First Glance Tournament Preview

Before I get into the preview there are two things to note.  First, this is my initial thoughts on the bracket.  I reserve the right to change any or all picks especially since my first bracket is chalky.  Second, my bracketology finshed 2nd by 1 point on the Bracket Project site.  Not too bad and I did consider swapping Wisconsin and St. Louis which would have given me the top Payman point total.  I fully expect CBS.Sports to come calling after they fire Jerry Palm.
Anyway, onto my preview.

MIDWEST REGION:

MY PICK – Duke: Of course I’m going with Duke.  Up until last Friday they were most people’s pick to win it all.  1 loss and everybody jumps off.  Not me.  It’s a tough region but I think Duke can get past both Michigan State and Louisville.  Whoever wins this region will definitely of earned it.

MOST LIKELY TOP SEED TO BE UPSET – Michigan State:  Most years I’m all over Izzo in March but not this time.  Not enough offense and I think they’ll struggle to beat Valpo.  Not sure they make the Sweet Sixteen this year.

MOST LIKELY UNDERDOG TO MAKE SOME NOISE – Colorado State:  Very capable of beating Louisville in Round 2.  They get a ton of offensive boards and if Peyton Siva falls back into his old self the Rams could roll.

HARDEST 1^ST ROUND GAMES TO PICK – Oklahoma State vs Oregon, Middle Tennessee/St. Mary’s vs Memphis, Creighton vs Cincinnati

WEST REGION:

MY PICK – Gonzaga:  They aren’t getting a ton of media love because of their schedule but this is still a very efficient team.  ESPN seems to like them to lose to Pittsburgh in the second round but I don’t see it.  Might be my easiest Final Four pick

MOST LIKELY TOP SEED TO BE UPSET – Kansas State:  I have no faith in Bruce Weber and I’m leaning towards picking them to lose in the 1^st round

MOST LIKELY UNDERDOG TO MAKE SOME NOISE – Iowa State:  if they win those two games against Kansas this is probably a 4 seed.  Woefully underseeded.  I look for them to make the Sweet Sixteen at least.

HARDEST 1^ST ROUND GAMES TO PICK – Arizona vs Belmont, Kansas State vs LaSalle/Boise State

SOUTH REGION:

MY PICK – Kansas:  More of a pick against the other teams in the region then a ringing endorsement for the Jayhawks

MOST LIKELY TOP SEED TO BE UPSET – Georgetown:  They’ll go cold for 10-12 minutes in round 1 or 2 and lose.  Book it

MOST LIKELY UNDERDOG TO MAKE SOME NOISE – Minnesota:  if they find that will to win like they had in the November they should win a could in a row.  UCLA is no match in round 1

HARDEST 1^ST ROUND GAMES TO PICK – San Diego State vs Oklahoma, South Dakota State vs Michigan

EAST REGION:

MY PICK – Indiana:  I know, a lot of chalk for me in the Final Four.  Remember, this is my first glance look.  I reserve the right to change any or all of these picks

MOST LIKELY TOP SEED TO BE UPSET – Syracuse:  I could make a case for any of the top 4 seeds here.  I have no faith in Miami either.  Everybody forgot they were barely over 500 in their last 10 games.  And their wins weren’t that good

MOST LIKELY UNDERDOG TO MAKE SOME NOISE – Colorado:  Dinwiddie and Roberson are a potent 1-2 punch.  I’m leaning towards picking them over Miami

HARDEST 1^ST ROUND GAMES TO PICK – NC State vs Temple, UNLV vs California, Butler vs Bucknell, Marquette vs Davidson, Syracuse vs Montana.  Wow, this is a tough bracket to pick