First Round Breakdown - East

Okay, now that the official field of 64 is set, BB has assigned Ding and myself to breakdown every one of the 32 first round matchups and give a winner. Since BB is out of the Secret Lab with his handler, taking photo ops, we'll be giving you who we think will win these games.

I, S. Paul have broken down the East Regional first, the rest will follow.

(1) North Carolina vs. (16) Mt. St. Mary's
BREAKDOWN: The Mountaineers already notched their win last night, beating Coppin State (as I predicted!) in the Play-In game. But against the mighty Tar Heels, they'll go the way of all No. 16 seeds before them — home.
PERSON TO WATCH: North Carolina PG Ty Lawson. He's the motor that makes the Heels go, but an ankle injury slowed him down the stretch. Everyone will be looking at how he holds up.
BRACKET-COMPUTER SAYS: North Carolina

(2) Tennessee vs. (15) American
BREAKDOWN: American's in the tourney for the first-time ever. Tennessee is a hot Final Four pick. Chris Lofton will be a one-man show for the Volunteers and way too much for the Eagles to handle.
PERSON TO WATCH: Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl. As the our boss BB says, "I hope he doesn't wear that garish orange suit."
BRACKET-COMPUTER SAYS: Tennessee

(3) Louisville vs. (14) Boise State
BREAKDOWN: Don't be fooled by the Cardinals' early exit from the Big East tournament, this team is poised to go deep in the tournament. Boise is a tough team, but doesn't have the offensive ammo. Plus since 2000, No. 14 seeds are 2-30 against No. 3's in the first round.
PERSON TO WATCH: Louisville F Derrick Caracter. He can run hot and cold, but if the Cards get him rolling down low, Boise State will be done by halftime.
BRACKET-COMPUTER SAYS: Louisville

(4) Washington State vs. (13) Winthrop
BREAKDOWN: This could be one of the best games of the first round. Five seniors for the Cougars and four for the Eagles. Both are tournament-tested, with first-round wins last year.
PERSON TO WATCH: Winthrop SG Michael Jenkins. He scored 33 points in the Big South final to take out UNC-Asheville.
BRACEKT-COMPUTER SAYS: **Upset** Winthrop

(5) Notre Dame vs. (12) George Mason
BREAKDOWN: On paper, this game looks ripe for an upset. Notre Dame, a perennial first-round flameout and George Mason, the all-time Cinderella. But that's a rouse. The Irish have a load in the frontcourt with Big East superstar Luke Harangody.
PERSON TO WATCH: George Mason F Will Thomas. He was a sophomore starter on the 2005 Final Four team and is now averaging a double-double as a senior. If the Patriots want to advance, he has to be on.
BRACKET-COMPUTER SAYS: Notre Dame

(6) Oklahoma vs. (11) Saint Joseph's
BREAKDOWN: The Sooners notched 22 wins and nine in conference, but analysis shows that half of those 22 wins, were against teams with an RPI of 117 or higher and six of them had RPI's of 200 or higher. St. Joe's has been inconsistent, but has held its own against its big-conference opponents this year.
PERSON TO WATCH: St. Joe's coach Phil Martelli. He's 7-1 in first round games in the NCAA and NIT. The lone loss came in 2003 in OT against Auburn, without an injured Delonte West.
BRACKET-COMPUTER SAYS: **Upset** Saint Joseph's

(7) Butler vs. (10) South Alabama
BREAKDOWN: Did anyone get more of a raw deal than Butler? Bulldogs won 29 games, won their conference, were ranked in the Top 25 all season, had RPI of 17. So what do they get? A No. 7 seed and a matchup with equally qualified mid-major South Alabama.
PERSON TO WATCH: Butler G A.J. Graves. Senior is the team leader, but has averaged 7 points in his last three games.
BRACKET-COMPUTER SAYS: Butler.

(8) Indiana vs. (9) Arkansas
BREAKDOWN: Before I applied for BB's job, I had the Hoosiers pegged as a sleeper Final Four choice. But they've lost three of their last four, beating only Northwestern, Ohio State and Minnesota — none of whom made the dance. Arkansas meanwhile, downed Vanderbilt and Tennessee in the SEC Tournament.
PERSON TO WATCH: Indiana G Eric Gordon. The super-frosh is likely playing in his only NCAA Tournament. Is this game a scout's preview or a stage for motivation for him?
BRACKET-COMPUTER SAYS: Indiana.