The tournament is finally just a few hours away – less than 12 as I write this. That means that we are less than 12 hours away from the two best days there are in sports. I can’t wait. As we get ready for the big day(s) here are a few thoughts I have on my mind:

1. I am an unabashedly, blindly loyal Michigan fan, so take this with the appropriate grain of salt – I love Michigan’s position in the bracket, and I think that there is a real chance that they will be alive on the second weekend. It would take a mild upset followed by a big one, but it is not the least likely possibility out there. I think that Clemson is not a particularly strong seven seed, and that Oklahoma is very vulnerable right now.

2. I am very solid on 3/4 of my Final Four – Louisville, Memphis, and Pitt. I think that Louisville is the best team in the country right now, and I have them beating Pitt in an all-Big East final.

3. The South region is wide open. I don’t have a lot of faith in UNC right now with the Ty Lawson injury and their general instability. I like Oklahoma even less right now. They have one exceptional player and one very good freshman, but they just aren’t clicking. The problem with the region, though, is that I don’t know who is going to win. I think the top two seeds will lose one of their first three games, but who emerges? I kind of like Syracuse, and I like Illinois, too. I don’t trust Gonzaga much. I think Arizona State could do some damage if James Harden settles into hs game well. My bracket says Syracuse, but I am far from confident with that pick. I don’t think it matters much, though – Pitt will beat whoever emerges.

4. The team at each seed most likely to be upset first – #1 – UNC, #2 – Oklahoma, #3 – Kansas, #4 – Xavier, #5 – Utah, #6 – Marquette, #7 – Clemson, #8 – LSU

5. Most likely upsets from #11 or higher seeds – Arizona, Utah State, VCU

6. Most overrated team – North Carolina

7. Most underrated team – Arizona

8. Best potential game on the board – I think that a Louisville-Memphis final four game would be an absolute classic. I would be torn in that one as I really like both teams.

9. I’m going to miss Billy Packer.

10. About 90 percent of my predictions will be proven wrong over the next three weeks. Thankfully, I will only remember the correct ones a year from now.