The bracket has just been announced, and I am sure my opinions will change the more I look at it, but here is what jumps out at me as my initial reactions:

Most generous seeding – Washington State. I thought they would be a six or a seven, not a four. I don’t like their chances against Notre Dame, though.

Slaps in the face – Tennessee thought they might still be a one seed and they were the last two. Ouch. Wisconsin was worse, though – I know the Big Ten wasn’t at its best this year, but it is still a major conference, so the regular season and tournament champ deserves better than a three. Butler is a very dangerous seven, too.

Best first round game – Two jump out. USC and Kansas State is a no-brainer. Beasley vs Mayo – it will be a slugfest. I like USC in this one, but it won’t be easy. The other gem is Gonzaga and Davidson. Tough break for the Zags. I think that Davidson could win here and against Georgetown, too, and especially since they are playing in their own back yard. They are shaping up to be one of those lower seeds that will make or break my brackets.

Best potential second round match-ups – Tennessee-Butler, Georgetown-Davidson, Wisconsin-USC, Xavier-Purdue, UConn-Drake.

Best teams at each seed – 1-UNC (though I love Memphis’ bracket), 2-Texas, 3-Wisconsin, 4-Pitt (Though this is a very weak group), 5-Drake, 6-USC, 7-Butler, 8-UNLV, 9-Texas A&M, 10-Davidson, 11-Kentucky, 12-George Mason (for old times’ sake), 13-Siena, 14-Georgia (based solely on momentum), 15-Austin Peay, 16-Portland State

Potential upsets – San Diego over Connecticut, Saint Mary’s over Miami, Davidson over Gonzaga, Saint Joseph’s over Oklahoma. If I had to go out on a limb with one I would take Siena over Vanderbilt – I like Siena and I really, really don’t like the Commodores.

First number one to lose – I really have no idea, and I’m not afraid to admit it. I have concerns about all four, but I could see all of them getting to the Final Four without a problem.

If I had to pick a winner right now – UCLA. Well coached, experience, Kevin Love, and a winnable bracket.

Drake couldn’t have got a better match-up for their first two games. This Cinderella could have wings.