1  Kentucky
The Wildcats are approaching the level of last year's team that won 26 consecutive games before losing in the regional final. This group will be challenged in the second round by Washington or UAB but will advance to next weekend.

2  Georgia Tech
This is a dangerous team, because the Yellow Jackets can compete at a high level at every position. So many different players have stepped up this season that it's hard not to like Georgia Tech to go deep - very deep - in the bracket.

3  Saint Joseph's
It has become cliché to talk about good guard play in the Tournament, but that's all Saint Joseph's will need to win its first two games, with Jameer Nelson and Delonte West running the show. The national skeptics have turned this very good team into an angry one with something to prove.

4  Duke
The Blue Devils have looked less than great in losing four of their last 10 games, but they won't face any Atlantic Coast Conference teams in the first two rounds. Duke will have to shoot well in Saturday's game, however, to get past Seton Hall or Arizona.

5  Stanford
The Pacific-10 Tournament title showed the Cardinal had no trouble refocusing after their first loss of the season, to Washington. This is a determined team, with a bona fide star player in Josh Childress, that will be playing well past the first two rounds.

6  Oklahoma State
With great guards such as Tony Allen and John Lucas III and a strong senior forward in Ivan McFarlin, Oklahoma State has the makings of a dynamic Tournament team. Throw in experienced coach Eddie Sutton, and this team is a lock for at least the regional semifinals.

7  Wisconsin
The Badgers won't get past the Sweet 16, but they at least will get there, thanks to a favorable placement that has them playing the first two rounds in Milwaukee. Otherwise, Pittsburgh would be a favorite to beat out Wisconsin.

8  Maryland
Who's hotter than the Terrapins right now? Maryland strung together five victories, won the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament and went from off-the-bubble to a No. 4 seed in two weeks. The Terps' potential second-round game against Syracuse should be an early-round classic, one Maryland is capable of winning.

9  Providence
How good is Ryan Gomes? The talented big man, who averages 18.6 points a game, is enough to get Providence past Pacific. But the Friars will need more against Kansas or Illinois-Chicago.

10  Cincinnati
The Bearcats are known for their early exits, but this draw suits UC well if it can get past a pesky East Tennessee State team. Murray State, with former UC and Louisville assistant Mick Cronin, or Illinois awaits in the second round, and both are beatable.

11  North Carolina State
The Wolfpack won't have an easy time with Louisiana-Lafayette in the first round, but N.C. State is a difficult matchup to prepare for because of its unorthodox, slowdown offense. Strong senior leadership and steady all-around play from junior Julius Hodge (18.6 ppg) give N.C. State a good chance to get to the Sweet 16 or further.

12  Xavier
In what could be two of the better first- and second-round games, Xavier should get by Louisville and Mississippi State to reach the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1990. The Musketeers are playing the best team basketball they ever have under Thad Matta, in his third season at XU - all NCAA Tournament seasons.

13  North Carolina
Roy Williams has a load of talent on his team, and the Tournament is a perfect place to showcase it. In the second round, the Tar Heels probably will face Texas, which has been inconsistent in big games away from home this season.

14  Wake Forest
The Demon Deacons received a winnable draw with a second-round game against Florida or Manhattan. Skip Prosser's club has been up and down the second half of the season, but it averages 83.8 points a game.

15  Michigan State
Two words: Tom Izzo. The winningest active NCAA Tournament coach isn't about to go down before the Sweet 16, even if the Spartans' second-round game is against Gonzaga. Sophomore center Paul Davis leads the way.

16  Dayton
Surprised? Don't be. The Flyers match up well with their first- and second-round opponents, DePaul and possibly Connecticut. The Huskies are powerful, but senior-laden Dayton plays excellent post defense and can score from any position.