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There are at least 16 (of the 65) teams capable of winning the NCAA Division I men's basketball championship, which is why March (overlapping into April) Madness will be quite a bit more mad.

Before we continue, be aware that the following missive is not designed to direct sports bettors, but actually is a cautionary tale about college basketball, 2009 style.

The way the NCAA designates seeds, and how that organization moves teams around the country somewhat willy-nilly means choosing winners -- while not even close to being brain surgery -- is a somewhat fruitless exercise. For instance, Connecticut, one of the Big East powers, is playing in the West Regional, which has three of its first- and second-round games being contested in Philadelphia. Portland (Ore.), Boise and Kansas City make sense as other Western sites, but Philadelphia? Maybe the selection committee likes cheese steaks and pretzels with mustard.

Midwest regional eliminations will be played in Minneapolis, Miami and Dayton. Miami? Sure, South Beach ... that's the lure.

First- and second-round games in the East regionals are being played in Dayton, Boise, Philadelphia and Greensboro (N.C.). Geographically, that regional is challenged. Only Philly fits the mode ... can't forget the hoagies, man.

The South regional starts in Greensboro (wow, a southern city!), Portand (that's in Oregon, y'all), Miami (OK!) and Kansas City (geographically centered, but not in the South, MapQuest-wise).

At least, the committee got it right for the Sweet 16-Elite Eight rounds: Boston in the East, Memphis in the South, Indianapolis in the Midwest (and wait 'til you catch a glimpse of the Lucas Oil Center -- which replaced the RCA Dome), and Glendale (Ariz.) in the West.

Detroit catches the Final Four-Championship game rounds. Now, fans will have to wonder how many American automobile manufacturers will advertise on television ... or anywhere else on April 4 and 6.

Now, to the picks (only the winners are listed):

Midwest -- First Round: Louisville, Ohio State, Utah, Cleveland State, Dayton, Kansas, Southern Cal, Michigan State. Second Round: Louisville, Utah, Kansas, Michigan State. Regional Finals: Louisville, Kansas. Final Four: Louisville.

West -- First Round: Connecticut, Texas A&M, Purdue, Washington, Marquette, Missouri, Maryland, Memphis. Second Round: Connecticut, Washington, Marquette, Memphis. Regional Finals: Connecticut, Memphis. Final Four: Connecticut.

East -- First Round: Pittsburgh, Oklahoma State, Florida State, Xavier, Virginia Commonwealth, Villanova, Texas, Duke. Second Round: Pittsburgh, Xavier, Villanova, Duke. Regional Finals: Pittsburgh, Duke. Final Four: Duke.

South -- First Round: North Carolina, Butler, Illinois, Gonzaga, Temple, Syracuse, Michigan, Oklahoma. Second Round: North Carolina, Gonzaga, Syracuse, Oklahoma. Regional Finals: North Carolina, Oklahoma. Final Four: North Carolina

Final Four: Louisville over Connecticut, North Carolina over Duke.

Champion: Louisville 78, North Carolina 74.

Remember ... Louisville is one of 65 teams in the March (April) Madness. Anything can happen, and expect some major upsets. If Louisville wins, we will be as surprised as anyone. And this disclaimer: these picks are pure spectulation and are not based on any preternatural knowledge.