All kinds of sports stuff goes on this week, as we stand on the precipice of the NBA and NHL playoffs, the upcoming baseball season, and the start of the Major League Soccer season, not to mention the Regionals in the NCAA Basketball Tournament. We’ve touched on nearly all these subjects in recent weeks, so let’s update the situations and speculate on what may happen during this extravaganza of athletic encounters.

• NCAA Tournament. Well, let’s get the gruesome business out of the way early, shall we? About the only thing that I can say of a positive nature about my hoopster selections of a week ago is that Kent State is still there, and that an aura of Cinderella-like possibilities definitely exists. Only seven teams that I picked to reach the Sweet 16 actually did, and a number of those that didn’t got knocked out in the opening round (USC, Miami, Marquette, Texas Tech, Western Kentucky). Looking back, I don’t think I’d second-guess myself on any of them; they just got beat. I underestimated Kentucky and Pittsburgh, and I don’t think anyone could have foreseen the successes of Missouri and Southern Illinois. In short, I probably stand where you do in your pool — desperate but hopeful, especially if Duke and Maryland go down soon, predictions with which I’ll stick.

Duke shouldn’t lose versus the Hoosiers, but Saturday against Pitt or upstart Kent State is a different story. Arizona and Oklahoma on Thursday should be a doozy, and the winner of that should advance to the Final Four from the West. I can’t wait to see UConn take on Maryland in the East Regional Finals on Sunday in Syracuse’s Carrier Dome, but the Midwest winner is completely up for grabs, with any one of the four (Kansas, Illinois, Texas, and Oregon) capable of winning its bracket. Let’s go with Oregon for now, as the Ducks join Pitt, Oklahoma, and UConn. Note that there is not one number-one seed left, just three twos and a three. Where’s our Cinderella? Still could come from Kent State, UCLA, Mizzou, or even Texas for that matter, but no matter what happens, this tournament seems to be on a collision course with a fantastic finish, à la the 2001 World Series and Supe 36.

• Celtics. With just 16 games left, and 10 of those at home, the Green are almost a lock to reach the playoffs for the first time in seven years, along with a home-court advantage in that dangerous best-of-five opening round. Even if they can’t catch the Nets in the division, upcoming games against Cleveland, Miami (twice), Golden State, Chicago, the Knicks, and Atlanta should solidify their position in the East. They’d probably prefer a first-round match-up with Orlando or Indiana rather than the 76ers, but any way you look at it, basketball around here is becoming relevant again, and this team — which has really come together with the addition of the two Phoenix players — is a squad that nobody else in the conference wants to play, period, in the postseason. The Boston Celtics have made leaps and bounds since Rick Pitino was hooted out of town last winter, and just look at this team now.

• Bruins. Since last week, when we mentioned the local icemen and their proclivity for adventure and close games, they have managed to drop a 2-1 home decision to the Maple Leafs and tagged the hottest team in hockey, the Detroit Red Wings, with a 2-1 loss. Yep, 17 of 36 wins have been by a single goal, so they apparently will continue to keep us anxiously glued to the Plexiglas as they barrel toward a playoff berth, along with home ice for a round or two. A four-game road trip starting Thursday kicks off the race to the wire, but three of those four games are against sub-.500 teams, followed by five of their last eight at the Fleet. Fasten your seatbelts.

• Red Sox. Manager Grady Little has some tough decisions to make this week as he begins to make the critical reductions in the roster. Guys like Brian Daubach, Carlos Baerga, Lou Merloni, and Jose Offerman are all probably on pins and needles as the team winds down its spring-training season. Opening Day is just two weeks away, and while the Sox’ walking wounded would prefer another few weeks to ease into day-to-day action, Jason Varitek, Pedro Martinez, and Nomar Garciaparra will all receive sporadic or limited playing time come April, or else just wing it and see what happens. Either way, with a stable ownership, coaching staff, and team chemistry (thus far), not to mention a great team on paper, the memories of last fall’s debacle have begun to fade from view.

• New England soccer. You say you want a Revolution? In the MLS playoffs? What’s that? You don’t care about soccer? Well, understand that the Revolution actually begins its season this Saturday in Jersey, and when the season-opening four-game road trip is over, brand-spankin’ new CMGI Field will be open for business on May 11. Not only that, but this team actually looks pretty good, and barring another slow start, should benefit not only from improvements to its roster and a new home-field advantage, but also should profit from the numbers game — that is, the MLS is now down to just 10 teams, after losing two Florida teams during the off-season. That’s gotta help their chances to win the MLS Cup, right? Plus, the championship game this fall is also at CMGI, so don’t be surprised if the inaugural season of this new edifice in Foxborough brings a league title to bookend the one its other tenant, the Patriots, will showcase when they move in this September.

Playoffs for the Bruins and Celtics, champagne dreams for the Revs and Sox, and, all the while, we continue to toast a true championship squad that keeps making significant off-season improvements in preparation for its upcoming title defense.

Enjoy.

Sporting Eye runs Mondays and Fridays at BostonPhoenix.com. Christopher Young can be reached at cyoung[a]phx.com.