killahoe666 is from New Mexico, so i dont think there is any "NW biased" going on.
Gonzaga has been in the tourney goin on somethgn like what, 10 years straight? I dont know the numbers, but i know they have made they fair share of appeances there ove the last decade at least.
Also, watch out for UCLA. They LIVE in the tourney and always make solid runs to the Final 4.
I am not sold on ANY team this year, Pitt and UNC included. I have a feeling that Pitt wont even win their conference tourney. Syracuse is coming on strong and you know damn well UConn will look for redemption, even if they are a man short.