Oakland Region Predictions
Regional predictions: Atlanta | Oakland | Washington, D.C. | Minneapolis | Final Four/Championship
FIRST ROUND
1. Memphis over 16. Oral Roberts
Oral Roberts is making its first tourney appearance since 1984. That's the only miracle that's happening here.
8. Arkansas over 9. Bucknell
We all remember Bucknell upset Kansas in the first round last year. The Bison accomplished that as a No. 14 seed. Bucknell earned the No. 9 seed, but it's one and done for the Bison this time around.
5. Pittsburgh over 12. Kent State
The last time Kent State reached the Big Dance, the Golden Flashes celebrated with a 78-73 overtime victory over Pitt in the regional semifinals. Kent State eventually lost to Final Four-bound Indiana. Interesting plot development, but Pitt is tougher this year.
4. Kansas over 13. Bradley
The Jayhawks are playing as well as any team in the field. The top seven scorers for KU are freshmen and sophomores. Coach Bill Self is pushing all the right buttons now.
11. San Diego State over 6. Indiana
Indiana's five-game winning streak ended with a loss to Ohio State in the Big Ten semifinals. It would be a great story if the Hoosiers carried Mike Davis deep into the tournament. But he will exit with a two-game losing streak.
3. Gonzaga over 14. Xavier
Adam Morrison is on the cover of magazines. Gonzaga has been near the top of the polls all season. But the selection committee doesn't give the Zags much love. This time, Gonzaga should have been a No. 2 seed.
7. Marquette over 10. Alabama
Did anyone realize Marquette was the No. 4 seed in the Big East tournament? Not a bad debut in the conference that just broke the record for most teams (8) in one NCAA tournament. Look for Steve Novak to have a big scoring game against the Tide.
2. UCLA over 15. Belmont
Not sure the Bruins deserve a No. 2 seed, but coach Ben Howland has UCLA playing very well. And this is the time to be playing well.
SECOND ROUND
8. Arkansas over 1. Memphis
Rodney Carney and Darius Washington are so much fun to watch. Take a good look, because the No. 1 seed isn't staying around long. This is a neighborhood game and Ronnie Brewer will be the big man on the block.
4. Kansas over 5. Pittsburgh
Kansas vs. Pittsburgh in the second round? Sounds more like a regional final. The Jayhawks and the Panthers could stage an instant classic. Give the edge to the Jayhawks and their stingy field goal defense.
3. Gonzaga over 6. San Diego State
Remember when coach Steve Fisher took over at Michigan and won it all? History isn't going to repeat itself in San Diego. Fisher's team exits with just one win.
2. UCLA over 7. Marquette
The Bruins held three Pac-10 tournament opponents to under 60 points. That should make John Wooden proud.
REGIONAL SEMIFINALS
4. Kansas over 8. Arkansas
Arkansas beat Kansas 65-64 in the Maui Invitational back in November. That was a different Jayhawk team. Time for revenge.
2. UCLA over 3. Gonzaga
Howland's Pitt teams always fell short in the NCAA Tournament. But the Panthers didn't get all the breaks like UCLA. As a No. 2 seed, opening up down the road in San Diego and then moving on to Oakland, UCLA has a nice path to the Final Four. That will be big against Gonzaga.
REGIONAL FINALS
2. UCLA over 4. Kansas
One final step to Indianapolis. Kansas is good enough to beat the Bruins – but not in Oakland. Watch out for the Jayhawks in 2007, but this is a shining moment for Jordan Farmar and Co. UCLA wins after a great backcourt battle.
Ken Davis, a longtime college basketball writer for the Hartford Courant, predicted the Oakland region exclusively for Yahoo! Sports.
