"I'm Back" - Previewing the NCAA Tournament

"I'm Back." It's quite fitting really. Twenty years to the day that Michael Jordan announced his return to the NBA, I'm back. After quite a lengthy hiatus I'm back in the blogoshphere, bringing you my takes on the latest happenings in the wide world of sports. And what better time than now? March Madness is in full swing, and it's time for a preview of this years NCAA Tournament. Here's my article on why UConn could win last years tourney, and did might I add, in case you missed it.

But let's get to this years tournament. Three words. Big Blue Nation. That's it. Kentucky. If you aren't picking Kentucky to win, then you may have lost it. The Tournament's number one overall seed is

Kentucky looks to be only the eighth school to go
undefeated on the way to an NCAA championship

absolutely loaded with talent, height and tournament experience. Let's not forget Kentucky's run to the title game just last year. With the return of key players from last years squad and the addition of freshmen Devin Booker, Karl-Anthony Towns, Trey Lyles and Tyler Ulis the Wildcats have 8 players that any other school in the nation would gladly throw into their starting rotation. And that's before you even consider that they lead the nation in Defensive Efficiency, while ranking 10th in Offensive Efficiency. The rigors of the Big Dance will pose the Wildcats' largest test of the season, but it's been Championship, nay Perfect Season or bust for Kentucky since November. 

But what can we expect in regards to Madness in this years Tournament? Unlike last year, with no consensus favorite, and tons of parity, this years tournament offers a much starker division in quality of team. Top seeds will win. And they will win big. Beyond Kentucky, each of the top three seeds in each region are capable of winning in March, and the lower seeds don't offer the same potential to make deep runs as last years did. That's not to say upsets won't happen; they will. But I would be shocked to see many teams seeded lower than 4th in their region to make the Elite Eight. And now, the moment you've all been waiting for, this years bracket. Enjoy!