East
Teams To Beat
(1)Kentucky Wildcats
The Wildcats are 32-2 and have future NBA picks John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins, Eric Bledsoe, and Patrick Patterson, but have some major questions. Most of this team has never played in the NCAA Tournament and they are prone to playing their age, as they average over 20 turnovers a game. Also, none of the other top seeds have a loss as bad as the South Carolina nightmare. While this team has Final Four potential, they could also find themselves heading back to Lexington before the weekend is over
(3)New Mexico Lobos
Steve Alford's squad is much more than the typical MWC pushovers of the past. They beat Cal, Texas A&M, and Dayton outside of conference and swept the Mormons in the Mountain West. I'm already looking forward to the Sweet 16 game between the Lobos and West Virginia, which would pit the nation's two worst NCAA Tournament coaches together, with Bob "Two and Out" Huggins vs Steve Alford, who lost to Northwestern St his last time in the Dance.
Sleeper Team
(8)Texas Longhorns
Its hard to remember, but this is the same Longhorns team that started off 17-0 and destroyed Pitt and Michigan St. They are led by hungry seniors Dexter Pittman and Damion James, and have one of the best coaches in the country in Rick Barnes. Plus, 2008 Memphis proved that you don't have to knock down free throws to win games. This is a dangerous squad who is definitely more than capable of giving Kentucky an early exit.
Upset Special
(13)Wofford Terriers over (4)Wisconsin Badgers
I know this is very unlikely (I actually have Wisconsin in the Final 4), but St X grad Brad Loesing will come ready to play in the Terriers first ever trip to the Big Dance. But seriously, try to find an upset in this region. A lot of people are taking Cornell over Temple, but mainly because the 5-12s suck and they feel an obligation to pick one. There's not going to be one.
Cinderella Spotlight
(15)Morgan St Bears
Any time a MEAC team avoids the play-in game it's cause for celebration. The Bears can score (81 points against Louisville, 97 against Arkansas) but gave up 80 points in a fourth of their games.
South
Teams To Beat
(1)Duke Blue Devils
There is a lot to like about Duke. They are ranked first in the Pomeroys, have the best coach in the country, are led by three seniors and two juniors, and have the NCAA's most efficient offense. Consider it a major surprise if the Blue Devils don't make it to Indy.
(2)Villanova Wildcats
They have been slipping lately, but look for Scottie Reynolds and Corey Fisher to get the team back on track. With an absolutely terrible region, the Wildcats could turn things around and make a Final 4 run.
Sleeper Team
(9)Louisville Cardinals
I think its safe to say that any team that sweeps Syracuse can make a run, and the Cardinals are definitely more than capable. With Edgar Sosa and the white Kyle Kuric, Louisville's backcourt can matchup with anyone. If Pitino's boys get hot, they could turn some real heads this week.
Upset Special
(13)Siena Saints over (4)Purdue Boilermakers
Honestly, is this even an upset? Purdue minus Hummel reminds me of Cincinnati minus K-Mart. Also, the Saints are very underseeded at 13. Eddie Ubiles, Alex Franklin, Ryan Rossiter, and Ronald "Onions" Moore are part of a solid group of upperclassmen that knocked Vanderbilt and Ohio St out of previous tourneys.
Cinderella Spotlight
(14)Sam Houston St Bearkats
The Kats are led by junior swingman Gilberto Clavell. I honestly know nothing about this guy, except he wear safety goggles which instantly make him 14 times cooler.
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