Bracket Breakdown

It's that time of the year again, a time of year where people bet way too much money on a bracket and pick a team who likely will get bounced in the second round. It's a time of year that is almost better than Christmas. If your team didn't make it, it's probably because they didn't deserve it or the selection committee hates them. Nonetheless, the brackets are out and the picks are being made. Here is what we here at Sideline Sports Report think about this years field. (Not all of us, just Stephen) 

*We're going to skip ahead to the Sweet 16*

*Teams in bold are predicted winners*

SOUTH REGION:
Sweet 16: (1) Kansas vs. (5) Maryland 
                 (3) Miami vs. (10) Temple 
- Kansas is the overall number one seed in this years tournament and might be one of the few higher seeded teams without an NBA player. Bill Self looks to capture his second NCAA title in Lawrence but might have to go through a very athletic Maryland team and a potential Miami team that surprised a lot of people this year in the powerful ACC. 

WEST REGION:
                 (1) Oregon vs. (5) Baylor
                 (6) Texas vs. (2) Oklahoma
- Oklahoma has the potential Player of the Year in Buddy Hield who averages 25 PPG. If the Sooners are going to make a Final Four run they're going to need Hield to play like an All-American.

EAST REGION:
                 (1) North Carolina vs. (5) Indiana 
                 (3) West Virginia vs. (2) Xavier 
- A lot of people picked North Carolina to win it all back in November when Roy and his guys were preseason number one. The last time the Tar Heels were preseason number one they won a National Championship.

MIDWEST REGION:
                (1) Virginia vs. (13) Iona 
                (6) Seton Hall vs. (2) Michigan State
- Perhaps no one is better in March than Tom Izzo. He might not always have the best team but somehow Izzo's teams always come to play. This year, he has Denzel Valentine who is also up for the Player of the Year. The senior is averaging 19 PPG, 7 RPG, and 7 APG. Much like Oklahoma, Michigan State will rely on Valentine to be that guy and lead the Spartans. 


ELITE EIGHT

SOUTH REGION: 
             (1) Kansas vs. (3) Miami

WEST REGION: 
            (1) Oregon vs. (2) Oklahoma 

EAST REGION: 
           (1) North Carolina vs. (2) Xavier 

MIDWEST REGION:
           (1) Virginia vs. (2) Michigan State 

FINAL FOUR: 

(1) Kansas Jayhawks vs. (2) Oklahoma Sooners 

(1) North Carolina Tar Heels vs. (2) Michigan State Spartans 

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP 

(1) Kansas Jayhawks vs. (1) North Carolina Tar Heels 


              
 
Stephen Springer, Follow him on Twitter @Stephen_Springs