Podcast: Can Louisville escape Midwest?

ATLANTA -- The selection committee did not do the Louisville Cardinals, the NCAA tournament's No. 1 overall seed, any favors in the Midwest region.

If Louisville coach Rick Pitino is to capture his second national title, he will have to guide his team through one of the most dangerous regionals: the other top seeds in the Midwest, Nos. 1 through 6, are Duke, Michigan State, Saint Louis, Oklahoma State and Memphis, respectively. That's a dangerous 2-seed, a Big Ten powerhouse, a top-tier mid-major and two under-the-radar programs that could make noise in March.

Throw in an intriguing 8-9 (Colorado State-Missouri) and 7-10 (Creighton-Cincinnati) matchups, along with the Pac-12 champion, and the Big East tournament champs have their hands full.

Our FOX Sports South college basketball team--Zach Dillard, Jay Clemons and Cory McCartney--convened to talk about the potential pitfalls for Louisville in this region, as well as other top storylines. Here are the highlights:

-- Will a 16-seed ever upset a No. 1? Could Louisville be challenged by North Carolina A&T? (Editor's note: The Midwest and West regional podcasts were recorded Tuesday afternoon, prior to North Carolina A&T and St. Mary's winning their respective First Four games.)

-- Is Colorado State-Missouri the most intriguing 8-9 matchup in the 2013 field? Should the world believe in the Mountain West's Rams?

-- Oklahoma State, Saint Louis and Memphis have all been labeled as darkhorses. Can any survive this bracket and make it to the Elite Eight or even the Final Four in Atlanta?

-- Duke and Michigan State are the other top seeds, but face some major questions entering the tourney. Is there any reason to doubt or believe in the Blue Devils and Spartans?