AP/Rob Carr Florida could repeat as NCAA champions this season.

Florida
I'll happily admit I didn't think Florida would get a number one seed, because they are only 5-3 since post Valentine's Day. But hey, they are the defending national champions and are the most balanced team in America. No player averages more than 14 points per game - written as a compliment - they have that inside-outside balance which usually buys you a trip to the Sweet 16. Everyone loves Joakim Noah, but fellow juniors Al Horford and Corey Brewer are the x-factors. At times it looked like the Gators didn't care down the stretch, but from the looks of the can of butt whooping they opened up on Arkansas in the SEC Championship game ... the Gators have a legit shot at repeating.

Oregon
For the second straight year, I have a problem with the NCAA committee seeding a Pac 10 team too high. Yes, Oregon took care of business in the Pac 10 tourney and took the title game in impressive form. But they aren't deserving of a 3 seed. Their road/neutral record is very good, as is their record over the last 10 games, but their non-conference schedule isn't anything worth writing home about. They beat Georgetown ... and that's about it. I was expecting a 5 seed.

Winthrop
I could've gone with UNLV - whom I had as a 4 - but I was shocked to see Winthrop get just an 11. Not only did they get shafted on the seeding, but they got hosed with their first round draw. Notre Dame is the best 6th seed in the tourney and Winthrop will have their work cut out for them. Yes, I know the Big South Conference isn't exactly a quality mid-major league. Yet, 24-4 is a damn good record and their four losses came to Maryland, North Carolina, Texas A&M and Wisconsin -- all 4 seeds or better. I still like the Eagles chances of reaching the Sweet 16, but it may be a little tougher getting there than most of us thought it would be.

AP/John Raoux Do not sleep on the versatile James Gist and Maryland Terps.

Maryland
Please overlook that Maryland is listed as one of my favorite teams on my bio page, when I say that the Terps are the darkhorse of this region. Maryland has the athletes, the coaching and the hotness factor going for them to make a serious run at the Final Four. They'll have to knock off some of the best threats that the mid-majors have to offer (Davidson, then Butler/Old Dominion), but their ability to control the tempo of a game is uncanny. They can press, they can slow down offenses and they can beat you from either inside or outside. D.J. Strawberry is one of the best slashers in the nation, Mike Jones - on a good day - is a top 10 deep threat shooter and James Gist is one of the most exciting 6'8 forwards to watch. I would fear the turtle if I was in the Midwest region.

(11) Winthrop over (6) Notre Dame
Winthrop has kind of sold out as the 'unknown mid-major', but they still have that Cinderella factor in them. It's easier said than done, but if Notre Dame has an off shooting night or if you force them to take it to the hoop, your chances of winning are pretty good. It just so happens that Winthrop is known for their lock-down defense, so despite Notre Dame's valliant effort against Georgetown in the Big East semifinals, the Winthrop Eagles should be on their way to the next round.

(12) Old Dominion over (5) Butler
This is the upset region. The aforementioned (11) Winthrop over (6) Notre Dame, (10) Georgia Tech over (7) UNLV and (12) Old Dominion over (5) Butler. I have nothing against Butler and I respect their regular season accomplishments (especially back in November). But, I've seen Old Dominion play a lot and they are very good. The Monarchs are 12-1 in their last 13 games and own wins over Georgetown, Virginia Commonwealth and Drexel (x2). They play great defense and rarely turn the ball over. Their frontcourt doesn't have much depth, but they still managed to beat Georgetown (@ G'Town) which has one of the best frontcourts. Valda Vasylius is a strong prescence down low, but stud guard Drew Williamson is the X-factor.

(13) Davidson over (4) Maryland
While Davidson has won its last 13 games of the season, their defense won't be able to stop Maryland's balanced offensive attack. Freshmen guard Stephen Curry, son of Dell Curry, is very talented ... but he doesn't have the help to take down the Terps.

(7) UNLV vs. (10) Georgia Tech
UNLV hasn't played as tough of a schedule as Georgia Tech has, but the Rebels are 5-2 against tournament teams and deserving of a better seed. Nonetheless, UNLV's talented veteran backcourt will go up against Georgia Tech's talented young backcourt. The difference maker in this game is definitely Georgia Tech freshman forward Thaddeus Young; as he goes, so do that Jackets. This is one of those games if out of your tv region - not to worry - because it will be switched on at the end. It should be a close one.

(1) Florida vs. (8) Arizona
It's tough to figure out Arizona. They have enough balance to make some noise, but they lack the total package. It's a given that defense and free throws win championships and the Wildcats can hit from the charity stripe, but can't play defense to save their life. For us analysts, it's tough to figure out Arizona ... but Florida will share the same problem. The Wildcats will be able to run with the Gators and match them on offense. This game will be decided by whichever team can make the most stops.

Maryland back in the NCAA Tournament
It's good to see the Terps back to the place they belong: the NCAA tournament. Gary Williams and company have been under some serious heat for missing the Big Dance over the past two seasons. A 10-6 ACC record and strong RPI ranking put the Terps back where they belong and they should be able to make some noise.

(1) Florida vs. (10) Georgia Tech
I would love to see the two ACC teams pitted together in the Elite 8 (Maryland vs. Georgia Tech), but only one of them will get here. Florida has the depth and experience, while Georgia Tech has no experience but plenty of potential. Florida likes to run as does Georgia Tech. Out of all the regions - besides the East - this part of the bracket has a great shot of producing a 1 vs 2 Elite 8 game. So, I wouldn't be surprised to see Wisconsin make it, but I'm going to ride with the young Yellow Jackets because of Javaris Crittenton and Thaddeus Young.