Story highlights The GOP nominating contest has unfolded in much the same way as an NCAA tournament

We broke down the primary into a Sweet 16 of candidates from four political "regions"

New York (CNN) The 2016 Republican primary has been a dizzying affair, with underdog and Cinderella campaigns emerging as fast as the early favorites disappeared or failed to launch.

Sound familiar?

Yes, the GOP nominating contest has unfolded in much the same way as an NCAA tournament. It's March Madness, with all the drama and intrigue, but played out over more than six months -- and still going strong.

We broke down the primary into a Sweet 16 of candidates from four political "regions": The Governors; The Righties, or more conservative types; The Outsiders; and The Establishment. The candidates were seeded based on expectations going into the campaign. Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, for example, was an early favorite. But he crashed early, one of the first victims of this wild contest.

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