Printable NCAA Bracket 2018: Downloadable Sheet with Surefire Final Four Picks

The field of the 2018 NCAA tournament is set, with the exception of play-in games, and it's time to start filling out that ever-elusive perfect bracket that nearly every college basketball fan thinks he/she has down to a tee.

While filling out the perfect bracket is near impossible to accomplish, it is possible, however, to predict this year's Final Four. Take a step back from your computer screen, take a deep breath and just think about who the best four teams are at the moment.

And don't be scared to pick a team that's not a No. 1 seed. Did you hear that, Kansas Jayhawks fans?

Here's a look at the NCAA Tournament bracket before the action tips off this week:

You can find a printable bracket here. 

Final Four Picks

South: Virginia

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When it comes to March Madness, there are no guarantees. But picking the Cavaliers to make this year's Final Four is a virtual lock. Why? Because Virginia is far-and-away the best team in college basketball as the "Big Dance" inches closer and closer.

Just take a look at Virginia's resume if you're not convinced. The Cavaliers have a 31-2 overall record, a 17-1 record in conference play with their only losses coming by way of a dangerous West Virginia side and a one-point loss to rival Virginia Tech.

They are winners of eight-straight games entering the NCAA tournament including an ACC title over North Carolina. The Cavaliers have defeated the likes of Duke, Louisville, Florida State, Clemson, North Carolina twice, Miami and Notre Dame. 

It's not even up for debate at this point. The Cavaliers are a No. 1 seed for a reason, and they'll prove it to the rest of the country over the coming weeks. 

West: North Carolina

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It's understandable to be a little suspect of this selection, as the Tar Heels are coming off a loss to Virginia in the ACC tournament, but don't sleep on UNC when it comes to March.

Not only are the Tar Heels used to playing this late into the season and are the defending champions, they're also playing some of their best basketball of the season at the right time. 

North Carolina put on a clinic against the favored Blue Devils in the ACC tournament semifinals, essentially robbing Duke of a No. 1 seed had the Blue Devils come out victorious.

While inconsistent at times, UNC is a championship-caliber team and has an opportunity to advance to the Final Four without having to play No. 1 Xavier if the likes of Missouri or Gonzaga can knock off the Musketeers before the Elite 8. 

East: Villanova

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It wasn't that long ago that Villanova won a national championship, and it's possible that the same could happen this month for the No. 1 seed out of the East.

Villanova is a well-rounded and balanced team led by one of the nation's premier offensive playmakers in Jalen Brunson, who is averaging 19.4 points per game along with 4.7 assists per outing.

While it takes more than just one player for a team to win a national championship, Villanova has a solid rotation of scorers that can also play on both sides of the floor.

Villanova might not be the most attractive pick to win it all this March, but they're a solid bet at making a run to the Final Four in the East. 

Midwest: Michigan State 

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In the Midwest part of the bracket, there are a handful of teams that could take charge and overtake the inconsistent No. 1 Kansas Jayhawks for a spot in the Final Four, so why not the Spartans?

Michigan State should have a relatively smooth ride to the Sweet 16 for a potential date with No. 2 Duke, and could upend a Blue Devils side that, at its best, can beat any team in the country.

Having said that, Duke has also been one of the most frustrating teams to watch during the season given inconsistent performances on both ends of the floor from its star players.

If Michigan State can get past Duke, there's no reason to doubt that the Spartans couldn't take down an equally inconsistent Kansas side in Elite 8 to set up a date with Villanova in the Final Four.