1. Virginia Commonwealth over Duke: This has to be a favorite of most intense college basketball observers. Duke has had arguably its worst season in the past 11 years, including in-conference losses to Florida State, Virginia, Virginia Tech, and Maryland - and a game that ostensibly should have been a loss, at Cameron, to Clemson. VCU, meanwhile, has been an upset darling since December seemingly, has a balanced scoring attack, and might be able to ride an anti-Duke sentiment in Buffalo if they keep it close early.

2. Wright State over Pittsburgh: The winner of this game would face the winner of Game (1) above, and while this doesn't seem to be on the radar of many, consider these facts: Pittsburgh couldn't hit the broad side of a barn in their loss to Georgetown in the Big East Finals (I was there, and a Pitt fan in the row behind me actually used that expression when Aaron Gray began 1-for-11, although there might have been an expletive involved), and Wright State is 8-1 since the beginning of February, including beating Butler in the Horizon Final. One issue against this: Wright State doesn't have a player on its roster over 6-8, although if Gray shoots the way he did against Georgetown, that won't matter; and, could it be possible Jamie Dixon is buying into the VCU over Duke hype and thus seeing a Sweet 16 matchup between him and Ben Howland?

3. Stanford over Louisville: Louisville had a hell of a run at the end of the regular season, and there's no reason to discount that. Both teams enter a bit weak - Louisville had a sizable lead on Pittsburgh in the Semis of the Big East Tournament and lost it, and Stanford is 4-6 since the beginning of February. However, they have height in the Lopez Twins and an underrated Pac-10 player in Goods, and they did beat UCLA this year. While the game being in Lexington will make it easier for Louisville fans to travel, will it make the other half of the building be pro-Stanford?

4. Oral Roberts over Washington State: Oral Roberts is good - lest we forget, they beat Kansas this year. They also have a three-time Conference Player of the Year in Caleb Green, which is rare, even in a small conference. Washington State had an impressive season, but none of these guys have experience with the Big Dance, and ORU has been here twice in the past three years. Green might be too much for any individual Wazzou player, even with their generally great defensive scheme.

5. Davidson over Maryland: No one should be confusing the Southern Conference with the ACC, even in a year when the ACC was all over the place on some weeks. Still, Davidson hasn't lost since January 20th, and they have four players who average in double figures in points, including frosh Stephen Curry, one of the better frosh mid-major players in America. Maryland, after getting hot during the middle to late portion of their ACC schedule, laid a massive egg against Miami to open the league tournament. They have playmakers, but Vasquez might make a few mistakes in his debut Dance, and if Davidson can keep this close, it could be an upset at the end.

(11) Winthrop over (6) ND - ND has ridiculous shooters, but can they finish?

(14) Miami of Ohio over (3) Oregon - Oregon looked amazing in their Pac-10 run (Tajuan Porter!) but how inconsistent a team have they been over the past few years? The Redhawks might be running on adrenaline after that game-winner to just make it here.

(12) Arkansas over (5) USC - USC looked like garbage against a hot Oregon team, and Arkansas might be motivated because they were the final team in, presumably. You gotta figure Stan Heath wants some attention as "the other Izzo assistant in the East."