This region has a lot of names in it - Kansas, Kentucky, Villanova, Duke, Indiana, UCLA. There’s more tradition in this region than any other. Kansas and UCLA are the top two seeds and expected to meet in the regional final.

I don’t see Kentucky or Villanova knocking off Kansas, although Kansas has certainly had their tournament problems recently, losing in round one the past two years. However, I believe they’ll get past the first day this year, unless they want to make history. I see Kansas in the 16.

Virginia Tech is a mystery. They swept North Carolina in the ACC regular season as well as winning at Duke (which, granted, wasn’t quite as impressive this year.) But they didn’t show up at times, either - against Marshall, for example, or when NC State pasted them by 25. Some are predicting an Illinois upset in round one and that’s certainly possible. Nevertheless, I’m going with Southern Illinois out of that subregion, to face Kansas in the semi’s. I pick Kansas to hold off the Salukis.

The bottom half belongs to UCLA in my opinion. Duke-VCU is an interesting matchup because VCU has strong guard play (so I’ve read) which has given Duke trouble this year. However, I’m still going with Duke because, after an early ACC exit, I think the extra time will have them well prepared. A Pitt-Duke matchup is expected in round two, and I’ve heard some heads say Duke can beat Pitt. But Pitt has underachieved a number of times in recent years, and after getting pasted by Georgetown in the Big East final, they may be out to redeem themselves.

Indiana-Gonzaga is a tossup, and I’m going to lean towards Gonzaga. However, UCLA is my pick to reach the regional final.

Best first round game - tossup: Indiana-Gonzaga and Kentucky-Villanova

Possible spoiler - VCU (it would certainly spoil it for me.)

Sleeper to reach Sweet 16 - Duke. It’s not likely, but it’s March and they’ve been to nine in a row. Not much is expected from them this year, so it wouldn’t surprise me, since some of their best tournament moments have been when they weren’t supposed to win.

Team I really want to see lose - Kentucky, of course.

Game I most want to see - Duke vs anyone in the regional final :) Seriously, I think Kansas-UCLA would be a great game.

Final Four pick - UCLA, over Kansas in the regional final