Usually, I hate Mondays. I hate the early morning alarm. I hate the school work assigned in class before lunch even rolls around. I hate the excitment my professors display. I hate the weekend is over. I hate Mondays so much I would rather skip over them on the weekly timeline, going from Sunday to Tuesday. However, this Monday, out of all other Mondays in my life, is my favorite Monday of each year. One might think I am celebrating a birthday or some sort of sentimental anniversary with a loved one, but since I turned 22 in February and the last romantic date I was on Jesus Christ was still a carpenter, this Monday is special to me for another reason. It is the Monday after NCAA Basketball's Selection Sunday.
That's right, March Madness is officially upon us. Yesterday, Sunday March, 11, around ninety different college basketball programs huddled around their televisions to see if their squad was tossed into the Tournament of 68. Some teams sneak in, others are snubbed, but for the most part the NCAA Tournament Selection Commitee does a good job of getting the teams who deserve to be in, in. It is shaping up to be a hell of a Tournament this year. Teams such as Vanderbilt, St. Mary's, and Cincinnati are middle of the pack seeds and could potentially dance for awhile if each team gets hot at the right time. I started writing this post earlier in the morning, but have been working on my bracket since then. I do not watch every college basketball game each year, but I do take pride in the amount I am able to take in - March Madness is my favorite sporting event.
I only do one bracket. I sign up and join various fantasy tournaments, but it is very rare for me to make different brackets. Personally, I enjoy making one pick and sticking with it. This year I am in two different challenges so far and have only one bracket. This year I feel my Final Four is solid. However, what I think I like even more are some of the upsets I have. So, my final four goes as follows:
Final Four:
1 Kentucky vs. 1 Michigan State
1 Syracuse vs. 2 Kansas
National Championship:
Michigan St vs Kansas, Kansas wins 77-68
I know, I know; I have three No. 1s in the Final Four... And I have a 1 seed and a 2 seed in the Finals. What the hell is the matter with me? I could not help myself. I believe the Big 10 was the best conference in college basketball this year, so I feel MSU faced, and beat, some of the best competition. Also, I feel Thomas Robinson was the best player in the NCAA and played for the most skilled team. I think I can explain... While I think there are some solid 3, 4, and 5 seeds that can go deep this March, I do not think any one team has the skill to get past the big dogs who have worked the field this season. But like I said, I believe I have made some great picks in each region of the dance. Here are some of the picks I like the most:
Out of the South:
11 Colorado over 6 UNLV in the First Round
I did not watch much of Colorado this year for one single reason: the Pac-12 blew. However, I was able to catch the last few games of the the Pac-12's Conference Tournament and watched Colorado upset those Wildcats of Arizona. I can feel their momentum and I'll gamble on the Buffs against the Rebels from Sin City.
Out of the West:
3 Marquette over 2 Missouri to advance to the Elite 8
I have had an infatuation with Marquette ever since Dwayne Wade "marched" his squad to the Final Four in 2003. Buzz Williams has coached this team to a 25-7 record and as a 3 seed in the South I think Darius Johnson-Odom is a "P T Per" as Dicky V would say and F Jae Crowder has the ability to rack up double digit points and rebounds in each game of the Tournament. I know Missouri won 30 games this year, but I like Marquette's recent experience in the dance.
Out of the East:
13 Montana over 4 Wisconsin in the First Round
UPSET ALERT!!! Wisconsin lives and dies by the three, plain and simple. Montana went 15-1 in the Big Sky this year and is just used to winning this year. If the Grizzles can come in and play some solid, stout defense against Wisconsin's shooting game, Montana should be able to get out of the first round and move on to Vanderbilt in the Round of 32.
Out of the Midwest:
4 Michigan over 1 North Carolina to advance to the Elite 8
North Carolina is North Carolina. Harrison Barnes is an athletic freak of nature and a first round NBA draft pick. Tyler Zeller is a proven veteran who has had his fair share of experience in this Tournament. Roy Williams is a two time National Champion and has won 672 career games as a Division 1 head coach. Let's face it, UNC's resume is tasty. That's why I'm going with the Wolverines. Too many have already written "Go Blue!" off claiming they are an overrated seed and I think they are going to sneak their way into the Elite 8 with Tim Hardaway, Jr. carrying his team on his back, doe.
These are the picks I'm proudest with, but the most nervous about. Let me know if you like 'em or if I'm full of it. Either way, I'm just happy to be picking again.
1 comment:
Tito- I appreciate, and happen to share, your view of March Madness. That said, three #1's in the Final Four!?! I raised you better than that!! The 'Cuse and Kentucky are going down, but I do believe M.S.U. and Tom Izzo are the real deal. And Kansas...does Belmont mean anything to you?? As for your "specials", the Colorado and Marquette picks are brilliant. But, Michigan over Carolina?...you must be channeling the Hardaway of "Run TMC" days. And, Montana over Wisconsin?...there hasn't been a better collection of white hoop players since the '66 Celtics; Badgers roll. Peace.
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