NCAA Tournament should be a lot of fun as always (maybe even so much fun it should be illegal… bubbilicious)

SCOTT JACOBS

The brackets are out, and here are the initial observations that I made immediately…
1. A prime time, diaper dandy matchup– and we get it in the first round!
Why: (11) Kansas State versus (6) USC– aka: soon to be number one pick in the NBA Draft Michael Beasley and stud freshman O.J. Mayo go at it in a rare first year showcase. While these two teams may not ultimately go far in the tourney, this matchup has glitz, glamor, and ratings all over it.

2. Arizona State gets shafted by their arch rival
Maybe there is something to this 23 (now 24) year tourney run the Wildcats have going, but anyone who believes they are a better team than the Sun Devils are crazy. Arizona State swept the Cats’ who were so mediocre this season, and finished higher in the dynamite Pac 10, and they get shafted because U of A has a higher RPI and a better schedule? Since when is it about who you play– if you can’t beat them?

3. Georgia is SEC’s top dawg and a scary looking 14 seed
Seriously, if you can win the SEC championship, even during a down, tornado ridden year in a 4/5 empty arena that your arch-rival Georgia Tech plays in, you’re a threat to do damage. Now, the Bulldogs were disturbingly bad in the SEC regular season, but what is it that they say about playing good ball at the right time–O yeah, peaking!

4. Which leads to this: Is Georgia the worst, most undeserving (based on regular season record) team in the tourney
Nope, there’s a team in the opening play in game that gets the nod. They had 20 losses this year. There name was Coppin State. They’ll be ‘coppin a feel’ for a tourney they don’t belong in, and then they’ll be out– their journey ending either in Dayton, or at the hands of the baby blue ballers from Chapel Hill

5. And why a play in game anyways? What is the point?
Great point made this week by someone online who said the play in game is stupid. They said that you should either expand it to 4 teams in the play in night, or none. And I agree. 68 would be a snug fit. ASU, VT, Illinois St., and a few other teams would be happy to oblige.

6. Hoosier Sadness
O the mighty fall, and they fall hard. Kelvin Sampson screwed IU over at midseason with his idiotic scandals, and their interim who went 3-3 wasn’t able to clog the holes. Eric Gordon the super freshman is part of a loaded team in a weak Big 10 who just couldn’t put it together. And now, the once top 10 Hoosiers, are an 8 seed, and a possible first round out with SEC Finalist Arkansas up first

7. Memphis, are you for real?
Is that one loss to Tennessee a sign that you’re a title contender, or that when the lights get bright and the pressure is on you falter in the clutch? Phenomenal team that could go all the way, or get bounced in the second round possibly. This is the second time in third years the Tigers are a one seed. Can they actually turn that into a Final Four?

8. And then there’s those other one seeds
People may disagree, but this is the weakest 1 line I can remember. UNC has been legit all year, they earned it. UCLA was two strange calls away from looking at a 3 seed. Tennessee was one weird situation from being a 1. Duke was being considered for a 1 when they’re probably closer to a 4. Kansas is good, but they don’t blow you away. Texas has some quality wins, but something about them doesn’t sceam great. Can the argument be made that…

9. There is no tour de force in this tourney
Yes. The Tar Heels are close, but close calls to Va. Tech and Clemson proved that the Heels have a ways to go. There is no Florida in this field (literally, and figuratively).

10. But George Mason’s back
We loved them a few years ago in their epic run to the Final Four. Chances of an encore: not likely. Chances they win a game or two: not unfeasible (after all, the five always seems to lose one game to the 12).

11. The Pitt Panthers are a serious sleeper to go dancing long into the night
The Big East champs always seem to be there. Even if they flew under the radar this year. I think the Panthers, who always seem to fall victim to the Sweet Sixteen, are ready for a deep run. In fact, outside of the top two lines, I really like their chances (Like seriously… I think).

12. I think the coolest looking match up that will fall flat is Arizona- West Virginia
Let’s face it: West Virginia is good, they have a fabulous player in Joe Alexander, and Arizona is living off its lofty reputation. They don’t deserve to be here, their hall of fame coach isn’t on the sideline, and their is no continuity to Arizona’s flat play. I have always like the Cats, but I think the Mountaineers may flat-line the Cats. Then again, this could be the year that U of A who usually goes out as the surging 8 or 9 seed, wins a few games. Eh, I’m not leaning towards the latter.

13. North Carolina has got it too easy
Raleigh? Charlotte? Really? Could they make the drive any shorter for Tar Heel fans? Two hours? It takes me over three times that to get to FSU from my house. Next year rumor has it they’re going to hold the tourney in Chapel Hill. That way Carolina could walk to the game. Wouldn’t want them to get a flat tire on their bus ride.

14. Speaking of flat tires, the Hoyas could be a one weekend and out dud
If I had to go off my gut, I’d say both Gonzaga and Davidson could give the Hoyas one heck of a game. And the Hoyas, who looked flat against Pitt. could fall if Hibbert can’t score (Side note: think Hibbert stayed a year two long? I do!)

15. I feel smarter talking about Cornell-Stanford
Why play the game? Instead, let’s see which school has the higher average SAT acceptance scores. Seriously, the smartest match up in the first round (class is dismissed).

16. I know it happened in football, but am I the only one who thinks its possible (not probable) for the Boise State Broncos to pull off another stunner (this time in a real tournament) against another proven been there done that team: Louisville.
The Cardinals looked flat in the Big East tournament. Now I’m not saying that’s my pick… but can you really consider it unfeasible?

O yeah, this is the NCAA Tournament, where the only thing more unlikely then me getting my stunner pick right, is you getting every game right. Ya heard?
Tourney time: It’s on. Like Donkey Kong~

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