NCAA Bracket 2011 Predictions: Which No. 1 Seed Has the Hardest Path?

Ohio State Buckeyes: Big Ten Conference Regular Season and Tournament Champions

Could this be the year that the Buckeyes bring home the National Championship?

Well, they're going to have to do it in the most difficult region of the bracket.

Ohio State waits to face the winner of one of the play-in games, which although against a 16 seed, they still don't know who they're going to play.

Let's face it, no matter who you're going to play, scouting one team is always easier than two.

Heading into round two, the Bucks' play either Villanova or George Mason.

Since the middle of February 'Nova has been struggling. Then again being in the Big East there are no easy games.

As for George Mason, they look to be the Cinderella much like the 2006 NCAA Tourney team.

However, heading into this year's tourney, they come off winning the Colonial Conference regular season and post a 26-6 record.

Neither school will be an easy out for the Buckeyes, and round two should be very exciting.

So, if Ohio State manages to take care of either George Mason or Villanova, the Sweet 16 should pit them against either West Virginia or Kentucky.

West Virginia, another ranked team in the Beast, also known as the Big East, comes off a Final Four appearance in 2010.

The Mountaineers posted wins against Notre Dame (two seed), UConn (three seed), Louisville (four seed), Purdue (three seed), and Georgetown (six seed).

Kentucky on the other hand, won the SEC conference tournament, and finished with a record of 25-8.

Also, they won the season series verses in-conference rival Florida (two seed), and also beat the Pac-10 tournament champions (Washington) early in the year.

On the other half of the bracket, is lead by North Carolina, Syracuse, and Washington.

North Carolina won the ACC regular season and we're the conference tournament runner-up.

Harrison Barnes is a scary ball player, and after missing the big dance in 2010, UNC is hungry for some tournament success.

As for the 'Cuse, old ball coach Jim Boeheim looks to continue the Syracuse basketball tradition.

On the year they won key games over Notre Dame, UConn, Villanova, Georgetown and St. John's, while posting a record of 26-7.

The Washington Huskies, on the other hand, still feel they have something to prove even though they won the Pac-10 conference tournament.

Also, despite they're inconsistency versus in-conference play, they won the season series against No. 15 Arizona and are on a three game win streak.

So, whether its the regular season or the conference tourney, the Buckeyes have four conference champs in their region.

Not to mention five are ranked in the top 20.

Can Ohio State win it all? Of course. Do they have the potential? Yes, most definitely.

Are they vulnerable? Who isn't? In the most difficult region of this year's tourney anything can happen.

However, one thing is for sure; The madness has begun!