Some have called this the easiest road for a #1 seed, but I still think the South is easier. Florida should get past the Arizona-Purdue winner to reach the 16. Some of the TV heads have pointed to Davidson as a possible spoiler with an upset of Maryland, but I don’t think so. It should be a good game, but I think Maryland will prevail. ODU is also a popular pick over Butler, and I think they might get it done. Butler has faded somewhat in recent weeks, but in the end I see Maryland in the 16.

I think one of the most interesting first round games in any region is Notre Dame and Winthrop. Winthrop has gotten a lot of love this year, after nearly beating Tennessee in last year’s first round (as a #15 seed), and after close losses at UNC and at Wisconsin early in the season. Notre Dame is a pretty solid team and I could see this going either way. I’ll go with Notre Dame, though, and I’m picking them to upset Oregon and face Georgia Tech in the 16, after Tech upsets both UNLV and Wisconsin. I’ll then go with Florida and Notre Dame advancing to the regional final.

I tried hard to pick someone besides Florida to win this region. While I like Donovan and the rest of the team, I just can’t like Joakim Noah (for any number of reasons.) And, I just can’t bear to see something like this again. Nevetheless…

Best first round game - Notre Dame vs Winthrop

Possible spoiler - ODU

Sleeper to reach Sweet 16 - Georgia Tech

Team I really want to see lose - Probably Florida (again, because of Noah.)

Game I most want to see - Florida vs Maryland

Final Four pick - Florida, over Notre Dame in the regional final