Bracket Breakdown: West

Round 1

1 Kansas vs. 16 Niagara: Atleast Niagara gets credit for a tournament win. How lame is the play in game. Winner: Kansas

8 Kentucky vs. 9 Villanova: I think this is one of those 8 9 games where you might as well just flip a coin and decide that way instead of trying to figure out which squad is better. I'm sort of a Big East homer, and thus Nova. Winner: Nova

5 Va Tech vs. 12 Illinois: This just might be the worst 12 seed draw Tech could have gotten. Sure Illinois stinks, but they play that grind out Big 10 style and that is not Va Tech's strong suit. If I was Illinois I would simply foul Tech every time they got near the basket, but I don't think they will and Tech manages to escape a scare. Winner: Va Tech

4 Southern Illinois vs. 13 Holy Cross: I don't really get why Southern Illinois is a 4 seed This is probably a homer pick that bites me in the ass.Winner: Holy Cross

6 Duke vs. 11 VCU: Every seems to be throwing Duke completely under the bus against VCU and I hate Duke as much as anyone I know and I would love them to lose but I just don't see it as unfortunate as that sounds. I hope I'm wrong. Winner: Duke

3 Pitt vs. 14 Wright St.: Pitt sucks in the tourny every year and their team is overrated this season, and yet I can't bring myself to picking them to lose to Wright St. Winner: Pitt

7 Indiana vs. 10 Gonzaga: I think the Zags are back in the groove after the mid season weed controversy has subsided a bit. Plus Indiana always seems to choke in the tournament, and I'm not a big fan of Sampson. Winner: Gonzaga

2 UCLA vs. 15 Weber St.: UCLA is one of those top seeds that will comfortably win their games early by 10 to 15 points.Winner: UCLA

Round 2

1 Kansas vs. 9 Villanova: The Wildcats have the kid Reynolds, who has been playing out of his mind down the stretch, as well as Sumpter and Sheridan downlow. I think they'll stay with Kansas for awhile but the Jayhawks should take over down the stretch. Winner: Kansas

13 Holy Cross vs. 5 Va Tech: I actually feel stronger about this game than I do about Holy Cross knocking off Southern Illinois. Here are a few reasons, the Crusaders have excellent senior leadership with their top two guys being 4 year seniors, they have some big bodies in the middle and they hit every single free throw down the stretch. Tech on the other hand must be one if not the worst free throw shooting teams in the country. Also Tech struggled against teams that slowed it down, see three losses to NC State, I think Cross can do that. Winner: Holy Cross

6 Duke vs. 3 Pitt: I honestly am starting to lean towards Duke more every day but the hate is prevailing in the end. I am just not comfortable in taking Pitt to advance far they aren't very good. Winner: Pitt

2 UCLA vs. 10 Gonzaga: I thought they played earlier this season, um I was wrong. Another case of UCLA being boring and winning by a couple though I will pull for a Zags upset. Winner: UCLA

Sweet 16

1 Kansas vs. 13 Holy Cross: A few years back the Crusaders almost knocked off Kansas, but this is where most Cinderella journeys end and this is the end of the line for Holy Cross Winner: Kansas

2 UCLA vs. 3 Pitt: Howland vs. his best friend Dixon. Should be incredibly painful to watch. Think UCLA vs. Memphis last year where the only thing being thrown up were disgusting bricks, followed by miserable passes all with the broadcasters crediting superb defense.Winner: UCLA

Elite 8

1 Kansas vs. 2 UCLA: I don't know if I've seen many people pick Kansas over UCLA. But here are some nice #s to throw out, Kansas is 30-4 and has improved over the course of the season. UCLA stumbled down the stretch. Kansas plays in as good or better of a conference. Kansas knocked off Florida in Gainesville early in the season. Kansas for some reason, who knows why, is flying under the radar as a #1 seed. Well not here.

Winner: Kansas