Predicting the NCAA Tournament Bracket

The NCAA Tournament is fast approaching, exciting many basketball fans around North America. One of my favourite things to do at this time is to predict the brackets.

Keep in mind that this is a difficult process, as I have written summaries for each team in addition to placing them in a seed and a region.

I did not put a play-in game in my bracket, just 64 teams. When I write that a certain team wins its division, it is just a prediction of what I think will happen.

So let's have a look at how I think things will shape out:

Boston Region

1) Connecticut - Probably the most dangerous team in the nation. An early favourite.
16) North Dakota State - Winners of the Summit League.

8) California - The Bears are back in the Big Dance, and as dangerous as ever.
9) Florida - Nick Calathes leads this Gators squad.

5) Purdue - Robbie Hummel's health has a lot to do with Purdue's success.
12) Western Kentucky - Winners of the Sun Belt Tournament.

4) Kansas - The defending champs have al ot of work ahead for another Final Four bid.
13) Virginia Military - The Keydets win the Big South Conference.

3) Clemson - The Tigers can be a very dangerous team come March.
14) Vermont - Winners of the American East Tourney.

6) Illinois - The Illini have had a great season.
11) Virginia Tech - The Hokies have a very solid lineup and could be a surprise.

7) BYU - The Cougars upset and win the Mountain West.
10) LSU - The Tigers were on the bubble, but now they are in.

2) Wake Forest - The Deacons are loaded with pure talent.
15) East Tennessee State - Winners of the Atlantic Sun Conference.

Glendale Region

1) Oklahoma - Blake Griffin leads a talented Sooners team.
16) Long Beach State - Winners of the Big West.

8) Minnesota - The Gophers are having a good season after a hot start.
9) Miami (FL) - Jack McClinton is going to shine this March.

5) Gonzaga - This is a team loaded with depth and talent.
12) Creighton - The Jays are the winners of the Missouri Valley Tournament.

4) Butler - Another conference win and another tourney appearance for Butler.
13) Boise State - The Broncos barely make it in, but here they are.

3) Marquette - One of the best all-around teams in the nation.
14) Miami (OH) - The Hawks surprisingly win the Mid-American Tourney.

6) Ohio State - The Buckeyes are in after a good season.
11) Notre Dame - The Irish will roll into March and be a very dangerous opponent.

7) Dayton - The Flyers have beaten Xavier and Marquette this season.
10) Utah - The Utes make it in, despite not winning the Mountain West.

2) Duke - May not have the stuff to go all the way this year.
15) Tennessee-Martin - Ohio Valley tourney winners.

Memphis Region

1) North Carolina - One of the early favourites to be national champs.
16) Morgan State - Winners of the Mid-Eastern Conference.

8) Tennessee - The Vols rebound to win the SEC Tournament.
9) Boston College - The Eagles have some impressive wins on their resumé.

5) Missouri - The Tigers are on a roll and have a great shot at a top five seed.
12) Siena - The Saints win the Metro-Atlantic and could be a dangerous opponent.

4) UCLA - The Bruins quiet critics by winning the Pac-10 Tournament.
13) George Mason - The Patriots are back as they win the Colonial Athletic.

3) Villanova - This is a scary looking team right now.
14) Robert Morris - Winners of the NEC tourney.

6) Utah State - The Aggies end a solid season by winning the WAC.
11) Kentucky - Jodie Meeks is ready to show off his skills on the big stage.

7) Washington - Don't underestimate this Huskies team.
10) West Virginia - The Mountaineers have done well despite injuries.

2) Louisville - Terrence Williams leads a very dangerous Louisville team.
15) Weber State - The Big Sky Conference winners.

Indianapolis Region

1) Pittsburgh - One of the best teams in the NCAA.
16) Alabama State - Winners of the Southwestern Atlantic Conference.

8) Texas - The Longhorns have not had as much success as they would have liked.
9) Davidson - Stephen Curry returns to the Big Dance.

5) Arizona State - The Devils have a shot as long as James Harden is playing.
12) St. Mary's - The Gaels make a surprising entrance, barely.

4) Xavier - The Musketeers are always a tough opponent.
13) Cornell - The Big Red win another Ivy League title.

3) Memphis - Who needs Derek Rose? The Tigers have had another great season.
14) Stephen F. Austin - Winners of the Southland Tournament.

6) Florida State - The Seminoles are a young and talented team.
11) USC - The Trojans can be dangerous when healthy.

7) Syracuse - Jonny Flynn leads an energetic Orange squad.
10) Georgetown - The Hoyas make it in despite a rough season.

2) Michigan State - The Spartans capped off a great season with the Big 10 Title.
15) American - Winners of the Patriot League.