ELITE EIGHT PREVIEW: March 23
West Region: MISSOURI (12) vs. OKLAHOMA (2) | Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET

The Big 12 has to be happy with a conference showdown taking place out west as Missouri and Oklahoma will battle for a trip to Atlanta. Kelvin Sampson and Quin Snyder are certainly happy with their teams!

Sampson is one of the Rolls Royce coaches out there. He understands the game, relates well with people and can flat-out motivate. His Sooners put on a brilliant show in beating a talented Arizona team in the regional semifinal. The Wildcat squad is so good that if they all return, I will probably pick them pre-season No. 1 next year!

Hollis Price carried Oklahoma in the first half, hitting six trifectas while scoring 22 of his team's 33 points. Then Ebi Ere and Aaron McGhee came on strong when Price got into foul trouble -- the duo combined for 35 points as the Sooners put up a 55-30 second half scoring edge. It was a brilliant offensive show!

(Kelvin) Sampson is one of the Rolls Royce coaches out there. He understands the game, relates well with people and can flat-out motivate.

Sampson has gone through an emotional time, as his father is recovering from brain surgery. Anyone who knows Kelvin knows it is more than a typical father-son coaching relationship. His dad played a big part in his development for the love of the game.

Oklahoma is so athletic and talented, and they play defense hard. They did a great job against Luke Walton and Jason Gardner. Next comes a challenge against a red-hot Missouri team. The Sooners won their prior meeting this season, 84-71, behind 24 points, including five trifectas, from Price. Oklahoma dominated the boards in that game, 43-26.

Missouri also turned the ball over 18 times in that loss. Clarence Gilbert scored 26 points in the loss and he has to come up big again here. Kareem Rush struggled and shot 4-for-15 -- he must perform better in this regional final. Arthur Johnson, who was impressive against Dan Gadzuric on Thursday (14 points,13 rebounds), was held to four points and four boards against the Sooners. He also has to be a factor this weekend.

The Tigers are playing like the team most expected to see earlier this season. Missouri was a top 10 team in the preseason and opened 9-0. This is not a No. 12 seed; that was a joke. This team was on a roller-coaster ride, but now they are playing at their best.

I love Snyder. I love his coaching ability, his communication skills and recruiting skills. His team is playing well at the right time. They played great against Duke in the second round of the NCAA last season before falling.

Early this season, there was criticism galore but Snyder kept on believing in his club. He kept instructing and motivating his team. There is more balance, not just scoring from Rush and Gilbert. Rickey Paulding has come through on the wing.

Missouri is outstanding in transition. This club is not the same one Oklahoma handled with ease in Norman earlier this season.

Something tells me this regional and the magical moment will belong to Sampson and his Sooners. Can they control the glass? Missouri will have a hard time against McGhee and Company. Ere on the wing and Price on the perimeter give Oklahoma too many weapons. I feel the Sooners won't be denied. This will be an outstanding basketball match-up.

The Tigers have the arsenal to march on, but this Oklahoma team has been battle-tested with victories over Maryland, Connecticut and Kansas on its resume. I see them representing the Big 12 down in Atlanta.