2011 NCAA Basketball Regionals: Which Regional Is Best?

For most on the West Coast, the first games in the NCAA regionals are too early unless you can skip work. And for everyone other than on the East Coast, you probably cannot get back to your abodes in time to see all of the first games.

So the recordings happen or you miss the games. Not all of us can record the games, so we are left with a choice: skip a day and see all the games or pick one regional. Most cannot skip two days of work, much less come up with the excuses for early exits two days in a row. And that is just for those of us who do not work on weekends.

So if you had to do it, and had to see only one regional, which one would you choose? Would you even try to choose the one that had the school you went to? If not, why not?

Here is a simple formula to follow. Go for the best games. The ones most likely to be close. The ones where the mystery includes the likelihood of more than one upset.

For this, I would choose the Southwest Regional. Here is why.

Ohio State Is East Regional Plain Jane on Way to Another Blowout Win

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

CLEVELAND, OH - MARCH 20: Aaron Craft #4, Jared Sullinger #0, Jon Diebler #33, William Buford #44 and David Lighty #23 of the Ohio State Buckeyes look on from the bench late in the second half against the George Mason Patriots during the third of the 201

You have to admit, when the No. 1 seed in the tournament has such drab uniforms and such a slow star and team in general that they seem to be moving in mud; there is not much to be excited about.

Kentucky is another story. You have a coach who may cheat, a group of youngsters every year who become men by tournament time and a bunch of players who were largely known only by recruiting aficionados.

When Ohio State meets its likely foe North Carolina, it would be nice to think that the excitement would be greater. Yet, that matchup itself seems less interesting than spinach on eggs.

Overall, as long as Ohio State stays in this tournament, avoid them like the plague. If you have only one region to pick, choose another.

While Kentucky could win, setting up a much more historically significant game with UNC, most of the country could care less.

UNC vs. Marquette: Worst Game of Regionals with Nothing After That

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 20: Harrison Barnes #40 and Kendall Marshall #5 of the North Carolina Tar Heels react in the second half while taking on the Washington Huskies during the third round of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at Time Warner Cable

True, we were pleased when UNC showed it could compete with Duke. Most fans from both universities looked at the games as dogs after December. But as it turned out, there could be some excitement, although the last game was a major smackdown of UNC.

In most games and on most teams, with Ohio State as a major exception, there is some flash. Some pizzazz. Some excitement. Not with this team. Barnes gets his points and it looks like he had half of them by the end of the game. Where did they come from? Marshall does throw the occasional great pass, giving this team almost all of the excitement it can generate, except for a few thunderous blocks by Henson.

This is not a team of very great excitement. And Roy Williams likes his teams this way. Think of Kansas even today...still boring.

So it is with this team: a bunch of mama's boys with almost no tattoos. Surely this team would never make it in the Big bad East.

Sorry, Marquette still makes this a bore. And Ohio State against UNC, if that happens, will have a big-nose coach against one who says "dad gum." Neither is very attractive or makes very good press. Just dullsville.

Duke vs. Arizona: Coaches Are Morticians; Only Retirees and Rich People Watching

Tom Pennington/Getty Images

TULSA, OK - MARCH 20: Head coach Sean Miller of the Arizona Wildcats argues with referee Jim Burr during the third round against the Texas Longhorns in the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at BOK Center on March 20, 2011 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (Photo

Ok, maybe Krzyzewski is less of a mortician look-alike. What about an assassin?

This game will be a slugfest, with Miller taking the high road and Krzyzewski getting his mugging in. So far, we have seen only a few elbows, which the commentators always say were accidental. When will they ever admit the truth? Krzyzewski's guys are thugs. They just act like they are Ivy Leaguers better than everyone else.

There is an element of the BMW, Mercedes, Cadillac crowd who are drawn to Duke. Duke satisfies their inner yearnings for beating up on the lesser people who make less, are not as smart, etc.

On the other hand, Arizona has the oldest fanbase in the world. Why else would these guys get the money they do? And after all, the West Coast is not the home of great basketball; never was except for one team.

So no one is watching west of Arizona, and most of us could care less. Forget about this regional just because of this one game.

Connecticut vs. San Diego State: Are the Coaches Brothers?

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 11: Head coach Steve Fisher of the San Diego State Aztecs appears on the court after his team defeated the UNLV Rebels 74-72 in a semifinal game of the Conoco Mountain West Conference Basketball tournament at the Thomas & Mack Cente

You have to admit, when you first saw this guy again you guessed he was in his 80s. Turns out the guy is 15 years younger. Who would have known? For that matter, where is San Diego State?

But wait. Is UConn's Calhoun a twin or what? And by the way, other than some on the West Coast (not many) and the Big Yeast, who in the world will watch this one?

Expect UConn to win, but root for Fisher. At least this guy does not call on his religion whenever there is an NCAA investigation.

UConn Against Duke Is a Dog

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 20: Head coach Mike Krzyzewski of the Duke Blue Devils reacts while taking on the Michigan Wolverines during the third round of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at Time Warner Cable Arena on March 20, 2011 in Charlotte, Nor

Ok. So let's go with the press know-it-alls and say this is the final of this regional. So what? Either you go for tattoos or go for a superior-acting bunch. Neither is fun and this one is a dog.

If by chance you get SDSU against Arizona, who cares? Only those who think the Pac-10 is still relevant in college basketball...not many.

In the end, whoever is into this regional, go elsewhere. There is more interest in other regionals, surely. Unless you like two brooding coaches who look like they could kill someone before the game is over and never crack a smile.

Southeast Regional Is Tempting

Rob Carr/Getty Images

WASHINGTON - MARCH 19: Butler Bulldogs head coach Brad Stevens instructs his players from the bench during the third round of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at Verizon Center on March 19, 2011 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Image

You have to admit, the Southeast Regional is tempting.

You have two coaches with personality. One who seems young enough to be still playing basketball for Butler. Another whose career began when he looked like a player for Florida.

But in the end, you do not want BYU to win when it does not let their members have sex. And you do not want Wisconsin to win. Imagine a Wisconsin-Ohio State game. Two plodding teams making the Final Four look like a bunch of football players playing basketball.

The real game will be these regional finals if Florida and Butler win, which they should. Young and younger will vie for the best team in the tournament. I know there are more storied teams, and more talented players, but these two coaches may be the best the game now offers. And their teams are great, with no intimidation as part of their style.

I would love to see this game, but advise you not to wait when you can see all of the next regional.

With Richmond and VCU vs. FSU, Avoid the Southwest Regional at Your Peril

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA - MARCH 19: Joey Rodriguez #12 of the VCU Rams looks on during the game against the UCLA Bruins during the first round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the Wachovia Center on March 19, 2009 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Joey Rodriguez almost makes the Southwest Regional worth watching by himself. The point guard for VCU feeds his fellow players with passes that dazzle, makes moves better than any other guard in the tournament and is the best true college point guard in the country today.

But VCU poses great danger to Kansas for more reasons than this alone; if the Rams can make it by Florida State first. Getting by the Seminoles is no easy feat with two great coaches just coming into their own facing each other.

Florida State is the only defense left in the country that can end UNC's run to the championship just with its defense. Sure, Duke can score more. So can UConn and maybe Kansas. But Florida State and VCU will put on a defensive show worthy of the great Al McGuire teams. Score in the low 60s and win.

As a first game, this one takes the cake this year. Do not miss it. It could be the best of the tournament.

As far as Richmond, the Spiders are likely no match for Kansas. But the story line for Self will be when will this guy win the big one? Not this year.

When Kansas meets one of the defensive geniuses of the tournament, watch for Kansas to exit. Will there be any regional finals with more drama? Not that I can see.

VCU's Shaka Smith Only Coach Worth Watching

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO, IL - MARCH 20: Head coach Shaka Smart of the Virginia Commonwealth Rams walks off court as Brandon Rozzell #32 celebrates defeating the Purdue Boilermakers during the third round of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the United Center

For most of us, the coaches are just that. Tendrils on the sidelines pulling players on occasion. But this guy is worth watching. Great in every way. Nice guy. Great coach. I like this guy, making him the biggest pull in the most interesting regional. Southwest Regional all the way!