Breaking down the brackets: The East

Well, E-town sports aren't quite underway yet, so I'll be coming to you between now and Wednesday and breaking down the four regions of the NCAA tournament bracket.

Of course, every blogger/sportswriter with a keyboard is posting predictions so I'm not a pioneer or anything. Here's something you may not get many writers to admit, though. I have absolutely no idea what's going to happen in the tournament. Anyone who tells you that they do is lying. Period. I dare anyone on planet Earth to tell me that they picked George Mason to go to the Final Four two years ago. Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Didn't think so. There is no science to this, it's all luck.

I watch more than my share of college hoops all year long and I'm telling you, if you win your bracket pool (which is played for fun, of course, since, you know, gambling is illegal and all) you are lucky. Think about it. Who usually wins? The person who says, "Oh I picked UCLA because I just love their colors." or the one who knows that "DJ Augustine is the most unstoppable guard in the US." Yep, the first one. That's who.

So I'll give you my meaningless "analysis" of each of the regions. Take it for what you will. Without further ado, I give you the East region:

• North Carolina is top overall top seed in the bracket (although I think they are probably the third best team in the country), and should have a cake walk to the Final Four. Side note: I can't believe now that my Terps beat the Tar Heels, and then completely lost every semblence they had of being a winning team. Watching the NIT = bad times. Anyway, Carolina gets the play-in winner (likely Mt. St. Mary's, since Coppin State has 20 freaking losses) and will cruise. Oh, and they're playing in Raleigh and Charlotte. Ugh.
• If I have to pick between an Arkansas team that I feel got lucky to win the SEC and Eric Gordon, I'm taking Gordon. Indiana wins.
• I know everyone loves the 5-12 upset and I'm guaranteeing that WAY too many people are going to take George Mason based on the 5-12 pick and the fact that they made that magical Final Four run. Here's the thing though, that's not the same team and they are playing a very, very good Notre Dame team. Just because the Irish are known for football, don't think that this isn't a good basketball team.
• I'm very, very tempted to take Winthrop over Washington State. Just a hunch.
• St. Joe's upsetting Xavier in the A-10 touney was fun to watch, but I really like this Oklahoma bunch. But the main reason I'd pick them is...
• The possibility of seeing them play Boise State in the second round. Remember the bowl game between these two two years ago? One of the best college football games ever. See, I told you making these picks makes no sense. Unfortunately, Boise State is running into Louisville, who I like here. By the way, don't you think Boise State should have a blue gym floor, you know to match the blue turf on the football field?
• If any team wants to complain about their seeding, it should be Butler. Yeah, they're a mid major team, but they went 29-3 this year and were ranked in or near the top 10 NATIONALLY nearly all season, and suddenly they are only a 7 seed in the East bracket? Wow. I think they are going to play very inspired basketball this week with a huge chip on their shoulder. I know I wouldn't want to play them.
• Tennessee shouldn't be in this bracket, but they are and they'll scoot past American in the first round.

Second round:
I like:
UNC to beat Indiana.
Notre Dame over Winthrop (yeah, that's right 4-13 upset!)
Oklahoma over Louisville.
Butler over Tennessee. (The Vols had a good year, but I've got a hunch with Butler here).

Sweet 16:
UNC over Notre Dame
Butler over Oklahoma

Elite 8:
UNC over Butler. Cakewalk for the Heels, but I suppose being the No. 1 overall seed, they earned it. Don't be surprised if they lose though. I know I won't.

Back later with a look at the Midwest Bracket: Kansas, OJ Mayo, K-State, Wisconsin, Roy Hibbert and much much more in what could likely be the toughest bracket in the tournament.