NCAA Tournament Picks: Oakland Region

Atlanta Region
Oakland Region
Washington Region
Minneapolis Region
Final Four

(winners in bold)

FIRST ROUND

1) Memphis vs. 16) Oral Roberts
I do think Oral Robers is the best 16 seed this year. Which means they'll lose by 20 instead of 30.

8) Arkansas vs. 9) Bucknell
Bucknell pulled the shocker of the tournament last year, but I think teams will be more ready for them this time. I like Arkansas on the back of Ronnie Brewer.

5) Pittsburgh vs. 12) Kent St.
I'm just not feeling this 5/12 upset. I don't think Kent St. has the firepower to beat Pittsburgh.

4) Kansas vs. 13) Bradley
I really do like this Bradley squad, but Kansas is just too talented, and they're playing too well right now, especially on defense, to fall in the first round. They move on in a good game.

6) Indiana vs. 11) San Diego State
I really like the Aztecs, with Brandon Heath, Marcus Slaughter, and Mohamed Abukar, and I like them even more now that Robert Vaden's health is in question. Look for SD State to pull off the upset.

3) Gonzaga vs. Xavier
I think this should be a very good, and very close game, but I think the Zags will be able to hold off Xavier for the first round win.

7) Marquette vs. 10) Alabama
Ronald Steele is an excellent PG, but he won't be enough against Steve Novak and Dominic James. I'll take Marquette here, under a coach that I really like in Tom Crean.

2) UCLA vs. 15) Belmont
I like the Bruins to win this game. :)


SECOND ROUND

1) Memphis vs. 8) Arkansas
I see some people pointing to this game as a possible place for an upset, but I don't see it. I think Memphis has lots of talent, and even though they're young, they'll have a game under their belt, and Carney & Washington are a strong duo.

4) Kansas vs. 5) Pittsburgh
One of the most intriguing second round matchups. I think both teams are very solid, and both are playing well. But I think Pitt relies a little too much on Carl Krauser, and I think Kansas is a really, really good club. I like Kansas to slow down Krauser and Pitt to move into the Sweet 16.

3) Gonzaga vs. 11) San Diego State
I think San Diego State will have one miracle left in them. They'll be able to take advantage of Gonzaga's porous defense, and slow down Morrison enough to win a high-scoring battle out west.

2) UCLA vs. 7) Marquette
Definitely not a game UCLA can afford to take lightly. Marquette is well coached, they execute well, and they can defend. But I think UCLA is playing great right now on both sides of the ball, and Cedric Bozeman will be able to slow Novak enough for UCLA to move on.


SWEET SIXTEEN

1) Memphis vs. 4) Kansas
This would be a great game between two of the youngest teams in the Tournament. Lots and lots of talent on this court, but I think Rodney Carney makes the difference in a tight game, and Memphis pulls it out.

2) UCLA vs. 11) San Diego State
I think the Aztecs luck will run out against a tough UCLA team. UCLA is getting healthy so they have depth, their bigs are contribuiting more, and Farmer & Afflalo are a great backcourt combo.


REGIONAL FINAL

1) Memphis vs. 2) UCLA
These two teams met back early in the year, with Memphis winning the game by 8 if memory serves. But this is a different UCLA team. They have bought into Ben Howland's philosophy, and they should be better sutied to slow down Memphis. Look for UCLA to cut down the nets and make the Final Four.

REGIONAL CHAMPION: UCLA