Reason why #1 seed doesn’t make it to the Final Four:   If Louisville shoots poorly and doesn’t put up points on the board, they can’t press on defense and their defense is by far their best offense.

Best bet in the first round:   Kansas -10 over North Dakota State

Player I’m most looking forward to playing in the NBA:  Chase Budinger.  Just to see if he can become one of the handful of decent white American swingmen.  This list is short:  Mike Miller and Mike Dunleavy.

Prediction for this bracket:  Louisville.  Since the beginning of 2009, they’ve been the best team in the nation.  Their defense is sublime.  If Michigan State wins this bracket, they basically will be hosting the Final Four.  Sleeper pick would be West Virginia.

Listen to Michigan State (#2) Head Coach Tom Izzo on ESPN Radio with Tirico & Van Pelt

Listen to Kansas (#3) Head Coach Bill Self on WHB in Kansas City with Kevin Kietzman

Listen to Utah (#5) Head Coach Jim Broylen on KFAN 1320 in Salt Lake City with DJ & PK

Listen to West Virginia (#6) Head Coach Bob Huggins on WHB in Kansas City with Soren Petro

Listen to Ohio State (#8) Head Coach Thad Matta on WBNS in Columbus

Listen to Siena (#9) Head Coach Fran McCaffrey on Fox Sports 980 in Albany with Roger Wyland

Listen to USC (#10) Head Coach Tim Floyd on KLAC/Fox Sports Radio with Chris Myers & Steve Hartman

Listen to Dayton (#11) Head Coach Brian Gregory on 1530 the Homer in Cincinnati with Lance McCallister (6:30 into podcast)

Listen to Arizona (#12) Head Coach Russ Pennell on KTAR in Phoenix with Doug & Wolf

Listen to Cleveland State (#13) Head Coach Gary Waters on WFAN in New York with Mike Francesa

Listen to North Dakota (#14) State Coach Head Coach Saul Phillips on the Dan Patrick Show

Listen to Robert Morris (#15) Head Coach Mike Rice on WSCR in Chicago

Listen here to Morehead State (#16 Midwest) head coach Donny Tydnall on KJR in Seattle