Analyzing the 2010 NCAA Tournament and the Sweet 16

That was an incredible first weekend of the NCAA tournament. Cinderella lives this year with Northern Iowa, Cornell, and St. Mary's all making the Sweet 16. Number one seeds Syracuse, Duke, and Kentucky look good, too. Is your bracket busted with Kansas losing? Mine is.

Favorite to win it all: Syracuse Orange

Syracuse destroyed a good Gonzaga team without starting center Arinze Onaku. If he's healthy they become my prohibitive favorite. They have Big East Player of the Year Wes Johnson and a deadly outside shooter with Andy Rautins. They are much better in transition than I expected. I think they will get past Butler easily, as I don't see Xavier or Kansas St. beating them. They'll roll into the Final Four without expending much energy. Sorry, but I'm not sold on Kansas State. Kentucky is my co-favorite, but they may have to play a very tough West Virginia team in the regional finals.

Biggest Cinderella of Week One: Northern Iowa Panthers

With all due respect to St. Mary's and Cornell, what Northern Iowa did beating Kansas 69-67 was unbelievable. The talent disparity between Kansas and Northern Iowa was enormous. It was obvious the Jayhawks didn't think the Panthers could beat them until those final frantic five minutes. This is the beauty of NCAAs. They have a real shot to defeat a beat up Michigan St. squad and get to the Elite Eight.

Most Disappointing Team of Week One: Georgetown Hoyas

I give the nod here to the Hoyas over Kansas, because at least the Jayhawks competed. The Hoyas couldn't have looked more disinterested in their 97-83 loss to Ohio University. Ohio frequently beat the Hoyas to loose balls, and down the court in transition. When you give up 97 points, you didn't play much defense.

Easiest Road to the Final Four: Duke Blue Devils

The Blue Devils will play a play Purdue team getting by on guts and heart without their star Robbie Hummel, then it's either Baylor or St. Mary's. Good teams here, but none strike fear in anyone's heart. In addition, Duke is playing well themselves and Jon Scheyer has yet to have a big game.

Best Team No One Is Talking About: Ohio St. Buckeyes.

The Buckeyes are quietly moving right along in this tournament. With Kansas getting ousted in the Midwest, that bracket is wide open. Michigan St. lost Kalin Lucas to injury, Tennessee is dangerous but erratic, and the Buckeyes have more talent than Northern Iowa. Then, it's two games to a National Title. When you have guy like Evan Turner, he can get hot and carry a team all the way to a championship.

Your Final Four Will Be:

Ohio St Buckeyes, Kentucky Wildcats, Duke Blue Devils, Syracuse Orange

Your Final Two Will Be:

Syracuse Orange versus Kentucky Wildcats

National Champion:

Syracuse Orange

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