STF Regional Preview: East

v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} .shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);} Normal 0 MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} #1 Pittsburgh vs. #16 ESTU - 2:55 pm Friday, Dayton Crazy fact about the Panthers: Despite seemingly making an appearance in the Sweet1 6 every year for past decade, the Panthers have never beaten a No. 5 seed or higher in the NCAA Tournament. Like never ever. As long as Manbeastchild DeJuan Blair doesn't pick up four fouls in the first :47 seconds of play in either game in Dayton, I think that u'useful fact will become null and void. Stab in the Dark Final Score Prediction: Pitt 87, ESTU 63 #2 Duke vs. #15 Binghamton - 9:40pm Thursday, Greensboro Besides famous alum Tony Kornheiser, is there any reason to root for Binghamton. Is it possible the Bearcats are the least likable mid-major in NCAA Tournament history? The New York Times and America East coaches certainly agree with that assessment. Players on the run for attempted murder, stealing condoms, fundraiser charging sexual harassment, and that's not even the entire list. It's almost enough to make the average fan root for *gasp* Duke in the first round. That's like rooting for the AIG execs to keep the bailout money. Stab in the Dark Final Score Prediction: Duke 90, Binghamton 71 #3 Villanova vs. #14 American - 7:10 pm Thursday - Philadelphia Hey, don't blame Nova for essentially playing two home games in the NCAA Tournament - blame the rules. With teams allowed to play a max of four games in one building before its considered a home court, Nova played the NCAA rules committee like a fiddle, playing three games at the Wachovia Center (Louisville, Cuse and Georgetown), and one game at the soon-to-be-imploded Spectrum (against Pitt). Well played, Nova Nation, well played. It's too bad, because with tourney experienced guards like Garrison Carr and Derrick Mercer runnin' and gunnin' from behind the arc, American had serious Cinderella potential. Stab in the Dark Final Score Prediction: Villanova 68, American 58 #4 Xavier vs. #13 Portland State - 7:25pm Thursday - Boise Battle of two teams seeded a bit too high. As long as X can hold on to the ball and someone outside of B.J. Raymond and Derrick Brown can find the inside of the basket (a major problem of late), the X-men should prove to be just a bit too big and too athletic for the Vikings. Stab in the Dark Final Score Prediction: Xavier 65, Portland State 57 #5 Florida State vs. #12 Wisconsin - 9:55 pm Thursday - Boise Wisconsin is about to have a staring role in the Toney Douglas' coming out party , whether they are willing participants or not is another story. A majority of hoop fans got their got their first real look at Douglas in the ACC Tournament, (28 pts. Vs. Duke, 27 pts. North Carolina) where he certainly didn't disappoint. Expect more of the same against the Badgers, who better hope that Trevon Hughes or Marcus Landry can slow down the all-ACC guard. Stab in the Dark Final Score Prediction: Florida State 72, Wisconsin 55 #6 UCLA vs. #11 VCU - 2:45pm Thursday - Philadelphia General bracketing rule of thumb: Avoid following the crowd on whatever the trendy "mid-major" upset pick. It always backfires. And this season, even the secretary is taking VCU. It's easy to see why the Rams are such a popular upset pick: VCU is a semi-household mid-major thanks to Eric 'The Dagger" Maynor's shot against Duke in '07, UCLA appears to be down after four years of dominance and is being shipped 3,000 miles across the country. But this Bruin squad isn't that bad, still ranking high in the offensive and defensive efficinancy numbers , and its unlikely that often-overlooked point guard Darren Collision will allow his career to end on a Maynor "dagger". That's why.........I'm still taking VCU. Stab in the Dark Final Score Prediction: VCU 67, UCLA 64 #7 Texas vs. #10 Minnesota - 7:10pm Thursday - Greensboro Ugh. This game rivals Texas A&M -BYU for the least interesting game in the entire bracket. Texas is not nearly as talented or interesting as it was last season, and outside of A.J. Abrams, there isn't one player that is remotely interesting. Minnesota is, well, um....is coached by Tubby Smith, who has this team in the NCAA Tournament about one year ahead of schedule. So they got that going for them.... Stab in the Dark Final Score Prediction: Texas 60, Minnesota 53 #8 Oklahoma State vs. #9 Tennessee 12:25 pm Friday - Dayton I was surprised at how low UT was seeded based on its RPI and top 50 wins, but it's not likely that anyone in the state still cares at this point. They are all distracted with the fact that another recruiting violation by Lane Kiffin has caused the Alabama National Guard to cross the boarder.One of the tougher games on the board to predict, I'll take UT, gambling on the fact that UT guards have finally learned something called "defense." Stab in the Dark Final Score Prediction: Tennessee 73, Oklahoma State 71 Best First Round Game: VCU vs. UCLA - Maynor vs Collison, mid-major vs. THE major in college basketball history, West Coast vs. Old South. That sounds fun, right? Best Potential Game: Duke vs. Nova in the Sweet 16. It fits all of the ESPN college basketball fan stereotypes! Best Player: DeJuan Blair - If you were wondering where Manchildbeast came from, it's because Blair reminds me of this mythical beast in the paint....Excelsior! Best Mascot: Not the most exciting region for mascots, so I'll go with the Musketeers. They got two pretty badass mascots and one of the most underrated fight songs in college basketball. Best AWJS: Really? This entire category was made for Duke guards. Scheyer gets the nod from this season's excellent crop. Sweet 16 Predictions: Pitt over Florida State, Nova over Duke Elite 8 Prediction: Pitt over Nova