NCAA Tournament Bracket 2018: Region-by-Region Sleepers, Final Four Predictions

Regardless of the strategy applied to filling out brackets, there's no way to prepare for a No. 14 seed knocking off a No. 3 entry that proceeds to pull off a second upset. Cover all the bases in the men's college basketball tournament, identify your sleepers, favorites and go with your gut sports instinct.

Whether it's a program that hasn't been in the Big Dance for years or a school making its debut, there are tough calls in the early matchups. Can you really trust the Auburn Tigers with a 25-7 record when they haven't danced in over a decade? Do you roll the dice on their ability to two-step to the Final Four? 

It's easy to highlight the usual favorites: Duke, North Carolina, Kansas, though they often disappoint, and recently Villanova falls into this category. However, let's attempt to detect the South Carolina-types before the surprises play out on national television. 

We'll list a sleeper and firm prediction to reach the Final Four for each region. It's up to the viewer to decide whether to go with the under-the-radar pick or the favorite.

South Regional

Sleeper: No. 3 Tennessee 

Prediction: No. 4 Arizona

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Despite the No. 3 seed designation, the masses will sleep on Tennessee during the tournament. Based on recent history, it's a justified nap. Head coach Rick Barnes leads the Volunteers to the Big Dance for the first time since the 2013-14 campaign.

Tennessee went 13-5 in a conference with eight programs in the tournament. There's no shame in losing the SEC title game to Kentucky with head coach John Calipari calling the shots.

For those looking for a trendy pick, pencil the Volunteers into your Final Four. Sophomore forward Grant Williams puts forth maximum effort on both ends of the court. Admiral Schofield complements him as a decent shooter, hitting 39 percent of his three-point attempts. Occasionally, Lamonte Turner brings an offensive spark off the bench.         

Though, it's highly recommended to choose Arizona as the team coming out of the South. The Pac-12 champions have a unique talent in Deandre Ayton, Rawle Alkins looks healthy after recovering from a broken foot, and Allonzo Trier's scoring efficiency has improved. He's shooting approximately 51 percent from the field.

West Regional

Sleeper: No. 8 Missouri

Prediction: No. 4 Gonzaga 

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With much buzz around Michael Porter Jr. before playing his first collegiate game, his back injury killed the hype around Missouri as a program to monitor during the regular season.

Nonetheless, the Tigers clawed their way to a 20-12 record, and the distinguished freshman returned to action for 23 minutes against Georgia in the SEC tournament. He scored 12 points, grabbed eight rebounds and blocked one shot in a losing effort.

Still, many view Missouri as a smart sleeper pick with Porter back in the mix. At this point, he can only add to an already solid roster. However, there's a question about chemistry and how the 6'10" forward fits with a group that's accustomed to playing without him.

There's a far better choice to emerge from the West.

Gonzaga head coach Mark Few led the program to its first Final Four in the previous year. Despite losing two talented 7-footers, senior forward Johnathan Williams continues to lead the charge in scoring with 13.5 points per game, and guard Josh Perkins has flown under the radar as a much-improved distributor with the ball in his hands.

The Bulldogs will avenge their title game loss to North Carolina in the Elite Eight Round.

East Regional

Sleeper: No. 5 West Virginia

Prediction: No. 1 Villanova

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West Virginia's backcourt features two senior guards who can handle the ball or score depending on the scenario. Additionally, both play stellar defense on the other end, which gives credence to the moniker "Press Virginia."

Now, consider sophomore forward Sagaba Konate, who averages 3.3 blocks per game. It's easy to figure out why the Mountaineers list as a popular sleeper choice. As a group, the roster grinds and attempts to smother an offense. A defense that can put the clamps on a prolific offense deserves Final Four consideration.

However, how has a tenacious defense worked for Virginia through the years? The Cavaliers have locked down teams over the past few seasons but constantly fall short of reaching the Final Four. 

The Mountaineers' untimely scoring droughts will likely cost them against Villanova, who attempts to overwhelm opponents with their sharpshooters. Always take an above-average offense over a quality defense in basketball. This case isn't an exception.

Midwest Regional

Sleeper: No. 4 Auburn

Prediction: No. 1 Kansas 

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Head coach Bruce Pearl leads this program back to the Big Dance for the first time since the 2002-03 campaign. It's four years in the making, but the Tigers emerged as a surprise contender during the regular season. 

At one point, Auburn boasted a 16-1 record but took a quick exit in the SEC tournament after an ugly 81-63 loss to Alabama. Still, it's a team that could bust some brackets with Kansas in the upper portion of the Midwest as well. 

The Tigers' trio of guards plays the passing lanes with quick hands, which explains the heightened number of steals on defense. When Bryce Brown catches fire from beyond the arc, which happens often, Auburn's offense can compete with any program across the nation.

The Tigers offense ranks 17th in the country, but efficiency could limit their success in the tournament. As a team, Auburn shoots 44 percent from the field, which lists 214th across the nation.

In contrast, Kansas converts on approximately 50 percent of its field-goal attempts and shoots 40 percent from three-point land. Senior guard Devonte' Graham sets the offense and takes it upon himself to score buckets, but there's plenty of help alongside him in the starting five. If Udoka Azubuike returns from an MCL sprain, the Jayhawks have an edge in a tough Midwest Regional.

Click here for B/R's Printable Bracket.