Let's go dancing!

Don't you just love this time of year? Here's my quick look at this year's NCAA Tournament.

Midwest

I like Louisville. Their D is downright nasty, and defense is the way to win. I've always loved Rick Pitino's style, and this may be the best team he's had at Louisville. Any team that wins both the regular season and tournament championship in the Big East is going to make noise. I don't really see any huge obstacles in their way, other than their horrendous Free Throw shooting (see: Memphis, 2008).

Dark horse: West Virginia, never count out Bob Huggins.

West

The West is my upset special region... sort of. I have chalk going deep, with Memphis beating UConn to earn the Final 4 birth. However, I like Mississippi St., Northern Iowa, Utah St. and Maryland to all win their first round games. But, in the end, Memphis gets back to the Final 4.

Dark horse: Missouri, that style of play can give anybody fits.

East

All chalk. I would love for my Dukies to make a run, but unfortunately they have no answer at all for Pitt's DeJuan Blair. The Panthers make the biggest dance of all.

Dark horse: Xavier is getting close to Memphis/Gonzaga territory as one of the best non-big conference teams. A big run this year would solidify that.

South

Call me crazy, call me stupid, I don't care. I just have a hunch this year: Gonzaga finally breaks into the Final 4. I like their matchups, I love their fast-paced style, I love their athletic defense, and I really love their awesome FT shooting. I think Ty Lawson's injury is too much of a liability for North Carolina.

Dark horse: LSU won the SEC regular season title, and got an 8-seed to show for it. Don't be surprised if the Bayou Bengals play with a huge chip on their shoulder.

Final Four

Louisville over Memphis, Pitt over Gonzaga. Louisville wins the all big East final.