home

March Madness

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Blog Related
Posted on Wed Mar 16, 2011 at 10:23:28 AM EST
Tags: (all tags)
Share This: Digg! StumbleUpon del.icio.us reddit reddit

Here are my winning picks:

EAST 1st Round

(1) Ohio St (32-2)
(16) TexSA/AlaSt Ohio St

(8) George Mason (26-6)
(9) Villanova (21-11) George Mason

(5) W Virginia (20-11)
(12) UAB/Clem W Virginia

(4) Kentucky (25-8)
(13) Princeton (25-6) Kentucky

(6) Xavier (24-7)
(11) Marquette (20-14) Marquette

More one the flip . . .

(3) Syracuse (26-7)
(14) Indiana St (20-13) Syracuse

(7) Washington (23-10)
(10) Georgia (21-11) Georgia

(2) N Carolina (26-7)
(15) LIU (27-5) N Carolina

WEST

(1) Duke (30-4)
(16) Hampton (24-8) Duke

(8) Michigan (20-13)
(9) Tennessee (19-14) Tennessee

(5) Arizona (27-7)
(12) Memphis (25-9) Memphis

(4) Texas (27-7)
(13) Oakland (25-9) Texas

(6) Cincinnati (25-8)
(11) Missouri (23-10) Missouri

(3) Connecticut (26-9)
(14) Bucknell (25-8) Connecticut

(7) Temple (25-7)
(10) Penn St (19-14) Temple

(2) San Diego St (32-2)
(15) N Colorado (21-10) San Diego St

SOUTHWEST

(1) Kansas (32-2)
(16) Boston Univ (21-13) Kansas

(8) UNLV (24-8)
(9) Illinois (19-13) Illinois

(5) Vanderbilt (23-10)
(12) Richmond (27-7) Vanderbilt

(4) Louisville (25-9)
(13) Morehead St (24-9) Louisville

(6) Georgetown (21-10)
(11) USC/VCU Georgetown

(3) Purdue (25-7)
(14) Saint Peters (20-13) Purdue

(7) Texas AM (24-8)
(10) Florida St (21-10) Florida St

(2) Notre Dame (26-6)
(15) Akron (23-12) Notre Dame

SOUTHEAST

(1) Pittsburgh (27-5)
(16) UncA Pittsburgh

(8) Butler (23-9)
(9) Old Dominion (27-6) Butler

(5) Kansas St (22-10)
(12) Utah St (30-3) Kansas St

(4) Wisconsin (23-8)
(13) Belmont (30-4) Wisconsin

(6) St Johns (21-11)
(11) Gonzaga (24-9) St Johns

(3) BYU (30-4)
(14) Wofford (21-12) BYU

(7) UCLA (22-10)
(10) Michigan St (19-14) Michigan St

(2) Florida (26-7)
(15) UCSB (18-13) Florida

Here are my Sweet Sixteen Teams - Ohio State, Kentucky, Syracuse, North Carolina, Duke, Texas, UConn, Temple, Kansas, Vandy, Georgetown, Notre Dame, Pitt, K-State,St. Johns, Florida.

Elite 8 - Ohio State, Syracuse, Duke, UConn, Kansas, Georgetown, K-State, Florida.

Final 4 - Ohio State, Duke, Kansas, Florida.

Championship Game - Ohio State- Kansas.

Champion - Kansas.

Betting opportunities to be covered in a subsequent post.

< Tuesday Night Open Thread | U.S. Using Drones in Mexico for War on Drugs >

  • The Online Magazine with Liberal coverage of crime-related political and injustice news

  • Contribute To TalkLeft


    • Display: Sort:
    March Madness | 29 comments (29 topical)

    Readers Must Login or Create an Account to Comment

    Oakland over Texas (none / 0) (#1)
    by Dadler on Wed Mar 16, 2011 at 10:55:19 AM EST
    That's my one big upset for Round 1.

    And the fact you don't have San Diego State in the Sweet 16 tells me you haven't watched them at all.  Had one bad matchup all year, with a BYU team that doesn't exist anymore.  They have the most athletic front line in college basketball, and they are the best passing front line period.

    Temple is going to beat them?

    Try again.

    SDSU, playing all west coast games, is going to make a nice run.  Bank on it.  And remember this name: Jamaal Franklin, freshman with sick hops who can light it up.  He'll get some minutes, and he makes the Aztecs four deep at guard.

    I saw them (none / 0) (#2)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Wed Mar 16, 2011 at 10:59:24 AM EST
    Was not impressed. I don't think much of BYU either.

    this is going to be a power conference year.

    imo of course.

    Parent

    You are so wrong (none / 0) (#3)
    by Dadler on Wed Mar 16, 2011 at 11:13:45 AM EST
    But you are entitled.

    I've watched everyone play this year, there is no marquee team or player.  SDSU can play with and beat any of the top teams.  No other team can run with their front line.  Period.  And the fact that other teams know next to nothing about them, all the better.  For SDSU, it's all nerves and smarts.  They have more than enough talent, they have to simply relax and play and not get too wound up.  

    And here's another thing: in the Mountain West, SDSU travels alone, more than any other team, and they have to play at altitude EVERY conference game except at home. None of the east coast power conference teams even play road games for the most part, they're such cowards about scheduling good teams on the road.  None of them could go to 6,000 feet every other game and play as well.

    It all evens out this year.  This is the best Mountain West Team ever to play in the tourney.  I would argue it's the best team to come out of the west since those Vegas teams 20 years ago.  I suppose you weren't impressed with them either.

    Good luck with your bracket.    

    Parent

    east coast teams and road games (none / 0) (#4)
    by Dadler on Wed Mar 16, 2011 at 11:14:59 AM EST
    I mean pre-conference games, of course.  And, of course, they can't be tested pre-conference, boo hoo, because their conferences are just too tough.

    Parent
    Heh (none / 0) (#5)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Wed Mar 16, 2011 at 11:17:09 AM EST
    You're comparing this SDSU team to Tark's Vegas teams? Tark's Vegas teams would beat every team in this tourney by 25 points.

    Parent
    Heh (none / 0) (#6)
    by Dadler on Wed Mar 16, 2011 at 11:32:52 AM EST
    And you're comparing the field then to the field today.  More parity, more good players, more teams that can win it.

    But, yes, the team that SDSU most resembles, IMO, is those Vegas teams.  They are athletically unmatched, it's all smarts with them.  If they create turnovers on defense, they are a very hard team to match and beat.  If they don't start it on defense, they are very beatable.  

    But listen, I'm such a former gymrat hoops geek that I actually plunked down good money to see USF play Idaho in the first round of the CollegeInsiders.com Tournament tonight at War Memorial Gym.

    What kinda life is that?  I ask you.

    Parent

    And a comment on Steve Fisher (none / 0) (#7)
    by Dadler on Wed Mar 16, 2011 at 11:47:07 AM EST
    While I love how he treats his players, the respect he affords them, how he communicates with them as people, I mean if I were a player I'd LOVE to play for him, but...I've always been wary of the X's and O's part of his game.  I guess my bigger beef would be with Brian Dutcher, his longtime assistant and offensive coordinator basically.  For the decade I've been watching Fisher's teams, when forced into more of a halfcourt game they just never look sharp running their offensive sets.  That's why creating on the defensive end with their athleticism and talent is SO vital to their game.

    You see the ESPN 30 for 30 on the fab five?  Good stuff.  Chris Webber shoulda participated.  Too bad he didn't.

    Parent

    I am going to do a post on the Fab 5 documentary (none / 0) (#17)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Wed Mar 16, 2011 at 01:32:37 PM EST
    Fantastic.

    Jalen Rose especially.

    Parent

    I meant to watch that, it looked like it was good (none / 0) (#19)
    by republicratitarian on Wed Mar 16, 2011 at 01:49:22 PM EST
    I'll have to DVR if it comes back on.

    Parent
    It will (none / 0) (#21)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Wed Mar 16, 2011 at 02:32:30 PM EST
    Definitely a great watch.


    Parent
    Rose came off very well (none / 0) (#22)
    by Dadler on Wed Mar 16, 2011 at 02:33:23 PM EST
    I agree with you.  Webber, by his absence, not so much.  But the doc was top notch, really reminded people of the larger issues surrounding that team. And just entertaining as hell to boot.

    Great film, can't wait to catch it again.

    Parent

    I'll stand by it (none / 0) (#28)
    by Dadler on Wed Mar 16, 2011 at 05:35:09 PM EST
    They are the best team to come out of the west coast, period, in some time.  Been going to State games since they drew nobody at San Diego Sports Arena and then when they went back to lowly Petersen Gym. Amazing to remember, tho, in 1989 when I went to the SD Sports Arena, now called the Valley View Casino Center, to see State play North Carolina. The heels had Jeff Lebo, King Rice, JR Reid.  Never see them come west for a non-conference tilt again.

    Parent
    You think Kyrie Irving comes back for Duke.. (none / 0) (#8)
    by Dadler on Wed Mar 16, 2011 at 11:49:49 AM EST
    ...and does anything? I mean, if he's really healthy enough, wow, that could put Duke a rung or two up the ladder.  Kid is good.  To say the least.  Seems strange they'd bring him back just to play him spot minutes.  Why risk it?  I figure if he's coming back, he's gonna play good time.  

    I read today that the Cleveland Cavaliers (none / 0) (#10)
    by republicratitarian on Wed Mar 16, 2011 at 12:27:34 PM EST
    are talking about drafting him. If he's going to go pro, they might as well play him.

    Parent
    Hmm (none / 0) (#12)
    by Dadler on Wed Mar 16, 2011 at 12:45:24 PM EST
    Usually kids don't one-and-out at Duke.  Never it seems to me.

    Parent
    That's true, didn't think of that (none / 0) (#15)
    by republicratitarian on Wed Mar 16, 2011 at 01:14:40 PM EST
    That's one program where kids usually stick around for a bit. Tough call for coaches, they never know what the kid is going to do.

    Parent
    Its interesting to see (none / 0) (#9)
    by Abdul Abulbul Amir on Wed Mar 16, 2011 at 12:15:22 PM EST

    Its interesting to see that president Empty Suit has time for this utterly meaningless diversion, but can't take the time to make a leadership decision on Libya.

    Certainly (none / 0) (#11)
    by Dadler on Wed Mar 16, 2011 at 12:44:12 PM EST
    Unilateral military action in Libya will prove easy and successful and will pay for itself.  No sense rallying international unity, they're just a bunch of pansy foreigners who can't agree on what kind of espresso machine to buy for the UN lounge.

    Stick to hoops, Abdul.  You ever heard of Kenneth Faried of Morehead State.  To quote from the senior's bio (LINK):

    Is the NCAA modern-era (post-1973) career rebounding leader, surpassing Tim Duncan's 1,570 at Indiana State on Feb. 19.  

    4 seed Louisville might get more of a game from a 13 seed than they wanted.

    Parent

    "Unilateral" is a strawman (none / 0) (#16)
    by Abdul Abulbul Amir on Wed Mar 16, 2011 at 01:28:34 PM EST

    Substantial international unity already exists.

    Parent
    And just who is gung-ho to invade Libya? (none / 0) (#23)
    by Dadler on Wed Mar 16, 2011 at 02:35:41 PM EST
    I'm calling a T on you, buddy, find some pine.

    Parent
    And what decision (none / 0) (#18)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed Mar 16, 2011 at 01:46:50 PM EST
    would you like him to make? You keep yammering about him not saying anything BUT in all honesty unless you want to get involved in YET another quagmire, you know, people sometimes DO have to solve THEIR OWN problems.

    I'm certainly NOT a fan of Obama but taking 10 minutes out of day to do basketball is no big deal. I mean good grief, Bush went to his ranch in Texas every weekend when tons of soldiers were being killed. Did you have a problem with that? I'm betting you didn't.

    Parent

    Oy (none / 0) (#13)
    by Maryb2004 on Wed Mar 16, 2011 at 12:47:33 PM EST
    Kansas.  

    May you be wrong.

    Rock, Chalk, Jayhawk! (none / 0) (#29)
    by katiebird on Wed Mar 16, 2011 at 06:10:52 PM EST
    (waving at Mary)

    Parent
    KU may not run the weave... (none / 0) (#30)
    by Dadler on Wed Mar 16, 2011 at 06:33:07 PM EST
    ...but head coach Bill Self sure sports a nice one.

    Parent
    I'll take (none / 0) (#14)
    by CoralGables on Wed Mar 16, 2011 at 01:12:05 PM EST
    Wofford plus 8.5 points against the sexless team from Provo in the opening round.

    That's funny (none / 0) (#20)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Wed Mar 16, 2011 at 02:31:44 PM EST
    I already put in a bet on BYu in that game.

    Jimmmer's day in the sun, then out in the 2nd round.

    Parent

    So St. John's ends Jimmermania, eh? (none / 0) (#24)
    by Dadler on Wed Mar 16, 2011 at 02:47:13 PM EST
    It's going to be very interesting to see how other teams, who have never had to face him before, try to defend him.

    Count me, however, as one of those convinced that Jimmer can play in the NBA as more than just a shooter.  He's got enough of a game as point guard, can handle the ball well enough, and is just quick enough, that, hell, if John Stockton could make it like he did, Jimmer will do alright.  I mean, how many players have literally 30+ foot range ON TOP of every other part of their game being tight?

    Parent

    You may be right (none / 0) (#27)
    by CoralGables on Wed Mar 16, 2011 at 04:49:06 PM EST
    Jimmer may get his one and only big shot on CBS tomorrow night. Last year Wofford lost in the opener to Wisconsin (a #4 seed) by 4. BYU is obviously on a slow fade losing 2 of their last 5 and got hammered by SDSU.

    Not sure if the Terriers will win, but I like the 8 1/2. They've held opponents to 63.5 during their 8 game win streak.

    Parent

    some interesting picks you have there BTD. (none / 0) (#31)
    by cpinva on Wed Mar 16, 2011 at 09:23:58 PM EST
    should be even more interesting to see how they pan out.

    March Madness | 29 comments (29 topical)

    Readers Must Login or Create an Account to Comment