Bracket Mania

I got blindsided by the Selection Committee last night. There is always the opportunity for them to screw things up royally, but you never expect it. I am sure any way you cut this, I will sound like a bitter fan who is mad about Marquette getting an 11 seed, but really I am not. But I am done talking about the seed, I am happy to be here and get into to the Sweet 16.  Here are some of the other story lines from each region.



East
The Region of Doom: With teams like Ohio State, North Carolina, Syracuse, and Kentucky as your top four, it's pretty hard to argue this isn't the toughest road to Houston. All of these teams could be in the Final Four, and it makes me giddy of the potential Sweet 16 in Newark. I think Ohio State's Athletic Director and Head of the Committee Gene Smith was a lot like a Wauwatosa teacher who  used to officiate frosh/JV Tosa West games, The ref/teacher would always give us the raw end of most calls. He didn't want to look like a homer, the same thin happened with Smith giving Ohio State the hardest bracket.

Feelin' Chalky: Other than Marquette, I do not see a real chance for an upset for the first round. I do think Washington could give Carolina a game in the third round, and the WVA-Kentucky game will be a nice rematch from last season. Also I feel great about Marquette playing Syracuse in the second round.

Southwest 
Dont Sleep on the Ville':  The Louisville Cardinals have everything you would want in a team who can make a deep run in the NCAAs. They have a solid point guard, three point shooting, and good size. Even though he is an utter snake, Rick Pitno is a great coach in the postseason.

Kansas Gets No Love: Despite liking Louisville in this tourney, I do not think enough has been mentioned about the Jayhawks. I feel it's because they do not have one star on their team plus people cannot tell the Morris twins apart. Also people may be worried about the chances of another quick exit.

Chicago Cooking: Notre Dame and Purdue get the luxury of playing in the Windy City. I have trouble seeing either lose with the homefield advantage they will both have. Although, Georgetown with Chris Wright would worry me a little bit if I were the Boilermakers.

Southeast
Upsets Galore: In my opinion, this could be a pretty exciting bracket, we will call it the Jessie Spano bracket from now on. I think there is potential from the 3 seed to the 7seed all getting upset in the first round. I don't think that will happen, but you never know. Remind me this when I try to suffocate myself when Michigan State is in the Elite Eight.

Cant Trust The Burgh': Pittsburgh is so unstable in the postseason. They are 1-7 against teams who are seeded higher than a five. They do have a nice size, four guys shot 40 percent from three, and good experience. Jamie Dixon is only worth a Sweet 16 spot.

West
Cakewalk Dukies?: People have debated whether Duke got an easy bracket, but I do think they will be challenged. I think Arizona can give the Blue Devils a good game, same with Tennessee/Michigan, or if Rick Barnes decide to coach in March, that could be trouble. Also don't sleep on Kemba/SDSU.

Kemba Nation: I remember when Syracuse made a deep run into the Big East tournament a couple years ago and then they lost in the first round of the Big Dance after playing four straight games. I do think it's a little different because UConn did not go 6 overtimes in one of them, yet I do think they have to be tired. I have a hard time going against Kemba Walker, said that last week, and still mean it.

Made for TV matchups: All over the place, the committee made matchups they seem to drive rating. I think they did it a lot in the West for the first round... Tenn/Mich, Ariz/Memp, Cin/Mizzou, and Tem/PSU.  All of those will be must-see events for the first round.

-Charlie.