burned....

oh the memories of 1995

Bracketology 101---Lesson One

You are now enrolled in Bracketology 101 and your instructor is Me, Big Russ. During the next several weeks this class will debate and challenge ideas and potentially entertain the possibility that anything can happen. It is after all March. March is Madness.

Lesson One: Breaking down the brackets.

East Region

North Carolina in my mind has a tough road to the National Championship game. Odd being that they were the best Number One seed, yet they have to face potentially the best number two and three seeds in Tennessee and Louisville to get there. Tennesee and Louisville could have easily been One and Two seeds which just further shows how tough this region is.

Its my belief that North Carolina will stub its toe at some point. Whethter they overcome it or not remains to be seen.

Potential Upsets I am picking: (11)St Joes OVER (6)Oklahoma

Midwest Region

Kansas being the One seed in this bracket had some people miffed as to why Kansas got the One seed over Tennessee or Texas. I think Kansas being the One seed just further proves how important conference tournments are. Kansas played brilliantly in the Big 12 Tournament, and I see one challenge for them and that will come in the Sweet 16 against Clemson.

Kansas State fans should be excited how they they lucked into the Midwest region and should hope Kansas fans cheer loud for the Wildcat fans in Omaha Thursday. A Mike Beasley vs OJ Mayo matchup in the first round is all about television ratings and what a better time for CBS than to put the game in the evening session when everyone is sitting in front of the television sets. I am really hoping to see a Kansas vs Kansas State matchup in the Elite 8. I doubt it will happen though. Wildcats most likely will stub their toe in the Sweet 16 against Georgetown. Hoya bigman Roy Hibbard is a tough match up for anyone.

Potential Upsets I am picking: (10) Davidson OVER (7) Gonzaga
(11) Kansas State OVER (6) Southern California

South Region

I think Memphis is going to be the first One seed to lose. Texas in my mind is far Superior a team than Memphis. Maybe I have a Big 12 bias, but John Calipari is giong to get destroyed in the Elite 8. The Regional is in Houston afterall.

One of my favorite coaches and now broadcasters is picking the winner of the NCAA Tournament to come from this region. His pick? Four seed Pittsburgh. For that to happen, Pitt would have to have some serious luck on their side. I could see that happening as opposed to Digger Phelps having all One seeds in the Final Four.

Potential Upsets I am picking: (10)St Mary's OVER (7) Miami

West Region

This could be the easiest Region for any One seed as UCLA should cruise. I could see Duke losing in the Second round to West Virginia. I am not sold on the Two seed Dukies. Watch out for Drake and their sharp shooters. They love the Three pointers and since I went to a Missouri Valley Conference school in Missouri State I am picking Drake to make the Sweet 16. Drake's Adam Emmenecker went from walk-on to league MVP. I see no reason why Drake can't keep their hot shooting going.

Poor Mark Turgeon. He always has bad luck. Texas A&M is going to be trounced by UCLA in the Second round.

Potential Upsets I am picking: (13) San Diego OVER (4) UCONN
(11) Baylor OVER (6) Purdue