Last Sunday, the 16 teams and the four brackets for the NCAA Tournament were announced. Those six conference tournament champions and 10 at-large teams now head to regional play in Albany, Worcester, Grand Forks, and Green Bay this weekend. One team will emerge from each regional, and advance to the 59th Frozen Four in Milwaukee April 6th and 8th. The No. 1 seeds in regional play are Wisconsin, Minnesota, Boston University and Michigan St.

Here are the four teams seeded
in each regional this weekend.

East Regional at Pepsi Arena, Albany, N.Y., March 25-26

No. 1 Michigan St. vs. No. 4 New Hampshire (Saturday, noon ET)

No. 2 Harvard vs. No. 3 Maine (Saturday, 3 p.m. ET)

Winners play Sunday, 2 p.m. ET

1. Michigan St. Spartans

Overall: 24-11-8

Conference: 14-7-7 (CCHA)

Last 10: 8-1-1

How they got in: CCHA tournament champion

Key contributors: Freshman goaltender Jeff Lerg emerged from an early season rotation with junior Dominic Vicari, to go 16-5-6 with a 1.95 goals-against average, having a sensational rookie season. Up front, junior forward Drew Miller led the team with 46 points.

NHL.com comments: Riding the momentum of a great stretch run and a CCHA Championship, coach Rick Comley and the Spartans have a legitimate shot at their first NCAA title since 1986.

2. Harvard Crimson

Overall: 21-11-2

Conference: 13-8-1 (ECACHL)

Last 10: 8-2-0

How they got in: ECACHL tournament champion

Harvard Senior Dan Murphy leads the Crimson with 18 goals scored.

Key contributors: The Crimson got their scoring from every class. Senior Dan Murphy (18 goals), Junior Kevin Du (33 points), and sophomore Jon Pelle (28 points), lead the scoring attack. In net, senior Dan Daigneau has been the pillar of strength for this team, with a 19-9-2 record. The greatest strength for Harvard though, lies behind the bench, in coach Ted Donato.

NHL.com comments: Donato deserves the Spencer Penrose Award for National College Coach of the Year. In only his second year at the helm took a team full of question marks and revamped them into ECACHL champions and a quality contender in the NCAA tournament.

3. Maine Black Bears

Overall: 26-11-2

Conference: 17-8-2 (Hockey East)

Last 10: 7-1-2

How they got in: At-large

Key contributors: The Black Bears are led by one of college hockey's youngest goaltending tandems in sophomore Matt Lundin (7-4-0, 1.72 GAA), and freshman Ben Bishop (19-7-2, 2.20 GAA). Senior forwards Greg Moore (42 points), and Michel L?veill? (36 points), provide a scoring punch, but more importantly leadership.

NHL.com comments: How do you not root for the Black Bears? They lose goalie Jimmy Howard to the pros, then finish second in the always tough Hockey East. Now they shoot for their fifth Frozen Four bid in the last seven years. That would tie Boston College for the most bids in that time span. If Moore, a Hobey Baker candidate, can ignite the offense, this team has a shot at accomplishing that feat.

4. University of New Hampshire Wildcats

Overall: 20-12-7

Conference: 14-7-6 (Hockey East)

Last 10: 5-2-3

How they got in: At-large

Key contributors: Dick Umile's Wildcats were led by a junior trio this season. Junior Jacob MicFlikier led the team in scoring with 42 points, while juniors Brett Hemingway and Daniel Winnik tallied 41 points a-piece. Sophomore Kevin Regan struggled between the pipes this season, going 8-8-5, but thankfully senior Jeff Pietrasiak was still around. Pietrasiak finished the season at 12-4-2 and posted a 2.27 GAA.

NHL.com comments: If the Wildcats can spring an upset over Michigan St., they should get to the Frozen Four. That's a big "should" however.

Northeast Regional at the DCU Center in Worcester, Mass.
March 24-25

No. 1 Boston University vs. No. 4 University of Nebraska-Omaha (Friday at 4 p.m.)

No. 2 Miami vs. No. 3 Boston College (Friday at 7 p.m.)

Winners play Saturday at 6 p.m.

1. Boston University Terriers

Overall: 25-9-4

Conference: 17-7-3 (Hockey East)

Last 10: 7-1-2

How they got in: Hockey East champions

Key contributors: Jack Parker's Terriers don't have any superstars, but what they do have is balanced scoring, and players that can score when it counts the most. Sophomore forward Peter MacArthur (37 points), senior forward Brad Zancanaro (36 points), and junior forward Kenny Roche (16 goals) are such players, but they also provide consistency. Captain David Van der Gulik is a true leader and the backbone of this squad.

NHL.com comments: Hottest team in college hockey entering the tournament punches trip to Frozen Four behind junior walk-on goalie, John Curry.

2. Miami University Redhawks

Overall: 26-8-4

Conference: 20-6-2 (CCHA)

Last 10: 4-5-1

How they got in: At-large

Key contributors: Coach Enrico Blasi has benefited from influx of youth and the leadership of captain defenseman Andy Greene. The dynamic duo of freshman goalie Jeff Zatkoff (14-5-1, 2.02 GAA) and sophomore Charlie Effinger (12-3-3, 1.76) have carried the Redhawks. Greene, a Hobey Baker finalist, provided a scoring punch from the blue line with 31 points.

NHL.com comments: The Redhawks have never won a postseason game, but earning the second seed in the East should change that.

3. Boston College Eagles

Overall: 23-12-3

Conference: 17-8-2

Last 10: 4-5-1 (Hockey East)

How they got in: At-large

Key contributors: The Eagles fly where Hobey Baker candidate, senior forward Chris Collins (58 points), and sophomore goaltender Corey Schneider (21-12-2), take them. A young team, the Eagles tend to be too dependent on their star players.

NHL.com comments: If Jerry York's kids (18 underclassmen), can get by Miami, who has never won a postseason game, they could potentially set-up their sixth game this season with arch-rival, Boston University. After losing their last four games to the Terriers, including the Beanpot and Hockey East Championship, that may not be a good thing for B.C.

4. University of Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks

Overall: 20-14-6

Conference: 12-10-6 (CCHA)

Last 10: 5-3-2

How they got in: At-large

Key contributors: To determine why the Mavs are in their first NCAA hockey tournament, you need to look no farther than one of the most exciting Hobey Baker candidates out there, junior forward Scott Parse. Parse has carried this team on his back, finishing second in the nation in scoring with 61 points. The Mavericks were also helped by the solid goaltending of freshman walk-on, Jerad Kaufmann.

NHL.com comments: Coach Mike Kemp's Mavericks limped into the tournament by default and if Parse is kept off the score sheet, Kemp's boys will exit with the same gait.

West Regional at Engelstad Arena, Grand Forks, North Dakota
March 24-25

No. 1 Minnesota vs. No. 4 Holy Cross (Friday at 6:30 p.m.)

No. 2 North Dakota vs. No. 3 Michigan (Friday at 9:30 p.m.)

Winners play Saturday at 9 p.m.

1. Minnesota Golden Gophers

Overall: 27-8-5

Conference: 20-5-3 (WCHA)

Last 10: 8-2-0

How they got in: At-large

Key contributors: The pre-season hype surrounding the 2005-06 Golden Gophers tended to be centered on freshman sensation and then expected top pick in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, forward Phil Kessel. Kessel didn't disappoint with 51 points, but junior forward Ryan Potulny stole the show, leading the nation in scoring with 63 points, becoming a front-runner for the Hobey Baker. Combine the 1-2 punch of Kessel and Potulny with the scoring from sophomore rear-guard Alex Goligoski (38 points), and the stingy goaltending of junior Kellen Briggs (21-5-3, 2.51 GAA), you have a very balanced team.

NHL.com comments: The Gophers did dig a mammoth hole with two losses in the WCHA tournament but coach Don Lucia's squad is still favored to be playing for their sixth national title on April 8.

2. North Dakota Fighting Sioux

Overall: 27-15-1

Conference: 16-12-0 (WCHA)

Last 10: 8-2-0

How they got in: WCHA Frozen Five champions

Key contributors: Junior Drew Stafford led the team in scoring with 44 points, followed by freshman surprise T.J. Oshie who posted 42 points. But this well-balanced team will still go as far as junior backstop and WCHA Frozen Five MVP Jordan Parise will take them. Parise, only a sophomore, was 22-8-1 with a 2.12 GAA and is just the type of goalie that can steal a tournament as he almost did last season when his team lost to Denver in the National Championship game.

NHL.com comments: Coach Dave Hakstol's team is big and mean; both physically and talent-wise. Playing in their home barn will only make them that much tougher and a no-brainer as a sleeper team to beat. If Parise's on, the Fighting Sioux will be in their third straight Frozen Four.

3. Michigan Wolverines

Overall: 21-14-5

Conference: 13-10-5 (CCHA)

Last 10: 4-4-2

How they got in: At large

Key contributors: With only four seniors, a young Wolverines team was led by the next eldest statesmen, the junior class. Junior forward T.J. Hensick led the team with 52 points and junior defensemen Jack Johnson (32 points) and Matt Hunwick (29 points provided offense from the blue line. In net, freshman Billy Sauer went through some growing pains with an 11-6-4 record and 3.04 GAA. Senior Noah Ruden wasn't much better at 10-8-1 with a 2.86 GAA.

NHL.com comments: On paper, this team is one of the most prolific teams in NCAA history. But on the ice they're still a little too young and inexperienced. However, despite being green around the gills and the pipes, any team coached by the legendary Red Berenson can become a force in the spring.

4. Holy Cross Crusaders

Overall: 26-9-2

Conference: 19-7-2 (Atlantic Hockey)

Last 10: 6-3-1

How they got in: Atlantic Hockey tournament champion

Key contributors: This team depends heavily on their seniors with forwards Tyler McGregor (50 points) and Pierre Napert-Frenette (44 points) the go-to-guys. On defense, junior Jon Landry helped out with 27 points. But the Crusaders' fortunes may once again lie in the play of senior goaltender Tony Quesada who posted a 21-5-2 record with a 2.18 record.

NHL.com comments: Coach Paul Pearl's Crusaders have the highest team G.P.A. of any team in the tournament. None of them play on scholarships. They play Minnesota as heavy underdogs, with not a thing to lose. An upset could be the feel-good story of the tournament.

Midwest Regional at the Resch Center in Green Bay, Wisconsin
March 25-26

No. 1 Wisconsin vs. No. 4 Bemidji St. (Saturday at 2:30 p.m.)

No. 2 Cornell vs. No. 3 Colorado College (Saturday at 5:30 p.m.)

Winners play Sunday at 5 p.m.

1. Wisconsin Badgers

Overall: 26-10-3

Conference: 17-8-3 (WCHA)

Last 10: 6-3-1

How they got in: At-large

Key contributors: Sophomore forward Jon Pavelski was the Badgers' leading scorer with 50 points, followed by junior forward Robbie Earl who had 44 points and senior defenseman Tom Gilbert who had 29. But just as their WCHA rivals North Dakota's fortunes lie in goaltending, so too will those of the Badgers. Hobey Baker candidate Brian Elliott had a spectacular junior season between the pipes. Elliott was 23-5-3 with a 1.70 GAA. Wisconsin struggled when Elliott missed over four weeks during the season, but he returned and helped the Badgers earn the top seed in the tournament.

NHL.com comments: With a healthy Elliott and the fact they are playing in their backyard for the regionals and possibly the Frozen Four there is no year like this year for Mike Eaves' Badgers to win their first national title since 1990.

2. Cornell Big Red

Overall: 21-8-4

Conference: 13-6-3 (ECACHL)

Last 10: 5-4-1

How they got in: At-large

Key contributors: Cornell's Achilles heal is once again scoring. Their leading scorer, senior Matt Moulson, only mustered 36 points. They play solid defense and have superb goaltending in junior goaltender David McKee who went 21-8-3 with a 2.16 GAA. But they can't seem to sustain enough offense to hang with any team that does have firepower and equal defense.

NHL.com comments: Coach Mike Schafer's team needs to find the net more or Big Red's recent history of tough times under the big red lights will continue.

3. Colorado College Tigers

Overall: 20-13-3

Conference: 12-7-1 (WCHA)

Last 10: 7-3-0

How they got in: At-large

Key contributors: 2005 Hobey Baker winner Marty Sertich is once again a favorite to take home the hardware after completing his Tigers career with 48 points. Teammate Brett Sterling is right there with him, as he too had a memorable senior season with 54 points. In net, junior Matt Zaba held the fort down with a 20-13-2 record and 2.51 GAA.

NHL.com comments: Lamp-lighters Sertich and Sterling are still smarting from last year's semifinals exit and they would like nothing more than to light up opposing goalies in the tournament and bring home the real hardware for coach Scott Owens and the Tigers.

4. Bemidji St. Beavers

Overall: 20-13-3

Conference: 12-7-1 (CHA)

Last 10: 7-3-0

How they got in: CHA tournament champions

Key contributors: Coach Tom Serratore's Beavers don't have much scoring punch with their highest scorer being junior forward Luke Erickson who scored 35 points. But they can benefit from what at times has been a fantastic goaltending rotation of junior Layne Sedevie (12-6-1, 2.37 GAA) and sophomore Matt Climie (8-7-2, 2.70 GAA). If one or both can catch fire, the Beavers can compete.

NHL.com comments: After taking eventual champion Denver to OT in the first round, Bemidji St. could benefit from experience and become the most dangerous low-seeded team in the tournament.

***

NHL.com's Frozen Four prediction: The No. 1 seeds advance to Milwaukee: Michigan St; Boston University; Minnesota and Wisconsin; the sleepers are North Dakota and Miami.

On Campus Clips -- Conference Players of the Year are Chris Collins (Boston College) in Hockey East, Scott Parse (Nebraska-Omaha) in the CCHA, Tyler McGregor (Holy Cross) in Atlantic Hockey, T.J. Trevelyan (St. Lawrence) in the ECAC, Jeff Van Nynatten (Niagara) and Scott Munroe (Alabama-Huntsville) in the CHA, and Matt Carle in the WCHA. ...The Hobey Baker Foundation announced the 10 finalists for the 2004 award given to the nation's best player. They are Matt Carle (Denver), Chris Collins (Boston College), Andy Greene (Miami), Brian Elliott (Wisconsin), Scott Parse (Nebraska-Omaha), Greg Moore (Maine), Ryan Potulny (Minnesota), Marty Sertich (Colorado College), Brett Sterling (Colorado College), T.J. Trevelyan (St. Lawrence). The top three finalists will be announced as the "Hobey Hat Trick" on March 29. The three members of the Hat Trick will be present at the Bradley Center on April 7, when the winner will be announced.

NHL.com's Top 10

Bob Snow and James Murphy cover college hockey for NHL.com.