#1 OHIO STATE in the EAST Regional played in NEWARK.........Who can challenge the BUCKEYES?....Plus 4 Play-In Game PICKS

The #1 Overall Seed in the Tournament hails from Columbus OHIO and Thad MATTA and his group should be primed and ready after handling the Big Ten Conference Season and the BIG 10 TOURNEY in INDY.

Looking at the BRACKETS who will challenge the BUCKEYES and who poses a Challenge out of the EAST o cut the NETS down in HOUSTON.

All these answers will come shortly after the BLUEDUDE breaks down the 4 Play-In Games and then the EAST BRACKET. The other 3 BRACKETS will be broke down Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday for those playing BRACKETS.

DAYTON OHIO ( where the 4 Play-In games will be held)

Alabama STATE vs Hampton: The SWAC CHamps vs the MEAC Champs....it will come down to who executes the best and turnover differential. The BLUEDUDE having graduated from STATE'S Rival Alabama A&M will have to go elsewhere with this pick.
WINNER: HAMPTON next up the OHIO STATE University

Arkansas-Little Rock vs Texas-San Antonio: Going with UALR because the RPI
WINNER: UALR

VA Tech vs St. MARY's: TECH was thinking all along we are in...and they are....but a scrappy and very talented St. MAry's California Team that will pose problems for the HOKIES and Seth Greenberg. if the HOKIES are still feeling like they got hosed they will be at home THURSDAY tuning in like the rest of us.
WINNER: St. MARY'S

USC vs Clemson: In the best play-in game in recent memory the TIGERS played in the rough and tough ACC while the Men of TROY played in the Less-than stellar PAC-10 and we shall see how this plays out. I am rolling with the DEATH VALLEY just because of what they saw during the Conference season as oppose to what USC Saw.
WINNER: CLEMSON

Let's get to it ......the EAST BRACKET with games played in Cleveland, Washington DC, and TAMPA

1 OHIO ST
16 HAMPTON: The BUCKEYES will use this one as a TUNE-UP for the 2nd round
WIINER: 1 OHIO ST

8 George MASON
9 VILLANOVA:'NOVA must get better guard play if they want to advance....The 'CATS have been in a funk since Mid-Season.....Can Jay Wright pull a Win out of the HAT
WINNER: 9 VILLANOVA

5 WVU
12 CLEMSON: U know HUGGY BEAR HUGGINS will have his team ready......never go against BOBBY in the 1st Round...NEVER
WINNER: 5 WVU

4 KENTUCKY
13 PRINCETON: They are TALENTED but young...they did win the SEC Tourney.....Can UK get to the PROMISED LAND......Order some Defense vs PRINCETON....you will need it.
WINNER: 4 KENTUCKY

6 XAVIER OH
11 MARQUETTE: 'QUETTE takes on the persona of their coach...NEVER SAY DIE......they survivied in the Rugged BIG EAST but XAVIER is the REAL DEAL out of the A-10.....and they have one of the best PG'S you never heard of.
WINNER: 6 XAVIER OH

3 SYRACUSE
14 Indiana STATE: Too much SIZE and SKILL and theat signature 2-3 Boeheim ZONE is always a factor.
WINNER: 3 "CUSE

7 WASHINGTON
10 GEORGIA: Playing off of a high the PAC-10 Tourney.......Lorenzo ROMAR can breathe a liitle more and his team might have woke up from the DEAD. Georgia is a scrappy bunch but coached very well.......PICK'EM
WINNER: 10 GEORGIA

2 UNC
15 LIU Brooklyn: UNC has to start games better and they will have a practice game here to get ready for the BIG ONES ahead
WINNER: UNC

2ND ROUND

1 OHIO STATE
9 VILLANOVA: the BUCKEYES have way too much fire power and won't be challenged until the EAST SEMI-FINALS...the 'CATS only chance is the FISHER and STOKES have to play out of their mind.
WINNER: 1 OHIO ST

5 WVU
4 UK: looking for a little retribution from last year...the 'CATS will be primed and ready to go as none of their core players now even played in that game last year.
WINNER: 4 UK

6 XAVIER OH
3 SYRACUSE: The 'CUSE have too much SIZE again and firepower.....the X-MEN must figure out the 2-3 zone to have any chance and slow down SCOOP JARDINE
WINNER: 3 'CUSE

7 GEORGIA
2 UNC: I think the TAR HEELS are on a collision course to take on either O STATE or UK 'CATS in the REGIONAL FINAL
WINNER: 2 UNC

EAST SEMI-FINALS

1 OHIO STATE
4 UK
WINNER: WILDCATS

3 SYRACUSE
2 UNC:
WINNER: UNC

EAST REGIONAL CHAMP.......UNC and HARRISON BARNES (EAST Region MVP) cements himself as a LOTTERY PICK in the 2011 NBA DRAFT and maybe #1