NCAA East Region breakdown.

Here is how I see the east region and their chances of advancing to the final four.  I have them ranked on likely hood of reaching the final four, not on their seeding.  The seed is in paranthesis.

1--KENTUCKY (1)  The Wildcats are by far the best team in this region.  The biggest "scare" for this team could be Texas in the second round. But even if Texas plays at the level they were at before Christmas, the Wildcats are still better.  West Virginia will be the biggest challenge for the Wildcats.  The biggest weakness for this team is inexperience and that is why I'm not picking them to win it all and possibly fall in the elite 8.  They have 2 unbeleivable freshman.  But, Keven Durant, the fab 5 from Michiga, and Carmelo Anthony were freshman. They have a new coach this year. But Calipari is one of the best ever in the tournament.  What concerns me most is that at this time last year, they were in the NIT. 

2--WEST VIRGINIA (2). This team is playing as well as anybody right now.  They won the Big East tournament.  They play #2 and #3 seeds almost everyday in the Big East.  And, Villanova could easily be a one seed.  So, they play tough games against tough teams and were perhaps one win away from being a one seed themselvs.  I think they could upset Kentucky. 

3--NEW MEXICO (3).  This team is really intriuging.  If they make the final four, they would be a true Cinderella story. Steve Alford is an NCAA icon and he has become a very good coach.  This could be the year that moves him into another level in the coaching world.  The MWC doesn't have a very good track record in the tourney.  I just don't see this team beating both Marquette and West Virginia.  I say they make sweet 16 which is awesome, but that is it.

4--MARQUETTE (6).  First, they have to get past Washington, which may not happen.  But if they win that one, they will face New Mexico.  The reason I put Marquette as the 4th best chance in this region is because of who they play.  I don't think they will do it.  But, they lost to W Vir by one at WVU and have played top 10 teams close on the road. 

5--TEXAS (8).  The only other team I see that has a chance in this region is Texas.  They were once the #2 team in the nation and fell fast once they stumbled in the Big 12.  They haven't shown any signs of turning it around, but should they put it together and upset Kentucky in the second round, the sky would be the limit.  I just don't see that happening.

The rest of the region.  There are teams that are capable of pulling of an upset, but not enough in a row to get out of this region.  Wake Forest and Texas are almost even right now.  But I don't see Wake beating Kentucky. 

Temple and Wisconsin just shouldn't lose their first round games.  They play each other in round 2 and I see Wisconsin with an advantage here.  But, I don't see either beating Kentucky or Texas.

Washington is on a roll and could be a bracket buster that gets to the sweet 16.  They are my favorite 11 seed right now.

Clemson could win one and that's it.  Missouri is the type of team that could upset and make the sweet 16.  They are dangerous and under the radar.

If I had 16 votes in this region to cast on who would win.  Here is how it would go:

Kentucky---6

W Virginia--5

New Mexico--2

Marquette--1

Texas--1

Temple, Wisconsin, Washington, Missouri, Clemson combinded---1