Dick Jerardi: Kansas all the way; Villanova in Final Four

Click here to see a .pdf of Dick Jerardi's 2010 NCAA Tournament bracket.

I ADMIT TO BEING confused by the bracket put together by the committee, but they have all these principles that they try to adhere to so that the final result often is less than perfect.

For instance, if Kansas is the No. 1 overall seed, why is Ohio State the No. 2 in the Midwest Region? If this is a true S-curve, they are saying OSU is the eighth-best team behind Villanova and Kansas State. Don't know how you could say that, given how the teams played and what they accomplished. This may have something to do with the committee wanting to avoid rematches between better teams from the same conference, but, if that is the case, somebody should explain it.

I have no clue how Temple could be a No. 5 seed with Notre Dame just one seed line behind and Baylor two seed lines ahead. The Owls won a regular season and a tournament in a conference that has three seeds at No. 7 or better. Also, Cornell is way better than a No. 12 seed. What teams from a league like the Ivy need to do is schedule hard games on the road and win. Cornell did both, yet was treated like just another nice team from the Ivy.

Whatever the complaints, the bracket is the bracket and here goes.

Kansas has been the best team all season. It has the fewest flaws. It is the most obvious pick. Sometimes, obvious is the place to be.

I was planning on picking Villanova to win a game or two until I saw the Wildcats bracket. I think it sets up perfectly for their style of play. I can see them getting back to the Final Four.

Temple has a brutal opener against Cornell. If the Owls can win, and I think it's a big if, they can get on a roll.

Upsets. Siena over wounded Purdue in a 4-13 game. Old Dominion over Notre Dame in a 6-11. Everybody loves Baylor. Which is why I am going with Sam Houston State in a 3-14 major upset. I think San Diego State is live against Tennessee in a 6-11, but I could do without the trip to Providence. Love the fact that Murray State, in Kentucky, and Vanderbilt, in Tennessee, are playing in San Jose. Think Murray State can win a 4-13 game.

Rick Pitino has been waiting 18 years to get another shot at Duke. Watch out for Louisville in the second round over the Blue Devils. The Cardinals surely match up athletically. They have blown a bunch of big leads, but it tells you the talent is there.

In the end, it looks like the Big East and Big 12 will dominate. Don't be surprised if they are the only conferences with teams in the Final Four.

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