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Well, I said I wanted upsets and I definitely got them. There were essentially only 2 games worth watching tonight, since Oregon was going to advance without playing and Gonzaga was not going to be challenged by Norfolk State. That left us with UCLA / BYU and Abilene Christian / Texas. I mentioned in the last post that I wasn’t sure how good Texas actually was. I guess they weren’t as good as some people thought. I watched almost the entire game, and for the life of me I don’t know why Texas didn’t post up the guards of Abilene Christian. Both of the guards for Abilene Christian were less than 6 feet tall. One guy was 5’7”. That would be like posting me up. Trust me, I’m not stopping too many college basketball players If they get the ball in the post. Seriously, get the ball in the post and just shoot a turn around jumper over the top of the 5’7” guy until they stop you. Time after time, Texas would come down the court and all 5 Texas players would be outside of the 3-point line. I guess that’s part of the fun of the tournament. You get to be armchair coach for a little bit. Still, I wonder if Texas is going to fire Shaka Smart after this. He hasn’t really met expectations while at Texas. I’m not too worried about him. If he gets fired, there’ll be a ton of schools that would hire him.
As for BYU, apparently Johnny Juzang is doing his best
Carmelo Anthony impression. He seems
unstoppable. For a little while in the
second half, BYU was running this gimmicky defense where one guy had the sole job
of keeping the ball out of his hands. I thought
that was a particularly good defense. It
seemed to work for a little while. It’s
a 1-game playoff, you might as well break out the gimmicky defenses. Anyway, it didn’t work, so UCLA scored the
second upset of the late games.
The third biggest upset of the later games was obviously
COVID, which single handedly took out VCU.
Again, I hope everyone is OK there.
Sad for them to not even get to play at all.
That means the last set of 4 games are done. Everyone got a point for Gonzaga. Good job everyone. Only 3 people managed to go 4/4 (Clifton H. #1,
Matt M., Steve D.). That’s some pretty
good picking. Here’s the distribution:
4 wins: 3
3 wins: 71
2 wins: 87
1 win: 20
So, we did a little better as a group than we did yesterday. Yesterday, the average entry won 9.81 points. Today, we won 10.91 points – a solid 1 point
improvement. That’s probably because
there were only 4 upsets today vs 6 yesterday.
I still think yesterday’s upsets were more impactful. A lot of people had Texas going pretty far,
but I think even more people had Ohio State going really far. Plus, I think just as many people had Purdue
as Virginia advancing. I think San Diego
State had more picks for it than BYU.
Still, it’s been a pretty wild bracket so far. Not much predictable at all.
As for today, the big winner was Dylan B, who nailed a high
of 15/16. That’s a great score for this
pool. The only game he missed was Texas,
so he had a real chance to have a perfect day.
Great picking, Dylan B. On the flip
side, Alyssa N took it hard on the chin as the low picker with only 7/16. Just about any coin toss game went against
her and she was a victim of all the upsets.
Just terrible luck. None of her
picks seems crazy. They just didn’t win.
Here’s the distribution for the day in total:
|
Wins |
Count |
|
15 |
1 |
|
14 |
5 |
|
13 |
21 |
|
12 |
29 |
|
11 |
55 |
|
10 |
44 |
|
9 |
16 |
|
8 |
9 |
|
7 |
1 |
|
Wins |
Count |
|
8 |
5 |
|
7 |
43 |
|
6 |
74 |
|
5 |
45 |
|
4 |
12 |
|
3 |
2 |
|
Wins |
Count |
|
7 |
13 |
|
6 |
46 |
|
5 |
66 |
|
4 |
45 |
|
3 |
11 |
So, here are the total point rankings after round 1:
|
1. Jared B.: 25
(-19) - Gonzaga |
|
1. Klei R. #3 -
Jay B.: 25 (-19) - Gonzaga |
|
3. Jace D.: 25
(-21) - Florida |
|
4. Dennis R. #2:
25 (-31) - Michigan |
|
5. Dennis R. #1:
25 (-35) - Illinois |
|
6. Howard S. #1:
24 (-18) - Baylor |
|
6. Hutch H. #2:
24 (-18) - Baylor |
|
8. Colston W.: 24
(-20) - Michigan |
|
8. Harrell R. #2:
24 (-20) - Iowa |
|
10. Brandon B.:
24 (-22) - Illinois |
|
11. Dylan B.: 24
(-24) - Illinois |
|
12. Jaxon S.: 24
(-32) - Gonzaga |
|
13. Harrell R.
#1: 24 (-44) - Gonzaga |
|
13. Harrell R.
#3: 24 (-44) - Michigan |
|
15. Tina H.: 24
(-50) - Michigan |
|
16. James P.: 23
(-13) - Illinois |
|
17. Chris T. #2:
23 (-17) - Illinois |
|
17. Scott K.: 23
(-17) - Baylor |
|
17. Peter J. #1:
23 (-17) - Gonzaga |
|
20. Mason A. #2:
23 (-19) - Illinois |
|
20. Chris T. #1:
23 (-19) - Gonzaga |
|
20. Mark A. #1:
23 (-19) - Baylor |
|
23. Jim D. #2: 23
(-21) - Gonzaga |
|
23. Dianna A.: 23
(-21) - Arkansas |
|
23. Peter J. #4:
23 (-21) - Baylor |
|
26. Jason S.: 23
(-23) - Gonzaga |
|
27. Adam E. #1:
23 (-29) - Oklahoma State |
|
28. Craig G.: 23
(-33) - Baylor |
|
28. Hutch H. #3:
23 (-33) - Kansas |
|
30. Nate R.: 23
(-35) - Gonzaga |
|
31. Jackson I.:
23 (-37) - Baylor |
|
32. Peter J. #3:
23 (-43) - Michigan |
|
33. Keal B.: 23
(-45) - Michigan |
|
34. Rob I.: 23
(-47) - Gonzaga |
|
35. Mike N.: 23
(-51) - Gonzaga |
|
36. Chun W. #4:
23 (-57) - Alabama |
|
37. Bret K. #1:
23 (-59) - Gonzaga |
|
38. Cicely K.: 23
(-87) - Ohio State |
|
39. Chad L.: 23
(-91) - Ohio State |
|
40. Irene H. #4:
23 (-109) - Texas |
|
41. Ben W.: 22
(-16) - Gonzaga |
|
42. Mike Wi.: 22
(-18) - Iowa |
|
43. Brett G. #3:
22 (-20) - Illinois |
|
43. Marc R.: 22
(-20) - Gonzaga |
|
45. Hutch H. #1:
22 (-22) - Gonzaga |
|
45. Justin M.: 22
(-22) - Gonzaga |
|
47. Karen C.: 22
(-24) - Gonzaga |
|
47. Roth W.: 22 (-24)
- Baylor |
|
49. Klei R. - BO:
22 (-26) - Gonzaga |
|
49. Scott H. #1:
22 (-26) - Gonzaga |
|
51. Ann K.: 22
(-28) - Illinois |
|
51. Dan Dz.: 22
(-28) - Illinois |
|
53. Irene H. #1:
22 (-30) - Illinois |
|
54. Missy W.: 22
(-34) - Baylor |
|
54. Daisy N. #2:
22 (-34) - Gonzaga |
|
54. Irene H. #3:
22 (-34) - Baylor |
|
57. Klei R. -
WaPo: 22 (-36) - Illinois |
|
57. Valerie D.:
22 (-36) - Gonzaga |
|
59. Steve D.: 22
(-38) - Illinois |
|
59. Dustin B.: 22
(-38) - Illinois |
|
61. Zach V.: 22
(-40) - Illinois |
|
62. JoJo D.: 22
(-44) - Oklahoma State |
|
63. Tomas L. #1:
22 (-46) - Baylor |
|
64. Alyssa B.: 22
(-52) - Gonzaga |
|
65. Brandon H.
#1: 22 (-64) - Gonzaga |
|
66. Daisy N. #9:
22 (-114) - Texas |
|
67. Irene H. #6:
21 (-17) - Michigan |
|
68. Andrew D. #2:
21 (-23) - Illinois |
|
68. Andrew D. #1:
21 (-23) - Baylor |
|
68. Jim D. #1: 21
(-23) - Gonzaga |
|
68. Matt N.: 21
(-23) - Baylor |
|
68. Jay H. #1: 21
(-23) - Gonzaga |
|
68. Chris E.: 21
(-23) - Iowa |
|
74. Irene H. #2:
21 (-25) - Gonzaga |
|
74. Bret K. #2:
21 (-25) - Baylor |
|
74. Ray M. #2: 21
(-25) - Kansas |
|
74. Tyler B.: 21
(-25) - Michigan |
|
74. Shawn M.: 21
(-25) - Illinois |
|
74. William G.
#2: 21 (-25) - Illinois |
|
80. Matt M.: 21
(-27) - Gonzaga |
|
80. Brain K. #1:
21 (-27) - Alabama |
|
80. Brent E. #3:
21 (-27) - Illinois |
|
83. William G.
#1: 21 (-29) - Baylor |
|
83. Tomas L. #2:
21 (-29) - Baylor |
|
83. Jay H. #3: 21
(-29) - Kansas |
|
83. Howard S. #2:
21 (-29) - Houston |
|
87. Gigi I.: 21
(-31) - Gonzaga |
|
87. Alex I.: 21
(-31) - Gonzaga |
|
87. Peter J. #2:
21 (-31) - Illinois |
|
87. Elizabeth N.
#2: 21 (-31) - Illinois |
|
91. Clifton H.
#2: 21 (-35) - Gonzaga |
|
91. Chun W. #1:
21 (-35) - Illinois |
|
93. Brad R. #1:
21 (-37) - Illinois |
|
93. Michael Wh.:
21 (-37) - Illinois |
|
95. Paul W.: 21
(-39) - Houston |
|
96. Dave M.: 21
(-47) - Illinois |
|
97. Daisy N. #4:
21 (-59) - Gonzaga |
|
98. Nick V.: 21
(-61) - Gonzaga |
|
99. Irene H. #5:
21 (-81) - Ohio State |
|
100. Mike McQ.:
21 (-91) - Texas |
|
101. Owen R.: 21
(-113) - UC Santa Barbara |
|
102. Peter J. #5:
20 (-16) - Oklahoma State |
|
103. Brain K. #3:
20 (-18) - Gonzaga |
|
103. Brain K. #2:
20 (-18) - Oklahoma State |
|
105. Eric V.: 20
(-22) - Gonzaga |
|
106. Ally H.: 20
(-24) - Gonzaga |
|
106. Jim W.: 20
(-24) - Illinois |
|
106. Chun W. #3:
20 (-24) - Iowa |
|
106. Brent E. #4:
20 (-24) - Baylor |
|
106. Jonathan J.:
20 (-24) - Gonzaga |
|
111. Stefon K.:
20 (-26) - Gonzaga |
|
111. Elliot N.:
20 (-26) - Illinois |
|
111. Brent E. #2:
20 (-26) - Michigan |
|
114. Chun W. #2:
20 (-28) - Gonzaga |
|
115. Clifton H.
#1: 20 (-30) - Michigan |
|
115. Klei R. -
Seth D.: 20 (-30) - Gonzaga |
|
117. Michelle L.
#2: 20 (-32) - Houston |
|
118. Adam E. #2:
20 (-34) - Illinois |
|
119. Drew R.: 20
(-36) - Gonzaga |
|
119. Josh C.: 20
(-36) - Baylor |
|
119. Brandon H.
#2: 20 (-36) - Houston |
|
122. Dan C.: 20
(-38) - Gonzaga |
|
122. Ryan W.: 20
(-38) - Illinois |
|
124. Daisy N. #1:
20 (-42) - Gonzaga |
|
125. Mike S.: 20
(-46) - Illinois |
|
126. Damien R.
#2: 20 (-50) - Illinois |
|
127. Eric G. #1:
20 (-52) - Gonzaga |
|
128. Chrissy I.:
20 (-54) - Gonzaga |
|
129. Brad R. #4:
20 (-60) - Michigan |
|
129. Kirt R. #1:
20 (-60) - Gonzaga |
|
131. John M. #4:
20 (-82) - Georgetown |
|
132. Amanda R.:
20 (-84) - Ohio State |
|
133. Addie H.: 20
(-92) - Ohio State |
|
134. Damien R.
#4: 20 (-126) - Ohio State |
|
135. Molly R.: 19
(-19) - Michigan |
|
136. Jay H. #2:
19 (-23) - Baylor |
|
136. Klei R. #1:
19 (-23) - Gonzaga |
|
138. Brett G. #4:
19 (-27) - Baylor |
|
139. Kirt R. #2:
19 (-29) - Gonzaga |
|
140. Brett W.: 19
(-33) - Gonzaga |
|
141. Brad R. #2:
19 (-35) - Gonzaga |
|
141. Daniel E.:
19 (-35) - Illinois |
|
143. Elizabeth N.
#1: 19 (-37) - Gonzaga |
|
144. Noah N.: 19
(-39) - Illinois |
|
145. Avery S.: 19
(-45) - Gonzaga |
|
146. Daisy N. #6:
19 (-49) - Illinois |
|
147. Brain K. #4:
19 (-53) - Florida State |
|
147. Juju Suki
I.: 19 (-53) - Oklahoma State |
|
147. Michelle L.
#1: 19 (-53) - Gonzaga |
|
150. Daniel Du.:
19 (-57) - Oregon |
|
151. Mark A. #2:
19 (-65) - Michigan |
|
152. Virginia L.:
19 (-85) - Texas |
|
153. Scott H. #2:
18 (-22) - Gonzaga |
|
154. Daisy N. #3:
18 (-26) - Baylor |
|
155. Gary W.: 18
(-32) - Gonzaga |
|
156. Brett G. #2:
18 (-34) - Gonzaga |
|
157. Brent E. #1:
18 (-38) - Gonzaga |
|
158. Daisy N. #8:
18 (-42) - Iowa |
|
158. Michelle L.
#3: 18 (-42) - Illinois |
|
158. Becky H: 18
(-42) - Michigan |
|
161. Paul Kr.: 18
(-44) - Gonzaga |
|
161. Daisy N. #5:
18 (-44) - West Virginia |
|
163. John M. #1:
18 (-46) - Gonzaga |
|
164. Ray M. #1:
18 (-48) - Gonzaga |
|
165. Brett G. #1:
18 (-50) - Gonzaga |
|
166. John M. #3:
18 (-70) - Florida State |
|
167. Daisy N. #7:
18 (-88) - Ohio State |
|
168. Cindy R.: 18
(-132) - Virginia |
|
169. Klei R. #2:
17 (-25) - Illinois |
|
170. Mason A. #1:
17 (-29) - Gonzaga |
|
170. Eric G. #2:
17 (-29) - Illinois |
|
172. Eric S.: 17
(-33) - Baylor |
|
173. Damien R.
#1: 17 (-39) - Gonzaga |
|
174. Daisy N.
#10: 17 (-47) - Kansas |
|
175. Brad R. #3:
17 (-85) - Ohio State |
|
176. John M. #2:
17 (-131) - Connecticut |
|
177. Tucker D.:
16 (-68) - Alabama |
|
178. Andy M.: 16
(-92) - Connecticut |
|
179. Damien R.
#3: 15 (-43) - Gonzaga |
|
180. Nick I.: 15
(-49) - Gonzaga |
|
181. Alyssa N.:
15 (-67) - Gonzaga |
…and the net points rankings:
|
1.
James P. (10) |
|
2.
Jared B. (6) |
|
2.
Klei R. #3 - Jay B. (6) |
|
2.
Howard S. #1 (6) |
|
2.
Hutch H. #2 (6) |
|
2.
Chris T. #2 (6) |
|
2.
Scott K. (6) |
|
2.
Peter J. #1 (6) |
|
2.
Ben W. (6) |
|
10.
Jace D. (4) |
|
10.
Colston W. (4) |
|
10. Harrell
R. #2 (4) |
|
10.
Mason A. #2 (4) |
|
10.
Chris T. #1 (4) |
|
10.
Mark A. #1 (4) |
|
10.
Mike Wi. (4) |
|
10.
Irene H. #6 (4) |
|
10.
Peter J. #5 (4) |
|
19.
Brandon B. (2) |
|
19.
Jim D. #2 (2) |
|
19.
Dianna A. (2) |
|
19.
Peter J. #4 (2) |
|
19.
Brett G. #3 (2) |
|
19.
Marc R. (2) |
|
19.
Brain K. #3 (2) |
|
19.
Brain K. #2 (2) |
|
27.
Dylan B. (0) |
|
27.
Jason S. (0) |
|
27.
Hutch H. #1 (0) |
|
27.
Justin M. (0) |
|
27.
Molly R. (0) |
|
32.
Karen C. (-2) |
|
32.
Roth W. (-2) |
|
32.
Andrew D. #2 (-2) |
|
32.
Andrew D. #1 (-2) |
|
32.
Jim D. #1 (-2) |
|
32.
Matt N. (-2) |
|
32.
Jay H. #1 (-2) |
|
32.
Chris E. (-2) |
|
32.
Eric V. (-2) |
|
41.
Klei R. - BO (-4) |
|
41.
Scott H. #1 (-4) |
|
41.
Irene H. #2 (-4) |
|
41.
Bret K. #2 (-4) |
|
41.
Ray M. #2 (-4) |
|
41.
Tyler B. (-4) |
|
41.
Shawn M. (-4) |
|
41.
William G. #2 (-4) |
|
41.
Ally H. (-4) |
|
41.
Jim W. (-4) |
|
41.
Chun W. #3 (-4) |
|
41.
Brent E. #4 (-4) |
|
41.
Jonathan J. (-4) |
|
41.
Jay H. #2 (-4) |
|
41.
Klei R. #1 (-4) |
|
41.
Scott H. #2 (-4) |
|
57.
Dennis R. #2 (-6) |
|
57.
Adam E. #1 (-6) |
|
57.
Ann K. (-6) |
|
57.
Dan Dz. (-6) |
|
57.
Matt M. (-6) |
|
57.
Brain K. #1 (-6) |
|
57.
Brent E. #3 (-6) |
|
57.
Stefon K. (-6) |
|
57.
Elliot N. (-6) |
|
57.
Brent E. #2 (-6) |
|
67.
Jaxon S. (-8) |
|
67.
Irene H. #1 (-8) |
|
67.
William G. #1 (-8) |
|
67.
Tomas L. #2 (-8) |
|
67.
Jay H. #3 (-8) |
|
67.
Howard S. #2 (-8) |
|
67.
Chun W. #2 (-8) |
|
67.
Brett G. #4 (-8) |
|
67.
Daisy N. #3 (-8) |
|
67.
Klei R. #2 (-8) |
|
77.
Dennis R. #1 (-10) |
|
77.
Craig G. (-10) |
|
77.
Hutch H. #3 (-10) |
|
77.
Gigi I. (-10) |
|
77.
Alex I. (-10) |
|
77.
Peter J. #2 (-10) |
|
77.
Elizabeth N. #2 (-10) |
|
77.
Clifton H. #1 (-10) |
|
77.
Klei R. - Seth D. (-10) |
|
77. Kirt
R. #2 (-10) |
|
87.
Nate R. (-12) |
|
87.
Missy W. (-12) |
|
87.
Daisy N. #2 (-12) |
|
87.
Irene H. #3 (-12) |
|
87.
Michelle L. #2 (-12) |
|
87.
Mason A. #1 (-12) |
|
87.
Eric G. #2 (-12) |
|
94.
Jackson I. (-14) |
|
94.
Klei R. - WaPo (-14) |
|
94.
Valerie D. (-14) |
|
94.
Clifton H. #2 (-14) |
|
94.
Chun W. #1 (-14) |
|
94.
Adam E. #2 (-14) |
|
94.
Brett W. (-14) |
|
94.
Gary W. (-14) |
|
102.
Steve D. (-16) |
|
102.
Dustin B. (-16) |
|
102.
Brad R. #1 (-16) |
|
102.
Michael Wh. (-16) |
|
102.
Drew R. (-16) |
|
102.
Josh C. (-16) |
|
102.
Brandon H. #2 (-16) |
|
102.
Brad R. #2 (-16) |
|
102.
Daniel E. (-16) |
|
102.
Brett G. #2 (-16) |
|
102.
Eric S. (-16) |
|
113.
Zach V. (-18) |
|
113.
Paul W. (-18) |
|
113.
Dan C. (-18) |
|
113.
Ryan W. (-18) |
|
113.
Elizabeth N. #1 (-18) |
|
118.
Harrell R. #1 (-20) |
|
118.
Harrell R. #3 (-20) |
|
118.
Peter J. #3 (-20) |
|
118.
Noah N. (-20) |
|
118.
Brent E. #1 (-20) |
|
123.
Keal B. (-22) |
|
123.
JoJo D. (-22) |
|
123.
Daisy N. #1 (-22) |
|
123.
Damien R. #1 (-22) |
|
127.
Rob I. (-24) |
|
127.
Tomas L. #1 (-24) |
|
127.
Daisy N. #8 (-24) |
|
127.
Michelle L. #3 (-24) |
|
127.
Becky H (-24) |
|
132.
Tina H. (-26) |
|
132.
Dave M. (-26) |
|
132.
Mike S. (-26) |
|
132.
Avery S. (-26) |
|
132.
Paul Kr. (-26) |
|
132.
Daisy N. #5 (-26) |
|
138.
Mike N. (-28) |
|
138.
John M. #1 (-28) |
|
138.
Damien R. #3 (-28) |
|
141.
Alyssa B. (-30) |
|
141.
Damien R. #2 (-30) |
|
141.
Daisy N. #6 (-30) |
|
141.
Ray M. #1 (-30) |
|
141.
Daisy N. #10 (-30) |
|
146.
Eric G. #1 (-32) |
|
146.
Brett G. #1 (-32) |
|
148.
Chun W. #4 (-34) |
|
148.
Chrissy I. (-34) |
|
148.
Brain K. #4 (-34) |
|
148.
Juju Suki I. (-34) |
|
148.
Michelle L. #1 (-34) |
|
148.
Nick I. (-34) |
|
154.
Bret K. #1 (-36) |
|
155.
Daisy N. #4 (-38) |
|
155.
Daniel Du. (-38) |
|
157.
Nick V. (-40) |
|
157.
Brad R. #4 (-40) |
|
157.
Kirt R. #1 (-40) |
|
160.
Brandon H. #1 (-42) |
|
161.
Mark A. #2 (-46) |
|
162.
John M. #3 (-52) |
|
162.
Tucker D. (-52) |
|
162.
Alyssa N. (-52) |
|
165.
Irene H. #5 (-60) |
|
166.
John M. #4 (-62) |
|
167.
Cicely K. (-64) |
|
167.
Amanda R. (-64) |
|
169.
Virginia L. (-66) |
|
170.
Chad L. (-68) |
|
170.
Brad R. #3 (-68) |
|
172.
Mike McQ. (-70) |
|
172.
Daisy N. #7 (-70) |
|
174.
Addie H. (-72) |
|
175.
Andy M. (-76) |
|
176.
Irene H. #4 (-86) |
|
177.
Daisy N. #9 (-92) |
|
177.
Owen R. (-92) |
|
179.
Damien R. #4 (-106) |
|
180.
Cindy R. (-114) |
|
180.
John M. #2 (-114) |
Looking at the picks, it looks like James P. and Peter J. #5
are in the best position overall to pick up points. I always think the key to winning this thing
is that you can’t have too many losses that cost you in more than one round. For example, if I had BYU beating UCLA, it
sucks that I lost one point for that game, but if I had them losing the next
game anyway, I can stop the bleeding a little.
If I had BYU going all the way to the Final 4, I am going to lose points
to the field all along. If that’s the
case, you almost are better served pulling the most unlikely outcome in that
area. So, if you just lost Texas going
to the Final 4, your best bet is to have Abilene Christian go to the Final 4 because
almost no one will pick up points.
Points you weren’t going to get now anyway. It seems strange, but it is the best
strategy. Anyway, James P. and Peter J.
#5 have only lost 2 Sweet 16 and nothing beyond that. That’s a lot of points they can still
win. It doesn’t mean they will pick
those points up, but it means they can, and that’s as good as you can do right
now.
On the flip side, Cindy R. has the most red on her
bracket. 7 of her Sweet 16 teams are
already out. 4 of her Elite 8 teams are
gone, 3 of her Final 4 and her final game of Virginia over Tennessee. That’s just brutal. Some of those picks were a little bit of a
stretch, but the upset gods were especially unkind to Cindy R. Sorry Cindy R. ☹
They are going to some kind of weird 1-1-2-2-2 schedule for
games tomorrow. Remember that ever game
for the next 2 days is worth 2 points. Here
are the breakdowns for the first 2 games:
Picks for Illinois: 163
Picks for Loyola-Chicago: 9
Other: 9
Vegas Line: Illinois -7.5
Most of the games tomorrow are in this 4-8 point favorite
range. Even the teams that scored decent
upsets aren’t big underdogs, which makes a certain degree of sense. This is the Mike Wilbon special for those of
you that watch PTI. He was complaining
at the top of his lungs about unfair this potential match up. His theory was that they under-seeded Loyola-Chicago
(which they did) to set up a matchup against in state rival Illinois. Maybe they did. Who knows.
Illinois looked as good as anyone in the first round, but they were
playing Drexel. Loyola-Chicago looked decent
against an undermanned Georgia Tech squad.
Seems like a ratings grabber for the Chicagoland area. Illinois is the clear favorite here, so the
Ramblers winning would be a “shock the world” moment. I’m not saying it can’t happen, I’m just
saying it seems unlikely.
Picks for Baylor: 158
Picks for Wisconsin: 13
Other: 10
Vegas Line: Baylor -6.5
Seems like CBS is banking on the #1 seeds to bring in
viewers. That may be a smart idea. I don’t remember either of these teams
sweating in the first round too hard. That
reminds me of a stat I heard on Friday: Wisconsin beating North Carolina marked
the first time in Roy Williams career that he lost in the first round of the
NCAA tournament. That’s at last 25
tournaments. That’s incredible to
me. Roy Williams has won multiple National
Championships, and he might be underrated right now. Anyway, the quote that has been going around
in my house since about Christmas is this: “Baylor will always let you down”. Every year, I watch them play and think, “Wow! This Baylor team is really good. I’m going to pick them to do something in the
tournament”. Then I do, and I inevitably
get knocked out when they lose. You’d
think I’d learn from that, but I keep coming back to Baylor. If they lose, it won’t come as a surprise to
me – although this is a better Baylor team than in years past. See, I’m, still getting sucked into their siren
song. Ahhhhh…..
Good luck everyone!!!!
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