NCAA Tournament Picks: Washington Region

Atlanta Region
Oakland Region
Washington Region
Minneapolis Region
Final Four

(winners in bold)

FIRST ROUND

1) Connecticut vs. 16) Albany
Albany is not a terrible team, but Connecticut is much, much too good to fall here.

8) Kentucky vs. 9) UAB
Much like two years ago, UAB's style will cause the problems. This game won't be as entertaining as the 2004 thriller, but the outcome will be the same.

5) Washington vs. 12) Utah St.
I think Utah St. is the second most likely 12 seed to win a game (after Texas A&M), but I'm high on Washington. They have a lot of athletes, some depth, and a star in Brandon Roy. I like the Huskies here.

4) Illinois vs. 13) Air Force
Air Force didn't belong in the Tourney, but that doesn't mean they aren't a good team. I expect them to give Illinois a good game, but it won't quite be enough to be the Fighting Illini.

6) Michigan St. vs. 11) George Mason
George Mason just does not have the firepower to match up with the Spartans, with or without Tony Skinn. I like the Spartans here.

3) North Carolina vs. 14) Murray St.
As has been the case with a lot of the lower seeds, I do like Murray St., but they won't get by the Tar Heels. Too much talent, and too much Tyler Hansbrough.

7) Wichita St. vs. 10) Seton Hall
Probably the hardest game of the first round for me to call. I'm not real familiar with either team, but I do think Wichita St. is sound defensively, and Paul Miller is a very good player down low, which gives the Shockers the edge.

2) Tennessee vs. 15) Winthrop
If I was ever going to pick a 2/15 upset, this would be it. It has all the ingredients. Tennessee is overseeded and they didn't make the Tourney last year. Winthrop is underseeded and gave Gonzaga a good run in the Tourney last year. That being said, I think the Vols want to prove they deserve their seed, and I like them in a game that will be far closer than the seeds would indicate.


SECOND ROUND

1) Connecticut vs. 9) UAB
UConn's two biggest weakness are that it can sometimes seem to get bored (like the first half against Cuse), and it only has one true ballhandler. UAB might be able to exploit both. With their pressure D, UConn will need to handle the ball well, and they can't underestimate the Blazers. In Calhoun I trust, however, to get them motivated.

4) Illinois vs. 5) Washington
An intriguing matchup between two good, athletic teams. I like Brandon Roy to take the Huskies on his back and earn a litte respect for the Pac-10 in what could be the most entertaining second round game.

3) North Carolina vs. 6) Michgan St.
The Heels have loads of talent, the best Freshman in the Nation, and for this year, at least, the best coach in the nation. But the Spartans have a three-headed monster in Brown, Ager, and Davis, and they always overachieve under Izzo. With Trannon back in the lineup, I think that gives them a little more toughness, and just enough to get it done against the Tar Heels.

2) Tennessee vs. 7) Wichita St.
I think the Shockers pose some problems for the Vols, especially Paul Miller down low. I like Wichita St. to pull the upset and give the MVC the credit that it deserves, with a Sweet 16 team.


SWEET SIXTEEN

1) Connecticut vs. 5) Washington
Brandon Roy and Bobby Jones will not be able to get to the hoop against the trees down low, and Jamal Williams will not be very effective either. For that reason, I like Connecticut here, on the backs of their defense.

6) Michigan St. vs. 7) Wichita St.
The Shockers Cinderella run dies here. Michigan St. has too much talent for Wichita St. to get by, and the Spartans advance in the least entertaining game of the Sweet 16.


REGIONAL FINAL

1) Connecticut vs. 6) Michigan St.
I'd like to go with an upset here, but I don't think it'll happen. When UConn shows up, they're unbeatable. They're too talented and too deep. And by this point I think Ager, Brown, and Davis will have run out of gas. Connecticut wins it.

REGIONAL CHAMPION: CONNECTICUT