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Showing posts with label Bracketology. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bracketology. Show all posts
14 March 2010
18 March 2009
[ ] - Ology, Episode V, The Midwest Regional
Final region, other than USC making a surprise run, pretty formful.
First Round
16 Morehead St over 1 Louisville
Ahhh, just seeing if you were paying attention, of cours it's Louisville, sorry Morehead fans if I got your hopes up.
2 Michigan St over 15 Robert Morris
Who knew a talent agency had a basketball team? (oh, that's William Morris, get my Morrises mixed up).
3 Kansas over 14 North Dakota St
I think it's safe to say that North Dakota St will not become the first team from North Dakota to advance to the Final Four. I know I'm going out on a limb with this prediction, but that's the sort of bold leadership you've come to expect from this blog.
4 Wake Forest over 13 Cleveland St
Yawn.
5 Utah over 12 Arizona
Arizona should not be in the tourney, and they'll prove it by getting blown out by Utah
6 West Virginia over 11 Dayton
Yawn, II.
10 USC over 7 Boston College
In my opinion, the most interesting match up of the first round. USC has been playing very well of late, and I think they'll continue that play through a few rounds of this tourney.
9 Siena over 8 Ohio St
Another 8-9 coin flip of little consequence given that the 'winner' gets to be demolished by Louisville.
Second Round
1 Louisville ove 9 Siena
I think Louisville will be the only #1 that will look like a #1 throughout the tournament. A blow out here.
10 USC over 2 Michigan St
A big upset, Michigan St is ripe for an upset, talented and well coached, they're just unlucky to run into a wildly inconsistent but even more talented team just as they're putting things together.
3 Kansas over 6 West Virginia
Another solid victory for another solid Kansas team.
4 Wake Forest over 5 Utah
Another solid victory for another solid Wake Forest team.
Sweet 16, Elite 8, Regional Champs
1 Louisville over 4 Wake Forest
Louisville just has too much firepower, Wake Forest will play well, but not well enough.
10 USC over 3 Kansas
If they can beat Michigan St they can beat Kansas. Trojans keep on rolling.
1 Louisville over 10 USC
The Trojans' run ends. They'll get unrolled, used, and then discarded like a, well, um, brand name latex prophylactic.
Louisville will be the only 1, 2 or 3 seed in this tourney to escape the upset bug and see its way to the Final Four in Detroit. I blame Pitino's hair, it's glorious.
First Round
16 Morehead St over 1 Louisville
Ahhh, just seeing if you were paying attention, of cours it's Louisville, sorry Morehead fans if I got your hopes up.
2 Michigan St over 15 Robert Morris
Who knew a talent agency had a basketball team? (oh, that's William Morris, get my Morrises mixed up).
3 Kansas over 14 North Dakota St
I think it's safe to say that North Dakota St will not become the first team from North Dakota to advance to the Final Four. I know I'm going out on a limb with this prediction, but that's the sort of bold leadership you've come to expect from this blog.
4 Wake Forest over 13 Cleveland St
Yawn.
5 Utah over 12 Arizona
Arizona should not be in the tourney, and they'll prove it by getting blown out by Utah
6 West Virginia over 11 Dayton
Yawn, II.
10 USC over 7 Boston College
In my opinion, the most interesting match up of the first round. USC has been playing very well of late, and I think they'll continue that play through a few rounds of this tourney.
9 Siena over 8 Ohio St
Another 8-9 coin flip of little consequence given that the 'winner' gets to be demolished by Louisville.
Second Round
1 Louisville ove 9 Siena
I think Louisville will be the only #1 that will look like a #1 throughout the tournament. A blow out here.
10 USC over 2 Michigan St
A big upset, Michigan St is ripe for an upset, talented and well coached, they're just unlucky to run into a wildly inconsistent but even more talented team just as they're putting things together.
3 Kansas over 6 West Virginia
Another solid victory for another solid Kansas team.
4 Wake Forest over 5 Utah
Another solid victory for another solid Wake Forest team.
Sweet 16, Elite 8, Regional Champs
1 Louisville over 4 Wake Forest
Louisville just has too much firepower, Wake Forest will play well, but not well enough.
10 USC over 3 Kansas
If they can beat Michigan St they can beat Kansas. Trojans keep on rolling.
1 Louisville over 10 USC
The Trojans' run ends. They'll get unrolled, used, and then discarded like a, well, um, brand name latex prophylactic.
Louisville will be the only 1, 2 or 3 seed in this tourney to escape the upset bug and see its way to the Final Four in Detroit. I blame Pitino's hair, it's glorious.
[ ] - Ology, Episode IV, The East Regional
I expect the first round here to be pretty formful (other than the 5-12 matchup), but then all hell breaks loose and it's upset city.
First Round
1 Pittsburgh 16 E Tenn St
1 v 16, 'nuff said.
2 Duke over 15 Binghamton
I'm almost tempted to pick Binghamton just to please Tony Kornheiser, but I'm not crazy, Duke in a romp.
3 Villanova over 14 American
'Nova shouldn't have any problems here.
4 Xavier over 13 Portland St
Another romp, Xavier looks like Elite Eight material.
12 Wisconsin over 5 Florida St
A plodding and boring game, Wisconsin will drag this game down to their level, and win it when the 'Noles keep turning the ball over.
6 UCLA over 11 VCU
Despite a hiccup versus USC in the Pac10 tourney, UCLA are deep, experienced or talented (their most talented players are inexperienced explains the 'or' there), plus having a Senior point guard who has been to three Final Fours ought to give them a huge advantage in seeking to make it four in a row.
7 Texas over 10 Minnesota
Texas are a talented and inconsistent bunch, who knows what they'll do, they could lose this game, or make it to the Sweet 16, I'm guessing they'll be Sweet.
9 Tennessee over 8 Oklahoma St
I think Tennessee has enough talent to be a surprising team, or they could flame out, another talented but inconsistent team, that's why their seeded in the middle of the pack.
Second Round
9 Tennessee over 1 Pittsburgh
Here's where it gets interesting. Tennessee will pull off this upset. They've got a size advantage over Pitt in every position, and they'll use it to their advantage.
7 Texas over 2 Duke
Another big upset, I just have a feeling these inconsistent teams with talent will pull together and put together a run. An early exit for Duke, which will be good cause they suck (how's that for in depth analysis?)
6 UCLA over 3 Villanova
Another upset, though not a big one, 'Nova's a solid squad, but these Howland era Bruins teams just have a knack for putting together their best ball at tourney time, don't expect 2009 to be different.
4 Xavier over 12 Wisconsin
Xavier is the only lower seed I have advancing in the 2nd round in this region. They'll figure out Wisconsin's defense and just overwhelm them with their athleticism.
Sweet 16, Elite 8, Regional Champs
4 Xavier over 9 Tennessee
These are similar teams, but the inconsistency that plagued the Vols all season will happen again after they have a letdown following a big upset over a #1 seed.
6 UCLA over 7 Texas
Should be a solid game, it will take the Bruins best to get past a Texas team that will play well, too. UCLA at their best is one of the best teams this year, and they'll prove it on the court.
6 UCLA over 4 Xavier
In a bit of a surprising match up the Bruins will take on the Musketeers. I expect a mauling, UCLA's superior experience and coaching will overcome Xavier's athleticism.
Look for UCLA to make it 3 Final Four losses in a row. That's both a fantastic accomplishment, and pretty frustrating. So close, yet so far (if Westbrook and Mbah a Moute had stayed, they'd be looking at a sure thing this season).
First Round
1 Pittsburgh 16 E Tenn St
1 v 16, 'nuff said.
2 Duke over 15 Binghamton
I'm almost tempted to pick Binghamton just to please Tony Kornheiser, but I'm not crazy, Duke in a romp.
3 Villanova over 14 American
'Nova shouldn't have any problems here.
4 Xavier over 13 Portland St
Another romp, Xavier looks like Elite Eight material.
12 Wisconsin over 5 Florida St
A plodding and boring game, Wisconsin will drag this game down to their level, and win it when the 'Noles keep turning the ball over.
6 UCLA over 11 VCU
Despite a hiccup versus USC in the Pac10 tourney, UCLA are deep, experienced or talented (their most talented players are inexperienced explains the 'or' there), plus having a Senior point guard who has been to three Final Fours ought to give them a huge advantage in seeking to make it four in a row.
7 Texas over 10 Minnesota
Texas are a talented and inconsistent bunch, who knows what they'll do, they could lose this game, or make it to the Sweet 16, I'm guessing they'll be Sweet.
9 Tennessee over 8 Oklahoma St
I think Tennessee has enough talent to be a surprising team, or they could flame out, another talented but inconsistent team, that's why their seeded in the middle of the pack.
Second Round
9 Tennessee over 1 Pittsburgh
Here's where it gets interesting. Tennessee will pull off this upset. They've got a size advantage over Pitt in every position, and they'll use it to their advantage.
7 Texas over 2 Duke
Another big upset, I just have a feeling these inconsistent teams with talent will pull together and put together a run. An early exit for Duke, which will be good cause they suck (how's that for in depth analysis?)
6 UCLA over 3 Villanova
Another upset, though not a big one, 'Nova's a solid squad, but these Howland era Bruins teams just have a knack for putting together their best ball at tourney time, don't expect 2009 to be different.
4 Xavier over 12 Wisconsin
Xavier is the only lower seed I have advancing in the 2nd round in this region. They'll figure out Wisconsin's defense and just overwhelm them with their athleticism.
Sweet 16, Elite 8, Regional Champs
4 Xavier over 9 Tennessee
These are similar teams, but the inconsistency that plagued the Vols all season will happen again after they have a letdown following a big upset over a #1 seed.
6 UCLA over 7 Texas
Should be a solid game, it will take the Bruins best to get past a Texas team that will play well, too. UCLA at their best is one of the best teams this year, and they'll prove it on the court.
6 UCLA over 4 Xavier
In a bit of a surprising match up the Bruins will take on the Musketeers. I expect a mauling, UCLA's superior experience and coaching will overcome Xavier's athleticism.
Look for UCLA to make it 3 Final Four losses in a row. That's both a fantastic accomplishment, and pretty frustrating. So close, yet so far (if Westbrook and Mbah a Moute had stayed, they'd be looking at a sure thing this season).
[ ] - Ology, Episode III, The South Regional
It's the Dirrrty South's turn to be placed under the microscope, I expect a few 1st round upsets here, with the 14th and 12th seeds playing on the weekend (but not beyond). UNC looks beatable, and I think they'll be beaten, which leaves a surprising Gonzaga team poised to make a huge run all the way to the top (and not just of the region).
First Round
1 UNC over 16 Radford
1 v 16, no surprises, just an ass whoopin'.
2 Oklahoma over 15 Morgan St
Oklahoma has at times looked like the best team in college hoops, they'll have no problem in the first or 2nd rounds.
14 Stephen F Austin over 3 Syracuse
Some might think the crazy amount of basketball Syracuse played this past week will pump them up and prepare them for the tournament, I think they'll be completely drained and unable to compete against a decent team from a little school in Texas.
4 Gonzaga over 13 Akron
The Bulldogs got a run in them, here's where it starts.
12 Western Kentucky over 5 Illinois
Illinois would be one of those overrated Big 10 teams, Western Kentucky will run them out of the building and when with surprising ease.
6 Arizona St over 11 Temple
The Sun Devils made the Pac10 tournament finals (losing to USC), and are playing well at the right time, they are set up to do very well in this tournament.
7 Clemson over 10 Michigan
I just don't care, whatever, Clemson should win, but that'll be the end of their fun when they run into OK.
9 Butler over 8 LSU
Another match up that doesn't really matter given that the winner gets to get demolished by UNC over the weekend.
2nd Round
1 UNC over 9 Butler
UNC will play like the number one seed in this game.
2 Oklahoma over 7 Clemson
Oklahoma should have no trouble against Clemson, it helps having one of the best players in the NCAA.
6 Arizona St over 14 S F Austin
They're the Lumberjacks, but they won't be OK in this game, the Sun Devils will chop them down to size.
4 Gonzaga over 14 Western Kentucky
Gonzaga is going to put together something special this tournament, sometimes teams put together everything just at the right time, and this is that team, and this is their time (despite an embarrasing loss to Memphis, this team has lots of talent, a solid system, and good coaching).
Sweet 16, Elite 8, Regional Champs
4 Gonzaga over 1 UNC
The Bulldogs match up well against a deep and talented Tar Heels team, Gonzaga will play better than they usually do on defense, and force UNC into too many turnovers. Should be an exciting match up, whichever way it goes.
6 Arizona St over 2 Oklahoma
The Sun Devils will figure out a way to stop Blake Griffin, and with that accomplished, Oklahoma won't have an answer, an upset, but only a mild one.
4 Gonzaga over 6 Arizona St
Gonzaga will do enough on both sides of the ball to control this game. Gonzaga will be tested, but they'll win in the end.
Regional Champs Gonzaga, and after having to go through UNC and Arizona St, they should be prepared for the other challenges they'll face on the road to their schools' first ever NCAA Championship.
First Round
1 UNC over 16 Radford
1 v 16, no surprises, just an ass whoopin'.
2 Oklahoma over 15 Morgan St
Oklahoma has at times looked like the best team in college hoops, they'll have no problem in the first or 2nd rounds.
14 Stephen F Austin over 3 Syracuse
Some might think the crazy amount of basketball Syracuse played this past week will pump them up and prepare them for the tournament, I think they'll be completely drained and unable to compete against a decent team from a little school in Texas.
4 Gonzaga over 13 Akron
The Bulldogs got a run in them, here's where it starts.
12 Western Kentucky over 5 Illinois
Illinois would be one of those overrated Big 10 teams, Western Kentucky will run them out of the building and when with surprising ease.
6 Arizona St over 11 Temple
The Sun Devils made the Pac10 tournament finals (losing to USC), and are playing well at the right time, they are set up to do very well in this tournament.
7 Clemson over 10 Michigan
I just don't care, whatever, Clemson should win, but that'll be the end of their fun when they run into OK.
9 Butler over 8 LSU
Another match up that doesn't really matter given that the winner gets to get demolished by UNC over the weekend.
2nd Round
1 UNC over 9 Butler
UNC will play like the number one seed in this game.
2 Oklahoma over 7 Clemson
Oklahoma should have no trouble against Clemson, it helps having one of the best players in the NCAA.
6 Arizona St over 14 S F Austin
They're the Lumberjacks, but they won't be OK in this game, the Sun Devils will chop them down to size.
4 Gonzaga over 14 Western Kentucky
Gonzaga is going to put together something special this tournament, sometimes teams put together everything just at the right time, and this is that team, and this is their time (despite an embarrasing loss to Memphis, this team has lots of talent, a solid system, and good coaching).
Sweet 16, Elite 8, Regional Champs
4 Gonzaga over 1 UNC
The Bulldogs match up well against a deep and talented Tar Heels team, Gonzaga will play better than they usually do on defense, and force UNC into too many turnovers. Should be an exciting match up, whichever way it goes.
6 Arizona St over 2 Oklahoma
The Sun Devils will figure out a way to stop Blake Griffin, and with that accomplished, Oklahoma won't have an answer, an upset, but only a mild one.
4 Gonzaga over 6 Arizona St
Gonzaga will do enough on both sides of the ball to control this game. Gonzaga will be tested, but they'll win in the end.
Regional Champs Gonzaga, and after having to go through UNC and Arizona St, they should be prepared for the other challenges they'll face on the road to their schools' first ever NCAA Championship.
[ ] - Ology, Episode II, The West Regional
In the West Regional, I think you are going to see a good amount of upsets (other than the first round), Connecticut doesn't look that good to me, Memphis and Missouri look ripe for upsets as well.
Round 1
1 Conn over 16 UT-Chatt
I'm not crazy enough to pick any 16 seeds, not ever going to happen.
2 Memphis over 15 CS Northridge
I'm almost tempted to go with the Matadors, but that's not going to happen, either. Too huge of a difference in the athleticism between these two.
3 Missouri over 14 Cornell
Have fun while it lasts, Missouri, cause this is your last victory of the season.
4 Washington over 13 Mississippi St.
The Huskies looked great at times this season, but other times, not so much, they should be able to put away Miss St. no problem.
5 Purdue over 12 Northern Iowa
Purdue are the best of a crappy lot of Big 10 teams, but their very physical, slow it down ball, will frustrate the teams they face, and I see them advancing all the way to the Final Four.
11 Utah St over 6 Marquette
I've got no sane reason for this pick, other than I don't see an entire region's favorites advancing in the first round, just not going to happen, so here's my 1st round upset for the West. Also, as happens on teams from Utah, they've got a lot of older players due to players who sat out a few years to do missionary work, and that maturity will be a big advantage in the tournament.
7 California over 10 Maryland
These teams are pretty evenly matched, may come down to preparation and coaching, and I think Cal will be better in both areas.
8 BYU over 9 Texas A&M
Coin flip time, the coin came up Cougars.
2nd Round
1 Conn over 8 BYU
I don't think U Conn is that great, but they're good enough to get past BYU.
7 California over 2 Memphis
Cal's got some talent on their team (though Memphis has more), I think their experience, and playing in a tougher conference will be the edge that leads them to beat out Memphis' athleticism and depth, but they'll have to shoot lights out from distance to pull off this upset, and I think they will.
11 Utah St over 3 Missouri
Missouri's will be ready for a letdown and will probably overlook little Utah St. I have them as the worst seed to make it to the Sweet 16.
5 Purdue over 4 Washington
Washington matches up well against Purdue, it's a high octane offense versus a brutal defense. The brutal defense usually wins in these contests, it will this time, too.
Sweet 16, Elite 8, Regional Champ
7 California over 11 Utah St
The worst seed to make the Sweet 16 will run out of luck against Cal. Cal will continue to put up big numbers from the perimeter and should beat Utah St easily.
5 Purdue over 1 Connecticut
Purdue will frustrate the Huskies, and they'll have a turnover prone disaster of a game. Purdue will control this from the beginning and just demolish the seemingly better team.
5 Purdue over 7 California
Purdue will continue their run of dismantling teams with their defense. Once Cal's outside shot is taken away, they've got nothing, Purdue will win in a romp.
Purdue will be your West champs, their only test in will be against Washington, after that they'll have surprisingly easy games versus UConn and Cal.
Round 1
1 Conn over 16 UT-Chatt
I'm not crazy enough to pick any 16 seeds, not ever going to happen.
2 Memphis over 15 CS Northridge
I'm almost tempted to go with the Matadors, but that's not going to happen, either. Too huge of a difference in the athleticism between these two.
3 Missouri over 14 Cornell
Have fun while it lasts, Missouri, cause this is your last victory of the season.
4 Washington over 13 Mississippi St.
The Huskies looked great at times this season, but other times, not so much, they should be able to put away Miss St. no problem.
5 Purdue over 12 Northern Iowa
Purdue are the best of a crappy lot of Big 10 teams, but their very physical, slow it down ball, will frustrate the teams they face, and I see them advancing all the way to the Final Four.
11 Utah St over 6 Marquette
I've got no sane reason for this pick, other than I don't see an entire region's favorites advancing in the first round, just not going to happen, so here's my 1st round upset for the West. Also, as happens on teams from Utah, they've got a lot of older players due to players who sat out a few years to do missionary work, and that maturity will be a big advantage in the tournament.
7 California over 10 Maryland
These teams are pretty evenly matched, may come down to preparation and coaching, and I think Cal will be better in both areas.
8 BYU over 9 Texas A&M
Coin flip time, the coin came up Cougars.
2nd Round
1 Conn over 8 BYU
I don't think U Conn is that great, but they're good enough to get past BYU.
7 California over 2 Memphis
Cal's got some talent on their team (though Memphis has more), I think their experience, and playing in a tougher conference will be the edge that leads them to beat out Memphis' athleticism and depth, but they'll have to shoot lights out from distance to pull off this upset, and I think they will.
11 Utah St over 3 Missouri
Missouri's will be ready for a letdown and will probably overlook little Utah St. I have them as the worst seed to make it to the Sweet 16.
5 Purdue over 4 Washington
Washington matches up well against Purdue, it's a high octane offense versus a brutal defense. The brutal defense usually wins in these contests, it will this time, too.
Sweet 16, Elite 8, Regional Champ
7 California over 11 Utah St
The worst seed to make the Sweet 16 will run out of luck against Cal. Cal will continue to put up big numbers from the perimeter and should beat Utah St easily.
5 Purdue over 1 Connecticut
Purdue will frustrate the Huskies, and they'll have a turnover prone disaster of a game. Purdue will control this from the beginning and just demolish the seemingly better team.
5 Purdue over 7 California
Purdue will continue their run of dismantling teams with their defense. Once Cal's outside shot is taken away, they've got nothing, Purdue will win in a romp.
Purdue will be your West champs, their only test in will be against Washington, after that they'll have surprisingly easy games versus UConn and Cal.
14 March 2007
Beware the Ides of March Madness
Tomorrow is the Ides of March, but most folks who are geeked up about it aren't interested in Roman history.
Rather, it's dancing time.
Here are my fearless predictions.
Five Pac-10 teams will make it to the Sweet 16.
Only one team (Long Beach St) seeded worse than 10 will win in the first round (a lack of upsets in itself would be an upset given the usual trend).
Now, on to the brackets.
Midwest 1st round
1 Florida over Jackson State
8 Arizona over Purdue
5 Butler over ODU
4 Maryland over Davidson
6 Notre Dame over Winthrop
3 Oregon over Miami (OH)
7 UNLV over Ga Tech
2 Wisconsin over 15 TAMU-CC
That's right I'm picking every top seed to win, that never happens, but I think in the first round this region will be upset free
Midwest 2nd round
Arizona over Florida
Maryland over Butler
Oregon over Notre Dame
UNLV over Wisconsin
Two upsets in the 2nd round predicted. Arizona is a very talented team, and I believe they'll pull it together tournament time. Teams don't repeat any more, and I think Florida is ripe for a letdown.
Midwest 3rd Round and Regional Final
Arizona over Maryland and Oregon over UNLV, followed by
Oregon over Arizona
Oregon will make it to the Final Four by beating Arizona for the 3rd time in 4 meetings. They're a good team with some talented players, and they showed by winning the PAC-10 Tourney, that they're playing their best ball at the right time. Picking a 3 seed to win a region shouldn't be seen as a stretch, but I think most other folks probably figure Florida won't be challenged in the Midwest, but obviously, I think that's wrong.
West 1st Round
1 Kansas over Niagara
9 Villanova over Kentucky
5 Va Tech over Illinois
4 S. Illinois over Holy Cross
6 Duke over VCU
3 Pittsburgh over Wright St.
10 Gonzaga over Indiana
2 UCLA over Weber St.
I only have two lower seeds winning, Gonzaga and Villanova. UCLA looked awful in the PAC-10 Tourney, but they're more talented than the team that made the Finals last year, and I think Ben Howland will push this team all the way back to the Finals, again.
2nd Round
Kansas over Villanova
S. Illinois over Va Tech
Pittsburgh over Duke
UCLA over Gonzaga
All the lower seeded teams will win in the 2nd round in the West. Gonzaga won't avenge last year's disappointing ouster at the Bruins hands, and Duke isn't that good this year, so expect a 2nd round exit. Va Tech might screw me up, but you got to love the Salukis, just cause they're the Salukis (and they'll play solidly in the Tourney despite being upset in the MVC Finals)
West 3rd Round and Regional Final
Kansas over S. Illinois and UCLA over Pittsburgh setting up UCLA over Kansas
These should all be good games, but expect the UCLA versus Kansas showdown in the regional final to be the best game of the tournament. Could go either way, but I'm leaning on believing in the hometown team, I can't help myself (it worked well last year).
East 1st Round
1 UNC over E. Kentucy
9 Mich St. over Marquette
5 USC over Arkansas
4 Texas over N Mexico St.
6 Vanderbilt over Geo Wash
3 Wash St. over Oral Roberts
10 Texas Tech over BC
2 Georgetown over Belmont
No big upsets in this region either. I think Knight will have Texas Tech playing well, and they could pull off some surprises (like Elite 8 type surprises)
East 2nd Round
UNC over Mich St.
USC over Texas
Wash St over Vanderbilt
Texas Tech over Georgetown
I don't think any of these picks would surprise anyone, except for the most talented team in college basketball getting bounced in the 2nd round. Georgetown just doesn't feel like a team ready to do what they should be capable of doing, and I think Texas Tech is just the right team to make them look bad.
East 3rd Round and Regional Final
UNC over USC and Texas Tech over Wash St setting up UNC over Texas Tech
UNC is good, real good, like making it to the finals good.
South 1st Round
1 Ohio St over C Conn St.
8 BYU over Xavier
12 Long Beach St over Tennessee
4 Virginia over Albany
6 Louisville over Stanford
3 Texas A&M over Penn
7 Nevada over Creighton
2 Memphis over N Texas
My only team worse than a 10 seed winning in the first round is Long Beach St. They are athletic, well coached, and capable of scoring in bunches. They'll play inspired offense for 2 games then get cold and lose, but hello Sweet 16 for the 49ers.
South 2nd Round
Ohio St over BYU
Long Beach St over Virginia
Louisville over Texas A&M
Memphis over Nevada
Two upsets in this round with Louisville beating higher seeded Texas A&M, and Long Beach St shooting lights out for two games in a row.
South 3rd Round and Regional Final
Ohio St over Long Beach St and Louisville over Memphis setting up Louisville over Ohio St.
Ohio State is at times great, other times mediocre, likewise for Louisville, but I have trouble picking against a talented Rick Pitino coached squad. Despite losing to Pittsburgh in the Big East Final, I think they'll put together a good Tourney and make the Final Four. Ohio State has plenty of talent, and might make this pick look really foolish, but I doubt it.
Final Four
UCLA over Oregon and UNC over Louisville
If things pan out this way, two of the most successful franchises in college basketball will meet in the finals. Expect Oregon to put up a fight, but be overwhelmed by UCLA's defense. Likewise, Louisville will play well, but when UNC plays well, not many teams in college hoops can match them. I expect UNC to play well throughout the tournament.
Finals
UNC 74 UCLA 56
Another finals disappointment for UCLA, and another game that will end up being kind of a letdown after an exciting tournament. If UNC puts together the kinds of games they are capable, they ought to be able to dominate all 4 teams they eventually face. They may not dominate, but they will win.
Go ahead and laugh at these picks, they're sure to be wrong in spots, but that's what March Madness is about, being horribly, tremendously wrong. . .
. . . and gambling. . .
. . . and calling in sick to work . . .
. . . and actually getting sick while faking being sick, only to have to go into work feeling like death on Monday because you don't want to skip 3 consecutive days from work lest the boss think you are dying or looking for another job . . .
Rather, it's dancing time.
Here are my fearless predictions.
Five Pac-10 teams will make it to the Sweet 16.
Only one team (Long Beach St) seeded worse than 10 will win in the first round (a lack of upsets in itself would be an upset given the usual trend).
Now, on to the brackets.
Midwest 1st round
1 Florida over Jackson State
8 Arizona over Purdue
5 Butler over ODU
4 Maryland over Davidson
6 Notre Dame over Winthrop
3 Oregon over Miami (OH)
7 UNLV over Ga Tech
2 Wisconsin over 15 TAMU-CC
That's right I'm picking every top seed to win, that never happens, but I think in the first round this region will be upset free
Midwest 2nd round
Arizona over Florida
Maryland over Butler
Oregon over Notre Dame
UNLV over Wisconsin
Two upsets in the 2nd round predicted. Arizona is a very talented team, and I believe they'll pull it together tournament time. Teams don't repeat any more, and I think Florida is ripe for a letdown.
Midwest 3rd Round and Regional Final
Arizona over Maryland and Oregon over UNLV, followed by
Oregon over Arizona
Oregon will make it to the Final Four by beating Arizona for the 3rd time in 4 meetings. They're a good team with some talented players, and they showed by winning the PAC-10 Tourney, that they're playing their best ball at the right time. Picking a 3 seed to win a region shouldn't be seen as a stretch, but I think most other folks probably figure Florida won't be challenged in the Midwest, but obviously, I think that's wrong.
West 1st Round
1 Kansas over Niagara
9 Villanova over Kentucky
5 Va Tech over Illinois
4 S. Illinois over Holy Cross
6 Duke over VCU
3 Pittsburgh over Wright St.
10 Gonzaga over Indiana
2 UCLA over Weber St.
I only have two lower seeds winning, Gonzaga and Villanova. UCLA looked awful in the PAC-10 Tourney, but they're more talented than the team that made the Finals last year, and I think Ben Howland will push this team all the way back to the Finals, again.
2nd Round
Kansas over Villanova
S. Illinois over Va Tech
Pittsburgh over Duke
UCLA over Gonzaga
All the lower seeded teams will win in the 2nd round in the West. Gonzaga won't avenge last year's disappointing ouster at the Bruins hands, and Duke isn't that good this year, so expect a 2nd round exit. Va Tech might screw me up, but you got to love the Salukis, just cause they're the Salukis (and they'll play solidly in the Tourney despite being upset in the MVC Finals)
West 3rd Round and Regional Final
Kansas over S. Illinois and UCLA over Pittsburgh setting up UCLA over Kansas
These should all be good games, but expect the UCLA versus Kansas showdown in the regional final to be the best game of the tournament. Could go either way, but I'm leaning on believing in the hometown team, I can't help myself (it worked well last year).
East 1st Round
1 UNC over E. Kentucy
9 Mich St. over Marquette
5 USC over Arkansas
4 Texas over N Mexico St.
6 Vanderbilt over Geo Wash
3 Wash St. over Oral Roberts
10 Texas Tech over BC
2 Georgetown over Belmont
No big upsets in this region either. I think Knight will have Texas Tech playing well, and they could pull off some surprises (like Elite 8 type surprises)
East 2nd Round
UNC over Mich St.
USC over Texas
Wash St over Vanderbilt
Texas Tech over Georgetown
I don't think any of these picks would surprise anyone, except for the most talented team in college basketball getting bounced in the 2nd round. Georgetown just doesn't feel like a team ready to do what they should be capable of doing, and I think Texas Tech is just the right team to make them look bad.
East 3rd Round and Regional Final
UNC over USC and Texas Tech over Wash St setting up UNC over Texas Tech
UNC is good, real good, like making it to the finals good.
South 1st Round
1 Ohio St over C Conn St.
8 BYU over Xavier
12 Long Beach St over Tennessee
4 Virginia over Albany
6 Louisville over Stanford
3 Texas A&M over Penn
7 Nevada over Creighton
2 Memphis over N Texas
My only team worse than a 10 seed winning in the first round is Long Beach St. They are athletic, well coached, and capable of scoring in bunches. They'll play inspired offense for 2 games then get cold and lose, but hello Sweet 16 for the 49ers.
South 2nd Round
Ohio St over BYU
Long Beach St over Virginia
Louisville over Texas A&M
Memphis over Nevada
Two upsets in this round with Louisville beating higher seeded Texas A&M, and Long Beach St shooting lights out for two games in a row.
South 3rd Round and Regional Final
Ohio St over Long Beach St and Louisville over Memphis setting up Louisville over Ohio St.
Ohio State is at times great, other times mediocre, likewise for Louisville, but I have trouble picking against a talented Rick Pitino coached squad. Despite losing to Pittsburgh in the Big East Final, I think they'll put together a good Tourney and make the Final Four. Ohio State has plenty of talent, and might make this pick look really foolish, but I doubt it.
Final Four
UCLA over Oregon and UNC over Louisville
If things pan out this way, two of the most successful franchises in college basketball will meet in the finals. Expect Oregon to put up a fight, but be overwhelmed by UCLA's defense. Likewise, Louisville will play well, but when UNC plays well, not many teams in college hoops can match them. I expect UNC to play well throughout the tournament.
Finals
UNC 74 UCLA 56
Another finals disappointment for UCLA, and another game that will end up being kind of a letdown after an exciting tournament. If UNC puts together the kinds of games they are capable, they ought to be able to dominate all 4 teams they eventually face. They may not dominate, but they will win.
Go ahead and laugh at these picks, they're sure to be wrong in spots, but that's what March Madness is about, being horribly, tremendously wrong. . .
. . . and gambling. . .
. . . and calling in sick to work . . .
. . . and actually getting sick while faking being sick, only to have to go into work feeling like death on Monday because you don't want to skip 3 consecutive days from work lest the boss think you are dying or looking for another job . . .
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