Just like the NCAA, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has its own version of “March Madness.” It’s called the Academy Awards, and for those who don’t already know, this year’s ceremony is gonna be a barn-burner.Always political – and often controversial – the 70th annual Oscar presentation showcases competition between relative newcomers and seasoned pros alike, and will offer the rare opportunity for the biggest moneymaker of all time (“Titanic”) to garner some much-needed critical acclaim. Since no one will know the results of the Academy’s balloting until the live television broadcast from the Shrine Auditorium, here’s a tentative forecast of what one can expect to go down on March 23:Best Supporting Actor: Though hardly ever predictable in the past, this year’s Best Supporting Actor category could prove to be a lock for two-time nominee Robin Williams. An industry favorite whose established versatility transcends the norm, look for Williams to avenge his “Dead Poets Society” loss and beat the odds-on favorites, Golden Globe winner Burt Reynolds and Oscar mainstay Anthony Hopkins, for his role in “Good Will Hunting.”Best Supporting Actress: Contrary to Lauren Bacall’s much-hyped march to an unprecedented upset at the hands of Juliette Binoche last year, this year’s Hollywood buzz rightfully puts Kim Basinger’s performance in “L.A. Confidential” at the top of Oscar’s Best Supporting Actress hopefuls. Though Gloria Stuart of “Titanic” is probably the sentimental favorite, the Golden Globe-winning Basinger will likely be rewarded by the Academy for an unexpected career jump-start in the face of countless past failures.Best Actor: While practically a given for anyone displaying an aptitude for so-called “handicapped” roles, 1997’s Best Actor category goes against convention by spotlighting leading men in relatively normal performances. Though previous winners Jack Nicholson, Robert Duvall, and Dustin Hoffman have received rave reviews for “As Good As It Gets,” “The Apostle” and “Wag the Dog” respectively, count on Peter Fonda to upset the competition for his Travolta-esque comeback in the independent favorite, “Ulee’s Gold.” Subtle as it may be, Fonda’s portrayal of a grandfatherly honey-wrangler is the crowning achievement for a one-time “Easy Rider.”Best Actress: Otherwise known as this year’s inevitable Oscar toss-up, the Best Actress award will probably go to television actress Helen Hunt for “As Good As It Gets.” However, one may deem this a win by default, for the California-based Academy has a nasty history for honoring the work of satisfactory American actresses over that of their superior “foreign” rivals; in this case, expect Judi Dench of “Mrs. Brown” and Kate Winslet of “Titanic” to get the shaft.Best Screenplay (original and adapted): Somewhat of a no-brainer, the Best Original and Adapted Screenplay awards may as well have been given out months ago. So much has been made of Matt Damon and Ben Affleck’s meteoric rise in Tinsel Town that they’ll probably be compensated for a Best Picture loss with a Best Original Screenplay Oscar. As for Best Adapted Screenplay, the good money is on Brian Helgeland and Curtis Hanson for their screen adaptation of James Ellroy’s “L.A. Confidential,” arguably the most impressive script of the year.Best Director: “Titanic” director James Cameron, recipient of the Director’s Guild of America award, wins this category hands down. No matter how thin and manipulative his “Titanic” script may have been, no other director this year dealt with the logistical, budgetary and media nightmares Cameron did. Though size doesn’t always count in every case, Cameron has proven to the world that persistence pays off big time.Best Picture: What can stop the “Titanic” juggernaut? Nothing. While the film’s actors will inevitably be shut out, the most expensive and financially lucrative movie of all time will further defy all logic by knocking “L.A. Confidential” well out of the running for Best Picture bragging rights, in turn giving Paramount its third win in four years.So there it is, a semi-comprehensive winner forecast for the Oscar-impaired. Trivial as it may seem to those of us in the detached Midwest, the Academy Awards can make or break actors and odds makers alike. If your plans for spring break include a trip to Las Vegas, you might just want to take note.