Here is a list of the eight teams from which the NCAA champion will come. Big Ten teams need not apply.

8) Tennessee

I know I know. This makes me a homer, but work with me for a second. I've learned in the last two years to never doubt Chris Lofton. Whether it be a 3 from Mars over the best player in the country (see 12/23/06 vs. Texas), or a tip-in as one of the smallest guys on the court (last week against LSU), C-Lo is capable of anything. My dad always told me, "Big time players make big time plays in big time games." Lofton is a big time player and is capable of going off for 30 or more points against anyone in the country. Now do I really think the Vols can win it all? No. But after the top seven they have as good of a shot as anybody.

7) Texas

Kevin Durant. Need I say more? Durant is by far the best player in the country. That said, he can't do it alone. If DJ Augustin and AJ Abrams are on, these guys can play with anybody in the country. If not, they're not very good. Lots of people have compared this Texas team to Syracuse in 2003. Durant is more than capable of being the go-to-guy on a championship team just like Carmelo Anthony was for the Orange four years ago, but people forget 'Melo had Hakim Warrick and Gerry McNamara as pretty good wingmen. If Abrams and Augustin can do that for Durant, look out. Coach Rick Barnes has yet to show he can win a big game and could be a liability for the Longhorns as well, but Kevin Durant may be able to overcome everything else.

6) Georgetown

Yes, I know they're as hot as anyone in the country, but the draw makes it too tough on them in my eyes. I see the winner of Texas-North Carolina taking out the Hoyas. With the system Georgetown runs, it makes it tough to put teams away, and if Durant and Texas or UNC is playing them in a close game in the Elite 8, I think Georgetown goes down. That said, with Jeff Green and Roy Hibbert, the Hoyas can win this tournament. They pose match-up problems for most teams with their size, and have some solid guys to knock down the 3 when defenses collapse on the post. If they can get past UNC or Texas, I think they're the team to beat.

5) UCLA

UCLA looked like the team to beat for much of the year, but lost its last two games to finish the year. There is no doubt the talent and experience is there to win the entire tournament, but for some reason I just don't see it. They should be able to sleep walk to the Elite 8, setting up a game with Kansas, a game that would likely be an instant classic. Should they get past the Jayhawks, Florida is more than likely going to be waiting in the Final Four. If the Bruins can get through those two games, then look for them to take the title, but I think it's too tough of a gauntlet for them to run.

4) Texas A&M

Remember what I said about Chris Lofton? Same goes for Acie Law IV. Law is probably the runner-up to Durant in the player of the year race, and I don't doubt for a second that he can carry this team to a national title. Throw in big men Joseph Jones and Antanas Kavaliauskas, as well as 3-point threat Josh Carter, a 52 percent shooter from deep, and the Aggies are built for a deep run in the Big Dance. There's only one thing I see going against A&M: the last coach to win a title in his first Final Four appearance? Tubby Smith, nearly 10 years ago, and that came with a team assembled by Rick Pitino. Billy Gillespie is an outstanding young coach, but once it gets to the Final Four, coaching experience has proved to be very valuable.

3) Florida

The defending champs appear to have an easy route to the Final Four. If the Gators come to play, they'll absolutely run away with the Midwest bracket. The Final Four is where things will get interesting for Florida, with a matchup with Kansas or UCLA appearing likely. Which Florida team will show up for the big games? The one that oozed confidence and dominated the opening half of the SEC schedule, or the one that looked fractured during a late season slump? If the first shows up, the Gators probably win a second straight national title, but I think old demons will come back to haunt Florida on the big stage.

2) Kansas

Kansas has disappointed lately in the NCAA tournament, but this team looks different to me. The Jayhawks don't rely on any single player and are as talented as anyone in the country. They are battle tested, having met two other teams on this list multiple times. Brandon Rush, Mario Chalmers and company can undoubtedly take the title, but they have the same problem as A&M, a coach without Final Four experience. I think they make it to the title game based on talent alone but fall to an old friend in the title game.

1) North Carolina

A week and a half ago I would have never had UNC this high, but I think Duke's Gerald Henderson may have awakened a sleeping giant. With one forearm to the face of Tyler Hansbrough, I think Henderson dug a grave for the rest of the country. The Tarheels looked like a completely different team last week in the ACC tournament. A focused team. An intense team. A team we had not seen all year long. Carolina is the most talented team in the nation bar none. With Hansbrough teaming up with Brandan Wright down low, Wayne Ellington and Ty Lawson in the back court and senior leader Reyshawn Terry the starting five is more talented than any other team in the nation. The bench is also the deepest in America, and Coach Roy Williams got the monkey off his back two years ago by winning his first national title. When all is said and done, Gerald Henderson may be the most hated player in college basketball.

Where's Memphis? Sweet 16 at best. For you Big 10 fans out there, there's no mistake here. Ohio State and Wisconsin will be exposed early and not live to see the second weekend either. 

Mark my words, the National Champion will come from this list. No doubt in my mind.