The 2012 NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament begins this week with 68 teams competing in four regions. We asked local athletes, coaches and media for their champion and sleeper selections.

Austin Nelson - Heritage H.S. Senior
Champion: Michigan State
Cinderella: West Virginia

Mark Alexander - Loudoun County H.S. Basketball Coach
Champion: Kentucky
Cinderella: N.C. State

Wayde Byard - Loudoun County Public Schools Public Information Officer
Champion: Missouri
Cinderellas: Murray State

Wanya Allen - Potomac Falls H.S. Freshman
Champion: Kentucky
Cinderella: Florida State

Mike Benson - Briar Woods H.S. Basketball Coach
Champion: Kentucky
Cinderella: Iona*

Alanna Dvorak - Loudoun Times-Mirror Sports Reporter
Champion: North Carolina
Cinderella: Long Beach State

Dan Sousa - VivaLoudoun.com Editor
Champion: Kentucky
Cinderella: New Mexico

John Yoxthimer - Loudoun Valley H.S. Senior
Champion: Kentucky
Cinderella: N.C. State

Jason S. Rufner - Loudoun Hounds Team Writer
Champion: Kentucky
Cinderella: Murray State

Carl Lukat - Loudoun Times-Mirror Sports Editor
Champion: North Carolina
Cinderella: Xavier

*Selection was made prior to the play-in games.