March Madness 2013 Bracket: Predicting Winners of Each Region

It is going to be a long, winding and eventful journey to the Final Four, but I've peered into the future to find which teams will be the last four standing. 

Hopefully, knowing this won't keep us from enjoying the action. Consider that a warning before reading on and eliminating the suspense of the action. 

Midwest: Louisville

I always feel a little guilty when picking the favorite, but I can't justify taking another team in the Midwest. I just can't look past the Cardinals' defense. 

Louisville brings intense on-ball pressure for 48 minutes, and it goes nine deep to be able to pull it off. This is a consistent basis for success, as it can wear down the opposition and take over late in games. 

The Cardinals have an elite scorer in Russ Smith, and inside presence with Gorgui Dieng and the shooting skills of Chase Benahan to space out the floor.

They also have senior point guard Peyton Siva. While Siva can still make some baffling decisions, overall he is playing excellent basketball and is experienced. He is also coming off his second consecutive Big East tournament MVP honors.

Louisville does not have an easy path, with Duke and Michigan State looming as the second and third seeds, but in this case, the chalk wins.

South: Florida

This region is loaded, but every team is flawed, including No. 1 Kansas who is prone to turnovers and inconsistent point-guard play.

That leads me to the Florida Gators. 

With senior guards Kenny Boynton and Mike Rosario, the Gators have an outstanding and experienced backcourt to lead a balanced offense.

This team can also play some serious defense, and KenPom ranks it with the nation's second-best defensive efficiency. It also has the Gators as its No. 1 team overall.  

The Gators will also enjoy the guidance of two-time national-championship winning coach Billy Donovan.

West: Gonzaga

Everyone is writing off Gonzaga, and it is easy to do. While the Zags carry an ultra-impressive 34-2 record, it hasn't exactly come against elite competition.

Although, Saint Mary's 13-point win in its First Four game makes the West Coast Conference look a little stronger. 

Quality of opponents aside, this is a very good basketball team. The Bulldogs are sixth in effective field-goal percentage, and they have a balanced offense—led by the nation's leader in player efficiency rating, Kelly Olynyk. 

Also, the Zags are fourth at KenPom and sixth in RPI. 

Gonzaga's well-tuned offense will lead it out of this region. 

East: Indiana 

As I watched the Hoosiers lose five of their last 11, which included three of their last six, I told myself I wasn't going to pick them to reach the Final Four.

 I just couldn't help myself. The Hoosiers have too much talent.

KenPom rates them third overall with the best offensive efficiency rating and a 19th ranking on the defensive side.

It isn't hard to see how Indiana wound up first in offensive efficiency. Cody Zeller is one of the best scorers in the game, and the dynamic Victor Oladipo is a terrific second option.

The Hoosiers are also loaded with shooting and carry the nation's second-best three-point percentage.

Indiana will benefit from having fought through the competitive Big Ten, and this experienced team will take the East. 

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