[ ] - Ology, Episode IV, The East Regional

I expect the first round here to be pretty formful (other than the 5-12 matchup), but then all hell breaks loose and it's upset city.

First Round

1 Pittsburgh 16 E Tenn St
1 v 16, 'nuff said.

2 Duke over 15 Binghamton
I'm almost tempted to pick Binghamton just to please Tony Kornheiser, but I'm not crazy, Duke in a romp.

3 Villanova over 14 American
'Nova shouldn't have any problems here.

4 Xavier over 13 Portland St
Another romp, Xavier looks like Elite Eight material.

12 Wisconsin over 5 Florida St
A plodding and boring game, Wisconsin will drag this game down to their level, and win it when the 'Noles keep turning the ball over.

6 UCLA over 11 VCU
Despite a hiccup versus USC in the Pac10 tourney, UCLA are deep, experienced or talented (their most talented players are inexperienced explains the 'or' there), plus having a Senior point guard who has been to three Final Fours ought to give them a huge advantage in seeking to make it four in a row.

7 Texas over 10 Minnesota
Texas are a talented and inconsistent bunch, who knows what they'll do, they could lose this game, or make it to the Sweet 16, I'm guessing they'll be Sweet.

9 Tennessee over 8 Oklahoma St
I think Tennessee has enough talent to be a surprising team, or they could flame out, another talented but inconsistent team, that's why their seeded in the middle of the pack.

Second Round

9 Tennessee over 1 Pittsburgh
Here's where it gets interesting. Tennessee will pull off this upset. They've got a size advantage over Pitt in every position, and they'll use it to their advantage.

7 Texas over 2 Duke
Another big upset, I just have a feeling these inconsistent teams with talent will pull together and put together a run. An early exit for Duke, which will be good cause they suck (how's that for in depth analysis?)

6 UCLA over 3 Villanova
Another upset, though not a big one, 'Nova's a solid squad, but these Howland era Bruins teams just have a knack for putting together their best ball at tourney time, don't expect 2009 to be different.

4 Xavier over 12 Wisconsin
Xavier is the only lower seed I have advancing in the 2nd round in this region. They'll figure out Wisconsin's defense and just overwhelm them with their athleticism.

Sweet 16, Elite 8, Regional Champs

4 Xavier over 9 Tennessee
These are similar teams, but the inconsistency that plagued the Vols all season will happen again after they have a letdown following a big upset over a #1 seed.

6 UCLA over 7 Texas
Should be a solid game, it will take the Bruins best to get past a Texas team that will play well, too. UCLA at their best is one of the best teams this year, and they'll prove it on the court.

6 UCLA over 4 Xavier
In a bit of a surprising match up the Bruins will take on the Musketeers. I expect a mauling, UCLA's superior experience and coaching will overcome Xavier's athleticism.

Look for UCLA to make it 3 Final Four losses in a row. That's both a fantastic accomplishment, and pretty frustrating. So close, yet so far (if Westbrook and Mbah a Moute had stayed, they'd be looking at a sure thing this season).