March 11, 2007

Oh baby, the big dance is here! The best three weeks in sports tips off Tuesday night when Niagara meets Florida A&M for the right to face Kansas. Yes, Gary Walters and his tournament committee has a difficult task picking the field of 65, but it is all set. Now it is time to break it all down, to analyze it and make picks. It is excitement galore, baby.

I thought the committee did UCLA a favor by making the Bruins a number two seed and keeping them in the state of California. Ben Howland, on ESPN's selection show, agreed with me that he would rather be a two seed and play closer to home than get shipped out and be a #1. There are a number of exciting matchups. Each region has strengths and weaknesses. This tournament has the potential for some early shock city games, but in the end, I see a lot of chalk moving on to the later rounds. Here are my picks for the Sweet 16 through to the national championship.

EAST

I see the top seeds moving on, with the exception of #3 Washington State. The Tar Heels do not have an easy road, facing the Marquette-Michigan State winner in round two. In the Sweet 16, Roy Williams and company will likely meet Kevin Durant and Texas. I have the Tar Heels advancing in a tough test. In the lower half of the bracket, Georgetown should move through. Tony Bennett's Cougars could have a tough battle against an experienced Oral Roberts squad. If the Cougars move on, I see the Commodores, led by Derrick Byars, scoring an upset and moving to the Sweet 16.

I see North Carolina and Georgetown meeting in the regional final, and in the battle of Golaiths, I have the Tar Heels moving to the Final Four. Roy Williams gets his sixth Final Four trip, joining select company with John Wooden, Dean Smith, Mike Krzyzewski, Adolph Rupp and Denny Crum being the only coaches with six or more Final Four trips.

MIDWEST

Florida has a potentially difficult second-round game against an Arizona club that has talent. The experienced Gator squad is back on track, with four straight double-digit wins. I see Maryland facing Billy Donovan's club in the Sweet 16, with the Gators moving on.

The lower half of the bracket has some intriguing upset prospects. Georgia Tech is very dangerous as a #10 seed as Thaddeus Young and Javaris Crittenton are not playing like diaper dandies now that they have a full season under their belts. I see them making a surprise run past UNLV and Wisconsin to the Sweet 16. I like Notre Dame to edge Cinderella Winthrop in round one, but Oregon is another story in the second round. The Ducks were so impressive in winning the Pac-10 tournament. I like Oregon to face Florida in the regional final, with the defending national champion returning to the Final Four.

SOUTH

Ohio State simply looks too strong in this bracket. Greg Oden inside and Mike Conley Jr. running the offense form a dynamic duo. I see Ohio State beating Virginia in the Sweet 16. The lower half of the bracket is a lot tougher. Memphis, Texas A&M, Louisville, Nevada, Creighton ...wow, this is going to be wild. Memphis has won 22 straight games, but John Calipari's team could have a problem in round two. Nick Fazekas is a member of my All-Rolls Royce team and coupled with Marcellus Kemp, Nevada is capable of pulling an upset. The game against Creighton in the opening round is not easy, but I see Nevada making a run and stunning Memphis.

I love Rick Pitino and come tournament time, his teams are always prepared. Texas A&M and guard Acie Law will have a showdown in the second round but I see A&M moving on. I am going with Thad Matta's Buckeyes over Billy Gillispie's Aggies to earn a Final Four berth.

WEST

I feel this is the strongest bracket from top to bottom. There are a lot of big-name programs with great tradition. In fact, this group has totaled 30 National Championships. Kansas should get past Villanova to make the Sweet 16. I know Kentucky fans won't be happy with my pick of an early exit for Big Blue. I have a major sleeper moving through to face the Jayhawks – Illinois. Yes, Bill Self gets a chance to face his former employer and Kansas ends the Illini Cinderella run.

In the lower half, I feel Duke will make another run in the tourney. I know this has not been a vintage Blue Devils team, but Coach K always finds a way to get the most out of his talent. I see the Dukies upsetting Pittsburgh to make the Sweet 16. UCLA is happy to move on. I like Kansas and UCLA to meet in the regional final, with the Bruins going back to the Final Four.

FINAL FOUR

North Carolina already beat Ohio State earlier in the season. Oden did not play in that game but this time around, the Tar Heels depth makes a difference as it moves into the championship game. UCLA gets a measure of revenge by upsetting the Gators.

In the end, I see Roy Williams cutting down the nets again. I picked the Tar Heels before the start of the season and the speed, depth and talent gets the job done over the Bruins. It should be a super tournament, awesome, baby with a capital A! I can't wait to tip it off.

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