With an expanded, two-hour selection show on CBS, the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament bracket was announced on Sunday, March 13. The years of guaranteed bids and sure-fire advances are gone, and with so much parity in college basketball nowadays, this year’s tournament is no different. Each region is full of talent and the games are so unpredictable, but that doesn’t stop any analyst, coach or fan, from making their picks. 

Southern Region: 

The South region is led by the number one overall seed University of Kansas, along with three teams from the Pac-12 conference. The Jayhawks should be able to get past Austin Peay in their first game easily, but a second round matchup against either University of Colorado or University of Connecticut could provide some problems. Colorado is coached by former KU assistant Tad Boyle; who is certainly no stranger to the program.

One of the most intriguing games is the play-in between number 11 seeds Vanderbilt and Wichita State. WSU has a roster full of experience and is highly capable of making a run to the Sweet 16 or further. The fate of University of Maryland, a number five seed, depends on point guard Melo Trimble. If he’s off, they could lose during the first weekend. However, if he can carry them, there’s a legitimate chance they will be the team to win this region. While it looks like really any team seeded one through four in this region could advance, KU is one of the favorites due to their veterans and experience.

West Region:

The University of Oregon, after receiving its first number one seed in NCAA Tournament history, will face the task of surviving three Big 12 teams and national powerhouse Duke in this region. 11 seeded Northern Iowa plays University of Texas in the first round, and if UT overlooks UNI, the upset will happen. UNI has already beat the University of North Carolina and Iowa State in the non-conference season, and have the potential to send the Longhorns packing.

One of the teams to watch in this region is Baylor. Despite inconsistency, they have all the pieces. They’re an extremely large team with massive size, and could be a real sleeper out of this region.

Big 12 member Oklahoma has the number two seed and a high chance to advance. They shoot an extremely high percentage from the three point range and are led by National Player of the Year contender Buddy Hield. However, if Hield is off, like he was in the semifinals of the Big 12 Conference Tournament, it could be the end for OU. Both Duke and the underrated Aggies of Texas A&M will also make a push to advance, but OU seems to be one of the favorites.

East Region:

North Carolina, a consistent top five team this season, headlines the East. They are joined by number two Virginia, and number three and four West Virginia and Kentucky. At first glance, the region is loaded with teams that could make a push to the Final Four. The potential for a blue blood matchup between UNC and UK in the Sweet 16 looms. John Calipari always seems to get his ball clubs right in March, and if they can play their best now, they will make it to the second weekend with no issues. However, UNC will have no small task getting to Houston. They could potentially play Providence, who was ranked as high as eighth in the nation in January, in the Round of 32. If UNC can get past UK, they could also have to deal with WVU and their pesky press defense. The committee certainly did UNC no favors, but if a spot to the Final Four comes down to the Tar Heels and Mountaineers, Roy Williams should be able to take his team to Houston.

Midwest Region:

Virginia was awarded the number one seed in the Midwest, but with so much competition, might not be able to survive. Right off the bat, the potential meeting between eighth seeded Texas Tech and Virginia will be interesting. If they are able to get past TTU, the Cavaliers could meet another Big 12 team in Iowa State. Georges Niang is an absolute force for the Cyclones, and it would be no surprise to see them meet the Michigan State Spartans in the Elite Eight. Coached by Tom Izzo and led by Denzel Valentine, another POY contender, MSU is the best team in this region, despite not receiving the number one seed. If the Spartans meet the Cyclones, MSU’s toughness will exploit ISU’s lack of depth on their way to another Final Four.  

Every over-time, buzzer beater and upset in the NCAA Tournament is what draws millions of views each and every year. The games are unpredictable, yet millions of people take their chances and participate in bracket challenges with friends, co-workers and even the entire world. There will be tears of joy and of sadness from fans and players alike. One team will lose and the other win, but that’s what brings the “Madness” to March.