Breaking down the brackets: The Wild, Wild West

(teams like Drake are what makes the NCAA tournament so great).

People everywhere are saying that UCLA got the easiest road to the Final Four. And you know what? They're right. The Bruins should have no problem getting to San Antonio, but they don't call it March Madness for nothing.

Here's the West:

• As I said earlier, I think UCLA is easily the class of this bracket and will get through, so we won't talk much about them from here on out.

• The team I like is Drake. Gotta love The Drake. Every year, a team like this makes a run (think Gonzaga, Rhode Island a while back, Florida three years ago, etc). This year, I think it's Drake and Butler that are going to do it. I like the Bulldogs to beat a fiesty Western Kentucky team in the first round and squeak by UConn in the second round to face UCLA in the Sweet 16. But the Bruins play the best defense in the land and will end Drake's season.

• Xavier is a good team, but shouldn't be a 3-seed. That said, they'll probably get Baylor in the second round and advance to the Sweet 16.

• There is no way on Earth Duke should be a 2-seed. And I'm not just saying that because I'm a Maryland fan. I've seen Duke and I can name 15 teams better than them. I wouldn't be surprised if they lose in the second round. But they'll likely get to the Sweet 16, where Xavier will knock them off.

• So I have Xavier and UCLA (who I think is winning this whole thing, by the way), in the elite eight in this bracket, with UCLA getting to the Final Four.