March Madness: Guide to the First Two Rounds
This is the greatest tournament in all of sports. With all of the upsets and unknowns, it even beats out the World Cup (though I love the World Cup and feel it is the best "world" tournament.) Looking at the bracket there are a few things you should know before you finalize your bracket.
Lucky Numbers
This year the lucky numbers are 9 and 11. Every team with those seedings seems to have a favorable match-up. For instance, UConn is hot right now and as a 9 seed will face a mediocre Colorado team. Also, Gonzaga is a perennial tournament committee favorite. Of the 11 seeds, they may have the easiest taking on a Seton Hall team that is only in because they (surprisingly) won their conference tournament. Though the 'Zags had a rough season, I have no doubt that they will pull off the win. Of the games in the First Four, three out of the four teams vying for two 11 seeds are rather strong teams. With the exception of Tulsa, these three teams (Michigan, Vandy, and Wichita State) could all make it to the second round
How to Pick: Pick all 9 and 11 seeds to win their first round match-up.
Most Interesting Matchups
Ever since I first saw the bracket setup, I knew that the most intriguing match-up would come in the second round. Kansas as the overall No. 1 seed seems invincible. I am not convinced, especially when I see their second round match-up with UConn. It was only two years ago that UConn won the tournament as a 7 seed. Can they pull of an unlikely run at the demise of the Jayhawks? I think it is possible. Interesting if nothing else. Two other intriguing (potential) games in the second round include 1. that Gonzaga team I previously mentioned meeting a Utah team that floundered in its conference championship game and 2. an Iowa/Villanova grind.
How to pick: Pick based on tournament history and defense. (Remember defense wins championships.)
How the Mighty have Fallen
Kentucky as a 4 seed. Duke as a 5 seed. Maryland (a preseason Final Four pick) as a 5 seed. Wisconsin (from the Finals last year) as a 7 seed. Vanderbilt (also a preseason title contender) as an 11 seed. Big name teams with less than powerful rankings. This unpredictable year in college basketball has beaten down teams that usually have it all put together. How will that play into the tournament? Time will tell....and their match-ups. There is wisdom in picking experience most of the time. Teams and coaches that have been to the tourney and done well previously should never be counted out. Also preseason contenders were marked as such for a reason.
How to pick: Pick perennial powers (except Duke, their lack of depth on the bench will exhaust the starters).
And that is just the first two rounds. Stay tuned next week (after the first two rounds) for predictions for the remainder of the tourney.
IT'S MADNESS, BABY!!!
Lucky Numbers
This year the lucky numbers are 9 and 11. Every team with those seedings seems to have a favorable match-up. For instance, UConn is hot right now and as a 9 seed will face a mediocre Colorado team. Also, Gonzaga is a perennial tournament committee favorite. Of the 11 seeds, they may have the easiest taking on a Seton Hall team that is only in because they (surprisingly) won their conference tournament. Though the 'Zags had a rough season, I have no doubt that they will pull off the win. Of the games in the First Four, three out of the four teams vying for two 11 seeds are rather strong teams. With the exception of Tulsa, these three teams (Michigan, Vandy, and Wichita State) could all make it to the second round
How to Pick: Pick all 9 and 11 seeds to win their first round match-up.
Most Interesting Matchups
Ever since I first saw the bracket setup, I knew that the most intriguing match-up would come in the second round. Kansas as the overall No. 1 seed seems invincible. I am not convinced, especially when I see their second round match-up with UConn. It was only two years ago that UConn won the tournament as a 7 seed. Can they pull of an unlikely run at the demise of the Jayhawks? I think it is possible. Interesting if nothing else. Two other intriguing (potential) games in the second round include 1. that Gonzaga team I previously mentioned meeting a Utah team that floundered in its conference championship game and 2. an Iowa/Villanova grind.
How to pick: Pick based on tournament history and defense. (Remember defense wins championships.)
How the Mighty have Fallen
Kentucky as a 4 seed. Duke as a 5 seed. Maryland (a preseason Final Four pick) as a 5 seed. Wisconsin (from the Finals last year) as a 7 seed. Vanderbilt (also a preseason title contender) as an 11 seed. Big name teams with less than powerful rankings. This unpredictable year in college basketball has beaten down teams that usually have it all put together. How will that play into the tournament? Time will tell....and their match-ups. There is wisdom in picking experience most of the time. Teams and coaches that have been to the tourney and done well previously should never be counted out. Also preseason contenders were marked as such for a reason.
How to pick: Pick perennial powers (except Duke, their lack of depth on the bench will exhaust the starters).
And that is just the first two rounds. Stay tuned next week (after the first two rounds) for predictions for the remainder of the tourney.
IT'S MADNESS, BABY!!!
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