When the field was announced for the 2010 NCAA Tournament, one thing was clear: Syracuse and Duke would have the easiest paths to the Final Four as No. 1 seeds, while the top two No. 1 seeds in the tournament, Kansas and Kentucky, would have the toughest paths. Doesn't seem to make sense, but that's clearly how it turned out.

The Midwest region, where Kansas resides, is definitely the strongest, while the East, Kentucky's home, is second-best. Given that the statistics show it's unlikely we'll have more than two No. 1 seeds in the Final Four (in the past 25 tourneys, only three times have at least three No. 1 seeds reached the Final Four), I'm predicting that Kansas or Kentucky will be ousted from the Dance before reaching Indianapolis. Let's break it down by region:

Midwest:

As great as this region is, it's hard to pick against Kansas making the Final Four. Thus, I'm picking the Jayhawks to come out of this region, just like everybody else. While Evan Turner is clearly the best player in America, he doesn't have enough help to allow a deep run by the Buckeyes. Georgetown, meanwhile, is loaded with talent and playing well again, and I like the Hoyas to make it to the Elite Eight before falling to the Jayhawks. Kansas' closest game on the road to the Final Four will come in the second round against Northern Iowa. If the Jayhawks are going to be ousted before Indy, it will be courtesy of the Panthers.

East:

Nobody will argue against Kentucky being the most talented team in the tournament, but I'm sick of hearing people say that talent is more important than experience. That may be true to an extent, but for the most part, you need talent and experience to advance in the tournament. You can't rely on one or the other, and that's why Kentucky will be ousted, most likely by a patient, experienced team that plays great defense and controls tempo. Enter Wisconsin. The Badgers have the makeup to oust the Wildcats in the Sweet 16, which they'll do, but they'll ultimately fall to West Virginia, who will represent this region in the Final Four. The Mountaineers are not a typical Final Four team, given how inept they can be on offense, but no team plays harder, and I expect them to impose their will on everyone in this bracket.

South:

Duke is the weakest No. 1 seed, regardless of what the NCAA selection committee says. The Blue Devils can make the Final Four for sure, but a really athletic team with size will be too much for them. So who fits that bill in this bracket? The Baylor Bears. Baylor is the best team that nobody really knows about. They have an awesome presence underneath and terrific, athletic guards. It doesn't hurt that when the Blue Devils and Bears play, the game will be played in Houston, assuring a pro-Bears crowd. It's possible the Bears could stumble against Villanova, but the Wildcats' struggles down the stretch make me think they aren't ready to make a deep run. Let me just say that for all of you picking Siena over Purdue, forget about it. It's not happening.

West:

Syracuse will encounter no problems in reaching the Final Four. It's as simple as that. No team in this region can match the Cuse's talent, depth and experience, and it's not even close. Kansas State is a weak No. 2 seed, and I see the Wildcats eventually falling to a mis-seeded BYU team, which deserved a No. 4 seed. Pittsburgh, the No. 3 seed in this region, scares nobody. UTEP is a trendy pick to reach the Sweet 16, but it's not happening. The Miners will fall to Butler in the first round. Syracuse will ultimately roll past BYU on the way to Indy.

Final Four:

Syracuse shuts downs Kansas' big man down low and moves on to Indy.

West Virginia's physical defense puts the clamps on Baylor and propels the Mountaineers into the title game.

National Championship:

In an all-Big East title game, the Orange squeeze out a win, 65-60.