March Madness Bracket Predictions 2012: Picking The South Region

Pick exactly as I say, or do the opposite of what I say. You're bound to make big money either way. Here are my picks!

Second Round:

No. 1 Kentucky def. No. 16 Miss. Valley State. The Wildcats are a little angry about losing in the SEC title game, and the Delta Devils are gonna get it taken out on them. Kentucky will cruise to victory.

No. 8 Iowa State def. No. 9 UCONN. The Cyclones are solid on both ends of the floor and will be jacked up to play the defending National Champion. UCONN will still be unhappy about being a 9-seed, and they'll play like one.

No. 5 Wichita St. def. No. 12 VCU. Every year it seems like 5-seed beats a 12-seed, and after last year's tourney run, VCU is a sexy upset pick in 2012.. But the Shockers have got this one under control, WSU gets the W.

No. 4 Indiana def. No. 13 New Mexico State. Do either of these teams play defense? I like the Hoosiers in this one because I think the Big 10 style of play translates well come tournament time. Plus, IU is just the better team.

No. 6 UNLV def. No. 11 Colorado. The Rebels run the Buffs' out of the gym. The PAC-12 was horrible this year, and UNLV will easily bounce its champ.

No. 3. Baylor def. No. 14 South Dakota State. It's been a good year for the Bears, and it will continue with a win in its first tournament game.

No. 7 Notre Dame def. No. 10 Xavier. The Irish have had a solid year, and I am not particularly impressed with this Xavier squad. I think Notre Dame gets the win, and it's not even close.

No. 2 Duke def. No. 15 Lehigh. Duke is a team everyone loves to see lose, but they won't be seeing them lose in this round. Blue Devils advance.

Third Round:

No. 1 Kentucky def. No. 8 Iowa State. The Wildcats are the tournament's top seed for a reason. Iowa State puts up a good fight, but Kentucky prevails.

No. 4 Indians def. No. 5 Wichita State. I am tempted to pick the Shockers here, but there's just something about this Indiana team that makes them seem like a sleeper.

No. 6 UNLV def. No. 3 Baylor. I am biased. So what? Coach Dave Rice has done a great job this year, and he gets his squad to the Sweet 16.

No. 2. Duke def. No. 7 Notre Dame. Duke bests the Irish setting up a Sweet 16 showdown with UNLV. 1991 is alive and well.

Regional Semi-Finals:

No. 1 Kentucky def. No. 4 Indiana. The Wildcats get revenge for an early season loss at the hands of the Hoosiers and advance to the next round.

No. 6. UNLV def. No. 2 Duke. I already told you I am biased. It's an anniversary year for the tournament, and this historic matchup conjures up great memories. Mike Moser leads his UNLV squad to a win.

Region Final:

No. 1 Kentucky def. No. 6 UNLV. The Wildcats punch their ticket to New Orleans by absolutely suffocating UNLV. The Rebels will have a poor shooting night, and can't keep pace with UK.

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