2011 March Madness - Southeast Region (First Weekend)

When I sit down and go through my brackets each year I always worry that I am not picking enough upsets. I had that same feeling this year until I got to the Southeast Region. There is not a single team in this region that I think anyone can feel total confidence in. Pittsburgh has been a strong team all year but they are famous for choking come Tournament time. Many consider Florida to be a way overrated #2 seed, #3 seed BYU hasn't looked the same since losing Brandon Davies to the Kama Sutra, and #4 and #5 seeds Wisconsin and Kansas State will face difficult challenges from #12 and #13 seeds Belmont and Utah State. Plus, you have #10 seed Michigan State lurking in the background. It will be a definite surprise if the Southeast Region doesn't end up being topsy turvy.

Best Game: #5 Kansas State vs. #12 Utah State

After a run to the Elite 8 last season, there were high hopes for Kansas State. It seemed like the pressure might have been too much as Kansas was slow out of the gates and was squarely on the bubble. However, they were able to push themselves up to a #5 seed by winning 8 of their last 10 games, including a rout of Kansas. Senior guard Jacob Pullen said that if Kansas State had to settle for the NIT he wouldn't want to play. He backed up that talk by playing like a monster the last 10 games of the season. Pullen can score in bunches but he can also be careless with the ball at times and will have to limit his turnovers for the Wildcats to beat the Aggies. Utah State isn't your average 12 seed, they are 30-3 on the season and have been ranked in the Top 25 for most of the year. They are capable of playing ferocious defense, twice holding opponents under 40 points. The Aggies rotation goes seven deep, as all seven of those players play at least 20 minutes a game. Forward Tai Wesley is their leading scorer and rebounder and will be a player to watch in this game.

Player to Watch: BYU forward Jimmer Fredette

Not much is left to say about Jimmer. He has taken the college basketball landscape by storm and is even known by the most casual of fans. With the loss of Davies he will be tasked with trying to carry the Cougars NCAA title hopes on his back. Jimmer averaged 28.5 ppg this season, and his lowest single game point output was 13. He is coming off a 52 point game last week in the Mountain West Tournament against New Mexico. If he scores less than 20 points the Cougars will likely be bounced. Big time players usually have a sense when all eyes are on them, so I expect to see some great performances from Jimmer as long as he is playing in the Tournament.

Lowest Seed to Make It Through the First Weekend: #12 Utah State

I like the Aggies to knock off Kansas State and then I think they will catch a break and face Belmont in the Third Round. That would be a fun underdog game to watch. The Aggies haven't faced the toughest competition this season but I don't think a 30-3 record can be completely overlooked.

Best Potential Game: #6 St. John's vs. #3 BYU

Steve Lavin has done a tremendous job in his first year with the Johnnies. I was a little hard on St. John's because I felt that they could only win in the Garden, but to beat the level of teams that the Red Storm beat is no easy feat, whether home or away. St. John's will miss D.J. Kennedy, but I expect Justin Brownlee and Dwight Hardy to pick up the slack. The Red Storm are deep with seniors and that can prove to be an asset come March. If these two play it would be a close game and I think Hardy and Jimmer would make it memorable.

Predictions Second Round:

#1 Pittsburgh over #16 UNC-Asheville

#9 Old Dominion over #8 Butler

#12 Utah State over #5 Kansas State

#13 Belmont over #4 Wisconsin

#6 St. John's over #11 Gonzaga

#3 BYU over #14 Wofford

#10 Michigan State over #7 UCLA

#2 Florida over #15 UCSB

Third Round

#1 Pittsburgh over #9 Old Dominion

#12 Utah State over #13 Belmont

#6 St. John's over #3 BYU

#10 Michigan State over #2 Florida