, 6-10, Fr. (11.7 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 52.9 FG%); F Nate Austin, 6-11, Jr. (3.8 ppg, 8.0 rpg); G Anson Winder, 6-3, Jr. (6.5 ppg).

11. NEBRASKA

Nickname: Cornhuskers. Location:

Lincoln.

Record: 19-12, 11-7. Bid: Big Ten

at-large.

Last appearance: 1998, lost to Arkansas in first round.

Coach: Tim Miles, 0-1 in one

appearance

Overview: After starting 0-4 in Big Ten play, the surprising Cornhuskers turned around their season in a major way, notching signature wins against Ohio State, Michigan State and Wisconsin. Twitter: @HuskerHoops.

Did you know? Freshman guard Tai Webster plays for the New Zealand national team and averaged 13.5 points in the 2012 FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament when he was 17 years old.

Starters: G Shavon Shields, 6-7, So. (12.7 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 44.2 FG%); G Ray Gallegos, 6-2, Sr. (7.0 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 75.0 FT%); G Tai Webster, 6-4, Fr. (4.2, 2.1 rpg, 2.0 apg); F Terran Petteway, 6-6, So. (18.0 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 81.7 FT%); F Walter Pitchford, 6-10, So. (9.4 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 48.1 FG%).

12. NORTH DAKOTA STATE

Nickname: Bison. Location: Fargo. Record: 25-6, 12-2. Bid: Summit League champ.

Last appearance: 2009, lost to Kansas in first round.

Coach: Saul Phillips, 0-1 in one

appearance.

Overview: Summit League player of the year Taylor Braun stuffed the box scores for Phillips’ squad, leading the conference in scoring. The Bison will rely on Braun and senior forward Marshall Bjorklund to fuel an offense that shot 50.9% from the field to lead the nation. Twitter: @NDSUmbb

Did you know? Braun was three days away from committing to a Division II school in Oregon before NDSU offered him a scholarship.

Starters: F Marshall Bjorklund, 6-8, Sr. (13.6 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 63.9 FG%); F TrayVonn Wright, 6-7, Sr. (11.2 ppg, 5.1 rpg); G Taylor Braun, 6-7, Sr. (18.0 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 4.0 apg, 41.2 3FG%); G Lawrence Alexander, 6-3, Jr. (11.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg); G Kory Brown, 6-4, So. (7.0 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 59.1 FG%).

13. NEW MEXICO STATE

Nickname: Aggies. Location: Las

Cruces.

Record: 26-9, 12-4. Bid: Western Athletic champ.

Last appearance: 2013, lost to Saint Louis in second round.

Coach: Marvin Menzies, 0-3 in three appearances.

Overview: They have NCAA experience, and Sim Bhullar can alter the way opponents attack the rim. Daniel Mullings played well at the point in the WAC tournament in place of suspended K.C. Ross-Miller, whose reinstatement has yet to be determined by the school. Twitter: @NMStateAggies.

Did you know? An on-campus observatory is named for Clyde Tombaugh, discoverer of Pluto and other objects in the solar system who was a faculty member from 1955 until he retired in 1973.

Starters: G Daniel Mullings, 6-2, Jr. (16.8 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 3.5 apg); G DK Eldridge, 6-2, Jr. (11.5 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 2.0 apg, 40.4 3fg%); C Sim Bhullar, 7-5, So. (10.3 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 3.4 bpg, 64.7 fg%); F Tshilidzi Nephawe, 6-10, Jr. (11.1 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 55.5 fg%); G Kevin Aronis, 6-3, Sr. (7.5 ppg).

14. LOUISIANA-LAFAYETTE

Nickname: Ragin’ Cajuns. Location: Lafayette, La.

Record: 23-11, 11-7. Bid: Sun Belt champ.

Last appearance: 2005, lost to Louisville in first round.

Coach: Bob Marlin, 0-2 in two appearances.

Overview: With two improbable upsets in the conference tourney, the Ragin’ Cajuns claimed their first NCAA automatic berth in Marlin’s fourth season. Elfrid Payton and Shawn Long are the big scorers, but the confidence shown by role players in the postseason could make them dangerous. Twitter: @ULRaginCajuns Did You Know? Among ULL’s research initiatives are several projects in the biology department looking into the restoration of Louisiana’s coastal wetlands.

Starters: G Elfrid Payton, 6-3, Jr. (19.1 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 6.0 apg, 2.3 spg); F Shawn Long, 6-9, So. (18.9 ppg, 10.4 rpg, 2.8 bpg); G Bryant Mbamalu, 6-2, Sr. (12.5 ppg, 4.1 rpg); G Xavian Rimmer, 6-2, Jr. (8.4 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 42.4 3fg%); F Elridge Moore, 6-5, Sr. (4.2 ppg, 3.8 rpg).

15. AMERICAN

Nickname: Eagles. Location: Wash

ington, D.C.

Record: 20-12, 13-5. Bid: Patriot League champ.

Last appearance: 2009, lost to Villanova in first round.

Coach: Mike Brennan, first

appearance.

Overview: Brennan took over a team picked in the preseason to finish next-tolast in the league and guided it to the title, tying the school mark for wins by a first-year coach. American enters the tournament shooting 49.5% from the field. AU leans heavily on its starters, with four averaging at least 32 minutes. Twitter: @ AU_MBasketball

Did you know? Starter Darius Gardner played on a Yates High team in Houston that finished No. 1 in the USA TODAY Super 25 rankings in 2010.

Starters: G Jesse Reed, 6-5, So. (14.2 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 53.1 FG%, 49.1 3FG%); F Tony Wroblicky, 6-10, Sr. (12.2 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 59.4 FG%); G John Schoof, 6-5, Jr. (11.8 ppg, 76.8 FT%); G Darius Gardner, 5-9, Jr. (11.3 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 4.3 apg, 2.1 spg, 51.5 FG%); F Kyle Kager, 6-8, Jr. (6.0 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 76.4 FT%).

16. WEBER STATE

Nickname: Wildcats. Location: Og

den, Utah.

Record: 19-11, 14-6. Bid: Big Sky

champ.

Last appearance: 2007, lost to UCLA in first round.

Coach: Randy Rahe, 0-1 in one

appearance

Overview: Rahe has won four conference titles in his eight seasons as head coach of the Wildcats. He uses a sevenman rotation, each player receiving more than 15 minutes of playing time. Weber State has three double-digit scorers in its starting lineup. Davion Berry was named Big Sky MVP. Twitter: @ WeberStateMBB

Did you know? The Wildcats have won 21 Big Sky regular-season championships. Weber State is the first school to reach 500 Big Sky wins.

Starters: G-F Davion Berry, 6-4, Sr. (19.1 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 4.0 apg); F Joel Bolomboy, 6-9, So. (8.6 ppg, 10.8 rpg); C Kyle Tresnak, 6-10, Sr. (11.2 ppg, 4.8 apg); G Jordan Richardson, 6-1, Sr. (7.2 ppg, 2.5 apg); G Jeremy Senglin, 6-2, Fr. (11.1 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 2.2 apg).