For many fans, the March Madness Tournament is the best time of year to watch sports. The reason is that every year there seem to be close games, upsets, and unpredictable finishes. There are certainly dominant teams that justify their top seeds, but there are always a few "cinderella" teams that threaten to upset the balance of power. Picking teams that will do well in the tournament can be problematic at best, but here are a few thoughts on the Top 10 picks for the 2010 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament.
1. Kansas
The Jayhawks have been nearly perfect throughout the entire season, and they do not seem to show any signs of stopping. Look for Kansas to secure a #1 seed as they make a run at another national championship.
2. Kentucky
If Kansas is #1, Kentucky might be #1a. The WIldcats have had some close games, but they have kept the record almost perfect as they have battled SEC foes Vanderbilt and Tennessee.
3. Syracuse
'Cuse is in a stacked conference, but they have held their own all year. A late-season loss did not slow down the Orange, who bounced back with a win over the Georgetown Hoyas. Look for Syracuse to be a force in March.
4. Purdue
The Boilermakers had a three-game losing streak in January, but other than that they have been perfect. Look for them to ride some momentum into the tournament if they can survive the Big Ten.
5. Duke
It just seems normal for Duke to be a contender, and this year is no different. Don't be surprised if Coach K takes this Blue Devil team deep into the tournament.
6. Villanova
Despite last-season back-to-back losses to Connecticut and Pittsburgh, Villanova quickly got back on track by pounding South Florida. If Villanova can stay healthy, they should do well during March Madness.
7. BYU
The MWC may not stack up against some of the more dominant conferences, but the Cougars have done extremely well against their 2009-10 opponents. Look for them to make an impression as the post-season begins.
8. Kansas State
The Wildcats only lost by two points to the Kansas Jayhawks at the end of January and they had a hot streak of wins throughout the month of February. If they can maintain their momentum, they may rival the Jayhawks for the most potent team in the Big 12.
9. Ohio State
The Buckeyes have played good ball all year, despite back-to-back conference losses at the end of December. If Ohio State can survive the run through the Big Ten at the end of the year, they should do well in March.
10. West Virginia
The Mountaineers have had a few bumps along the way and they play in the Big East, which has been extremely tough this year. However, you can bet that veteran coach Bob Huggins will have the team ready for the Big Dance.