It’s that time of year again. Times where sports fans like myself are ostracized from work, school, and any other event around the world other than sport’s greatest spectacle. It’s absolute madness. It’s March Madness.

Sixty-eight teams made the field of the 2014 edition of the NCAA Tournament and over the next few weeks, the world will witness pandemonium, upsets, surprises, and cinderella’s. All of this will all come to an end at AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas in the beginning of April when four teams have a shot a basketball’s greatest triumph – a national championship.

It’s my humble honor to bring you my preview and predictions for all the turmoil and distinction the game of basketball will bring throughout the coming weeks.

Are you ready?

With no surprise, Billy Donovan’s Florida Gators emerge as the top overall seed in this year’s tournament. The Arizona Wildcats lead the weak West region, the undefeated Wichita State Shockers headline the Midwest region, and ACC champions Virginia Cavaliers take the top-seed in the East region.

And I begin with the Midwest region. By far the most talented region with the top four seeds (Wichita State, Michigan, Duke, and Louisville), all being worthy of number-one seeds. Also to mention three of the top-four seeds, excluding Duke, made the Final Four last season.

On the contrary, the West region is strikingly easy compared to any other region. So much so, any top-six, or potential cinderella team (cough, Nebraska, cough) as the victor to represent in the Final Four. The number-one seed Arizona Wildcats come off a loss to UCLA in the PAC-12 championship game, and I don’t see them as a strong candidate to win the West. In the end, it’s possible the Creighton Bluejays, with their golden boy Doug McDermott, could advance past the West to the Final Four.

Both of the South and East regions have their share of talent. The East is highlighted by the number-one seed Florida Gators, and the second-seed Kansas Jayhawks, and do not take your eye off of the VCU Rams, and the struggling, but still great Syracuse Orange. Don’t sleep on the six-seed Ohio State Buckeyes who have a lot of experience lead by their senior guard Aaron Craft.

The East is lead by the quietly great Virginia Cavaliers, who won the ACC Championship, the Villanova Wildcats have struggled as of late but still have great potential to win the East, and the Michigan State Spartans, who are finally healthy, are the team I think will come out of the East.

Sleeper teams:

VCU Rams: It seems like the Rams are in this every year, but head coach Shaka Smart never fails to impress. If the Rams can get past the Lumberjacks of Stephen F. Austin in the first round, I can see VCU making another legitimate run to the Sweet Sixteen and possibly further.

New Mexico: The Lobos were maybe the most disappointing team in last year’s tournament. I had the Lobos as going to the Final Four, but they lost to Harvard in the first round. This year, I see New Mexico as the other potential sleeper. If the Mountain West champs can advance past Stanford in the first round, I believe they have a great chance to beat the Kansas Jayhawks in the second round and possibly win a few more after that. Just don’t let me down again this year, New Mexico.

Teams that will disappoint:

Kansas Jayhawks: As the two-seed in the South region, the Kansas Jayhawks, however, are seen as one of the most overrated teams in the country. Sure Andrew Wiggins is playing lights out (scoring 41 and 30 in his last two games), but the Jayhawks as a team are ailing with an early exit in the Big-12 tournament against Iowa State, and only winning two of their last five games. I see Kansas losing to New Mexico in the second round of the tournament.

Wichita State: The Wichita State Shockers come into the tournament with an undeafeated, 34-0 record. No team has entered the tournament unblemished since Jerry Tarkanian’s UNLV Rebels in 1991 (lost to Duke in the Final Four). As a repercussion, or what seems like one, the NCAA did a great favor to the Shockers by putting them in thee toughest region in the bracket – the Midwest. Consequently, I don’t see Wichita State making it past the Sweet Sixteen.

First round games to watch:

#5 VCU vs. #12 Stephen F. Austin: The incredibly fast and versatile VCU Rams will take on the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks, a team that has won 28-straight basketball games including 14-straight wins on the road. The Lumberjacks are a fantastic passing team, and VCU, coached by “big-game” Shaka Smart, has molded VCU’s superb defense. I have VCU winning this one, but do not be surprised if “ol’ Steve” can steal the win.

#6 Baylor vs. #11 Nebraska: I remember telling myself. “The day I die, just might be the day Marv Albert, Steve Kerr, and Craig Sager call a Husker basketball game.” Never thought in a million years that could happen, because the Huskers have just not been very good in the years past. The Huskers were picked last in the B1G preseason poll, and ended up finishing fifth. They’re a relentless and gutsy team that has that cinderella feel to them. However, Baylor is a difficult matchup for the Huskers because of their size and physicality, but with Terran Petteway, and Shavon Shields being tough matchups, I definitely can see the Big Red walking away from this one with a W.

First round upsets:

#11 Providence over #6 North Carolina: The Providence Friars come off a very impressive win against the Creighton Bluejays in the Big East final. The Friars play very good defense and can score as well, and with them playing a vastly inconsistent North Carolina squad. I feel the pieces all fall into place for Providence.

#12 North Carolina State or Xavier over #5 Saint Louis: On paper this looks like an upset, but on the court it’s a different story. Regardless if Xavier or NC State takes the victory, I believe the winner will go on to defeat Saint Louis as well. The Billikens of Saint Louis have lost four of their last five games. To me, this is a no-brainer.

Not calling an upset, but there’s a recipe for an upset…

Mercer over Duke

Western Michigan over Syracuse

North Dakota State over Oklahoma

Final Four: Florida, Michigan State, Louisville, and Creighton

Champion:

Michigan State Spartans: The Michigan State Spartans have had a roller coaster year, finishing 26-8 with plenty of injuries and losses. Now, Sparty is healthy, experienced, and large favorites to win it all. The Spartans have everything you want in championship winning team: experience, health, and excellent coaching in Tom Izzo. I believe the Michigan State Spartans will cut down the nets at AT&T Stadium in early-April.