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10 bold NCAA tournament predictions: North Carolina won't last the first weekend

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UNC the No. 1 seed in the East (1:33)

North Carolina and Xavier earn the top seeds in the East Region. Kentucky and Indiana are the four and five seeds, with a chance to play in the second round. (1:33)

Let's be honest. I know why you're here. You know why you're here. You're here to laugh at the guy who once finished 0-for-10 in a bold predictions story. You probably figured I'd quit by now. Well, you're wrong because I'm back, baby! Here is my latest round of bold predictions for the 2015-16 NCAA tournament:

1. National title? North Carolina won't even make the Sweet 16

The 23 combined losses by the top four seeds is a record for an NCAA tournament. That tally follows the script of a season that has presented the most unstable top-10 fleet we've witnessed in recent years. The ceilings remain high for every top seed. But no team in the field will enter this tournament as an infallible group. North Carolina is a strong group and favored by many to cut down the nets in Houston. But Tar Heels fans should keep the tissues close because Providence will defeat USC in the opening round and upset North Carolina in the second round.

2. Three Final Four teams will come from the Big 12

Last season, the Big 12 earned the "best conference in America title" after sending seven teams -- 70 percent of the league -- to the NCAA tournament. But the league failed after Selection Sunday. Only two Big 12 teams survived to make the second weekend a year ago. This season? Thirty percent of the conference (West Virginia, Kansas and Oklahoma) will be represented in the Final Four.

3. Big Ten champ Indiana will lose to Chattanooga in the first round

We're all excited about the potential Indiana-Kentucky matchup in the second round in the East Region. The two blue-chip programs refuse to play each other during the regular season. So this is a rare chance to witness the clash. But I think Chattanooga's defensive intensity (54th in defensive turnover rate) will disrupt the rhythm of a turnover-prone Indiana team (the Hoosiers have committed turnovers on 19.8 percent of their possessions, 283rd per KenPom.com). Guess that ruins that idea, huh?

4. Kentucky will lose to Stony Brook in the first round, too

You can't blame Indiana alone for this. Stony Brook will play a role, too. Kentucky is a beast in Lexington. Outside Lexington, however, the Wildcats showcased their vulnerabilities in multiple matchups this season. I like Stony Brook because the Seawolves can spread the floor (37.5 percent from the 3-point line) and they won't back down inside (44th in offensive rebounding rate, per KenPom.com). Big win for Steve Pikiell.

5. Oregon will lose to Saint Joseph's in the second round

I like Oregon. The Ducks walloped Utah by 31 points -- that ain't right -- in the Pac-12 tournament title game. They're rolling right now. But Saint Joseph's, the Atlantic 10 champ that commits few turnovers and thrives behind the leadership of upperclassmen DeAndre Bembry and Isaiah Miles, will stop that momentum in the second round.

6. No Sweet 16 squads from the Pac-12

It's not just Oregon. The Pac-12 won't send any teams to the second weekend of the NCAA tournament. Nothing against the Pac-12. Great league throughout the regular season. But the NCAA tournament selection committee didn't give any Pac-12 team an easy path. Arizona may face Wichita State in the first round. That's vicious. Cal has to get through Hawaii and Maryland, possibly, to reach the Sweet 16. In the first round, Colorado has to deal with a Connecticut team that caught fire and won the American Athletic Conference tournament.

7. Northern Iowa messes with Texas and Texas A&M on the way to the Sweet 16

Wes Washpun. Google the name now or just wait until he leads the Panthers to the Sweet 16 via upsets over the Longhorns and Aggies.

8. Kansas will win every game by double digits on the way to the national championship

The Jayhawks haven't lost since Jan. 25. They won the regular-season and conference tournament championships in the strongest league in the country. They're deep and backed by Devonte' Graham, Frank Mason, Wayne Selden and Perry Ellis. Get ready for a dominant Kansas run to coach Bill Self's second national title.

9. Temple will win the all-Philly matchup against Nova

Philadelphia is rich with college basketball interest. The NCAA tournament selection committee knew a potential second-round matchup between Philly favorites, Villanova and Temple, would warrant interest from the City of Brotherly Love and beyond. Even more intriguing? This city rivalry game will ruin Villanova's push to reach the second weekend for the first time since 2009. But Temple isn't worried about that. Coach Fran Dunphy's team will overcome a sliding Iowa squad before it dismisses the Wildcats in the second round.

10. South Dakota State over Maryland in the first round

This isn't personal. And Maryland fans, in private, will tell you that they're more certain of this outcome than a Final Four run. Maryland and SDSU have a common opponent: Minnesota. Maryland lost to Richard Pitino's squad by five and SDSU beat the Gophers by 14. But that's not a fair method to measure this matchup. The Jackrabbits, however, can spread the floor -- something that confused the Terps in losses to Michigan, Michigan State, Indiana and Wisconsin. They're ranked sixth in the country with a 43 percent clip on their jump shots inside the arc, per hoop-math.com. Maryland is a good team. But SDSU has the personnel to pull off this upset.