My favorite time of year, ok maybe after baseball season, but this is the most exciting postseason tournament in sports.  So, with that being said, here’s my picks.

Eastern Region – 1st Round

(1) North Carolina v (16) Coppin St./St. Marys play-in-game…No upset here, Tar Heels win big

(8) Indiana v (9) Arkansas….could be one of the better first round games.  Arkansas knocked off not only 18th ranked Vanderbilt but 4th ranked Tennessee in their conference tournament.  Though, Indiana has dealt with more turmoil this season than any team should have to.  I think they’re coming with something to prove.  Indiana wins a close one

(5) Notre Dame v (12) George Mason….Notre Dame could be a team to watch in this tournament, there have been 12/5 upsets before, but not this time.  Notre Dame moves on

(4) Washington State v (13) Winthrop….Washington State was one of the hottest teams in the country to start the season, going 17-3 in the first 20 games including wins over Gonzaga, USC and Arizona State.  This is one of those games that you feel the upset coming, and if Washington State isn’t careful, they could be the first Cinderella victim.  Washington State survives late Winthrop rally, moves on.

(6) Oklahoma v (11) St. Joseph’s….Oklahoma does have wins over Top 25 teams like Gonzaga, West Virginia and Baylor, and 2 of those wins were on the road, but I’m not impressed.  First upset of the tournament, St. Joseph’s knocks off Oklahoma.

(3) Louisville v (14) Boise State….Boise State needed triple OT just to win the WAC Tournament and they’re going against a far superior Louisville ballclub.  Louisville wins big

(7) Butler v (10) South Alabama….Butler, the Horizon League Champions (1st time since 2001) finished the year at 29-3.  This is a stronger team than a lot of people give them credit for but they better not look past South Alabama.  This should be a good game, but Butler has been here before and knows how to advance.  Butler pulls away late, moves on.

(2) Tennessee v (15) American….does this need explaining?  Tennessee knocks off Memphis, the #1 team in the country at the time, in Memphis, though I know they lost their next game at home.  Tennessee is way too strong to lose in the 1st round, especially to a 15 seed.  Game over in the 1st half, Tennessee wins big.

Eastern Region – 2nd Round

(1) North Carolina v (8) Indiana….Indiana had something to prove in the 1st round, and they may still have something to prove in the 2nd, but not against a far superior North Carolina squad.  North Carolina moves on

(5) Notre Dame v (4) Washington State….a game that everyone is going to be keeping their eyes on, especially because the winner has a Regional Semifinal matchup with the Tar Heels of North Carolina.  Washington State might be a strong ballclub, but not enough to take down Notre Dame….Irish run away with it, move on

(11) St. Joseph’s v (3) Louisville….St. Joseph’s run ends here, Louisville is just too fast and too strong.  Cardinals move on

(7) Butler v (2) Tennessee…..Butler may give Tennessee a game in the 1st half, but as soon as the Vols wake up, it’ll be over.  Vols run away late

East Region – Regional Semifinals

(1) North Carolina v (5) Notre Dame….One of the most intriguing matchups in not only this region, but I think the entire tournament.  Can the Tar Heels stay strong and move on to the Regional Final or will Notre Dame do the unthinkable?  I think the Tar Heels are too deep a team and too good to lose now.  Tar Heels on their way to the Regional Finals

(3) Louisville v (2) Tennessee….This is a tough one to call.  Both teams have what it takes to take down the other, but which teams will show up.  Will Tennessee be the team that knocked off Memphis?  Will Louisville be the team that knocked off Marquette (twice), Georgetown and Notre Dame?  Louisville with a last second win

East Region – Regional Final

(1) North Carolina v (3) Louisville…..Louisville had a great run to this point and both teams should go back and forth, but the Tar Heels have the talent and the coaching to make it to the Final Four.  North Carolina Tar Heels, East Region Champions

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