March Madness 2011 Predictions: Inside Scoop on All Southwest Region Teams

By (Featured Columnist) on March 15, 2011

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KANSAS CITY, MO - MARCH 12:  Marcus Morris #22 of the Kansas Jayhawks reacts to a play against the Texas Longhorns in the second half of the 2011 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament championship game against the Kansas Jayhawks at Sprint Center
Jamie Squire/Getty Images

March Madness 2011 predictions are here, and we're breaking down the Southwest Region from all different angles.

We'll be talking about the best player in the bracket, the best teams, the ones that are getting too much praise and the ones that need to be on watch for a possible upset. We'll even have some fun with the uniforms and some other things so enjoy as we get you ready for the tournament.

As always, if you have any thoughts, be sure to let it be known in the comments.

Best Player: Marcus Morris, Kansas

KANSAS CITY, MO - MARCH 12:  Marcus Morris #22 of the Kansas Jayhawks celebrates after a play against the Texas Longhorns during the 2011 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament championship game at Sprint Center on March 12, 2011 in Kansas City, M
Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Marcus Morris is the Big 12 Player of the Year and one half of Kansas' front-court duo.

Morris is a beast on the low block, and he's a trend-setter for the Jayhawks and a guy who can simply take over games and dominate this tournament. He was a breakout star for Kansas this year and is poised to take over the NCAA tournament.

Watch big No. 22 when Kansas comes on your TV screen because he's going to jump out at you from the opening tip.

Best Team: Kansas Jayhawks

KANSAS CITY, MO - MARCH 12:  Brady Morningstar #12, Marcus Morris #22 and Tyshawn Taylor #10 of the Kansas Jayhawks react after a play against the Texas Longhorns during the 2011 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament championship game at Sprint C
Jamie Squire/Getty Images

It isn't a particularly strong field in the Southwest Region, but standing tall in this bracket are the Kansas Jayhawks.

The Jayhawks are clearly one of the best teams, if not the best team in the nation. Even though Kansas doesn't have top guard play, it does have some great big men and with that front-court play, it's clear that this is the team to beat.

If Kansas doesn't make it to the Final Four, it will be a huge shock to a lot of people out there.

Best Coach: Rick Pitino, Louisville

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 11:  head coach Rick Pitino of the Louisville Cardinals looks on from the bench during the game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the semifinals of the 2011 Big East Men's Basketball Tournament presented by American Eagle O
Chris Trotman/Getty Images

Rick Pitino is a guy who knows what it takes to succeed in the NCAA tournament.

Pitino has had great success as a coach at Kentucky and now Louisville and has been to multiple Final Fours and National Championship games. He has helped guide the Cardinals to the four-seed in the Southwest Region and is in a position to make it to the Elite Eight.

The only thing standing in the way of the Cardinals and that slot in the Elite Eight is a likely matchup with Kansas in the Sweet 16 and that should be a dandy of a basketball game.

Coolest Uniform: Saint Peter's

409-maac_saint_peters_iona_basketball

Now, Saint Peter's may not be a traditional school, but I love their uniforms.

The dark blue with the white numbers and the light blue trim is something that just pleases the eye when you watch it move on the court. If you're one of those fans who doesn't know much about college basketball, but likes to find ways to root for teams, these uniforms would certainly be a good reason.

I can't wait to see these out on the court this week.

Ugliest Uniform: Morehead State

DAYTON, OH - MARCH 20: Steve Peterson #32 of the Morehead State Eagles drives to the hoop against the Louisville Cardinals during the first round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the University of Dayton Arena on March 20, 2009 in Day
Andy Lyons/Getty Images

Morehead State is a feel-good story in the NCAA tournament, but I cannot co-sign those uniforms.

Quite frankly, these uniforms look like they belong to a high school team somewhere rather than an actual college team. I like the color scheme, but they don't look like they belong to a team that is playing in the NCAA tournament.

The lettering on the front just pushes it over the top.

Should Win: Kansas

KANSAS CITY, MO - MARCH 12:  (L-R) Marcus Morris #22, Thomas Robinson #0 and Markieff Morris #21 of the Kansas Jayhawks celebrate after defeating the Texas Longhorns 85-73 to win the 2011 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament championship game at
Jamie Squire/Getty Images

The Kansas Jayhawks are the top seed in the Southwest Region and are one of the best teams in the country.

With a strong front court, the Jayhawks can really set the tempo and grind teams down through the course of a game. On top of it, it's a weak field in this bracket, so it's only natural that people would expect a team as strong as Kansas to win the region.

If the Jayhawks don't win the Southwest, I'd be stunned.

Will Win: Kansas

KANSAS CITY, MO - MARCH 12:  Travis Releford #24 of the Kansas Jayhawks celebrates by cutting down the net after defeating the Texas Longhorns 85-73 to win the 2011 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament championship game at Sprint Center on March
Jamie Squire/Getty Images

As I said in the previous slide, the Kansas Jayhawks are one of the best teams in the country.

In fact, I think Kansas is the best team in the nation, and with the bracket not being the strongest region in the tournament, it leaves the door wide open for the Jayhawks to get to the Final Four and compete for a national championship.

This is Kansas' region to lose.

Upset Special: USC over Georgetown

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 11:  Nikola Vucevic #5 and Marcus Simmons #43 of the USC Trojans react late in the second half while taking on the Arizona Wildcats in the semifinals of the 2011 Pacific Life Pac-10 Men's Basketball Tournament at Staples Center on
Jeff Gross/Getty Images

While USC is no lock to face Georgetown, I see the Trojans beating VCU and getting into the big bracket.

Once there, the Trojans will face a Georgetown team that hasn't been playing its best basketball coming into the tournament. USC has all the potential in the world to be a Cinderella in this tournament and make a big splash, starting with the Hoyas.

If Georgetown loses, there's going to be some heat on that coaching staff, and I wouldn't want to be that bunch heading into the tournament.

Overrated: Vanderbilt

ATLANTA, GA - MARCH 12:  Lance Goulbourne #5, John Jenkins #23, Festus Ezeli #3 and Jeffery Taylor #44 of the Vanderbilt Commodores react after loosing to the Florida Gators 77 to 66 during the semifinals of the SEC Men's Basketball Tournament at Georgia
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Vanderbilt is a team coming into the NCAA tournament looking for a spark to send it on a run deep into the bracket.

Sadly for the Commodores, that spark isn't going to come. This is a team that's limping into the tournament and hasn't had a truly great win in a long, long time. If I'm Vanderbilt, I'm on upset alert thanks to a red-hot Richmond team.

The Spiders are a team that has a great chance to pull an upset and be a Cinderella in the tournament.

Underrated: Louisville

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 12: Kyle Kuric #14 of the Louisville Cardinals drives to the basket against Jeremy Lamb #3 of the Connecticut Huskies during the championship of the 2011 Big East Men's Basketball Tournament presented by American Eagle Outfitters at M
Chris Trotman/Getty Images

Louisville is coming into the big dance as the four-seed in the Southwest Region after the their performance in the Big East Tournament.

The Cardinals had a strong showing and are playing good basketball at the right time and could be a serious threat to Kansas in this bracket. Louisville is well-coached, and this program has been to the Final Four and is a program that knows what it takes to get it done in March.

It would not shock me if Rick Pitino and company find a way to make a deep run into this tournament.

Best First-Round Matchup: Vanderbilt Vs. Richmond

PROVIDENCE, RI - MARCH 18: Kevin Smith #12 of the Richmond Spiders reacts the Saint Mary's Gaels during the first round of the 2010 NCAA men's basketball tournament at Dunkin' Donuts Center on March 18, 2010 in Providence, Rhode Island. (Jim Rogash/Getty
Jim Rogash/Getty Images

This is one of the matchups in the region with the highest upset potential, and it's certainly going to be a dandy.

Richmond is coming into the tournament on a major roll, and Vanderbilt is a program that is struggling big time. The Spiders won the Atlantic-10 tournament, and they are a team I would not be looking forward to seeing any time soon.

It's a game that looks like it's going to go down to the wire, so stay glued to your television if you're watching this one.

First of the Top Four to Exit: Purdue

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 11:  E'Twaun Moore #33 of the Purdue Boilermakers looks on dejected against the Michigan State Spartans during the quarterfinals of the 2011 Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament at Conseco Fieldhouse on March 11, 2011 in Indianapol
Andy Lyons/Getty Images

If there's one thing we've learned this year, it's that Big Ten basketball can be ugly.

Purdue is coming into the tournament as a three-seed, and I don't have a lot of faith in the Boilermakers. This is a team that might get past the first couple of rounds, but there's no way that Purdue can beat Notre Dame in the Sweet 16.

The Boilermakers have some big wins, but I don't see this team making a deep run in this field.

Player We'd Love to Hang out with Most: Marcus and Markieef Morris

KANSAS CITY, MO - MARCH 12:  Marcus Morris #22 and Markieff Morris #21 of the Kansas Jayhawks react after a play against the Texas Longhorns during the 2011 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament championship game at Sprint Center on March 12, 201
Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Look, I know I broke the rules, but please forgive me.

I chose the Morris brothers because when you have a sibling, there's always a bond there and a connection that only you and that person have. When you're twins, it's totally different and I'd love to see that dynamic in person.

With the way they work on the basketball court, I'm sure it would be a fun experience.

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