1. It may not be clear who the best teams are, but it's pretty clear who the top players are heading into this year's NBA Draft. Kentucky's John Wall, Ohio State's Evan Turner, and Wesley Johnson have all proved themselves with stellar play throughout the conference tournament and early rounds of the NCAAs. All three are their respective conference players of the year, and should go one through three in June's draft.
2. I don't think Northern Iowa beating Kansas was a fluke. Northern Iowa has as good a shot as any of the "mid-majors" to make it to the Final Four.
3. I didn't have Kansas in the Final Four. I thought they'd get upset by the hot hand of Turner and the Buckeyes, but I guess I was a few rounds premature on that one.
4. Speaking of those mid-majors, over a quarter of the remaining teams are from non-BCS conferences. The whole major-conference debate doesn't really translate to basketball. I still think a major conference school will take home the crown, but don't be surprised if one or more of these teams isn't done winning just yet.
5. The Big Ten has shown well, outside of Wisconsin's trouncing by Cornell. Michigan State showed some grit in their win versus Maryland, Purdue avoided the upset talk versus Siena, and Ohio State has been as good as anyone.
6. The Big East, however, hasn't been so great. Georgetown losing to the Ohio Bobcats, and Villanova getting beat by St. Mary's doesn't reflect well on the conference. Anyone who had Villanova going far has to rethink their basketball knowledge.
7. One of the most intriguing teams left is Baylor. Coming off of their first NCAA wins in 60 years, the Bears have the size, length, and offensive firepower to compete with anyone. Battle tested in the Big XII, I think St. Mary's Cinderella story ends with Baylor.
8. The other intriguing team is Xavier. Upending Pitt in the second round, Xavier is lingering on radar screens of the top teams. Jordan Crawford is the star, and won't be fazed by the intimidating glare of Frank Martin and KSU (he dunked on LeBron for crying out loud.)
And my winners... (Keep in mind these aren't predictions. This is what is going to happen.)
9. Northern Iowa vs. Michigan State - Northern Iowa
From the high of a buzzer beater to a low of losing your star, Michigan State's roller coaster ride ends against the steady Panthers.
10. Tennessee vs. Ohio State - Ohio State
Tennessee was seeded too high as a six seed, so this will play more like a two-three game than anything. However, Bruce Pearl's squad doesn't have Evan Turner.
11. Syracuse vs. Butler - Syracuse
Andy Rautins is lethal from outside, and is unselfish enough to pick apart Butler. Jim Boeheim's squad is at least going one more round.
12. Xavier vs. Kansas State - Kansas State
Potentially a barn-burner, Crawford will light it up but will fall just short versus the lethal trio of Denis Clemente, Jacob Pullen's beard, and Frank Martin's stare.
13. Kentucky vs. Cornell - Kentucky
One of the big reasons Cornell beat Wisconsin was the lack of play makers on the Badgers. Big Red, meet John Wall.
14. Washington vs. West Virginia - West Virginia
A trendy pick after winning the Big East Tournament, West Virginia will continue their run against the best the Pac-10 has to offer.
15. Duke vs. Purdue - Duke
Wisconsin beat both of these teams. That being utterly useless right now, Purdue will finally miss Robbie Hummel against the size and experience of the Blue Devils.
16. Baylor vs. St. Mary's - Baylor
I'd love to pick St. Mary's here, but Baylor is much more athletic across the front line than Villanova. Epke Udoh is just too much for Omar Samhan, as likable as he is, to handle in the post.
So I've got No. Iowa vs. OSU, Syracuse vs. KSU, Kentucky vs. West Virginia, and Duke vs. Baylor. That leaves my bracket's Final Four of Ohio State, Kansas State, Kentucky, and Baylor still intact. I'll be doing the John Wall dance all weekend.
