I don't claim to be an expert of college basketball. Still, even an expert couldn't have predicted Cleveland State's romp of Wake Forest in the first round of the tournament. Thus, once again the NCAA Tournament seems more suited for those who pick teams based on the ?eenie meenie miney moe? method, rather than sound basketball knowledge. There is simply nothing like it.



Here's a look at the West and Midwest brackets from week one:

Midwest Region:

Best Team to Lose ? Wake Forest

This one was easy.

After spending time during the regular season as the number one team in the country and second in the ACC, the Demon Deacons figured to be a sure bet to go to the Sweet 16. Apparently, Cleveland State didn't ask the folks in Las Vegas how things should turn out. Not only was Wake Forest beaten, but they were terribly out-classed on their way to a 89-64 thrashing. Indeed, the beauty of a ?one and done? tournament; even the little guys can win sometimes.

Biggest Upset ? Arizona over Utah.

While this wasn't the most surprising, seeding-wise, this one raised the most eyes. The Wildcats, who were characterized by some as ?not deserving to even be in the tournament,? took control of the game quickly by completely taking Utah's size and low-post skill out of the game with an up-tempo, athletic style that had the Runnin' Utes gasping for air, from the opening tap.

Best Player So Far ? Terrence Williams, Louisville

Williams? ability to score, run the floor, rebound and make the big defensive play has helped an otherwise inconsistent Louisvile squad that has at times, appeared uninterested against their competition, so far in the tournament. If the Cardinals continue to go deeper in the tournament, Terrence Williams will have to lead them there.

Best Team Left ? Louisville

I know, you just got done reading that they have been inconsistent. Still, with all of their lackluster play, the Cardinals have yet to be seriously tested in the tournament. Sporting the most balanced team in the tournament, if Rick Pitino can somehow get his Cardinals to play 40 minutes of good basketball, the Cardinals could be playing in the championship game.

Prediction On This Upcoming Weekend ?

Since the midwest bracket is primarily filled with the ?heavy hitters? of the bracket, look for the games to be much tighter across the board. Even though Arizona isn't even in the same talent or coaching realm, look for the Wildcats to give Louisville a stiff challenge in the first half. Eventually, the Cardinals? depth will wear Arizona down.

Also, look for the Michigan State Spartans to outlast Kansas. While Kansas will keep the game close, the Spartans? match-up zone should prove troublesome for Kansas in the key moments. The Jayhawks are simply too inexperienced.

West Region:

Best Team To Lose ? California

Sure, ?Cal? plays in the overrated Pac-10 Conference, but this Calfornia team had enough talent to win against the Maryland Terps. The Terps, who obviously wanted the win more than California, seemed to fight for and win the fight for virtually every lose ball in the game. With a little more hustle, the Golden Bears could have gone further, a lot further.

Biggest Upset ? Texas A&M over BYU

Since there weren't any major upsets in this bracket, this is the game that ?sticks out.? For the second straight year, Texas A&M found themselves playing the more talented BYU team. For the second straight straight year, they found a way to beat them. Familiarity should have helped BYU defeat the Aggies, but BYU was not aggressive enough, again.

Best Player So Far ? JaJuan Johnson, Purdue

Playing in the biggest game of his life, against a road crowd and a team in the Washington Huskies, that was desperate and surging for a win, Johnson came up with 22 points and two crucial blocked shots with a minute remaining to help the Boilermakers advance to the sweet 16. In the NCAA tournament, that kind of performance cannot be overlooked.

Best Team Left ? UConn

The ?star-studded? roster that features A.J. Price, Hasheem Thabeet and Jeff Adrien have not failed to live up to their number-one seed, crushing their opponents by a combined 82 points in their first two games of the tournament. I guess playing in the Big East conference has helped ready them for the tournament after all.

Prediction On This Upcoming Weekend

Look for UConn to continue the dominace of their first two games. Purdue will try to give up a fight, but they simply don't have an answer for A.J. Price or Hasheem Thabeet. This one could be ugly, early.

Also, look for Memphis to return to the Final Four as their disgustingly up-tempo style will have Missouri scrambling to keep up with the Memphis Tigers.