UCONN's Rudy Gay

Connecticut
The Huskies have 7 guys that are capable of scoring in double figures, 8 players that see considerate playing time that are 6'6 or taller and beat 11 (count them 11) teams that are in the NCAA tournament. They keep getting better and better and despite a slip-up against Syracuse in the Big East quarterfinals, UCONN is 16-2 in their last 18 games.

Tennessee
I would say Air Force and Utah State because they don’t belong in the tournament PERIOD, but the Vols win this category because they don’t deserve anywhere need a two seed. At best, I’d give them a five seed, maybe a 4.

Winthrop
The team Tennessee is playing. Gregg Marshall and his Eagles beat Marquette, at Marquette, at Marquette’s own tournament by 7 and got shafted with a 15 seed. Oh wait, they also lost to Memphis, Arkansas and Auburn by a combined 15 points. Winthrop ended up with a 23-7 record and finished in the top 50 in offensive and defensive points per possession. A 13 seed was expected.

UNC's Tyler Hansbrough

North Carolina
The year started out with a 3-point win over lowly Gardner-Webb and then a month later a butt-whooping at the hands of USC. Those days are long forgotten and the season the Tar Heels are having might be Roy Williams' best coaching job ever. After losing their top 7 players last year, UNC has reloaded and is back for another run at the national title and are hot at what better time. Freshman Tyler Hansbrough is one of the nation's best players and you can expect to see him and his Tar Heels keep advancing in the tourney. Let's just hope CBS cameras focus in on his dad's girlfriend/sister/whoever the hell she is, she's hot.

Winthrop's Torrell Martin

Winthrop over Tennessee
The Eagles are experienced, talented, deep, and hungry to get past the 1st round of NCAA tourney play for the first time in school-history. The Volunteers put up plenty of points, but the Eagles forte is stopping teams from doing so. The animated Gregg Marshall almost upset Mark Few and Gonzaga in the first round last year and I think this is the year the Big South champs will get to the second (and then the Sweet 16).

Winthrop over Tennessee
See above.

Utah State over Washington
Utah State beat Nevada one out of three times this year and besides that I can't find another good win for them. The Huskies on the other hand are coming in 8-2 in their last 10 games and guard Brandon Roy is one of the nation's top 10 best players. No upset here folks.

Kentucky vs. UAB
This was a second round match-up in the 2004 tournament and it was easily one of the best games overall in that bracket. Nothing will change for this game.

North Carolina vs. Michigan State
Okay, class let me see your hands up for how many of you want to see a Tyler Hansbrough vs. Paul Davis match-up? Oh, I see the whole class raised your hands.

Air Force and Utah State
See how Air Force and Utah State – two very, very, very questionable bubble teams that slipped in – and how they come out and play in the first round.

UCONN vs. UNC
Two historic programs. Two historic coaches. The list goes on. Both teams are playing their best basketball of the year right now and if this game pans out, it will definitely be the most watched Elite 8 game of the tourney.