I think this is the most difficult road for a #1 seed. It couldn’t have happened for a better team, either ;) North Carolina will have to beat the Marquette/Michigan State winner, then potentially face Texas and Georgetown to reach the Final Four. That’s quite a task, especially for a young team. I do think, however, that Carolina will advance to the sweet 16. I am leaning towards Michigan State to win their game, but I don’t think they’ll have quite enough to take out the Heels.

Arkansas is this year’s George Mason. No, I don’t think they’ll make a run to the Final Four. However, they’re the team that everyone is saying doesn’t belong. They should be in the NIT. And, that’s probably true. Nevertheless, they’re in, and they’re hearing everyone say they shouldn’t be. Sometimes that’s motivating - like it appears to have been for GMU last year. Charles Thomas is supposed to be back and ready to play, and so I’m going to pick them over USC, and I think they can give Texas a run for their money as well (they only lost by 4 in Austin earlier in the season.) Still, I’m going to go with Texas to reach the 16.

In the bottom half, I just don’t think anyone is going to beat Georgetown. I think they’ll coast to the regional final. I think BC will play them tough, but their inside game is still hurting from the loss of Williams earlier in the season, and they won’t be able to stop Hibbert. A lot of heads are picking ORU to upset Washington State. ORU played Memphis tough for a half last year, and won at Kansas earlier this year, so they are a good team and have last years experience to build on. I’m going to pick the upset as well. However, I think Vanderbilt will advance to the sweet 16.

Best first round game - Marquette vs Michigan State

Possible spoiler - Oral Roberts

Sleeper to reach Sweet 16 - Arkansas

Team I really want to see lose - It should be obvious. GTHC!

Game I most want to see - UNC vs Texas. A UNC-Georgetown matchup would be equally good - especially since I think G’town would win - but I’d just like to see Durant and the UNC freshmen on the same floor. In the end, I think UNC will have just a little too much.

Final Four pick - Georgetown, over UNC in the regional final