Turns out, maybe the Big Ten wasn't as craptacular as I thought.
On to Friday's picks:
(2) Tennessee Volunteers v (15) American Eagles
Hard to pick against the American Eagles based on school name + nickname, but it's easy to pick against them when it comes to the relative strengths of these two teams. Welcome to the Big Dance American University, it's your first visit, shame it will be a short one. Pick, Tennessee
(7) Gonzaga Bulldogs v (10) Davidson Wildcats
This is one of those 'mid major' versus 'mid major' battles that folks are upset about. Usually all these kind of teams don't get paired in the first round, but this year they did. This is practically a home game for Davidson, and Gonzaga's travelling cross country. But the Zags are used to travel, and they've known the sweet fruits of deep runs in the tourney. Davidson has had a great season up to this point, but I don't think they can keep it up against the Bulldogs, plus I'm not a 'cat' person. Pick, Gonzaga
(5) Drake Bulldogs v (12) Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
What's with all these Bulldogs? Why know Pit Bulls? Or Poodles? Or Shi Tzus? Drake looks awfully good, besides, Hilltoppers sounds like a restaurant, not a team. Have to respect a team from the Missouri Valley Conference that earns a 5 seed. Pick, Drake
(10) St. Mary's Gaels v (7) Miami Hurricanes
Obviously a Hurricane is a much stronger wind than a gail, what the hell is a Gael, anyway? But Miami's been inconsistent this season, and think they may be more down than up today. Wouldn't be too surprised to be wrong, though. Pick, St. Mary's
(10) South Alabama Jaguars v (7) Butler Bulldogs
I'm picking against Butler simply because I'm sick of all these Bulldog teams running around. Also, only two lower seed prevailed yesterday (Kansas State played very well, and got help from the refs, and Texas A&M was a 9 seed, so that barely counts), so I think lower seeds will do better on Friday. There's no reason for this assumption, but the tourney always seems to work that way, if one day is 'formful' than the other day is 'wild'. Pick, USA!!! USA!!! USA!!!
(2) Georgetown Hoyas v (15) UMBC Retrievers
Hey, a dog other than a Bulldog, that's a relief. Still can't pick them over the Hoyas. Even if the Hoyas use a Bulldog's ugly mug as part of their primary logo. This is a strong and deep team, and maybe should have been a 1 seed, so don't expect them to lose in their first two games. Pick, Georgetown
(2) Texas Longhorns v (15) Austin Peay Governors
Bad time to be a governor. It's the Austine Peayers versus the Austin Pee-ers (cause they like their booze at Texas University). I'll go with the team from Austin in this one, imagine how scary they'd be if Durant stayed an extra year? Pick, Texas
(4) Connecticut Huskies v (13) San Diego Toreros
I would love to pick against the Huskies. But they have too much of a size advantage in this one, and San Diego won't be able to score in the interior with 7'3" Hasheem Thabeet clogging up the middle for the Huskies. Maybe if they can get him in early foul trouble, they'll have a chance, otherwise it won't be close. Here's hoping one of the refs is crooked. Pick, UConn
(1) North Carolina Tar Heels v (16) Mt. St. Mary's Mountaineers
Why even bother? Their only challenge will be to crush their opponent by more points than the UCLA Bruins did in their first round game. Pick, North Carolina
(11) St. Joseph's Hawks v (6) Oklahoma Sooners
It's the premature ejaculators versus a bird of prey. I'm going with the birds in this one (what? 'sooner' isn't a reference to a sexual disorder. nevermind) Pick, St. Joe's
(4) Vanderbilt Commodores v (13) Siena Saints
I guess it depends if we are talking Brick House Commodores or Once Twice Three Times a Lady Commodores whether or not Siena can pull off this upset. According to the ESPN preview blurb, Siena are a bit of a trendy pick for upset special. I don't think so. I'm leaning towards seeing Vandy as more the Brick House types. Pick, Vanderbilt
(9) Oregon Ducks v (8) Mississippi State Bulldogs
Still sick of all these Bulldog teams running around. Sticking with the Pac-10 even if their teams didn't fare as well as I expected yesterday (they went 3-2 instead of 5-0). Today's another day, and I expect the Ducks to bring the conference's total up to 4-2 instead of dropping down to 3-3. Yes, my west coast bias is evident, what of it? Pick, Oregon
(14) Boise State Broncos v (3) Louisville Cardinals
I'm punishing Lousville for not adopting the school nickname of "Sluggers". Plus I really dislike Rick Pitino. Pick, Boise State
(9) Arkansas Razorbacks v (8) Indiana Hoosiers
Too much turmoil in Hoosierland. Maybe they can ignore all the Kelvin Sampson stuff floating around, but I don't think they can, plus Arkansas is a good enough team to beat them, anyway. Pick, Arkansas
(12) Villanova Wildcats v (5) Clemson Tigers
Clearly, tigers are the more formidable version of beast than a plain old wildcat, but I'm picking the undercats in this one anyway. Villanova squeaked into the tournament, and I don't think they'll waste the opportunity they've been given. Besides, one of the 12 seeds usually makes it to the next round, so might as well be these guys. Pick, Villanova
(1) Memphis Tigers v (16) Texas-Arlington Mavericks
I'd love to pick the Mavs, but I'm not insane (on a bad night the Dallas Mavs would have trouble against this Memphis team, and on a good night the current Memphis Grizzlies would have trouble beating these Memphis Tigers). Pick, Memphis
21 March 2008
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1 comment:
I think I missed 2 yesterday. I'm at least tied for second in the pool I signed up for.
About the Big 10, back when I really paid attention to this thing I almost always had Big 10 teams losing the first two rounds. Rare was the team that made it to the Sweet 16. Pretty much guaranteed to give you a couple of upset losses.
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