March 13, 2006

When I analyze the 65-team field, I feel there are a few sleepers out there, teams that may pull off a few surprises. My definition of a sleeper is the team seeded fifth or lower in their bracket. I picked one per region, so here it goes, baby!

ATLANTA REGION, SYRACUSE (#5)
How can anyone go against Gerry McNamara after that amazing run in the Big East, beating Cincinnati, Connecticut, Georgetown and Pittsburgh. Talk about momentum! Jim Boeheim has already won a national championship and when this team is on, it is a tough out.

MINNEAPOLIS REGION, ARIZONA (#8)
Come tournament time, I like to go with winning coaches. Lute Olson is a Hall of Famer, and Hassan Adams will be back in the lineup to make a difference. The road is difficult with an opener against Wisconsin and Bo Ryan's tough defense, then a potential game against Villanova. The Wildcats are capable of making some noise.

DC REGION, MICHIGAN STATE (#6)
Tom Izzo always seems to have his players ready come tournament time. Will this squad peak at the right moment? It is a rugged bracket with a possible second-round game against North Carolina. Hey, with Paul Davis, Maurice Ager, Shannon Brown and company, the Spartans have the tools to go far in the tournament.

OAKLAND REGION, PITTSBURGH (#5)
This Panthers team has experience and is capable of playing very tough, physical defense. A few shots short of winning the Big East tournament, Jamie Dixon has a dangerous club. The idea of a Kansas-Pittsburgh second-round showdown is intriguing.

There you have it, four teams capable of making moves at the big dance.

Dick Vitale coached the Pistons and the University of Detroit before broadcasting ESPN's first college basketball game in 1979. Send a question for Vitale for possible use on ESPNEWS.