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It has been nine years … NINE! … since a team west of Norman — it’s a longitudinal tick west of Wichita — reached the national semifinals.

In that span, basketball non-blue bloods such as Butler, Virginia Commonwealth, Ohio State, Wichita State and West Virginia have all reached the Final Four.

The last time a western team not-named UCLA played on the big stage? That would be Arizona, way back in 2001. (Think: Agent Zero.)

Is this the year one of the western conferences ends the drought?

One month before Selection Sunday, the region has four teams capable of winning four games in the NCAAs (and two more good enough to reach the second weekend).

Here are the best teams in the west, ranked in order of Final Four prospects:

1. Arizona

Record: 23-3

RPI: 6

State of the Wildcats: A tad shaky at the moment. The assimilation of wing Allonzo Trier, back from a lengthy suspension, seems to have disrupted the offensive flow. But the Wildcats play first-class defense, are comfortable at multiple tempos and have more than enough playmakers to navigate the pressure of March.

Final Four prospects: Bright, assuming the offense find its rhythm in the next few weeks.

2. Gonzaga

Record: 26-0

RPI: 5

State of the Bulldogs: Glorious. Having dispatched Saint Mary’s, the Zags should cruise to an undefeated regular season. Statistically, this is the best defensive team of the Mark Few era, with size and length at every position. The Zags can score from anywhere, with an effective big man (Przemek Karnowski) and surrounding 3-point threats.

Final Four prospects: Gonzaga has everything required to reach its first Final Four, but the pressure that accompanies an undefeated record in the NCAAs cannot be ignored. I’ll say it: The Zags would be better off losing to Saint Mary’s in the West Coast Conference tournament final.

3. Oregon

Record: 22-4

RPI: 7

State of the Ducks: The loss at UCLA last week is irrelevant; it’s life on the road in a Power Five conference and not indicative of any deep flaws in Oregon’s game. Like Arizona, the Ducks are built to handle any tempo. They have a proven game-changer in Dillon Brooks, two difference makers on defense and perimeter depth.

Final Four prospects: Eleven months ago, Oregon was one win away from ending the Pac-12’s drought. Key question: Is Tyler Dorsey ready to take, and make, the big shots if Brooks is off his game?

4. UCLA

Record: 23-3

RPI: 25

State of the Bruins: As dangerous offensively as any team in the country — four rotation players shoot 43 percent (or better) from 3-point range — and in possession of a singular talent (Lonzo Ball) capable of carrying his team to the biggest stage. But too many starters want no part of having to defend consistently.

Final Four prospects: Unlike the three teams listed above, the Bruins need favorable matchups in order to reach the semifinals. If they get sucked into a grinder early in the tournament … by a mini-Virginia, for example … that could be it.

5. USC

Record: 21-5

RPI: 32

State of the Trojans: Would be better if they had beaten Oregon last weekend, but we’ll assume USC avoids a collapse down the stretch and snares an at-large berth. The return of forward Bennie Boatwright (from injury) and improvement of Chimezie Metu creates a solid frontline to complement the productive perimeter unit.

Final Four prospects: If you’re looking for a low seed to sneak into the second weekend — coach Andy Enfield did it with Florida Gulf Coast — then consider the Trojans. But that’s as far as they will go.

6. Saint Mary’s

Record: 23-3

RPI: 20

State of the Gaels: Considering they have lost one game to a team not named Gonzaga and have a top-30 road win (Dayton), SMC should be in solid shape entering Selection Sunday. The Gaels are as well coached as any team on this list, play sound defense and have enough 3-point shooters to stock two teams.

Final Four prospects: Slim. Gonzaga has twice shown that SMC guards Joe Rahon and Emmett Naar can be shut down by bigger, quicker defenders.

7. Cal

Record: 18-7

RPI: 35

State of the Bears: Anxious. Guard Charlie Moore is recovering from a hip injury, the stretch run schedule is challenging, and the Bears are hardly an NCAA lock. (As USC goes, so goes Cal’s best case for an at-large berth.) The Bears play stout defense, but their adjusted-offensive-efficiency ranking (149th) doesn’t lie.

Final Four prospects: Ultra-slim. Essential to success in the NCAAs is the ability to score in the final minutes of a close game. The Bears aren’t capable of doing that four times.

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