AP/John Froschauer Josh Shipp and the Bruins are a dangerous #2 seed.

UCLA
I was shocked to learn that UCLA did not get a #1 seed. Yet, instead of moping and feeling sorry for itself, I wouldn't be surprised to see UCLA come out and win this region. Arron Afflalo can score both off the dribble and from 3-point land and the Bruins defensive unit is one of the best in the West. Even though they've lost their last two games, the Bruins are a serious contender for the national championship.

Gonzaga
I have no idea how the Bulldogs got tagged with a 10 seed. A 12 seed would've been generous ... a 10?!?! They are 6-8 against the top 100, with early wins over UNC and Texas - before either team found their rythym - and played in a weak West Coast Conference. They don't have the superstar leader that can win contests with the game on the line.

Southern Illinois
Not a strong case for any team in this region as the committee did a pretty good job overall seeding the West. I will say if Oregon got a 3, Southern Illinois should've been rewarded a 3 as well.

AP/Dan Hauck When Levance Fields and company control the tempo, the game is theirs to lose.

Pittsburgh
I'm well aware of their 6-4 record in their last 10 games and I watched all 40 minutes of their blowout loss to Georgetown in the Big East Championship game. It may not be pretty, but this team finds a way to win thanks to a inside-outside combo of center Aaron Gray and guard Levance Fields. The buck doesn't stop there as Levon Kendall is one of the best defenders in the Big East, Ronald Ramon one of the best 3-point shooters in the conference and not to mention the team has a bevy of versatile athletes (Tyrell Biggs, Sam Young, Antonio Graves and Mike Cook). The Panthers are well-coached and like to force teams to be patient on offense. The key to beating Pitt is matching their toughness and making sure you get a big lead on them early; they tend to have a hard time coming back from large defecits.

(11) VCU over (6) Duke
Virginia Commonwealth hasn't played anyone that really stands out (other than Xavier, Appy State, Old Dominion x2 and Drexel x2) but they are 17-3 in their last 20 games and that has to count for something. I assure you for those who have never had the luxury of seeing Eric Maynor play, brace yourself because he is one of the most clutch and entertaining guards I have seen. He is the epitome of a gritty guard who will do anything to make sure his team wins. They don't have much size, so Duke will look to exploit that area with Josh McRoberts, but they'll shoot 90 percent of the teams in the NCAA tourney out of the gym. If Greg Paulus is going to be as bad as I think he will be against the Rams pressure, VCU should be able to pull off the upset.

(11) VCU over (6) Duke
See above.

(13) Holy Cross over (4) Southern Illinois
Keith Simmons can score and his Crusaders have 25 wins in their name, but they don't have the depth to keep with Southern Illinois. Holy Cross doesn't rebound well and while Southern Illinois isn't the best at grabbing boards, the Salukis still have a size advantage. Predict with caution.

(8) Kentucky vs. (9) Villanova
Two programs rich in tradition and history, Kentucky and Villanova have had down years. That doesn't mean it'll be a bad game, though. In fact, some analysts are calling this one of the best games of the whole tourney. Both teams match-up very well and everyone's attention will be on Kentucky's tandem of Randolph Morris (15.8 ppg, 7.7 rpg) and Joe Crawford (14.2 ppg, 4.1 rpg) verses Villanova's Curtis Sumpter (17.3 ppg, 7.2 rpg) and Scottie Reynolds (14.5 ppg, 4.1 apg) -- a college basketball junkie's dream match-up.

(4) Southern Illinois vs. (5) Virginia Tech
It's tough to tell what Virginia Tech team will ever show up, but when the right one does ... they are tough to stop. Southern Illinois doesn't score a lot, but they don't give up a whole lot either. You put these two teams on a court against each other, you'd have a very intense, agressive game. You're telling me, we'd get to see Saluki guard Jamaal Tatum (15 ppg, 3 rpg) against Hokie Zabian Dowdell (18.3 ppg, 3.6 rpg)? I'm drooling already.

(2) UCLA vs. (3) Pittsburgh (possible Sweet 16 game)
I wanted to see it last year, but it didn't happen. This matchup would pit (no pun intended) the Panthers against their former coach Ben Howland. Both teams play similiar styles and their numbers are almost identical. They both play tenacious defense with just enough offensive firepower to pull out wins. UCLA has more quality, but Pitt has more quantity. Just picture a Big Ten game except with teams from the Pac 10 and Big East.

(3) Pittsburgh vs. (5) Virginia Tech
I think Virginia Tech would have a harder time with Southern Illinois than they would with Kansas en route to an Elite 8 appearance. The Hokies have the athleticism and the senior leadership to make a serious run. On the other side of the ball, Pittsburgh's half court offense gives defenses a problem and their physical man-to-man defense make opposing coaches pull their hair out. The Panthers only allow 62.4 points per game.