Midwest Regional

This, on the surface, looks like the toughest bracket, by far. Ironically, it's the overall number one seed who faces the gauntlet. Obviously, they will not have to face every team in the region and they will be favored in all. But, Ohio State, Georgetown, Michigan State, Tennessee, Maryland, Oklahoma State and so on, guarantee's that they have some challenges ahead.

I do, however, like Kansas to get by the first couple of rounds without incident. The UNLV-Northern Iowa winner will give the Jayhawks a game. I like UNLV to defeat Northern Iowa. They are an athletic team who is well coached. Lon Kruger has taken a team to the final four, is a big game coach and will challenge Kansas if given the opportunity.

Michigan State should have too much experience and toughness to defeat New Mexico State. Even though this is a dinged up team with possible chemistry issues, Tom Izzo is a March genius. If it is possible, he will have his team ready to play. I have gone out on a limb and picked Tom Pender's Houston squad to upset Maryland. While I like Maryland, they have proven to be inconsistent and Houston is athletic and match up well against the Terps. Despite who comes out of that game, I believe Michigan State will advance past them.

I have chalk with Tennessee over San Diego State and Georgetown over Ohio. The Hoyas are physically tough and if they get the tempo to their liking, they can beat any team in the Country. They are playing well and I like them over Tennessee to advance.

Then there is a tough game to pick in Georgia Tech and Oklahoma State. Which Georgia Tech team will show up? They are the epitome of inconsistency. They are extremely talented and if they played like they did in the ACC Tournament, can advance. But I have a hard time picking a team who is that up and down. Oklahoma State has endured the wars of the tough Big 12 and I will take them against the Yellow Jackets. I do not believe Ohio State will be challenged in the first round and they are playing as well as any team in the Country right now. With the best player in college basketball who hits all the clutch shots, I will take the Buckeyes over Oklahoma State or Georgia Tech, for that matter.

Will Bill Self and the Jayhawks cut the nets down again?

That brings us to what would be two very good basketball games in this region. Kansas appears to be just too strong for Michigan State, even though in a one game scenario, never count out a Tom Izzo coached team. Ohio State and Georgetown could be a war. I just believe Ohio State can score the basketball and are playing too well.

In the regional Final, in what would be an incredible basketball game that I would not be surprised to go either way, I will take the best team in basketball. Kansas should find a way to get by the Buckeyes. This would be a great Championship game but due to the brackets, it will not happen.

My prediction: Kansas

Next: West Region

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South Regional

This regional, on paper, looks like the easiest route to the Final Four. Duke is the number one seed and should have an easy first round game. It is the second round where they could have their toughest test enroute to the Final Four. They would meet the winner of the Louisville-California game. I like Louisville in this one if for no other reason is that they are battle tested in the Big East. I think this is a bad matchup for Duke. Louisville is a tough physical team who have been through the wars. They are well coached and are athletic. I like Louisville to upset Duke. If California defeats Louisville in the opening round, then I like the Blue Devils all the way to the Regional Final.

I believe the bracket will open up after the first round. I like Siena to upset Purdue. The Boilermakers are just not the same team without Hummel and Siena is experienced and have won in the NCAA Tournament before. In fact, just last year. They are well coached and will be a handful for Purdue. Likewise, I like Utah State to upset Texas A and M. Utah State is one of the best three point shooting team and I am just not sold on A and M. That may be a stretch, with two upsets side by side in the bracket but given the parody in College Basketball this season, I believe upsets will be common place. I like Siena to Louisville and Louisville to take care of them to get to the Regional Finals.

I think Notre Dame has hit their stride and playing good basketball. With senior leadership and nice balance, I like the Irish to get by Old Dominion. Baylor has not won an NCAA Tournament game since 1950 and I believe they do just that defeating Sam Houston State without incident. Baylor is extremely athletic but I am a believer in the Big East style and like Notre Dame to knock out the Bears.

Scottie Reynolds leads the Wildcats

One of my favorite teams all season has been Richmond. They have great guard play and play solid defense. I like the Spiders over St. Mary's although Omar Samhan may be the best big man in the field and they have players. Another very tough first round game and hard to pick, but I like Richmond. Villanova should cruise by Robert Morris, they are just too athletic and Scottie Reynolds is so tough to match up with. I also, like Jay Wright's team to get by Richmond and take on Notre Dame in a Big East matchup. I believe Villanove will defeat the Fighting Irish and face Louisville in another Big East matchup for a trip to the Final Four.

My Prediction: Villanova

Next: Midwest Region

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The NCAA Tournament tips off Wednesday with the play-in game. At first glance, there are a lot of really good matchups early on. I think this tournament is going to be one of the better of recent memory. Partly, because of the parody in the Country. There are 4 or 5 really good teams then a lot of teams that you could shake up, pour out and are all very equal. This parody makes it extremely difficult to pick the winners, as well. The next couple of days we will be dissecting the regions and breaking them down, for what it is worth.

East Regional

This region is one of the hardest of all to pick. In the first round alone, there are very good matchups. Wake Forest vs. Texas, Clemson vs. Missouri and Temple vs. Cornell come to mind.

But I would look for Wofford to play Wisconsin very close, in the first round. This game could be a very low scoring affair as both teams play excellent defense. Given Wisconsin's style of play, coupled with Wofford's solid defense, I do not see much separation in this game. Wofford played Michigan State and Pittsburgh very well, early on and have wins against South Carolina and Georgia. Ultimately, I feel like it is Dick Bennett's coaching that gives Wisconsin the slight edge.

I like top seeded Kentucky and second seeded West Virginia, cruising to the second round. Kentucky should meet the winner of the Wake Forest-Texas matchup. These are two similar teams. Both have solid inside power. Wake has a very formidable point guard in Ish Smith. But to me, Wake Forest has been so inconsistent down the stretch. They enter the tournament having lost 5 out of 7 of their last games. Can they wipe the slate clean and start playing like they did early in January, or on the road at Gonzaga? Can underachieving Al-Farouq Aminu, who should be dominating in the paint, play to his capabilities? To me, it is a toss up, but I think the Deacons have just been too up and down. I like Texas to advance past Wake but fall to Kentucky.

Temple is my sleeper team in this region. They play good defense and just one tough minded team who played in one of the most under rated conferences this season. Cornell is under seeded, and have proven they can play with the big boys. It would not surprise me if they defeated Temple, but I just believe the Owls are playing so well down the stretch, I like Temple. And I like Temple to defeat Wisconsin in the second round.

(photo courtesy of NY Daily News)
Are Bob Huggins and West Virginia Final Four bound?

One of the better teams in the Country that nobody really talks about is New Mexico. Steve Alford has his team playing at a high level. I think they have took much for a scrappy Montana team who shoots the three very well. Meanwhile, my upset of the region goes to Washington. I believe they take care of Marquette in the first round. Lorenzo Nomar has his Huskies playing with momentum. They are fresh off of winning the Pac 10 Tournament that they needed to enter the Big Dance. I believe they defeat Marquette but lose to New Mexico.

I really like West Virginia and if they matchup with New Mexico, their physical, Big East style of basketball might be too much for the Lobos. Likewise, I believe Kentucky will find a way to get by Temple which brings us to West Virginia and Kentucky. I like the Mountaineers experience, toughness, coaching and D'Sean Butler is one of those guys that seems to hit all of the big shots. At some point, I believe Kentucky's inexperience will come in to play. Will this be the game that happens?

My Prediction: West Virginia

Next: South Region

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Today is the day that the brackets will be revealed and we will know all of the participants of the NCAA Tournament which starts on Wednesday. No more speculation, no more bracketology. Just brackets with one line at the end where the 2010 National Champion will be filled in. There are 4 conferences where their champions are yet to be determined. These four play their Championship Games today.

To find out who will be dancing in the NCAA Tournament CLICK HERE

UPDATE: TEMPLE, DUKE, OHIO STATE AND KENTUCKY HAVE WON THEIR CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT AND ARE HEADING TO THE NCAA TOURNAMENT

ACC Duke has won their 18th ACC Tournament by a score of 65-61 over Georgia Tech. The Yellow Jackets had cut the lead to one when Jon Scheyer hit a three pointer to stretch the lead. Duke not only earned another ACC Crown, but should have secured the fourth number one seed in the NCAA Tournament. West Virginia may have a case but we will find out when the Selection Committee has finalized their brackets. You would have to think that Georgia Tech has done enough work in this tournament to receive an at-large bid regardless of outcome.

Big Ten Ohio State destroyed Minnesota to win the Big Ten Championship, 90-61. They will represent the conference with the automatic bid. Minnesota should receive an at-large bid. The brackets will be announced later on Sunday.

Atlantic 10 Top Seed Temple, has defeated Richmond by a score of 56-52 and are heading to the NCAA Tournament. Richmond scrapped back into the game but were able to pull it out and the Owls have earned the automatic bid. Richmond will be in the field of 65 as an at-large team. Temple is a team who could make a nice run in the NCAA Tournament. Juan Fernandez led Temple with 18 points.

Southeastern Mississippi State and Kentucky played a great game. But it was Kentucky pulling out the SEC Championship in overtime by a score of 75-74. It looked like the Bulldogs were on their way to victory. In the final seconds of regulation, John Wall missed a jumper in the lane that would have put the Wildcats into the lead. Mississippi State hit two free throws to extend the lead. The Wildcats tied the game up after a sequence where Bledsoe made one free throw and intentionally missed the second. After a John Wall miss Cousins followed up as time expired to send the game to overtime. The game had gone back and forth in the second half. Mississippi State needed the win to get into the field of 65. The Wildcats secured a number one seed in the NCAA Tournament.

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It is Saturday and there are quite a few tournament Championships today which will result in automatic bids to the NCAA Tournament. On top of those tournaments, there are great semifinal matchups which should result in a great day of College Basketball action.

To find out who will be dancing in the NCAA Tournament CLICK HERE

UPDATE: HOUSTON, MORGAN STATE, SAM HOUSTON STATE, KANSAS, WEST VIRGINIA, ARKANSAS-PINE BLUFF, SAN DIEGO STATE, WASHINGTON, UC SANTA BARBARA, NEW MEXICO STATE AND VERMONT HAVE WON THEIR CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT'S AND ARE HEADING FOR THE BIG DANCE.

Atlantic Coast Conference Top seeded Duke has put the finishing touches on a victory against Miami and a trip back to the ACC Championship game. They have defeated the Hurricanes 72-67. Duke is playing not only for an ACC Championship but a chance at a number one seed in the NCAA Tournament. The second semifinal went down to the wire but it was Georgia Tech holding off N.C. State to advance to Sunday's Championship against Duke. The Yellow Jackets won, 57-54.

America East Vermont has defeated Boston University to win the America East Championship and advance to the NCAA Tourmanent. It is the first time back since 2005. The Catamounts advanced behind the scoring of Marqus Blakely and a courageous effort by Evan Fjeld, who lost his Mother to cancer on Tuesday. Vermont wins by a score of 83-70.

Marqus Blakely led the Catamounts to the Dance

Atlantic 10 Top seeded, Temple has advanced to the Atlantic 10 Championship by defeating Rhode Island, 57-44. The Owls held Rhode Island to 26 percent shooting from the field. They will face Richmond, who has defeated Xavier in a dandy. What a game, one of the best of the week. Richmond managed to hold on to a 89-85. Both of these teams should be NCAA Tournament bound. The A-10 Championship is on Sunday.

Big 12 Top Ranked Kansas, defeated in state rival, Kansas State to win the Big 12 tournament and solidify a number one seed in the NCAA Tournament. The Jayhawks were led by Marcus Morris' 18 points, 8 rebounds. It was a business like effort by Kansas, who led pretty much all the way. Kansas State will be in the Big Dance and will be a threat to go deep in the tournament themselves.

Big East West Virginia has won their first Big East Championship in a great ball game. Dasean Butler scored with 4 seconds left to defeat Georgetown, 60-58 in the Big East Championship from Madison Square Garden. The win will send the Mountaineers to the NCAA Tournament and keeps them in the conversation for a number one seed. This game was a typical Big East slugfest. Butler finished the game with 20 points, 7 rebounds and continued his clutch play during the tournament. Worse case scenario for West Virginia, they will be a two seed but they will be watching the ACC Tournament with a little extra incentive.

Big Ten Ohio State has defeated Illinois in double overtime and are heading to the Big Ten Final. They defeated the Illini, 88-81. They will face the winner of the Minnesota-Purdue semifinal game. For Illinois, you would have to think they have done enough in the tournament to give them a birth in the NCAA Tournament. For Ohio State, like West Virginia, they have an outside chance at a one seed in the NCAA Tournament. They would like to hold on to no less than a two seed. Minnesota never let Purdue in the ball game and advanced to the Finals against Ohio State on Sunday. The Gophers took care ofthe Boilermakers, 69-42 as Tubby Smith's team played sensational defense in this game. Purdue shot 27 percent for the game and at one time in the first half, were shooting 10% from the floor.

Big West UC Santa Barbara and Long Beach State went after it tonight in the Final of the Big West Tournament. It was Santa Barbara who prevailed and will advance to the NCAA Tournament. The Gauchos advanced after a 69-64 victory. Santa Barbara was led by Orlando Johnson's 20 points.

Conference USA Top seeded UTEP has fallen to Houston, 81-73 and the Cougars have won the Conference USA Tournament and a bid to the Big Dance. Tom Penders has his Houston squad playing well and they go into the NCAA Tournament with momentums. UTEP will still be a dangerous team in the NCAA Tournament.

Tom Penders' Cougars are into the NCAA Tournament

Mid American In another Championship game on Saturday, Ohio punched their ticket to the Big Dance with a 81-75 overtime win against Akron in another very good basketball game. Ohio had a one-two punch with Armon Bassett's 26 points and D.J. Cooper's 23.

MEAC Top Seeded Morgan State is heading to the Big Dance after a 68-61 victory over S.C. State. The Bears were led by Kevin Thompson who finished the game with 16 points and 12 rebounds.

Mountain West The one and two seeds were both eliminated in this tournament. That left #3 UNLV vs. #4 San Diego State. And it was the Aztecs of San Diego State who earned the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Two former Final Four coaches went head to head in this one. Former Michigan Final Four Coach, Steve Fisher against former Florida Final Four coach, Lon Kruger. It was Fisher's Aztecs who won 55-45. Expect UNLV in the field of 65 despite the loss. Kawhi Leonard had a monster game with 16 points and 21 rebounds for San Diego State.

Pac 10 Washington assured themselves a spot in the NCAA Tournament by upsetting California, 79-75. Washington entered the tournament with work to do or they would have been left out of the field of 65. And work they did, this assures the conference of two teams into the Big Dance, it will be interesting to how many more if any besides these two make it. Quincy Pondexter led the Huskies with 18 points and 3 rebounds.

SEC The SEC has two competitive semifinals on Saturday. Kentucky has eliminated Tennessee from the SEC Tournament by a score of 74-45. The game featured physical play throughout. Demarcus Cousins led the way with 19 points and 14 rebounds for the Wildcats. Kentucky is in position for a number one seed. In the second game it is Mississippi State defeated Vanderbilt, 62-52. The Bulldogs will take on Kentucky in the Championship Game on Sunday.

John Wall and Kentucky are in the SEC Championship

Southland Sam Houston State lead throughout and defeated Stephen F. Austin by a score of 64-48 in the Championship Game. The BearKats will be in the field of 65 starting next week. The game was never in doubt for SHSU, who led from wire to wire.

SWAC The SWAC Tournament Champion is Arkansas-Pine Bluff after they defeated Texas Southern 50-38 in a game where they were in control throughout. The Golden Lions are going dancing.

WAC The WAC Championship Game went to New Mexico State. The Aggies came from behind to defeat Utah State, 69-63 to punch their ticket to the NCAA Tournament via an automatic bid. Utah State will wait until tomorrow to see if their 27-7 record and resume is good enough to enter the field as an at-large bid.

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