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Team to beat: Duke

It's been a pretty good year for Mike Krzyzewski. First, he put U.S. basketball back on top with an Olympic gold medal, convincing superstars that it's cool to play defense and to pass the ball. On Sunday, he won his 11th conference championship. The really good news for the Blue Devils: They won't have to play North Carolina until the semifinal in Detroit. Other than the Tar Heels and a weird game against Clemson, Duke was competitive in every other loss. Playing the first two games at Greensboro won't hurt, either.

Team in trouble: Pitt

Maybe Jamie Dixon, Sam Young, DeJuan Blair and friends will be able to forget about the past. But it won't be easy when it comes up in every interview. The Panthers are 18-21 all time in the NCAA tournament and 6-5 with Dixon as coach. They are classic underachievers, an idea that was reinforced by losing to West Virginia in the Big East tournament. When the game is tight, doubt will creep into the minds of the Panthers. Pitt should win the opener against East Tennessee State but will struggle in the second-round game against the Oklahoma State-Tennessee winner. Anything less than a Final Four appearance will be considered a failure and Duke serves as the ultimate stopper.

Dark horse: UCLA

Seems weird to put the Bruins in this category. No school has a better history in the NCAA tournament. Not even close. And Ben Howland is looking for his fourth consecutive trip to the Final Four. But UCLA doesn't have the star power of recent years and slides into the tournament as an unassuming 6 seed. The opener against Virginia Commonwealth is winnable, and Villanova is the softest of the No. 3s. UCLA's athleticism and its experience in the big games will make it a difficult team to take out. Don't be stunned if Darren Collison is lacing them up in early April at Ford Field.

Sentimental favorite: Minnesota

Some will tell you the Gophers don't belong. They would be wrong. Minnesota has seven wins against teams in the tournament, including three out of conference. The win against No. 1 seed Louisville had to convince the committee that the Gophers were worthy. Tubby Smith took over a difficult situation in Minneapolis and quickly turned it around. Think the folks in Kentucky would like him back? Sure beats getting ready for the NIT.

Best first-round matchup: Oklahoma State vs. Tennessee

Neither team is particularly fond of defense. That's good. Neither team is particularly smart about when and where it takes its shots. That ought to be fun. Travis Ford and Bruce Pearl are as animated as any coaches in the country, a fact that won't be lost on the CBS producers. Hopefully, Oklahoma State's Byron Eaton will be fully recovered from a foot injury sustained in the Big 12 tournament. And, hopefully, the Volunteers will be ready to shoot again after Mississippi State blocked almost everything in Sunday's SEC title game.

Worst first-round matchup: Xavier vs. Portland State

After a great start, the Musketeers struggled in the final month of the season. They went 5-5 the last 10 games, including an Atlantic 10 tournament loss to Temple. Portland State is back for its second consecutive tournament appearance. The first trip didn't go so well, the Vikings losing 85-61 to Kansas. And nobody has a more hideous mascot in the tournament.

Local connection: Jon Scheyer, Duke

The ACC tournament MVP is a three-time News-Gazette All-Stater and two-time Player of the Year from Glenbrook North. He was coached in high school by Bruce Weber's brother, David. Since he was moved to point guard, Duke has won eight of 10. "I think he's probably the reason they are where they are," Florida State coach Leonard Hamilton said. "That was a great move, moving him to point guard. He has a calming effect on their team that allows them to play at the pace they like."

National reaction

"I'm surprised at the high seeds, especially Tennessee. LSU being that high of a seed, that was surprising to me. When I saw Tennessee come across there as a 9, the kids didn't know it, but I knew it. You kind of knew where the league stood in the eyes of the people making the decisions when I saw that." – Auburn coach Jeff Lebo