3 Top Basketball Schools in West: How?

By Jeff Caves

So, how did Oregon, UCLA and Gonzaga get the players to put them in a Sweet 16 spot?  And, how long can they stay in the Top 16 in the country? I say UCLA has the best shot to continue dominating, Oregon is next and Gonzaga last. I am shocked the Zags get it done so often. I see the efforts 2 of these 3 programs are making to get to this point in getting players. The other just ubers them to campus. Consider Oregon and Gonzaga’s top 5 scorers each and where they came from:

4 transferred from other schools-How long can that continue? Getting grad transfers, un happy players, etc…

2 came from LA high schools- Way to stick to UCLA! Congrats to Oregon for doing it 2x

1 from Canada via Findlay Prep school in Las Vegas-Oregon battled it out with 30 schools including Maryland and Indiana for Brooks Dillon and won, THIS TIME.

1 from a Las Vegas High School- The Zags scored big for 7 footer Collins when they beat UCLA, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Arizona. RARE.

1 from Canada via Wyoming JC- The Chris Boucher story is unreal, how will that ever happen again for anybody? Hand it to the Ducks.

1 from Poland. Gonzaga earns the sky miles and scores a 7 footer.

Sounds like alotta work to win in the West for Oregon and Gonzaga. NOT SUSTAINABLE.

UCLA ‘s
Top 5 scorers? 4 from local Southern California high schools and 1 came with his Dad from ABQ. Now thats sustainable.