By JOHN P. WISEOne Great Season
Ohio State earned the tournament's top overall seed, but certainly didn't get what should have been the path of least resistance to the Final Four in Houston on the first weekend in April.
ALSO: Bracket Tips From Charlie Sheen
This bracket is loaded with some serious firepower. Traditional elites North Carolina, Syracuse and Kentucky follow Ohio State on the top four lines here.
Here's what you need to know:
Top Seed: Ohio State (32-2, Big Ten regular season and tournament champions)
Best Second-Round Game: No. 6 Xavier vs. No. 11 Marquette
Third-Round Upset Alert: No. 8 George Mason will scare No. 1 Ohio State, but won't get the win. Otherwise, we like No. 6 Xavier over No. 3 Syracuse.
Cinderella: No. 6 Xavier (can XU be a Cinderella anymore?)
Watch This Guy: No. 7 Washington guard Isaiah Thomas
How A 16 Seed Can Finally Win A Game: Texas-San Antonio will overcome its lack of experience and interior muscle with poise and by winning the perimeter battle on both ends of the floor.
Projected Winner: Ohio State