El Fuerto’s Tourney Preview (Part 1)

Midwest

Teams To Beat

(1)Kansas Jayhawks
The number one overall seed has serious championship potential. They ran through the Big 12 with a 15-1 record and humiliated Temple and Cal non-conference. Sherron Collins, Xavier Henry, Cole Aldrich, and Marcus Morris all have potential for a break out game every time they step on the court. Kansas has big time talent and major championship potential. It would be a major surprise for them to not appear in the Final Four.

(3)Georgetown Hoyas
Although they have struggled with inconsistency, G-Town can play with anyone, having knocked off Temple, Butler, Duke, and ran to the Big East championship game. I can see a major classic between the Hoyas and Jayhawks in the Elite 8 with Aldrich-Monroe, Wright-Collins, and Henry-Freeman matchups.

Sleeper Team

(10)Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
The Jackets struggled late, but if freshman sensation Derrick Favors plays well, G-Tech could turn some heads.

Upset Special

(11)San Diego St Aztecs over (6)Tennessee Volunteers
The Vols are hoping that the Kentucky disaster was a fluke, but it was not the first time Tennessee has no-showed at a big game (Vanderbilt, anyone?). The Aztecs will pound away at a Vols team that may be wearing down.

Cinderella Spotlight

(15)UC-Santa Barbara Gauchos
While discussing this game, I found out that one of my friends did not know that Santa Barbara was real He insisted that it was a made up city used by the TV show Psych. I think that sums up the Gauchos chances.


West

Teams To Beat

(1)Syracuse Orange
The Cuse take the top seed in the West, but somehow get to play the first weekend in their home state. The Orange have beaten 5 Top 25 teams, and could make a Carmelo-esque run this year, however first order of business is getting revenge on Vermont, who knocked them out in 2005.

(6)Xavier Musketeers
In case you haven't heard one of KFW's many rants on how this team will cut down the nets in Indy, I'll give a little breakdown on X's chances. They have some kid named Crawford who dunked on LeBron, and he's been dropping almost 20 a game, and should lead the Muskies to the second weekend.

Sleeper Team

(7) BYU Cougars
I could go on and on about how BYU is ranked top 10 in the Pomeroys, rebounds as well as anyone in the country, and shoots threes like a team full of Hornaceks. But there is one simple reason why they are poised to make a run: Mormon Discipline. The average Cougar player is about 35 years old and married, so I think they can keep composure with 2 minutes left. The Mormons also do not drink alcohol, so I would imagine they are probably in pretty good shape and will have no trouble getting up and down the court. However, this squad will face one enormous obstacle. If they make it to the Elite 8, they would have to forfeit due to the game being on a Sunday.

Upset Special

(13)Murray St Racers over (4)Vanderbilt
Commodores
The Racers are 30-4 and play lockdown, in-your-face defense all game long. They are fourth in the nation in opponent fg%, and are 6th in steals. With Billy Kennedy instead of Mick Cronin coaching the team up, the Racers are ready to finally break into the second round.

Cinderella Spotlight

(14)Oakland Golden Grizzlies
"I told the team before the game that people will argue with me on this, but we'll be the greatest team in the history of this league if you win tonight,"
"This is one of the most competitive teams I've ever been on. We don't want to lose at anything, not even video games."
"We have a goal board in our locker room, and on that goal board is to make the Sweet 16, so we're not just happy to be there."
These are all from the coach. I didn't make any of this stuff up. Really.

Tune in tomorrow for part two of El Fuerto's Tournament Preview to give you an in-depth look at the South and East regions.