Midwest Region Bracket

I know that the NCAA Selection Committee pairs teams based on strength and resume -- and not on the potential for story lines. But looking at the Midwest region, I can't help but suspect that "We Know Drama" became a significant factor in filling the brackets.

Most Intriguing First Round Matchup

Easy. The six-eleven game features USC and Kansas State -- or, as CBS will no doubt hype it -- O.J. Mayo vs. Michael Beasley. Two of the most-hyped freshmen in the nation, in what's most likely their last meeting at this level; Beasley is considered a lock to declare for the NBA draft, but Mayo has suggested recently that he's considering another year at USC.

Upset Potential

On the CBS selection show, Seth Davis mentioned that he's picking Siena to beat Vanderbilt and advance as far as the Sweet 16. And that's certainly possible; when their perimeter shots are falling, the Commodores can beat anyone, but when they aren't, it could get ugly.

I think the shots will fall often enough for Vandy to make the Kansas Jayhawks the first number one knocked out.

Davis also suggested that Davidson would beat Gonzaga in the 7-10 game, but I'm picking the 'Zags... if only because the Jesuit vs. Jesuit matchup of Gonzaga vs. Georgetown in the second round is too good to pass up.

The Regional Final

I have Vanderbilt, unconscious from the outside, knocking out the Jayhawks... and Georgetown beating Wisconsin in one of the tightest games of the tournament. The Hoyas are my pick to advance to the Final Four.

Midwest Region Bracket

Round 1	Round 2	Sweet 16	Elite 8
1) Kansas
16) Portland State	Kansas
8) UNLV	UNLV
9) Kent State		Kansas
5) Clemson		Vanderbilt
12) Villanova	Clemson
4) Vanderbilt	Vanderbilt
13) Siena			Vanderbilt
6) USC			Georgetown
11) Kansas State	USC
3) Wisconsin	Wisconsin
14) Cal St. Fullerton		Wisconsin
7) Gonzaga		Georgetown
10) Davidson	Gonzaga
2) Georgetown	Georgetown
15) UMBC