For the Record…
Would love to have the time to go through how I broke this all down, but I have to be public before tip today, of course. So, I can either brag or make fun of myself…probably the latter.
Quick notes:
- Starting in the East…
- I DO believe that UCONN is the best team and that they have the least amount of flaws. That being said, it is tough to repeat, I have Bruce Pearl getting a week to prep for them, and you have to go off the beaten path a bit to win your pool.
- I have watched Iowa State play three times, and was not impressed, and think most of their wins were because of home court. BYU impressed me more.
- No HUGE Cinderellas in Sweet Sixteen…just BYU.
- Going to the West…
- All three of my possible Final Four teams are all in this region. UNC will be fine in Charlotte, and won’t hit someone who can hang until the Elite Eight.
- Toughest call for me. I have Zona over Baylor in Sweet Sixteen. Going with the eye test for me.
- Storybook Elite Eight game, and give me Zona.
- Going to the South…
- Houston’s biggest test is Texas A&M in the second round. My initial bracket had A&M in the Elite Eight, but I couldn’t go against the defense of Houston. Plus, they will be motivated to get to Dallas.
- Dammit. Riding with Kentucky again, knowing they can beat anyone or lose to anyone. I haven’t learned my lesson, but tend to believe Calipari surprises us with a young team we don’t expect anything from.
- Marquette has academic problems, injury problems, and isn’t trustworthy.
- JMU is my Cinderella here, and give me them in the Sweet Sixteen.
- Going to the Midwest…
- Gonzaga is dangerous as a 5 seed, but they start out in Salt Lake and have not rotation. Kansas is down, and Samford will beat both of them.
- Purdue’s mission to pull a UVA I think will be successful.
- Love Dalton at Tennessee, but going Creighton to beat them. If Creighton was in the previous bracket, I probably would have THEM in the Final four. Purdue advances.
- Final Four. Purdue’s experience will trump Kentucky, and Zona will out-talent overachieving Auburn.
- Purdue will NOT make the final game and lose in their quest. The feel good champion story after losing to a 16 seed last year will prove true once again.
Oh, the Van Halen thing is just my favorite album ever…no correlation to any verbiage or picks. I just simply love Van Halen. Good luck in your brackets, all!
