Friends, bromen, bracketmen. Lend me your ears. March Madness is upon us, and the bracket battle has begun. Although my opponent may be smarter and better-educated than I, she has sailed into uncharted waters that I know all too well. My strategy is to not be careless with decisions, except for upsets, and to go by the stats of each team in my quest for ultimate basketball dominance. If I win, she will treat me to a lovely meal from Toony’s.
BATTLE UPDATE AFTER THIRD WEEKEND OF TOURNAMENT–580 points (50.7 percentile)
Play-in Round
North Carolina A&T vs. Liberty
I chose A&T really because Liberty came into it with a losing record and A&T was not going to lose to a losing record. It could have gone either way.
St. Mary’s vs. Middle Tennessee
I know St. Mary’s has been doing really well right now (besides the Gonzaga game in the conference tournament).
James Madison and Long Island University Brooklyn
I picked James Madison because even though Brooklyn was in the tournament last year, a lot of people on that team are gone, and James Madison played really well at the end of the season.
Boise State vs. LaSalle
Boise State is my pick because I watched an interview with their Coach Leon Rice, and according to him, they are really focused for the tournament because they are trying to make a breakthrough for the university which is not really considered a basketball school.
Sixty-four Tournament Teams
Midwest
CORRECT–Louisville vs. North Caroline A&T
A&T is not ready for Louisville and all its offensive and defensive weapons.
WRONG–Colorado State vs. Missouri
Mizzou will win because of point guard Phil Pressey who comes from an NBA family. The Tigers always crank out good basketball teams.
WRONG–Oklahoma State vs. Oregon
The Cowboys will win because of two factors: freshman guard Marcus Smart who helped win the 5A state championship last year and the team’s will to win.
CORRECT–St. Louis vs. New Mexico State
I picked St. Louis to win because they have played amazing this year and with the death of Coach Rick Majerus, they have reason to win it for coach.
CORRECT–Memphis vs. St. Mary’s
The Tigers will win. Memphis is a big basketball school, and St. Mary’s has not traditionally done well against basketball powerhouses this season.
CORRECT–Michigan State vs. Valpraiso
The Spartans will win because of Coach Tom Izzo and center Derrick Nix.
WRONG–Creighton vs. Cincinnati
Cincinnati will win. Even though this is one of Creighton’s best seasons, I don’t think they can handle the momentum that the Bearcats have coming into tournament.
CORRECT–Duke vs. Albany
Duke is too good for Albany who has not played anyone as strong as the Blue Devils this season.
West
CORRECT–Gonzaga vs. Southern University
The Zags’ post play is too good for Southern U.
CORRECT–Pittsburgh vs. Wichita State
The Shockers will beat Pitt because they are a basketball school, and the Panthers are just not ready to handle the pressure.
CORRECT–Ole Miss vs. Wisconsin
The Rebels will win because they have a lot of momentum coming out of the SEC tournament win over Florida.
WRONG–Kansas State vs. Boise State
As much as Boise State wants to go deep into the bracket, the Wildcats are just too talented.
CORRECT–Arizona vs. Belmont
The Wildcats are a basketball-rich school and will take out the Bruins.
WRONG–New Mexico vs. Harvard
The Lobos will win because they are too good for Harvard, and this isn’t an SAT contest.
WRONG–Notre Dame vs. Iowa State
The Irish will barely pull it out because I think they are a deeper team.
CORRECT–Ohio State vs. Iona
The Buckeyes will beat Iona because the Gaels are not good enough to play the bigger, stronger, faster….insert more comparative adverbs here…Buckeyes.
South
CORRECT–Kansas vs. Western Kentucky
This Kansas team has been criticized all year and has something to prove. The Jayhawks always find a way to make it into the Final Four.
CORRECT–North Carolina vs. Villanova
The Tarheels will win because they have something to prove after their first round elimination last year, and they are not one of the better teams N.C. has had.
CORRECT–Virginia Commonwealth University vs. Akron
Even though the Zips only have six losses, VCU was in the tournament last year and made it to the Sweet 16 last year and have the experience to win.
CORRECT–Michigan vs. South Dakota State
The Wolverines will win because the Jackrabbits have not played anyone with Michigan’s pressure or scoring ability.
WRONG–UCLA vs. Minnesota
The Bruins have been playing really well the past three or four weeks and will out-play the Golden Gophers.
CORRECT–Florida vs. Northwestern State
The Gators will win because Northwestern State has not had any opponents the caliber of Florida this season.
CORRECT–San Diego State vs. Oklahoma
The Aztecs are a very good team with players from last year, while the Sooners are not a basketball school.
WRONG–Georgetown vs. Florida Gulf Coast
The Hoyas are just too good for the Eagles. Georgetown beat the No. 1 team early in the season and come off the Big East championship win.
East
CORRECT–Indiana vs. James Madison
Indiana is the big school in the big guy versus little guy scenario. The Hoosiers are an institution in Indiana basketball, and James Madison will not be able to handle Indiana.
WRONG–North Carolina State vs. Temple
This is a sentimental pick on the 30th anniversary of the amazing Jim Valvano Team of Destiny win in the 1983 championship vs. Phi Slamma Jamma.
WRONG–UNLV vs. California
The Running Rebels are too talented for the Golden Bears.
CORRECT–Syracuse vs. Montana
Even though the Orangemen have been playing poorly, I still think they are too good for the Grizzlies.
CORRECT–Butler vs. Bucknell
Butler is Butler–always really good. Even though the Bulldogs are not as good as in past years, they are still too good for these Bison.
CORRECT–Marquette vs. Davidson
This is an upset with Davidson beating Marquette. The Golden Eagles are not ready for what the Wildcats are going to bring. Davidson will come out swinging hard.
WRONG–Illinois vs. Colorado
The Buffalo will defeat the Illini. This is a hunch. Colorado is usually really good at basketball.
CORRECT–Miami vs. Pacific University
There is really no way the Hurricanes can lose this unless they just stand there, and even then, they would probably still win.
Round of Thirty-Two
Midwest
CORRECT–Louisville vs. Missouri
Louisville will win this due to their ability to score. The Cardinals can score at will, and Missouri is not ready defensively.
WRONG–Oklahoma St. vs. St. Louis
Even though St. Louis is on an incredible run, the Cowboys are very talented in the backcourt and will have a field day in transition to win.
CORRECT–Memphis vs. Michigan St.
This game will be a battle. I just think the Spartans have a little more in the tank than Memphis does.
CORRECT–Cincinnati vs. Duke
There is no one on the BearCats who can guard forward Mason Plumlee.
West
WRONG–Gonzaga vs. Wichita St.
Gonzaga’s post play is too good for the Shockers, and the No. 1 seed Zags will play like the No. 1 seed.
WRONG–Ole Miss vs. Kansas St.
Ole Miss is good and has had a good run, but Kansas State is just a lot more talented and will outplay the Rebels.
CORRECT–Arizona vs. New Mexico
New Mexico is a very solid team. They have a very good all-around team. I just don’t think Arizona can handle it.
CORRECT–Notre Dame vs. Ohio State
This has been a great year for Notre Dame, but they cannot handle Ohio State’s athleticism and scoring ability.
South
CORRECT–Kansas vs. North Carolina
Both of these teams are considered some of the weakest to come out of their respective schools in years. While both have something to prove, Kansas has the size advantage and is on a roll right now.
WRONG–Virginia Commonwealth University vs. Michigan
Michigan will be hard to beat, but VCU will pull it out because I think they want it more and have more experience over this Michigan team.
CORRECT–UCLA vs. Florida
Florida, after losing the SEC championship, will be looking to redeem themselves. They will pound UCLA with very physical play.
WRONG–San Diego State vs. Georgetown
Georgetown has way too much momentum to lose to a team like San Diego. The Aztecs are just not talented enough to win.
East
CORRECT–Indiana vs. North Carolina State
Indiana will out work NC ST. They are too good at transition for NC ST. to handle.
CORRECT–University of Nevada Las Vegas vs. Syracuse
Syracuse will win but not by much. Their 2-3 zone defense will help them win it at the end.
WRONG–Butler vs. Davidson
Butler, unlike Marquette, will be ready for Davidson and a lot better than Marquette. They will get an easy win.
CORRECT–Colorado vs. Miami
Again, Miami is just too good and has played too well to be stopped by Colorado. The Hurricanes will blow by the Buffaloes.
Sweet Sixteen
Midwest
CORRECT Louisville vs. Oklahoma State
This will be a great game. It will be back and forth all the way to the end. Louisville has a little more experience, so I see them pulling it out at the end.
CORRECT Michigan State vs. Duke
Duke’s guard play will out do the Spartans. That will be the deciding factor because it is going to be a prize fight between the two teams’ post players.
West
WRONG Gonzaga vs. Kansas St.
Kansas State just flat out cannot guard all of Gonzaga’s offensive weapons. Gonzaga will have to slow it down and make the most out of every possession.
WRONG New Mexico vs. Ohio State
I really just think New Mexico is a better balanced team and will beat Ohio State.
South
WRONG Kansas vs. Virginia Commonwealth University
Kansas always finds a way to win in the tournament. They will be too big for VCU and will overpower them down low.
WRONG Florida vs. Georgetown
Georgetown is too good for Florida plain and simple.
East
CORRECT Indiana vs. Syracuse
The Orangemen will beat Indiana because I just have a gut feeling.
WRONG Butler vs. Miami
Miami will win, but this will be the first game they don’t win by double digits. They will keep a healthy lead throughout the game.
Elite Eight
Midwest
CORRECT Louisville vs. Duke
This will be one of the best games in the tournament. I feel Louisville has an easier time putting points on the board. They will just outscore the high scoring Blue Devils.
West
WRONG Gonzaga vs. New Mexico
Gonzaga will be able to beat the Lobos inexperienced post players with their own to win.
South
WRONG–Kansas vs. Georgetown
Both teams are good, but I just like Kansas’s odds better. They usually never miss the Final Four.
East
WRONG–Syracuse vs. Miami
Miami, again, is just too good. They will beat Syracuse down early, and the Orangemen will give up.
Final Four
WRONG–Louisville vs. Gonzaga
Gonzaga will do what a No. 1 seed does, and that is win big games. The only thing that could beat them is if they do not stay cool under pressure.
WRONG–Kansas vs. Miami
This will be a very big game, and all it will be about is getting buckets. Miami just has a better ability to do this than Kansas.
Championship
WRONG–Gonzaga vs. Miami
Now I know I’ve bragged on both these teams. I just feel that Miami is the team this year that is destined to lose. I think Gonzaga will win it in a relatively low-scoring game, 64-59 and “America’s Team” will win it all.
This could go very well for me or very wrong like last year when my little sister’s bracket defeated the entire family.
