Even if Texas Tech does survive, the experienced backcourt play of Jeff McInnis and Dante Calabria will put Dean Smith into the Sweet 16 once more.
Aside from Kentucky, George-town probably has more raw ability than any other team in the nation. Why is it, then, that I have such a hard time seeing them in the Final Four? If anyone will beat the Hoyas, it will be the New Mexico Lobos in the second round. A 27-4 overall record with their schedule is no minor accomplishment. Nonetheless, John Thompson's and his young team will still be playing in April.
Midwest
Don't be fooled by its loss to Mississippi State--Kentucky is awesome. The Bulldogs beat the 'Cats, but it took nearly flawless play on both ends of the court to do so. The Wildcats will make it to the regional finals with ease.
Iowa State is fresh off its first Big 8 tournament championship ever. The Cyclones will experience a bit of a letdown, and the superb play of freshman Shareef Abdur-Raheem will carry the Cal Golden Bears into the second week.
The bottom portion of this bracket is the toughest of any to predict. The Tulsa Golden Hurricane have the most tournament experience of any of these teams, and forward Shea Seals is a third team All-American. Don't be surprised if Tulsa beats an erratic Louisville team.
Villanova, the best of the crop of mediocre Philadelphia teams, is struggling. They lost early last year, and won't make it past the round of 32.
Wake Forest, led by Tim Duncan and three-sport star Rusty LaRue, will make it to the Elite Eight. And because of its sterling inside play, the Demon Deacons will be competitive with Kentucky. Nevertheless, the Wildcats will be the sole No. 1 seed in New Jersey.
For once, the preseason polls will be proved correct--Kansas and Kentucky will meet for the national championship. Both teams have the coaching and the depth to win six games and it could go either way.
If Kansas can slow Kentucky down and control the glass, then Roy Williams could come away with his first championship as a head coach. More likely, however, it will be Rick Pitino's Kentucky Wildcats cutting down the nets in April.