NCAA Bracket 2018: March Madness Schedule, Bracket Predictions for Marquee Teams

The NCAA tournament is not only a great spectacle, it is an example of how well a championship can be decided.

It is impossible for college football to be anywhere as near inclusive as basketball. Four teams are selected to play for the college football championship at the end of the season, and that's just a recent development.

Before that, the dreaded Bowl Championship Series would lead to a National Championship selection. Prior to that, bowl games made their own matchups, and it was just hit or miss as far as national title matchups were concerned.

The NCAA tournament is steady as clockwork. While there will be complaints on Selection Sunday, nearly all deserving teams get in and have a chance to play for the title.

Lower seeded teams are often capable of winning one or two games in the tournament, but the best teams almost always end up showing their true colors and playing with an opportunity to get to the Final Four.

The fun begins March 11, when the NCAA makes its announcement on the 68 teams that will have a chance to play for glory this year.

Here's a look at how and when the tournament will play out.

Tournament chart courtesy of NCAA.com

ROUND	SITE	DATE(S)
Selection Sunday	N/A	March 11
First Four	Dayton	March 13-14
First/Second	Pittsburgh	March 15 & 17
First/Second	Wichita	March 15 & 17
First/Second	Dallas	March 15 & 17
First/Second	Boise	March 15 & 17
First/Second	Charlotte	March 16 & 18
First/Second	Detroit	March 16 & 18
First/Second	Nashville	March 16 & 18
First/Second	San Diego	March 16 & 18
Midwest Regional	Omaha	March 23 & 25
West Regional	Los Angeles	March 22 & 24
South Regional	Atlanta	March 22 & 24
East Regional	Boston	March 23 & 25
Final Four	San Antonio	March 31, April 2

The Virginia Cavaliers have emerged as the No. 1 team in the ACC this season and the No. 1 team in the nation, according to recent polls.

They should have the top seed in the tournament this year, and they will have a chance to show off their skills in the South bracket.

The Cavaliers have long been one of the best defensive teams in the nation, and head coach Tony Bennett always makes defense his first priority.

Virginia is a lot more than a strong defensive team this year. It is not going to light up the scoreboard and go on long runs, but the team performs well in the clutch, and the offense functions well in the key parts of games. 

Kyle Guy can get the job done as he leads Virginia with a 14.3 points per game mark. Devon Hall is averaging 11.7 points and 4.3 rebounds per game, and Ty Jerome is also in double figures with 10.5 points per night.

Michigan State also appears to have a dynamic team, even though the Spartans have had off-the-court issues that could impact the program after the season is over.

However, Michigan State won the regular-season Big Ten title, and it heads into a Big Ten Tournament game Friday against Wisconsin with a 12-game winning streak. Whether the Spartans win the conference tournament or not, Tom Izzo should have his team ready to make a strong run in the NCAA tournament.

Many observers thought Miles Bridges would leave East Lansing after his freshman year, but he returned and leads the Spartans with 16.8 points and 6.9 boards per night. Nick Ward is averaging 13 points per game and Cassius Winston is contributing 12.5 points per game.

Michigan State's offense can be unstoppable at times, and that's what makes it dangerous this season.

Nati Harnik/Associated Press

Villanova won the NCAA tournament two years ago, and while there has been some recent problems, Jay Wright's team looks awfully difficult to contain.

The Wildcats are just 4-3 in their last seven games, but they have one of the top players in the nation in Jalen Brunson, and he is averaging 19.1 points and connecting on 52.6 percent of his shots from the field.

Mikal Bridges is second with 17.4 points per night, and Donte DiVincenzo is a clutch scorer who is averaging 13.8 points per night.

Wright knows how to get the most out of his team in clutch situations, and that's why the Wildcats could come through despite their recent losses.

The Kansas Jayhawks have clinched first place in the Big 12, and that conference has been the best in the nation this years.

While the Jayhawks may not have the overpowering individual talent they had last year when Josh Jackson was on hand, this is a tough team that functions well as a unit.

Devonte' Graham is a winner who will force the action in the second half of games, and he is averaging 17.7 points per game. Graham is getting support from Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk, Udoka Azubuike and Lagerald Vick. Mykhailiuk is averaging 15.6 points per game, while Azubuike and Vick are also in double figures.

Kansas should not be underestimated in the NCAA tournament.

Predictions

Virginia and Michigan State are both likely No. 1 seeds, while the Jayhawks should be no worse than a second or third seed. Villanova will probably slip to a No. 4 seed.

However, we like Villanova to get to the Final Four, and it will be joined by the Spartans.

Virginia looks like a powerful team after its regular-season showing, but the heat will be on the Cavaliers in every game. Virginia will get taken out before getting to San Antonio.

Kansas is likely to be a dominant winner in its first two tournament games, but we see them falling short in the regional finals.

Villanova will surprise some observers by overcoming recent difficulties and winning its second title in the last three years.