Selection Sunday is over; the brackets have been set, and the games are about to start. As is the case every year, the tournament is unpredictable. Some teams are underseeded, some overseeded. Others got snubbed, not making the tournament. But, none of that matters once the games begin. Here are my predictions of this year’s field of 68:

1. The Midwest Region
The number one seed in the Midwest region, Wichita State University (WSU), might be in the toughest region of the four. The top four seeds in the Midwest are WSU, Michigan, Duke and Louisville. If undefeated WSU advances to the second round, they will face either underseeded Kentucky or Kansas State. Lower seeds such as Tennessee or North Carolina State have the potential to pull off some upsets. The region is flooded with talented teams, and even if WSU survives the first weekend, a team like the Duke Blue Devils, Louisville Cardinals or even the Texas Longhorns could put an end to their undefeated season. While Wichita State is skilled, Duke is also a talented and tough team that could win the Midwest regional and go all the way to the Final Four.

2. The West region
The three Big 12 teams in this region are likely to cause upsets and represent the conference well. Ninth seeded Oklahoma State University (OSU) will face eighth seeded Gonzaga on Friday. OSU rebounded after a seven game losing streak in league play and has more than enough talent to topple number one seed Arizona in the round of 32. They may even make a run to the Elite Eight. Earlier in the season, Baylor looked like they were headed to the NIT, but after a strong finish to their regular season, they earned a six seed. I see them advancing to the Sweet 16 after a close win over Creighton. Oklahoma could have a more difficult road. If San Diego State advances and meets Oklahoma in the second round,San Diego State’s talent will be too much for OU to handle. The West region is close to a toss up, but I think the second seeded Wisconsin Badgers can make a run to the Final Four with the right match-ups.

3. The South region
The South region, along with the Midwest, is arguably the toughest region of the bracket. Overall number one seed Florida headlines the region, while Kansas, Syracuse and UCLA have the second through fourth seeds. Florida went undefeated in the SEC and is riding a 26 game winning streak, but the region’s competition will definitely challenge them. Kansas is most likely playing their first weekend without seven foot center Joel Embiid, who is most likely out for the first weekend with a stress fracture in his back. New Mexico should get past Stanford, and if KU can defeat Western Kentucky, the Lobos and Jayhawks could meet again this season. Without Joel Embiid, the matchup is much closer, but I think other jayhawks will step up and help KU advance. Another team that could make a run is sixth seeded Ohio State. A game between Ohio State and Syracuse in the second round would be close, but Ohio State is an experienced team that may find a way to win. Any team from the South can make a run to the Final Four, but if Embiid comes back for the Jayhawks, KU can play with anybody in the country and could make it all the way to Arlington for the Championship.

4. The East region
Touted as the easiest region, the East region has the Virginia Cavaliers as its number one seed. The fourth spot for a number one seed was up in the air, but the Cavs secured it with an ACC tournament championship win over Duke. Following Virginia, Villanova, Iowa State and Michigan State round out the top four seeds. The Cyclones are playing their best basketball of the season and, as we in Lawrence know, can utilize their size and dominate teams from the inside. They could be matched up with Villanova in the Sweet 16, and it’s really a toss up, but I say Villanova has a slight edge because of their style of physical play. Virginia and Memphis, provided they both advance, could meet in the round of 32. Virginia can win, but Michigan State could be too much for them in the Sweet 16. Fighting through injuries all season, the Michigan State Spartans are finally healthy, and I think that will put them over Virginia into the Elite Eight. However, Villanova could defeat MSU, and the Wildcats would then take a spot in the Final Four.
Every year, thousands of brackets are filled out and submitted on various websites. Warren Buffett is even offering one billion dollars to whoever can predict every single game correctly. Year after year, predictions are disproven. Rarely does the country’s favorite for the National Champion title actually win. The NCAA tournament is always filled with crazy shots, dominant performances and huge upsets–that’s the fun of it. The madness is over as soon as it begins, and, in just three short weeks, we’ll have a champion. Now’s a great time to enjoy the sport and watch the best basketball of the year (and hope KU wins!).