Guide to the NCAA Tournament

MIDWEST
Winner: #1 Florida. The Gators return the same starting five from last season's title run in Joakim Noah, Al Horford, Corey Brewer, Lee Humphrey, and Taurean Green. That's already a recipe for success. Florida runs their offense like an NBA squad. They are extremely efficient on both ends of the floor and can spread the ball around offensively. When one player is cold, another will step up. They may have one of the best starting lineups we've seen in a while.

Biggest Cinderella: #11 Winthrop. Many feel that the 11th-seeded Eagles will be this year's George Mason. Last year, as a 15-seed in the tournament, Winthrop was a bad call away from topping the number two seeded Tennessee Volunteers. They are even better this season, going 14-0 in their conference. The Eagles shoot the three-ball pretty well, Michael Jenkins and Taj McCullough leading the pack in three-point percentage. I have them advancing all the way to the Elite Eight where they will lose to Florida.

Biggest bust: #3 Oregon. Everybody is buzzing about the Ducks because of their outstanding performance in the Pac-10 title game against USC. But in all seriousness, it's not very likely that Bryce Taylor goes 7-for-7 from behind the arc again, and it's also not likely that Oregon knocks down 14-of-29 as a team. Aaron Brooks is a fun player to watch and Oregon is a nice team, but I have them falling in the first round to Miami, Ohio.

Biggest sleeper: #10 Georgia Tech. Many have the Yellow Jackets upsetting # 7 UNLV in the first round. I feel the same way. I actually have Georgia Tech advancing to the Sweet 16, but losing to Winthrop. The Jackets have a very athletic and versatile team led by Thaddeus Young and Javaris Crittenton, both NBA prospects. Although their ACC tournament loss to Wake Forest concerns me, I think they will be more than ready to take the challenge in the Big Dance.

Best first round match-up: #9 Purdue vs. #8 Arizona. The 8-9 games are usually always the best, as the two teams are generally evenly the matched. This is the case here, although the Wildcats have an obvious advantage in pure talent. They really were a bit of a disappointment this year, but having four double-digit scorers in Marcus Williams, Chase Budinger, Ivan Radenovic, and Mustafa Shakur make them a very dangerous squad. Purdue has two, but they're pretty darn good (Carl Landry and David Teague). I like Arizona here.

Player to watch: Horford, Florida. Although most feel that Noah is Florida's best player, I think Horford is the one that makes everything go. He is the focal point on offense and is one of the best low-post scorers in the nation. He also has a solid jump shot from 16 feet out and is a very good defender. Yes, Noah may be Florida's emotional leader and defensive stopper, but the offense runs through Horford.

Picks:
Round of 64:
1 Florida over 16 Jackson State, 8 Arizona over 9 Purdue, 5 Butler over 12 Old Dominion, 4 Maryland over 13 Davidson, 11 Winthrop over 6 Notre Dame, 14 Miami (OH) over 3 Oregon, 10 Georgia Tech over 7 UNLV, 2 Wisconsin over 15 Texas A&M Corpus Christi
Round of 32:
1 Florida over 8 Arizona, 5 Butler over 4 Maryland, 11 Winthrop over 14 Miami (OH), 10 Georgia Tech over 2 Wisconsin
Sweet 16:
1 Florida over 5 Butler, 11 Winthrop over 10 Georgia Tech
Elite Eight:
1 Florida over 11 Winthrop

WEST
Winner: #2 UCLA. UCLA's season and bid for a number one seed soured over the last two games of the season, losing first to Washington during the regular season and then to California during the Pac-10 tournament. Does this mean they are a bad team? Of course not. Overrated? Nope. The Bruins are still the best team in this region and have great depth. Both Aaron Afflalo and Darren Collison are capable of taking over games, and Josh Shipp stepped up in a big way this year. Look for UCLA to come out of the West.

Biggest Cinderella: #13 Holy Cross. I don't have any "Cinderellas" advancing past the round of 32, but the Crusaders represent the biggest upset in this bracket either way. They are playing a vulnerable team in Southern Illinois in the first round, a squad that hasn't really played anybody of great stature this season. Keith Simmons, a guard who shot over 50% for the season, is the key here. If he can have one of his big performances, Holy Cross will always hang around in games.

Biggest bust: #1 Kansas. The Jayhawks have been a popular Final Four pick by many from opening night until today. Yes, there is talent here, but, although the past doesn't matter, Kansas has been known to come up small in the NCAA Tournament. Julian Wright, Brandon Rush, Mario Chalmers, and Sherron Collins make for a great foursome, but experience is an issue. I have them losing to Virginia Tech in the Sweet 16.

Biggest sleeper: #5 Virginia Tech. The Hokies weren't expected to be much of a factor this year, but they gave the entire ACC fits. Zabian Dowdell is one of the most prolific scorers in the conference, and Deron Washington is an athletic freak who can change a game. Take three-point bomber A.D. Vassallo into account, and you've got yourself one of the more versatile teams in the tournament. Still, the lack of a true inside scorer will hurt them.

Best first round match-up: #9 Villanova vs. #8 Kentucky. Yet another 8-9 match-up. These two teams are very even and should make for a great game. Kentucky probably has the best all-around player in Randolph Morris, although Curtis Sumpter and Scottie Reynolds of Villanova can make their cases, as well. In the end, depth will kill 'Nova, and the Wildcats from the midwest will take this one.

Player to watch: Dowdell, Virginia Tech. Like I said; the kid can score. He also does it efficiently, shooting 46.8% from the floor, 38.7% from three, and 81.3% from the charity stripe.

Picks:
Round of 64:
1 Kansas over 16 Play-in winner, 8 Kentucky over 9 Villanova, 5 Virginia Tech over 12 Illinois, 13 Holy Cross over 4 Southern Illinois, 11 Virginia Commonwealth over 6 Duke, 3 Pittsburgh over 14 Wright State, 7 Indiana over 10 Gonzaga, 2 UCLA over 15 Weber State
Round of 32:
1 Kansas over 8 Kentucky, 5 Virginia Tech over 13 Holy Cross, 3 Pittsburgh over 11 Virginia Commonwealth, 2 UCLA over 7 Indiana
Sweet 16:
5 Virginia Tech over 1 Kansas, 2 UCLA over 3 Pittsburgh
Elite Eight:
2 UCLA over 5 Virginia Tech

EAST
Winner: #2 Georgetown. They could have easily been worthy of a one seed, and I think they are better than 75% of the one seeds out there. The Hoyas are the second best team the country, Florida being the only squad that is better. Roy Hibbert, not Greg Oden, is the best big man in the tournament, and Jeff Green and Jonathan Wallace form a fantastic trio with the 7'2" Hibbert that is extremely tough to beat. Oh, and John Thompson III is the coach and Patrick Ewing Jr. is on the team. A good omen, maybe?

Biggest Cinderella: #14 Oral Roberts. Much like the East region, I don't have any "Cinderellas" making it past the second round, but if there is one with the potential to do so, it's Oral Roberts. They beat Kansas back on November 15th and have a few other nice wins on their resume. Caleb Green may very well be one of the best players in the tournament, a versatile 6'8" big man who averaged 21 and nine for the season. The Golden Eagles are playing a very beatable Washington State team in the first round, one of the weaker three-seeds in recent memory. They won't go any further than the Sweet 16, though, as they'll have to meet Georgetown. I have them losing to Vanderbilt in the second round.

Biggest bust: #1 North Carolina. They may very well be the most talented team in the tournament top-to-bottom, but the savvy isn't there. The Tar Heels will most likely face a dangerous Marquette team in the round of 32. North Carolina has a mediocre defense; the Golden Eagles have a potent offense. Not exactly a nice combination to roll with if you're the Heels.

Biggest sleeper: #8 Marquette. Marquette is a team that can either lose in the first round or make it all the way to the Elite Eight, which is where I finally have them bowing out. The Golden Eagles have a bunch of snipers in Dominic James, Jerel McNeal, Dan Fitzgerald, and David Cubillan, and although James shot only 26.4% from beyond the arc this season, he can hit several in a row when he's on. Ousmane Barro is a player to watch down low.

Best first round match-up: #11 George Washington vs. #6 Vanderbilt. Most would go with the Marquette/Michigan State match-up, but I like G.W. and Vandy. The Commodores are a very versatile squad led by Derrick Byars, one of the better all-around players in the field. They also have two sure-things from the free throw line in Shan Foster (84.7%) and Dan Cage (87.1%). The Colonials are a team with some potential to make some noise in the tournament as well. They have a very good perimeter shooting team, led by 43.8% three-point shooter and leading scorer Maureece Rice. I like Vanderbilt in this game, though.

Player to watch: Tyler Hansbrough, North Carolina. Hansbrough has obviously been bothered by the mask he is forced to wear after Gerald Henderson of Duke broke his nose about two weeks ago. He only scored in double-figures once in the ACC tournament, tallying 15 against North Carolina State. However, 11 of those 15 points came from the free throw line. Hansbrough will need to be more effective in order for UNC to live up their number one seed.

SOUTH
Winner: #16 Central Connecticut State. This is the biggest Cinderella, the biggest upset, the biggest out-on-the-limb pick in NCAA history. Either way, I love this team. The Blue Devils had three players average double-digits in points per game this season, those three being Tristan Blackwood, Javier Mojica, and Obie Nwadike. Mojica is the best of the three, averaging 16.8 points and 7.1 rebounds as a 6'3" guard. Their lack of size might be the one thing that may hold them back, as their center, Jemino Sombers, stands 6'7".

Biggest Cinderella: #16 Central Connecticut State. Hey, George Mason did it. Why can't C-Conn?

Biggest bust: #1 Ohio State. Everyone raves about the talent on this team, but they fail to point out that their three best players, Greg Oden, Mike Conley Jr., and Daequan Cook, are all freshmen. When was the last time a team that young won a title? I can't see the Buckeyes advancing very far in this tournament, and if there's one number-one seed that can lose in the first round, it's them. There is just something missing here, and I can't quite put my finger on it. And it's not their lack of experience.

Biggest sleeper: #10 Creighton. The Blue Jays have really been overlooked in many brackets. Most people are calling seventh-seeded Nevada, the team Creighton plays in the first round, the sleeper of the South region. I think it's 10th-seeded Creighton, a team with four double-digit scorers on its roster. They were fantastic in the Missouri Valley Tournament and may very well carry that momentum over into the big tournament. I also have the Blue Jays taking out number two Memphis in the second round, but losing to Texas A&M in the Sweet 16.

Best first round match-up: #11 Stanford vs. #6 Louisville. A lot of people are talking about this game and the possibility of an upset. Stanford has one of the better big men in the country in Brook Lopez, and guard Anthony Goods has also gotten healthy. Although the Cardinal have the advantage in the frontcourt, the Louisville Cardinals have a solid advantage in the backcourt with Terrence Williams and Edgar Sosa. I like Louisville to win this game. Oh, and another reason why this match-up is interesting? The names of the teams.

Player to watch: Mojica, Central Connecticut State. This kid is fun to watch. He can stroke the outside jumper, penetrate and drive the lane, rebound, anything. You name it, and he does it. You can be sure that Mojica will be instrumental if the Blue Devils do in fact make any sort of run.

Picks:
Round of 64:
16 Central Connecticut State over 1 Ohio State, 9 Xavier over 8 BYU, 12 Long Beach State over 5 Tennessee, 4 Virginia over 13 Albany, 6 Louisville over 11 Stanford, 3 Texas A&M over 14 Pennsylvania, 10 Creighton over 7 Nevada, 2 Memphis over 15 North Texas
Round of 32:
16 Central Connecticut State over 9 Xavier, 4 Virginia over 12 Long Beach State, 3 Texas A&M over 6 Louisville, 10 Creighton over 2 Memphis
Sweet 16:
16 Central Connecticut State over 4 Virginia, 3 Texas A&M over 10 Creighton
Elite Eight:
16 Central Connecticut State over 3 Texas A&M

Lewis to division rival; Horn to Atlanta?

DEFINITE/ALMOST DEFINITE HAPPENINGS

Lewis to Cleveland
The Cleveland Browns have signed halfback Jamal Lewis to a one-year contract. The 27-year old Lewis rushed for 1,132 yards and nine touchdowns last season with the Baltimore Ravens. He is four years removed from his 2,000+ yard season (2,066).

Falcons close to landing Horn
The Atlanta Falcons look to be on the verge of bolstering their problematic wide receiving corps, as they are working on a deal with 11-year veteran Joe Horn. Nothing is finalized yet, but all signs point to Horn becoming a Falcon soon. Horn missed the last six games of the 2006-07 campaign due to a nagging groin injury. He hauled in 37 catches for 679 yards and four scores. Horn totaled 1,399 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2004-05. He has played all 11 of his NFL seasons with the New Orleans Saints.

Graham signs with Broncos
The Denver Broncos have signed tight end Daniel Graham to a five-year, $30 million contract. The 28-year old Graham caught 21 balls for 235 yards last year. His best season came during the 2003-04 campaign, when he recorded 38 receptions for 409 yards and four touchdowns.

Giants reach preliminary agreement with Scott
The New York Giants have reportedly reached a preliminary agreement with defensive tackle Ian Scott. The 25-year old Scott had 22 tackles for the Bears last season.

RUMORS

Bly wants out of Denver
Just six days after the Broncos traded for cornerback Dre' Bly, the 29-year old already wants out. Potential suitors include the Washington Redskins and the Giants. Bly had 54 tackles, three interceptions, and forced four fumbles last season.

Briggs on the trade block; Giants interested?
After linebacker Lance Briggs expressed his frustration with the Chicago Bears' organization, the Bears have reportedly put him on the trade block. The Giants, a team that was prepared to pursue the 26-year old Briggs had the Bears not applied the franchise tag to him before he could test free agency, appear to be interested. Chicago is reportedly looking for multiple draft picks, preferably three, in return.

Giants also interested in Edwards, Rhodes, Curtis
The Giants have been quiet throughout the first week of free agency, but it seems like they may make a move soon. They are looking at linebacker Donnie Edwards, halfback Dominic Rhodes, and wide receiver Kevin Curtis. Some sources say that it is only a matter of time before New York signs Rhodes. They are also very open to signing Edwards as long as the price is right. Curtis met with the Giants today.

McGahee appears to be headed to Baltimore
A league source is stating that Buffalo Bills' halfback Willis McGahee may be on the verge of being traded to the Ravens. There are a couple of teams that still have a shot at acquiring the 26-year old McGahee, but Baltimore is currently the clear frontrunner. The deal may be McGahee to the Ravens in exchange for a second and fifth-round draft pick.