John’s Final Four Picks!
If you have read the past two articles, you will know how I got down to my final four: Kentucky, Missouri, North Carolina, Florida State.
Let’s take a look back on some upset alerts. Here’s what I’m taking risks on
First Round: VCU over Wichita State, Colorado over UNLV, Virginia over Florida, West Virginia over Gonzaga, Ohio over Michigan, NC State over SDSU, Belmont over Georgetown
Second Round: Murray State over Marquette, Vanderbilt over Wisconsin, West Virginia over Ohio State
Sweet 16: Baylor over Duke, Vanderbilt over Syracuse
Elite Eight: Mizzou over Michigan State
Now, time for my Final Four picks.
(1) Kentucky OVER (2) Missouri – I’m gonna go with the Wildcats in this one. Anthony Davis is just going to be too much to handle for the Tigers.
(1) North Carolina OVER (3) Florida State – You know what they say, “Third time’s the charm!” Unless you’re talking about the Bills. Anyway, I can’t imagine Florida State beating UNC 3 times in one year. You gotta know Roy Williams will have them ready for this one.
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME: (1) Kentucky OVER (1) North Carolina – John Calipari will finally get his first title as a coach as the Wildcats win their first title since wearing goggles on your head was cool (1998), or when music was still on MTV.
There you have it, hope you enjoyed yourself like I did. But remember, I am not liable for any loss of money due to bets you make with the cat lady in your office, or with anyone. You make the picks in your bracket, not me. Good Luck, and may God have mercy on your soul.
John’s Bracket Picks Part Two
Gasp…That was weird. Don’t worry, Debbie isn’t dead, she just stopped living.
Anyway, now that my near-death experience is over, I’m going to go ahead and make my picks in the right half of the bracket. Expect me to make this one a little shorter, not Danny DeVito short, but more like Spud Webb short.
EAST REGION
(1) Syracuse OVER (16) UNC Asheville – This should come as no surprise. Despite the fact that Asheville dominated the Big South this season, doesn’t mean that they can even beat a Melo-Less Syracuse team. I expect the score margin to be about the size of Rosie O’Donnell. And if you can’t already tell, this post is going to be pop-culture themed.
(8) Kansas State OVER (9) Southern Mississippi – I fell in love with this Southern Miss team out of C-USA a few months back. But I quickly fell out of love a week ago when they couldn’t seem to get things going. At last our love lasted more than Kim Kardshian’s and Kris Humphries’ marriage. Kansas State should win this one.
(5) Vanderbilt OVER (12) Harvard – The school that some refer to as “The Harvard of the South” will take on the Harvard of the North, or in other words, Harvard. A good Civil-War-Esque battle here, but I guess that Redneck down the street was right. “The South Will Rise Again!” Vanderbilt over Harvard here.
(4) Wisconsin OVER (13) Montana – Montana has been a common upset pick among my fellow bracketologists, but here I gotta go with the Badgers. They’re pretty badass. Oh my God, is it eating a cobra? Look at that crazy f***. Badgers win here.
(6) Cincinnati OVER (11) Texas – Texas is another popular pick among experts here, but I’m going to go against the grain here and pick the Bearcats (I don’t know how that animal came to be, nor do I want to.) over the Longhorns (probably an interesting story for that name too.). All phallic jokes aside, Cincy made it to the Big East title this year and has shown it can run with the elite. Bearcats in a close one.
(3) Florida State OVER (14) St. Bonaventure – Florida State, coming off an ACC Tournament title, are ready to square off against St. Bonaventure. I don’t know who the hell would name themselves Bonaventure, nor do I know why they’re even being picked over the ‘Noles. FSU wins in this one.
(10) West Virginia OVER (7) Gonzaga – I know that Gonzaga always seems to do well in the tourney, but this West Virginia team’s record does not reflect how good they are. They have gotten the short end of the stick in many games this season and in this game, I expect their luck to turn around. Mountaineers beat the Bulldogs.
(2) Ohio State OVER (15) Loyala (MD) – The Greyhounds, out of the MAAC, are a team that has been to Hell and back over the past few seasons, but I’m expecting Ohio State to send them straight back to Hell. Buckeyes win big.
ROUND TWO
(1) Syracuse OVER (8) Kansas State – Despite Fab Melo being out, the Cuse find a way to win.
(5) Vanderbilt OVER (4) Wisconsin – The Commodores are red hot right now over a win over top-seeded Kentucky and roll over those nasty-ass badgers.
(3) Florida State OVER (6) Cincinnati – The Noles are gonna be spearing the Bearcats like..like..ahh, I don’t know. I’m done making jokes. Noles win here.
(10) West Virginia OVER (2) Ohio State – I’m taking a huge gamble with the Mountaineers over the Buckeyes, but they match up really well and are poised to make some waves. I’ll go with the couch-burners here.
SWEET SIXTEEN
(5) Vanderbilt OVER (1) Syracuse – The absence of Fab Melo finally catches up to them and the Orange fall victim to Vanderbilt.
(3) Florida State OVER (10) West Virginia – The Mountaineers cinderella run ends here as the Noles move on to the Elite Eight.
ELITE EIGHT
(3) Florida State OVER (5) Vanderbilt - The shutdown FSU defense snuffs out the Commodores and head to their first final four since…ever.
MIDWEST REGION
(1) North Carolina OVER (16) Vermont – As much as I would love to see fellow York native Four McGlynn lead the Catamounts over the Tar Heels, it’s not gonna happen. Tar Heels win bigger than Dolly Parton’s boobs.
(8) Creighton OVER (9) Alabama – Creighton really deserved a higher seed. Look for the Jays to feed off that anger and move on to the second round.
(5) Temple OVER (12) California/USF – Even though Temple didn’t end the season in great fashion, I can’t see them losing this matchup. Owls move on.
(13) Ohio OVER (4) Michigan – Ohio’s coach knows the Wolverine system since he is a product of Michigan’s coaching staff. The Maize and Blue often refer to their rival Ohio State as Ohio as a derogatory term. Look for Ohio to get the “Eye of the Jew” and pull off a 13/4 upset.
(11) NC State OVER (6) San Diego State – I was very impressed with NC State’s performance in the ACC tourney, and in my opinion, the refs cost the Wolfpack a win over UNC. I expect them to keep up the good play against a struggling San Diego State sqaud.
(14) Belmont OVER (3) Georgetown – This is a BIG risk, but listen to some facts here before calling me dumber than Lloyd Christmas.
Reason 1: Georgetown was a 3 seed a few years back and fell to Ohio in an upset.
Reason 2: Belmont was a 15 seed a few years back and almost pulled a massive upset over Duke, without a controversial call going in the Blue Devil’s favor at the end of the game, the Bruins would’ve likely been only the fifth team to pull off a 15/2 upset.
Reason 3: Belmont hasn’t lost a game since January 21st. They’re winning streak has lasted about the same amount of time as Kim Kardashian’s marriage.
Reason 4: See reasons 1, 2, and 3.
(7) Saint Mary’s OVER (10) Purdue – The Gaels will not be like the other Gaels and take care of the Boilermakers in this 7/10 matchup. Stick with the WCC champs.
(2) Kansas OVER (15) Detroit – Dickie V will have to watch his alma mater bow down to the Jayhawks. The boys from Kansas will whip Detroit like Devo. Kansas wins big here.
2ND ROUND
(1) North Carolina OVER (8) Creighton – This game will be closer than Pam Anderson’s cleavage, but I expect the Chapel Hill kids to take advantage of the Greensboro crowd and move on to the Sweet 16.
(5) Temple OVER (13) Ohio – The Bobcats just don’t match up right to the Owls. As Bill Cosby, Temple alum would say “I’m gonna watch the Temple Owls put a whipple whappin win over the Ohio Bobcats, while enjoying a Jello Pudding Pop. Razzle Snazzle Gleeble Globble!”.
(11) NC State OVER (14) Belmont – The Wolfpack, or as I like to call them “The Other North Carolina Team” will get pissed off more than Whitney Houston having her crack taken away (too soon?). Sorry, had to throw one in there.
(2) Kansas OVER (7) Saint Mary’s – Rock Chalk Jayhawk. Kansas will take the Gaels and do to them what Dubstep did to music. Ruin it/them.
SWEET SIXTEEN
(1) North Carolina OVER (5) Temple – North Carolina will laugh their way to the Elite 8 after they Friggle-Fraggle-Frop Temple. Kids say the darnest things.
(2) Kansas OVER (11) NC State – Kansas will move on to face Carolina after ending NC State’s run.
ELITE EIGHT
(1) North Carolina OVER (2) Kansas – North Carolina, aka first team all-ACC, will handle Kansas here and move on to the Final Four for a rematch against Florida State.
Stay Tuned for the conclusion of my picks as well as a bracket summary!
John fills out his bracket. (Featuring the inept Bracketologist “Debbie”!)
As all of you are filling out your brackets, and hoping that the cat-lady who used the ‘mascot fight’ method doesn’t repeat as office pool champ, you’re probably looking for a little help! Well, look no further! I am the 2010 champ of my dad’s office pool, out of 34 people, just outside of a money winning place in my mother’s 110 member bracket in 2010, and 4th place in my dad’s office 2011 bracket. Yes, ‘the mascot fight’ method worked for my dad’s co-worker last year, but I am determined to stop that from happening again. (You’re going down, Poppy!!!) Anyway, now that I’ve vented for a bit, here are my tourney picks, starting with the South Region.
1. Kentucky v. 16 MVSU/WKU – John: A sixteen seed has never beaten a one seed ever in the history in the tournament. Nothing new this year
Debbie: Well, a Devil would certainly beat a Wildcat.
John: Shut up, Debbie, you don’t know anything. Wildcats win here.
Debbie: But I won last year!
John: Yeah, and you came in last the four years before. Silence, Debbie!
8 Iowa State v. 9 Connecticut – John: Debbie thinks a cyclone would beat a huskie, but I beg to differ. Dog’s survive all kinds of crazy stuff. I’m going with Uconn here in a close one.
5 Wichita State v. 12 VCU – John: Debbie asked me what a Shocker is today, and to be honest, I told her I have no idea! I’m guessing it was supposed to be shucker, but maybe there was a typo. Anyway, I’m going to let Debbie pick this one.
Debbie: Well I thin-
John: Just kidding Debbie, I’m going with the Rams in this 12/5 upset, this should be a good game. I’m sorry Debbie, that was mean.
4 Indiana v. 13 New Mexico State – John: This is an interesting matchup. Indiana has been wishy-washy this year and NMSU beat the crap out of the WAC competition in the conference tourney. Still, I’m not going to reccomend the risk and give the Hoosiers the nod.
Debbie: Oooh, I saw that movie! It was pretty good!
John: Oh, really? Didn’t you love the part when the guy was coaching Louisville?
Debbie: That was my favorite part.
John: Uh-huh. Well Debbie, you’re a filthy little liar. That wasn’t in the movie.
6 UNLV v. 11 Colorado – John: Well, this is another good matchup. Colorado is coming in hot, while UNLV is not. I’m going to suggest taking a bit of a risk here and going with the Buffaloes in an 11/6 upset, especially if this tourney plays out like last year.
Debbie: I’ve been to Buffalo before, that place is nice. But everything was closed at 5:30.
John: Yeah, they heard you were coming.
Debbie:…..
John: Hey Debbie, I think I heard the phone ring, can you get it?
Debbie: Yeah, sure.
3 Baylor v. 14 South Dakota State - John: Thank God she’s gone. Okay, the Jackrabbits are an interesting team with a great player in (I forgot the guy’s name). But, I just can’t take the risk with this one. Chalk it up for Baylor.
7 Notre Dame v. 10 Xavier - John: Okay, this is one the four great 7-10 matchups. I’m going to give it to the Irish, because St. Patrick told me that they would win. That, and Xavier just hasn’t been the same since the brawl against Cincy.
2 Duke v. 15 Lehigh – John: I hate Duke, but I love their chances here, Duke wins by a bunch.
2ND ROUND
1 Kentucky v. 9 Uconn - Upset alert for the Wildcats, but I think the Wildcats will pull it out (that’s what she said.)
12 VCU v. 4 Indiana - I’m taking the Hoosiers here as Shaka Smart’s team just won’t be able to repeat it’s incredible run they had last year.
11 Colorado v. 3 Baylor - A former Big-12 conference game here. Look for the Bears to be able to handle the Buffaloes.
7 Notre Dame v. 2 Duke - I’m speeding up here because I think Debbie just realized she’s been duped. Duke gets the nod here over the boys from South Bend.
SWEET 16
1 Kentucky v. 4 Indiana – A rematch of the great game that ended up in an upset win for Indiana. Not this time though, as I think the Wildcats should handle them this time.
3 Baylor v. 2 Duke – This is one that I was debating over for a while, but I’m going to encourage you to take a slight risk on Baylor here. It’s up to you though.
ELITE 8
1 Kentucky v. 3 Baylor – I have the Wildcats winning this matchup and heading to the Final Four.
Now that the South Region is out of the way, lets go to the West Region.
1 Michigan State v. 16 LIU Brooklyn - Yeah, this is a no brainer, even for Debbie (300 is her favorite movie). Spartans over the Blackbirds.
8 Memphis v. 9 Saint Louis – Debbie: I’m back! What’s a Billiken?
John: I don’t know Debbie, who are you going with?
Debbie: I’m going with the Billikens because it’s a cool name.
John: Okay, well I’m going with Memphis because it’s the opposite of what you think.
5 New Mexico v. 12 Long Beach State – John: Another interesting 5/12 matchup, but I like what the Lobos have done this year, I’ll give them the green light on this.
4 Louisville v. 13 Davidson – Debbie: I like Louisville. That’s where the bat I keep in my car to fend off robbers comes from. Pick the Cardinals!
John: Actually, I think you’re right Debbie. For once.
6 Murray State v. 11 Colorado State – John: CSU’s numbers are extremely inflated, just like Murray State’s USA Today Ranking, and Debbie’s cat, Garfield. But I’m going to go with the Racers here.
3 Marquette v. 14 BYU/Iona – John: I like the Golden Eagles in this one, and I am getting sick of the length of this post.
7 Florida v. 10 Virginia – John: Okay, I’m going to go with the Cavaliers in a mini-upset. I don’t think that Florida has been playing up to snuff lately.
2 Missouri v. 15 Norfolk State – Debbie: I like the Spartans, but, “THIS IS BASKETBALL!” So I’m going to pick the Tigers in this game, just like John told me to say.
2ND ROUND
1 Michigan State v. 8 Memphis – John: 3 Words. This. Is. Sparta.
5 New Mexico v. 4 Louisville – Debbie: The voices in my head say New Mexico.
John: The voices in your head are wrong. Louisville will make it to the Sweet 16
Debbie: The voices in my head are telling me to kill you.
John: Calm down Debbie.
Debbie: Must. Kill. John.
6 Murray State v. 3 Marquette – John: This is another good time to take a risk. I’ve got the Racers going to the Sweet 16.
10 Virginia v. 2 Missouri – John: The Tigers should be able to maul UVA here. Stick with Mizzou.
SWEET 16
1 Michigan State v. 4 Louisville – John: Tom Izzo’s squad should prevail over Rick Pitino’s team this time. MSU to the Elite 8.
6 Murray State v. 2 Missouri - John: Alas, this is where Murray State’s magical season ends. I have the Tigers moving on to the Elite 8
ELITE EIGHT
1 Michigan State v. 2 Missouri – John: I’m going to take the Tigers over the Spartans here, this Missouri team really impressed me in the Big 12 Tourney, and I have them going to the Final Four to face Kentucky.
Debbie, what are you doing? Stop staring at me! Wha- AAAHHHH!
Will John survive Debbie’s caniballistic attack? Will Debbie’s voices make a correct pick? Will Old Man Wilson ever learn to love again? Come back tomorrow for all the answers and perhaps the other side of the bracket.
Big Announcement
I will no longer be making posts on the home page that a new bracket is up. The tab for the bracket will now list the date and time that the bracket was last updated. The same goes for the Bubble Updates tab that will be added later today. All times of updates are Eastern Time. Enjoy and thanks for reading!
Bracket Update 3/6/2012
New Bracket is up, with all automatic bids in bold! Have fun, and if you have any questions, suggestions, criticism (constructive) or anything to say just leave a comment below or on the bracketology updates tab.
Bubble Watch! What teams need to do to get in.
Hey everyone! Hope you are enjoying your Tuesday Morning! I’m going to get this thing done quick, I got a psych assignment to finish today. As Selection Sunday creeps closer and closer, I think it’s time I fulfill my promise and give you guys a bubble watch, or better yet an at-large watch. This means I will not be discussing teams who already have automatic bids (i.e. Creighton, Murray State, Saint Mary’s), and who are from small conferences. First off, let me give you my “locks” for the tourney…
Kentucky, Syracuse, Duke, Missouri, Kansas, Michigan State, North Carolina, Ohio State, Marquette, Georgetown, Baylor, Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan, Florida, Louisville, Florida State, Temple, Wichita State, Notre Dame, UNLV, Vanderbilt, Gonzaga, San Diego State, New Mexico, Virginia, Iowa State, Cincinnati, Kansas State, Purdue, California, Memphis, Alabama, Saint Louis, and Mississippi State.
I just listed 35 teams. These teams represent the SEC, Big East, ACC, Pac-12, MWC, WCC, Big 10, Big 12, C-USA, and A-10. Let’s live in a perfect world where there are no wild tourney results, such as Virginia Tech winning the ACC Tournament, OK? That means that 10 of these teams will get automatic bids, but since we don’t live in a perfect world, let’s just say eight of them get an automatic bid. That leaves 27 teams with At-Large locks, leaving 10 At-Large bids left to hand out, making the grand total of 37 at-large bids. The teams who I think are eligible for these spots at this point are:
Washington, BYU, Connecticut, Southern Mississippi, Oregon, Arizona, Xavier, South Florida, West Virginia, Texas, Northwestern, Colorado State, Drexel, Tennessee, Seton Hall, Miami (FL), NC State, Iona, St. Joseph’s, and Umass.
The rest on my list of teams considered at this point need to win their conference tourney to get in or make it to the final and get A LOT of help. Now I’m going to tell you what they need to get into the field.
Needs one win in Conference Tourney to lock themselves up a spot: Washington, BYU, Connecticut (If they lose to DePaul, they’re out), and Southern Mississippi, West Virginia, Texas
Needs two wins in Conference Tourney to lock themselves up a spot: Oregon, Arizona, Xavier, USF, Northwestern, Colorado State, Tennessee, Seton Hall, Miami (FL)
Needs three wins or in Conference Tourney to lock themselves up a spot: NC State, St. Joseph’s, Umass.
Need some help to get in: Drexel
Need a miracle: Iona
There you have it. Look for a new bracket later tonight! See ya!
New Bracket Posted
Honestly, I’m getting sick of spamming my followers email with my daily posts saying that my bracket is updated. Does anybody know how to have my bracketology page the page that comes up when you first enter the site? I’m new to this wordpress thing. Anyway, the bracket is posted and records are as of midnight, March 5th/6th. Have at it!
New Bracket/Conference Tourney Winners
New Bracket is up. Enjoy! Also, I am putting in my minor conference tournament predictions in. Records are as of 9:30 ET tonight.
Bracketology 3/2/2012
Hey everyone, I forgot to mention that I updated the bracket last night. A brand new bracket will be up later tonight. Enjoy!
