Thursday, March 20, 2008

Workin' for NCAA













Kent State guard and MAC Player of the Year, Al Fisher.

Believe me, I really wanted to pull the trigger on a Kent State upset over Kansas, but I just can't see it. Then again, the Jayhakws have historically choked in the tournament, at least in recent years under Roy Williams, who will probably win his second title since moving to the land of tobacco. Anyway, here's what might possibly maybe sort of could happen. Just don't use these picks as the basis of any kind of wager involving goods, services or cash:

East final: North Carolina(1) over Louisville(3).
Midwest final: Georgetown(2) over Kansas(1).
South final: Texas(2) over Michigan State(5).
West final: UCLA(1) over Xavier(3). (fuck you, Duke!)

Final Four: North Carolina over UCLA.

It appears that I'm not going out on much of a limb, save for the early ouster of Memphis -- hey, some powerhouse has to turn turnovers and cold shooting into a second-round loss, right? -- but consider that in the last ten tournaments, twenty of the eighty participants in a regional final were seeded lower than fourth -- that's 25%, kids -- meaning at least two grotesque surprises should rear their ugly heads this year based on recent trends. Of course, there weren't any last year and only one in 2006 (George Mason). On the other hand, fifth-seeded Indiana made the title game in 2002, as did fifth-seeded Florida in 2000, which was quite the wacky year as five of the eight teams were sub-four seeds. Something else happened that year, but I can't exactly remember. Oh well, probably nothing important. As I said, don't place any bets using the information contained in this post. Watch O.J. Mayo and USC win the damn thing.

Go Golden Flashes!

17 comments:

Comrade Kevin said...

My alma mater, UAB (University of Alabama at Birmingham), I fear did not make the field of 64.

But when they announced that they, as a bubble team, were not going to make it in, I was angry at first.

Then my anger changed to acceptance.

And then I understood that it's all just a basketball game and some get into tournaments and some do not and that's just the way things are, for better or for worse.

La Belette Rouge said...

Okay, Randal, I have nothing at al to say about basketball. But, I wanted to let you know that I think I am starting to like football. I have been watching Friday Night Lights season 1 and it is getting me into the game. I know you must be shocked. Well, I am. I thought I was impervious to the games charms.

Mary Ellen said...

Basketball....not as good as baseball, but better than soccer.

Dean Wormer said...

Nice picks.

Watch for an upset PSU/ Kansas today.

Or not.

pissed off patricia said...

Okay, it's Friday and I came to get the cake order. All I see here is something about a game called basketball. They don't serve cake at basketball games, just like there is no crying in baseball.

Randal Graves said...

comrade kevin, well sure, otherwise we'd have a 300-team tournament - actually, I'm surprised we don't because that would mean extra cash. Doesn't mean I'm still not going to rant and rave. ;-)

LBR, okay, now you're officially starting to scare me.

ME, everyone knows that basketball is better than baseball, that football is king and I like soccer, you red state, Euro-hating, radical Christian wingnut!

dean, if that happens, I will give you one of the most valuable items currently in existence, an American dollar!

POP, it's quite possible that you've mastered time travel and added that comment from the future, but it's even more possible that it's a good idea for you to check your calendar.

Anonymous said...

I got WizKonsin in the field of 8....but sadly there will be no getting through KS.

Mary Ellen said...

you red state, Euro-hating, radical Christian wingnut!

Awww gee, Randal, you really do like me! Thanks! :-)

Randal Graves said...

okjimm, hell if I know since Xavier nearly blew it today and Kent State got spanked. There's going to be some weirdo, 10+ seed getting to the Elite Eight, I just know it.

ME, hey, shouldn't you be Good Friday-ing it up? ;-)

Anonymous said...

Dear RG

I am 7 for seven in the office bracket pool.....so far

...ya Xavier scared me,

there are 850 big ones on the line and that is a lotta draft beer!!

WI plays some really boring BB, but it sure can bring surprises to the run-gun teams.

Kent was just lucky to be there.

Watch WI tonight and I will buy you a cold one!!

Anonymous said...

I hate basketball.

(yeah, I said it...)

Anonymous said...

But I think you are mostly cool.....mostly.

Distributorcap said...

randal

you should have known me way back when -- when i worked at CBS sports and went to the 1987 through 1992 final fours

and would fall asleep in my seat between the games on the saturday

even the game indiana beat syracuse in new orleans in the last second i was yawning

Suzi Riot said...

I'm a very loyal and enthusiastic UCLA alum, but looking at the line-up... Kansas is going to take the whole thing.

It's always like this with UCLA... always the fucking bridesmaid.

Randal Graves said...

okjimm, but boring can work as it did in 99 when they made the Final Four with the same slug-it-out style. And Kent State was the regular and postseason MAC champ, no luck involved! And you'll have to postpone that brew, as I was at work and then on the bus so I only got to catch the last few minutes!

fot, thanks for the sort-of compliment. Basketball WILL have it's revenge upon you, oh yes it will.

dcap, dammit, I could've been you. "You're not dcap."
"Yes, I am."
"But he would be asleep, and you're having a good time!"

suzi, on paper, Kansas probably should, but one can never tell with this wacky tournament. And wait, 1995 doesn't count, nor all that string of about 752 titles in a row? My heart breaks for UCLA. ;-)

Suzi Riot said...

RG: Yeah, yeah. And the Wooden days. But you're only as good as your last win. So there! ;P

Randal Graves said...

Well, the Buckeyes DID win their last game. In the NIT. ;-)