East Regional
Top four seeds:
- Syracuse
- Ohio State
- Florida State
- Wisconsin
Dark horse: Florida State
Analysis: Syracuse might not have looked so good in the Big East conference tournament, but it is too long and deep to not make a deep run in the tournament. While I have Syracuse as a favorite coming out of the East, keep an on Florida State. FSU plays hellacious defense and can score some points if needed (see the win over UNC yesterday). In fact, look for FSU to upset Syracuse to win this region. Side note: Look for Harvard to make some noise too. They should beat Vanderbilt and Wisconsin and make the Sweet 16.
Midwest Regional
Top four seeds:
- UNC
- Kansas
- Georgetown
- Michigan
Dark horse: NC State (don’t let me down fellas!)
Analysis: Whoever set this region up has to be a huge Tar Heel fan. UNC should not be remotely challenged until the Elite Eight. I mean, Creighton/Alabama in Round 2, followed by Michigan in the Sweet 16? Really? The only team that could challenge UNC is Kansas, but I do not like Kansas as a tournament team. It didn’t look so hot against Baylor in the Big 12 tournament, and that hangover will carry over into this tournament. It wouldn’t shock me to see Kansas get upset by St. Mary’s in Round 2. Side note: look for my Wolfpack to upset San Diego State and an unimpressive Georgetown and make the Sweet 16. GO PACK!!!
South Regional
Top four seeds:
- Kentucky
- Duke
- Baylor
- Indiana
Dark horse: Wichita State
Analysis: Kentucky and Duke are the prohibitive favorites to come out of this region, and it’s easy to see why. Duke does not have any tests before the Sweet 16 (Notre Dame and Xavier? Really?), while UK has Wichita State blocking its path to the Elite Eight. Speaking of Wichita State, the Shockers (an interesting choice of a nickname) are really good. Sure they stumbled in their conference tournament, but the Shockers are a fearless bunch that will give UK problems.
As for whom I think will come out this region, this is Kentucky’s region to lose. If they fail to get to the Final Dour, coach John Calipari should be drug tested…
West Regional
Top four seeds:
- Michigan State
- Missouri
- Marquette
- Louisville
Dark horse: Murray State
Analysis: this is clearly the “Murderer’s Row” of the four regions. Six (or seven) of the teams in this region could win it. I love Michigan State as a tournament team, but I am feeling Missouri. The Tigers have been on a mission in what is their final season in the Big 12. In addition to winning the Big 12 tournament, Missouri was a collapse away from sweeping Kansas in the regular season. I would keep a close eye on Murray State. They’ve been counted out all season and have a low seed (a sixth seed) to show for it, despite losing only one game all season.
Who’s going to win the whole damn thing:
Kentucky
Categories: college basketball, sports story
It is that time of the year again. Love March Madness :).