NCAA West Region

NCAA South Region.

1--Syracuse is best team in this region but is by no means a lock to win the region.  I think they will have a pretty good time getting to the Elite 8. But, the team they face there will be tough.

2--Kansas State is a good, good team with guards that can play.  This team lost it's swagger at the end of the regular season, then got it back in the Big 12 tournament.  I like that.  Instead of folding, they went out to prove they can still play.  What bothers me about this team is that they lost to Kansas 3 times this year.  Either that means they can't beat the upper echelon or, Kansas is that good.  I think it's that Kansas is that good.

3--Pittsburgh is a team that has tournament experience and comes from the Big East.  They play tough teams night in and night out.  Look for them to battle K State to play Syracuse.  I think they can be a dark horse for the title.

4--Vanderbilt is a deep well balanced team that could upset Syracuse and be a surprise team in the final four. I think that next year will be more likely, but don't count them out.  My prediction is a second round loss to Syracuse.  Poor seeding for Vanderbilt this year.

5--Xavier is an outside shot to make it.  But, I like how this team can score and play.  They were pretty good down the stretch in a tough Atlantic 10

Gonzaga Florida state is going to be  a good game.  But, the winner will lose to Syracuse.  Butler was a very impressive team this year. But their youth could cost them this year and make them phenomenol next year. UTEP is a team that can go to the sweet 16.  I think you should count on at least one 12 seed each year to win and that team is UTEP.

I really like Vanderbilt, but Murray State can be a bracket buster.

Minnesota has Tubby Smith, so don't be surprised if you're surprised.

BYU vs Florida.  Some say Florida shouldn't be here. But they are and they are usually a good tournament team.  BYU deserves to be here. But, they are consistently a bad tournament team.  Florida.

If I had 16 votes to cast in this region on to who is going to the final four, here is how it would go:

Syracuse-5

Kansas State-4

Pittsburgh-4

Vanderbilt-2

Xavier-1