Why is it called the First Four?

Some people have been calling the first round of the NCAA Tournament the "First Four" (or maybe they don't, but it's in my head anyway). If the Final Four refers to the last 4 teams left, should the first round be the First Eight?

Moving on...

I'm working on my brackets for the actual tournament draw (blog coming tomorrow or Thursday), but here is what the bracket would have looked like if I were running the show (no regional pods or conference concerns):

1: Louisville vs. 16: Southern or Liberty
2: Michigan State vs. 15: Northwestern State
3: New Mexico vs. 14: Iona
4: St. Louis vs. 13: New Mexico State
5: Michigan vs. 12: Valparaiso
6: UCLA vs. 11: Boise State
7: San Diego State vs. 10: Villanova
8: Illinois vs. 9: Notre Dame

1: Duke vs. 16: Long Island or North Carolina A&T
2: Florida vs. 15: Florida Gulf Coast
3: Syracuse vs. 14: Harvard
4: Arizona vs. 13: Bucknell
5: North Carolina vs. 12: Oregon
6: Minnesota vs. 11: Cincinnati
7: Memphis vs. 10: Wichita State
8: Creighton vs. 9: NC State

1: Indiana vs. 16: James Madison
2: Miami (FL) vs. 15: Montana
3: Gonzaga vs. 14: Pacific
4: Wisconsin vs. 13: Akron
5: Oklahoma State vs. 12: Middle Tennessee or La Salle
6: Pittsburgh vs. 11: Southern Miss
7: UNLV vs. 10: Belmont
8: Butler vs. 9: Colorado

1: Ohio State vs. 16: Albany
2: Kansas vs. 15: Western Kentucky
3: Georgetown vs. 14: South Dakota State
4: Marquette vs. 13: Davidson
5: Kansas State vs. 12: Iowa State or California
6: VCU vs. 11: Mississippi
7: Colorado State vs. 10: Oklahoma
8: Missouri vs. 9: St. Mary's

Last 4 In: Iowa State, Middle Tennessee, California, La Salle

First 4 Out: Kentucky, Temple, Tennessee, Alabama

Next 8 Out (I considered 8 extra teams just to see how close it was): Denver, Massachusetts, BYU, Florida State, Detroit, Ohio, Louisiana Tech, Stephen F Austin

Basically, my bracket is all the same teams (minus Temple, plus Southern Miss) and in a slightly difference seeding order.

I'm working on two brackets; one picking from the gut, the other picking with the stats. But with the "First Four" starting tonight, here are the picks for the first round games:

Middle Tennesse vs. St. Mary's - gut and brains agree that Middle Tennesse will prove it belongs with tough defense.

Boise State vs. La Salle - the stats lean slightly to a bigger, slightly more efficient Boise team, but my gut says La Salle's strengths will be stronger.

Long Island vs. James Madison - Long Island is going to run and JMU doesn't have a stout enough defense, the stats and brain agree.

North Carolina A&T vs. Liberty - the Flames are just glad to still be playing, my gut says they ride the hot streak, but the numbers favor NC A&T.