It's Tournament Time! The 2009 NCAA Tournament by the Numbers

As if the powers that be in college basketball knew a calendar change had come, March exploded with last-second shots, heartbreaking losses and upsets galore.

That trend carried itself into the conference tournaments, where two of the six major conference tournaments were won by teams either on the outer reaches of the bubble (USC) or out of consideration altogether (Mississippi State). A third (Baylor) came out of nowhere to nearly steal another automatic bid.

With the tournament set to hit full swing Thursday morning, we are down to the final 63 games—and final 10 days—of the 2008-09 college basketball season.

Let's take a look at this year's 10 Days of March Madness, by the numbers.

10 potential must-see matchups

It may be pure speculation, but some titanic games could happen down the line once the regionals get underway next weekend. And if they do, you wouldn't want to be any place other than your favorite chair, parked in front of your TV.

(1) UConn v. (2) Memphis - West regional finals

The region's two consensus favorites clash with a trip to Detroit on the line.

(2) Memphis v. (3) Missouri - West regional semi-finals

Could the loser of this game score 80? 90?

(2) Memphis v. (3) Kansas - National semi-finals

A rematch of last year's unforgettable national title game.

(1) Louisville v. (4) Wake Forest - Midwest regional semi-finals

Athletes near and far in this one...if Wake can put it all together.

(2) Duke v. (3) Villanova - East regional semi-finals

Like outside shooting and good ball movement? This is your game.

(1) North Carolina v. (2) Oklahoma - South regional finals

Tyler Hansbrough v. Blake Griffin. Enough said.

(1) UConn v. (4) Gonzaga - National championship game

These teams put on a great show earlier in the season. A rematch crowns a national champion.

(1) Pittsburgh v. (3) Villanova - East regional finals

The 'Cats won the first meeting in Philly. How would they fare in Boston?

(1) UConn v. (1) North Carolina - National championship game

Which Hasheem Thabeet would show up against Hansbrough- the dominant Thabeet or the one that got flipped and dominated by DeJuan Blair?

(3) Missouri v. (4) Washington - West regional final

Defense is optional as two of the most potent offenses in the country clash.

Nine players that make or break their team's success

Blake Griffin, Oklahoma - Never was this clearer as when Griffin missed nearly two complete games with a concussion. The Sooners' record in those two games? 0-2.

Trevor Booker, Clemson - Averaging a near double-double during the regular season, Booker is the key to Clemson's success. If he's on, the Tigers are tough to beat. If not, they head home early.

Toney Douglas, Florida State - The clear leader for the Seminoles. His scoring and defensive effort drives Florida State's success. Shutting down Douglas is a must to beat FSU.

Dionte Christmas, Temple - Christmas averages nearly 10 points more than Temple's second-leading scorer. His 1/1 assist-to-turnover ratio must improve for the Owls to succeed.

Marcus Thornton, LSU - The Tigers' leading scorer is a creater on offense and a threat to make opponents pay for keeping LSU close late in the game.

Evan Turner, Ohio State - Turner is the straw that stirs the Buckeyes' drink. Simply put, the offense and defense run through him.

Jarvis Varnado, Mississippi State - Leads the Bulldogs in scoring and rebounding while averaging only 28 minutes per game. Must avoid turnovers for MSU to have a chance against Washington.

Greivis Vasquez, Maryland - Vasquez is to Maryland what Evan Turner is to Ohio State. Vasquez must shoot well for the Terps to advance.

Luke Nevill, Utah - Nevill is an offensive force, shooting 60 percent from the field while nearly averaging a double-double. But will Arizona's Jordan Hill be too much to handle?

Eight teams that will play for a trip to Ford Field

(1) Louisville v. (3) Kansas - The road isn't too tough for the tourney's top overall seed until the defending champs come calling. Sherron Collins has the experience to lead Kansas to Ford Field, but the question lies in whether his teammates are ready for Louisville's suffocating D.

(1) Pittsburgh v. (3) Villanova - Villanova beat Pittsburgh Jan. 28 thanks to a dominating second-half performance. DeJuan Blair was absent in the first meeting, scoring only seven points while tallying eight rebounds. If 'Nova contains Blair again, they have the advantage.

(2) Memphis v. (5) Purdue - The Boilermakers are jelling at the right time, riding high after a Sweet 16 upset of top-seeded UConn. Memphis is healthy and plays a much stingier brand of defense, something the Boilermakers must adjust to if they wish to return to the Final Four for the first time in 29 years.

(4) Gonzaga v. (6) Arizona State - The game nobody saw coming. Gonzaga got here using great offensive play while the Sun Devils did it with defense. Arizona State's youth matches up against Gonzaga's balance to provide a highly entertaining regional final.

Seven seeds: beware!

For the first time in years, all four No. 7 seeds need to be on high alert. No. 10 seeds USC, Maryland, Minnesota and Michigan all present dangers to their first-round counterparts. Boston College (v. USC) and Texas (v. Minnesota) may be in the most danger thanks to their opponent's momentum and their own inconsistency, respectively.

Six teams on first-round upset alert

(4) Xavier - The Musketeers draw a Portland State team playing close to home. Jeremiah Dominguez can cause fits and leads the upset charge.

(5) Purdue - Northern Iowa is stingy and would cause match-up problems for any opponent. Purdue must carry the momentum of winning the Big Ten tournament with them to Portland.

(5) Illinois - Western Kentucky has experience after making a Cinderella run to the Sweet 16 last year. Illinois is vulnerable with or without Chester Frazier.

(5) Utah - The sexy pick to fall, and for good reason. The Utes don't pressure teams defensively, and Arizona's deadly distance shooting will give Utah problems all game long.

(6) Marquette - Can the Eagles really win without Dominic James? Not against Utah State.

(6) UCLA - Another trendy pick for a first-round upset, and again, for good reason. VCU took down Duke a couple years ago and is a constantly dangerous draw thanks to their prior experience.

Five injuries that will change their team's fate

Ty Lawson, North Carolina - With Lawson completely healthy and ready to run, the Tar Heels may be the favorite to win the national championship. Anything short of a trip to Detroit could be considered falling short.

But with Lawson less than 100 percent, North Carolina is susceptible to upset if a talented, offensively strong opponent comes along. Gonzaga fits the bill and takes down Roy Williams' crew.

Dominic James, Marquette - Remember when Marquette was a top-10 team and in the conversation for a Final Four appearance? Buzz Williams and company surely do. James was the leader of Marquette's strong guard play. Without a leader, the Golden Eagles fly back to Milwaukee after just one game.

Jerome Dyson, UConn - If a North Carolina team with a healthy Ty Lawson isn't the favorite to win it all, a UConn squad with Jerome Dyson is. Dyson complemented Hasheem Thabeet, making the Huskies incredibly tough to beat.

Purdue, a swarming, consistent defensive team that can control the paint and shoot efficiently, sends UConn home early.

Rob Lowery, Dayton - Dayton may not be seeded as low as they are if they didn't lose Lowery in early February. If Lowery is here, the Flyers are a threat to make the second weekend. Their inconsistencies without him make Dayton a outside upset candidate at best.

Darren Collison, UCLA - Collison is necessary for any UCLA success this postseason. He was very ordinary in the Pac-10 tournament, his first games playing with a bruised tailbone. The long layoff won't prove enough to prevent a first-round Bruins exit.

Four teams that will play in Detroit

Louisville - The Cardinals are too strong and too hot to leave the dance early. Rick Pitino has plenty of tournament experience and will keep his team focused throughout.

Pittsburgh -  Pitt's main criticism is the inexperience of coach Jamie Dixon. If that type of nitpicking is the only knock the Panthers have to overcome, they will be in great shape.

Memphis - Motivated by receiving a No. 2 seed and the loss of the region's top seed, the Tigers return to the Final Four looking to finish the job they nearly completed last year against Kansas.

Gonzaga - Mark Few and his players finally put it all together to break through for the school's first Final Four appearance. Don't count the Bulldogs out in Detroit, either.

Three first-round games to watch

(5) Purdue v. (12) Northern Iowa - I've predicted the Boilermakers to come within one win of the Final Four, but their first assignment may be the toughest. Northern Iowa is more than capable of beating Purdue and the Washington/Mississippi State winner.

(8) Oklahoma State v. (9) Tennessee - If you're looking for offensive fireworks, you've come to the right place. The Cowboys and Volunteers should light up the scoreboard. Don't expect solid defensive play from either side, though.

(7) Clemson v. (10) Michigan - Clemson wants to prove their domination of Duke wasn't a fluke. Michigan wants to show they were deserving of an at-large bid. If these talented teams are clicking, expect a closely fought affair.

Two national championship dark horses

Michigan State - Michigan State has all the talent to compete with the nation's best...if they put it all together and remain healthy. If Tom Izzo can get his team clicking and into Detroit, the Spartans may steal the national title playing just a short drive from their East Lansing, Mich., campus.

Villanova - The Wildcats ran to the Sweet 16 last year and the Elite Eight in 2006. Both years, it was the eventual national champion to eliminate Villanova. Coach Jay Wright and his 'Cats could be ready to break through to win the school's first national title since 1985.

One national champion

Louisville.

Rick Pitino becomes the first coach to lead two NCAA teams to a national title by beating Big East rival Pittsburgh April 6.