South
Best first round-game: Definitely the 5-12 matchup between Indiana and Utah. Indiana has been among the most disappointing first-round teams in recent years, and Utah coach Rick Majeris has never lost in the opening round with his Utes. ESPN.com reports that Utah was the last at-large team given a spot at the dance, but watch for them to make the most of the opportunity.
Most intriguing second-round game: The possibility of a Pennsylvania vs. Pittsburgh game in the second round, played in Pittsburgh, was no mistake in planning by the NCAA Selection Committee. Keep a close eye on the minutes of Pittsburgh point guard Brandin Knight. He was sidelined with a knee injury and will not be playing at 100 percent, if at all, this week.
Most overrated: Probably Southern Cal, which earned its No. 4 seed by beating up on the PAC-10’s worst teams while struggling against the conference’s elite. A “stealing lunch money” kind of team can get into the Tourney, but it won’t go very far.
Most underrated: Kent State. These guys went 17-1 in the underrated (and Dick Vitale’s favorite) MAC Conference.
Who is pulling out a first round upset?: (9) Charlotte, (10) Kent State, (12) Utah.
Great 8: Duke and Alabama (no surprises there).
Don’t let yourself believe that … : Central Connecticut State is at all for real. They could have won a billion games in a row – it doesn’t change the fact that they’re Central Connecticut.
East
Best first-round game: There are actually quite a few to chose from in this Region. I am interested to see how Bobby Knight’s Red Raiders perform in his first postseason at Texas Tech against a very strong Southern Illinois team. But the best game should be the 7-10 matchup between big-conference also-rans – N.C. State and Michigan State.
Most intriguing second-round game: I don’t expect Maryland to make it to the Final Four, but I can’t quite figure out why. They’ll fall at some point, and it may be in the second round to Marcus Hatten (perhaps the most explosive player in this tournament) and St. John’s. If the Terps find themselves in the Sweet 16, they would find themselves faced with Tubby Smith’s underachieving Kentucky Wildcats.
Most overrated: Georgia.
Most underrated: Kentucky. These guys beat Florida twice and lost to Duke by just three early in the season. The Wildcats were not blown out in any of their losses this season, and feature last year’s SEC Player of the Year, the versatile Tayshaun Prince.
Who is pulling out a first round upset?: (9) St. John’s, (10) Michigan State, (11) Southern Illinois, (12) Tulsa.
Great 8: Maryland (I guess) and Connecticut (although I want so badly to say Southern Illinois).
Don’t let yourself believe that … : Michigan State is as bad as you want it to be.
West
Best first-round game: Gonzaga versus Wyoming features the West Coast Conference and Mountain West Conference champions in a game in which neither team should be playing. Both deserved higher seeds. Unfortunately for the Cowboys, Dan Dickau is too much to overcome.
Most intriguing second-round game: It’s a pity that either Gonzaga or Arizona will lose in the second round. Both are at least Sweet 16 teams, but only one will make it there. Arizona has by far the most difficult second-round game of any top-four seed in the Tournament, playing the much-underrated Zags.
Most overrated: Miami. Do you have any idea how easy it was to play in the Big East this year? Don’t let the talking heads fool you. Give me the good old days of Derrick Coleman, Alonzo and … er … Kerry Kittles?
Most underrated: Gonzaga. ‘Nuff said.
Who is pulling out a first round upset?: (12) Missouri.
Great 8: Ohio State and Arizona. I don’t care how many games Cincinnati won this season. I’ve put my money on the Bearcats enough times in this tournament, only to see them collapse early.
Don’t let yourself believe that … : Oklahoma is as good as it looked last weekend.
Midwest
Best first-round game: Probably Wake Forest and Pepperdine. The Waves have proven they aren’t intimidated by elite teams, defeating Gonzaga, UCLA and Southern Cal. this season. And hey, Wake is no Gonzaga.
Most intriguing-second round game: Florida and Illinois. The Fighting Illini have gotten their act together after a 4-5 start in the Big Ten. Florida, on the other hand, has been on the decline since February. But the Gators have been far in this tournament before, and a similar Illinois team folded early last year.
Most overrated: Texas. The Longhorns played a tough schedule against a bunch of ranked teams this season (great for the RPI), but lost against most of them; they went 2-7 in those games against ranked opponents.
Most underrated: Illinois. If not for an early exit from the Big Ten Tournament, the Illini would be a deserving No. 2 seed – at least as deserving as Oregon.
Who is pulling out a first round upset?: (9) Western Kentucky, (10) Pepperdine, (11) Boston College.
Great 8: Kansas and Boston College. I don’t think much of Oregon, and if B.C. gets its act together it is as dangerous as anyone.
Don’t let yourself believe that … : Kansas isn’t the best team in the country.