Let me preface this region with the disclaimer than Kentucky has overtaken Illinois this year as my most hated team in the country. It has most to do with Coach Cal, and with the fact Bruce Weber cant even get his team in the tournmant.

(1) Kentucky vs. (16) East Tennessee St. – I hate Kentucky, but they are good. I hope they lose in the first round, but it will not happen. Damn you Calipari. Pick: Kentucky

(8) Texas vs. (9) Wake Forest

– Lot of talent, lot of underachieving. Both coaches are unreliable. I’m going with Texas based on pure talent. Pick: Texas

(5) Temple vs. (12) Cornell –

Everybody is jumping on this Ivy league bandwagon, but Temple has been real tough lately. I’ve bet on them at least five times and they covered the spread every time. Plus, I feel these high seeds who are pegged as upset-prone have a chip on their shoulder. Pick: Temple

(4)Wisconsin vs. (13) Wofford –

Wisconsin did not look good in the Big Ten Tournament against Illinois, but they have too many shooters with Bohannon, Hughes and Leuer. Give me the Badgers. Pick: Wisconsin

(6) Marquette vs. (11) Washington – Washington is an underachieving team. Marquette is an overachieving team. That presents for an upset possibility. However, I love Marquette’s uniforms and their best player is named Lazar, so give me Marquette. Pick: Marquette

(3) New Mexico vs. (14) Montana –

Montana should be watching tapes of Northwestern State versus Iowa in 2006. It sent the Iowa program into a tailspin, and made Alford public enemy number 1 in Iowa (until Todd Lickleiter came along) Alford teams have talent but are not coached well. More on this later. Pick: New Mexico

(7)Clemson vs. (10) Missouri –

Another game where I don’t want to pick either team, but we learned last year that Missouri’s style causes problems to teams that haven’t seen them before. I also can not pick Clemson. Pick: Missouri

(2) West Virginia vs. (15) Morgan St. –

As long as De’Sean Butler doesn’t break his leg like Kenyon Martin did for Bob Huggins, this should be a blowout. Pick: West Virginia

Second Round
(1) Kentucky vs. (8) Texas – This is a scary game for Kentucky. Texas has the talent to keep up with them which was evidenced by their #1 ranking earlier in the year. But I still think Kentucky has too much firepower. Damn you DeMarcus Cousins Pick: Kentucky

(5) Temple vs. (4) Wisconsin –

This is perhaps the hardest game I had to pick in the whole tournament. I hate going against Temple because they have been hot, but they are due for a loss. Plus, Bo Ryan is just such a good coach and Wisconsin commits less turnovers than any team in the country. Pick: Wisconsin

(6) Marquette vs. (3) New Mexico –

Steve Alford teams can never get the ball inbounds, struggle to run an offense, and tend to fall into scoring lulls. I like Marquette to outplay them and outsmart them. Pick: Marquette

(10) Missouri vs. (2) West Virginia –

It is time for West Virginia to beat up on the winner of the “stumbling into the tournament game” between Missouri and Clemson. Pick: West Virginia

Sweet Sixteen
(1) Kentucky vs. (4) Wisconsin -

This could go either way. Bo Ryan is a much better in game coach than Coach Cal, but Kentucky is so much more athletic than Wisconsin. I hate to do it, but Kentucky moves on. Damn you Eric Bledsoe Pick: Kentucky

(6) Marquette vs. (2) West Virginia

– This is a fun game t pick because these teams have played once this year in conference, and West Virginia won by one at West Virginia. I think West Virginia has gotten better since then and will pull this out. Pick: West Virginia

Elite Eight
(1) Kentucky vs. (2) West Virginia - This will be a fantastic game, but can West Virginia’s guards contain both Wall and Bledsoe while keeping an eye on Cousins and Patterson? Doubtful. Damn you John Wall. Pick: Kentucky