Bracketology

If there was a Mel Kiper Jr. of college basketball his name would be Craig A. Shames. Three straight years I've picked at over a 70% clip and this year should be no different. If you want to win a lot of money in your office pool check out the holy grail of picks below. For further analysis keep reading.

Washington Region

Final Four Team: UCONN - the #1 seed will have a tough road having to go through Kentucky, Illinois, and Michigan State just to get to the Final Four but they'll prevail rather easily on their way to the title.

Sleeper Team: Wichita State - I can't even name one person on the team but with Seton Hall scuffling down the stretch and Tennessee a weak #2 they could make it all the way to the Sweet Sixteen.

Overrated: Don't be fooled by the big names. Kentucky, UNC, and Tennessee won't be making it very far.

Player to watch: Rudy Gay, UCONN. If Connecticut is going to win it all it's going to need Gay to step it up.

Minneapolis Region

Final Four Team: Boston College - It pains me to say it because after doing four years of Army ROTC with those stuck up assclowns I can't stand the Eagles but they are the best team. No one can match up with their frontcourt of Smith, Dudley, and Marshall.

Sleeper Team: Oklahoma - They don't play in the ACC or Big East so New Yorkers probably don't know about them but they are a tough, defensive minded team that should easily defeat a soft Florida team to make the Sweet Sixteen.

Overrated: Villanova is a weak #1 and with Allan Ray potentially missing time due to an eye injury they are ripe for the picking. Four good guards but how far can they go without a frontcourt?

Player to watch: Craig Smith, BC. If BC is going to live up to their lofty expectations it will be because my namesake averages a double double.

Atlanta Region

Final Four Team: Texas. I'm a big Duke fan but I don't think they have the depth to last through the tournament. That leaves Texas with an experienced core in prime position to make it the finals.

Sleeper Team: Syracuse, LSU, and California are all intriguing but I really like West Virginia with their senior laden team playing unselfishly. Look for Pittsnogle, Herber, Beline, and Gansey to lead the Mountaineers to the Sweet Sixteen and maybe even farther.

Overrated: Probably Duke since a lot of people will be picking them to win. Unfortunately with Redick tired and no one to back up Shelden Williams if he gets in foul trouble the Dukies could be out quicker than my wallet at a strip club.

Player to watch: JJ Redick grabs the spotlight but the biggest difference maker could be Texas big man LaMarcus Aldridge who could vault into the #1 spot in next year's draft.

Oakland Region

Final Four Team: Memphis - John Calipari is a great college coach having previously taken a Marcus Camby led UMASS team to the Final Four. Given a well rounded, unselfish team with an easy road to the finals and could be smooth sailing for the Tigers.

Sleeper Team: UCLA is ranked too higly to be a true sleeper but they will do better than most people think. As far as low seeds are concerned I'm guaranteeing a San Diego State win over Indiana the same way that I called Vermont last year.

Overrated: Hard to find one when you have #1 vs. #2 in the Elite Eight but Gonzaga no longer in a cinderella role could wilt under the expectations of having to win.

Player to watch: Kansas has some talented youngsters and UCLA a great backcourt but the Zags will only go as far as Adam Morrison's mustache takes them.

The Final Word

Should be a great tournament with plenty of surprises but BC doesn't have a backcourt, Duke has a freshman point guard, Memphis lacks a go to star, and Texas will get far on heart until falling short on talent. It's obvious to me that this year's UNC and eventual national champion is UCONN led by a great core featuring the nation's best pure point guard Marcus Williams, best small forward Rudy Gay, best three point shooter this side of Redick in Rashard Anderson, and best shot blocker in Okafor clone Armstrong. Just remember that you heard it here first.