The second game to start in this set of 4 was the first game to finish, and that was Duke’s dismantling of Oral Roberts. I don’t think ORU scored until 8 minutes into the game. I don’t think they ever threatened Duke in the game. It was a little anticlimactic. Maybe Oral did something to displease God, or maybe Duke just had a good game and ORU had an off shooting night. Regardless, Duke avoids the trap and advances.
The first game was a little more interesting, mostly because
it was an 8/9 game. Auburn won as the #9
seed. To be fair though, they were
playing in Alabama. I’m not sure how
enthused I would be if I was Iowa in that pairing. It seems a little unfair to put a game on a “neutral”
court in the home state of one of the lower seed. It kind of reminds me of a long time
ago. UConn was a high seed, and the NCAA
put them in a region where they would play their 1st 2 games in
Hartford, even though they played a bunch of games there during the regular
season. The justification they gave was
that because they played fewer than 1/2 of their home games there, it was
technically not their “home” court. That
didn’t really pass the laugh test, and they stopped doing that kind of obvious
favoritism.
I guess the Auburn / Iowa game was the only upset of this
set of games. Northwestern beat Boise
State and Texas beat Colgate. Not a ton
of excitement in either of those games.
That’s too bad because I am slowly drifting into a food coma. I may have to crack open a Mello Yello soon.
What does that do for the standings. I think this is the first time we’ve had a
bracket that had #1 to themselves. Jay H.
#2 is our current leader. Congratulations
Jay H. Reminder that these games are all
worth one point each, so if you get every game right today, that is the
equivalent of getting one of the Championship game teams right. These wind up being tie-breakers. You just don’t know how important they will
be until the end of the pool. On the net
points side, Noah N and Melody T. still haven’t lost a Sweet 16 team. There are 36 entries that have only lost 1
Sweet 16 team. For those that are
feeling down about their chances right now, keep in mind that no one has lost
>50% of all points yet. For reference,
the winner last year got 126 points. Hmmm…
The teams that have lost Arizona can’t get to 126 points already. That doesn’t mean they are mathematically
eliminated. It just means they need even
more chaos to happen. Keep the faith.
Here are the standings:
1. Jay H. #2: 10
(-6) - Texas |
2. Pete J. #5: 10
(-10) - Alabama |
3. April K.: 10
(-18) - Purdue |
4. Noah N.: 9
(-3) - Alabama |
5. Irene H. #3: 9
(-5) - Alabama |
5. Irene H. #5: 9
(-5) - Marquette |
5. Kylan T.: 9
(-5) - Purdue |
5. Luis B. #4: 9
(-5) - Alabama |
5. Pete J. #1: 9
(-5) - Houston |
10. Stephen C.: 9
(-7) - Alabama |
11. Chad L. #2: 9
(-9) - Gonzaga |
11. Deanna T.: 9
(-9) - Kansas |
11. Dustin D. #1:
9 (-9) - Houston |
11. Emily T.: 9
(-9) - Alabama |
11. Mason A. #4:
9 (-9) - UCLA |
11. Quinn1130
(Brett G.): 9 (-9) - Duke |
17. Hutch H. #1:
9 (-11) - Kansas |
17. RB Blackburn:
9 (-11) - Indiana |
17. Sacrificial
Gutless Bracket: 9 (-11) - Alabama |
17. Tom W Bel.: 9
(-11) - Kansas |
21. Elizabeth N.
#1: 9 (-17) - Houston |
21. Ryan W.: 9
(-17) - Purdue |
23. Chad L. #1: 9
(-21) - Duke |
24. Greg L.: 9
(-23) - Purdue |
25. Kealoha G.: 9
(-33) - Houston |
26. Max A. #1: 9
(-35) - Houston |
27. Melody T.: 8
(-4) - Baylor |
28. Brian K.: 8
(-6) - Alabama |
28. Damien R. #4:
8 (-6) - Alabama |
28. Dan D.: 8
(-6) - Purdue |
28. Dustin D. #2:
8 (-6) - Kansas |
28. Dustin D. #3:
8 (-6) - Houston |
28. Dylan B.: 8
(-6) - Marquette |
28. House Rules
(Jacob S.): 8 (-6) - Houston |
28. Jared B.: 8
(-6) - Kansas |
28. Jim W.: 8
(-6) - Alabama |
28. Mason A. #2:
8 (-6) - Gonzaga |
28. Melissa W.: 8
(-6) - Gonzaga |
28. Michael S.: 8
(-6) - Houston |
28. Szecho L.: 8
(-6) - UCLA |
41. Andrew D. #2:
8 (-8) - Houston |
41. Chris L. #1:
8 (-8) - Alabama |
41. Chris L. #2:
8 (-8) - Houston |
41. Dawn G.: 8
(-8) - Gonzaga |
41. Shanky G.: 8
(-8) - Houston |
41. TJ Val.: 8
(-8) - Houston |
47. Andrew D. #1:
8 (-10) - Houston |
47. Brent E. #1:
8 (-10) - Alabama |
47. Brent E. #4:
8 (-10) - Purdue |
47. CAAT #1 (Adam
O.): 8 (-10) - Purdue |
47. Jacob A.: 8
(-10) - UCLA |
47. Karen C.: 8
(-10) - UCLA |
47. Klei R. #3: 8
(-10) - UCLA |
47. Kristin G.: 8
(-10) - Kansas |
47. Miela314
(Brett G.): 8 (-10) - Alabama |
47. Nick D.: 8
(-10) - Purdue |
47. Nick I.: 8
(-10) - UCLA |
47. Samer C.: 8
(-10) - Alabama |
47. Snoop Dogg: 8
(-10) - UCLA |
47. William M.
#1: 8 (-10) - Alabama |
61. Connor W.: 8
(-12) - Alabama |
61. Dianna A.: 8
(-12) - Texas |
61. Eric G.: 8
(-12) - Gonzaga |
61. Jason S.: 8
(-12) - Houston |
61. Mary Lou H.:
8 (-12) - Houston |
61. Mike W.: 8
(-12) - Marquette |
61. Pete J. #3: 8
(-12) - Marquette |
61. Tomas L.: 8
(-12) - Houston |
69. Brent E. #3:
8 (-16) - Alabama |
70. Elliot N.: 8
(-18) - Houston |
70. JB Erickson:
8 (-18) - Gonzaga |
70. Tim D. #2: 8
(-18) - Purdue |
73. Andy Katz: 8
(-20) - Purdue |
73. Matt O.: 8
(-20) - UCLA |
75. Craig G.: 8
(-24) - Kansas |
75. Scarlett H.:
8 (-24) - Kansas |
77. Adam E.: 8
(-34) - Texas |
77. Brent S. #2:
8 (-34) - Texas |
77. Eric V. #3: 8
(-34) - Texas |
77. Matt N.: 8
(-34) - Houston |
81. Carrie F.: 8
(-38) - UCLA |
81. Mindi W.: 8
(-38) - UCLA |
83. SD Azteco
(Dan McK.): 8 (-40) - Gonzaga |
84. Schmuidos #2
(Bob & Max): 8 (-72) - Arizona |
85. Ally H.: 7
(-7) - Alabama |
85. Barack O.: 7
(-7) - Duke |
85. Brandon B.: 7
(-7) - Texas |
85. Charlotte N.:
7 (-7) - Connecticut |
85. Chun W. #1: 7
(-7) - Kansas |
85. Chun W. #3: 7
(-7) - Texas |
85. Chun W. #4: 7
(-7) - Houston |
85. Devils (Brett
G.): 7 (-7) - Houston |
85. Hack a Zach
(Dave F.): 7 (-7) - Purdue |
85. Hutch H. #2:
7 (-7) - Houston |
85. Irene H. #6:
7 (-7) - Houston |
85. Jeremy H.: 7
(-7) - Kentucky |
85. Pete J. #2: 7
(-7) - Alabama |
85. Stefon K.: 7
(-7) - Kansas |
99. Baily T.: 7
(-9) - Purdue |
99. Becky H.: 7
(-9) - Marquette |
99. Eric V. #2: 7
(-9) - Alabama |
99. Howard S. #2:
7 (-9) - Texas |
99. Hurry Up #1:
7 (-9) - Gonzaga |
99. Paul K. #3: 7
(-9) - Houston |
105. Andrew D.
#3: 7 (-11) - Alabama |
105. Brent E. #2:
7 (-11) - Marquette |
105. Cool Guy
(Wytosick): 7 (-11) - Marquette |
105. Damien R.
#2: 7 (-11) - Alabama |
105. Dan Dz.: 7
(-11) - Kansas |
105. Eric V. #1:
7 (-11) - Houston |
105. Kirt R. #2:
7 (-11) - Houston |
105. Luis B. #1:
7 (-11) - Alabama |
105. Luis B. #3:
7 (-11) - Alabama |
105. Luis B. #5:
7 (-11) - Alabama |
105. Luis B. #6:
7 (-11) - Alabama |
105. Rob I. #1: 7
(-11) - San Diego State |
105. Scott H. #2:
7 (-11) - Houston |
118. Ben S. #2: 7
(-13) - UCLA |
118. Chris L. #3:
7 (-13) - Alabama |
118. Chris L. #4:
7 (-13) - Connecticut |
118. Chris M.: 7
(-13) - Purdue |
118. D Row
(Dennis R.): 7 (-13) - Purdue |
118. Daisy N. #5:
7 (-13) - Houston |
118. Dimitris M.:
7 (-13) - Alabama |
118. Eric S. #1:
7 (-13) - Houston |
118. Harrell R.
#3: 7 (-13) - UCLA |
118. Nick M.: 7
(-13) - Alabama |
118. Scott H. #1:
7 (-13) - Alabama |
118. Stan C.: 7
(-13) - UCLA |
118. Tim D. #1: 7
(-13) - Alabama |
131. Dustin B.: 7
(-15) - Gonzaga |
132. Jackson I.:
7 (-19) - UCLA |
132. Mike N.: 7
(-19) - Duke |
132. Paul K. #1:
7 (-19) - UCLA |
135. Klei R. #2:
7 (-21) - Gonzaga |
136. Schmuidos #1
(Bob & Max): 7 (-25) - Gonzaga |
137. Brandie H.:
7 (-27) - Duke |
138. Alyssa B.: 7
(-31) - Purdue |
139. Chun W. #2:
7 (-35) - Gonzaga |
140. Harrell R.
#2: 7 (-37) - Connecticut |
140. Jaxon S.: 7
(-37) - Kansas |
140. Jonny Y.: 7
(-37) - UCLA |
140. Kyler T.: 7
(-37) - Houston |
140. William M.
#3: 7 (-37) - Kansas |
145. Scott K. #1:
7 (-39) - Gonzaga |
146. Chrissy S.:
7 (-41) - UCLA |
147. Steve D. #2:
7 (-43) - UCLA |
148. Daniel E.: 7
(-49) - UCLA |
149. Adalyn H.: 7
(-53) - Purdue |
150. Ben S. #1: 7
(-67) - Arizona |
150. Chad L. #3:
7 (-67) - Arizona |
150. Chris T.: 7
(-67) - Arizona |
150. Damien R.
#1: 7 (-67) - Arizona |
150. Eric S. #2:
7 (-67) - Arizona |
150. Marblesox: 7
(-67) - Arizona |
150. Paul K. #2:
7 (-67) - Arizona |
157. James P.: 7
(-69) - Arizona |
157. Rob I. #2: 7
(-69) - Arizona |
157. William M.
#2: 7 (-69) - Arizona |
160. Niren D.: 6
(-8) - Texas |
160. Pete J. #4:
6 (-8) - Connecticut |
160. Tim N.: 6
(-8) - Marquette |
163. Amanda R.: 6
(-10) - Baylor |
163. Chris E.: 6
(-10) - Baylor |
163. Cicely K.: 6
(-10) - Alabama |
163. Daisy N. #1:
6 (-10) - Kansas |
163. Dave A.: 6
(-10) - Purdue |
163. Howard S.
#1: 6 (-10) - Houston |
163. Josiah T.: 6
(-10) - Houston |
163. Klei R. #4:
6 (-10) - Purdue |
163. Michelle L.
#1: 6 (-10) - Alabama |
172. Bret K. #1:
6 (-12) - Purdue |
172. Klei R. #1:
6 (-12) - Houston |
174. Daisy N. #4:
6 (-14) - Purdue |
174. Damien R.
#3: 6 (-14) - Alabama |
174. Hurry Up #2:
6 (-14) - Houston |
174. Irene H. #1:
6 (-14) - Houston |
174. Luis B. #2:
6 (-14) - Alabama |
174. Michelle L.
#4: 6 (-14) - Purdue |
174. Scott K. #2:
6 (-14) - Houston |
181. Bryce S.: 6
(-16) - Texas |
181. Daisy N. #2:
6 (-16) - Alabama |
181. Harrell R.
#1: 6 (-16) - Texas |
184. Mason A. #3:
6 (-18) - Kansas |
184. Valerie D.:
6 (-18) - Houston |
186. Brent S. #1:
6 (-20) - Duke |
186. John A.: 6
(-20) - Texas |
186. Tiggy Tony
(Tony N.): 6 (-20) - Duke |
186. Veronica G.:
6 (-20) - Kansas State |
190. Bret K. #2:
6 (-22) - Texas |
190. Chad L. #4:
6 (-22) - Purdue |
190. Vang L. #1:
6 (-22) - Gonzaga |
190. Vang L. #2:
6 (-22) - Gonzaga |
194. Marshmallow
(Nikolajs B.): 6 (-24) - UCLA |
195. Derek B.: 6
(-26) - Marquette |
195. Irene H. #4:
6 (-26) - Purdue |
195. Steve D. #1:
6 (-26) - Purdue |
198. Jon F.: 6
(-28) - Purdue |
199. CAAT #3
(Adam O.): 6 (-38) - Gonzaga |
199. Hero R.: 6
(-38) - Houston |
201. Brad R.: 6
(-68) - Arizona |
202. Bret K. #3:
6 (-70) - Arizona |
202. CAAT #2
(Adam O.): 6 (-70) - Arizona |
202. Irene H. #2:
6 (-70) - Arizona |
205. Brett W.: 5
(-9) - Gonzaga |
206. Colonel
Sander (Eric S. #3): 5 (-11) - Purdue |
206. Josh C.: 5
(-11) - UCLA |
206. Matt H.: 5
(-11) - Houston |
206. W Lafayette
Blues (Dave F.): 5 (-11) - Texas |
210. Tyler C.: 5
(-13) - Alabama |
211. Daisy N. #3:
5 (-15) - Gonzaga |
211. Derek H.: 5
(-15) - Duke |
211. Elizabeth N.
#3: 5 (-15) - Kansas |
211. Mark B.: 5
(-15) - Kansas |
211. Max A. #2: 5
(-15) - Houston |
211. Pete J. #6:
5 (-15) - Houston |
217. Mustard
(Nikolajs B.): 5 (-17) - San Diego State |
218. James G.: 5
(-21) - Purdue |
218. Kirt R. #1:
5 (-21) - Houston |
220. Michelle L.
#2: 5 (-23) - Houston |
221. Shawn D.: 5
(-25) - Purdue |
222. Aaron E.: 5
(-33) - Creighton |
223. Michelle L.
#3: 5 (-37) - Kansas |
224. CAAT #4
(Adam O.): 5 (-39) - Connecticut |
224. Kristina H.:
5 (-39) - Kansas |
226. Chase L.: 5
(-45) - UCLA |
226. Jay H. #1: 5
(-45) - Kansas |
228. Mason A. #1:
5 (-71) - Arizona |
228. Upset City
(Brett G.): 5 (-71) - Arizona |
230. Elizabeth N.
#2: 4 (-14) - Alabama |
231. Michelle L.
#5: 4 (-26) - Marquette |
232. Brandon H.:
4 (-30) - UCLA |
233. Sally R.: 4
(-78) - Arizona |
…and the net points rankings:
1. Noah N. (6) |
2. Jay H. #2 (4) |
2. Irene H. #3
(4) |
2. Irene H. #5
(4) |
2. Kylan T. (4) |
2. Luis B. #4 (4) |
2. Pete J. #1 (4) |
2. Melody T. (4) |
9. Stephen C. (2) |
9. Brian K. (2) |
9. Damien R. #4
(2) |
9. Dan D. (2) |
9. Dustin D. #2
(2) |
9. Dustin D. #3
(2) |
9. Dylan B. (2) |
9. House Rules
(Jacob S.) (2) |
9. Jared B. (2) |
9. Jim W. (2) |
9. Mason A. #2
(2) |
9. Melissa W. (2) |
9. Michael S. (2) |
9. Szecho L. (2) |
23. Pete J. #5
(0) |
23. Chad L. #2
(0) |
23. Deanna T. (0) |
23. Dustin D. #1
(0) |
23. Emily T. (0) |
23. Mason A. #4
(0) |
23. Quinn1130
(Brett G.) (0) |
23. Andrew D. #2
(0) |
23. Chris L. #1
(0) |
23. Chris L. #2
(0) |
23. Dawn G. (0) |
23. Shanky G. (0) |
23. TJ Val. (0) |
23. Ally H. (0) |
23. Barack O. (0) |
23. Brandon B.
(0) |
23. Charlotte N.
(0) |
23. Chun W. #1
(0) |
23. Chun W. #3
(0) |
23. Chun W. #4
(0) |
23. Devils (Brett
G.) (0) |
23. Hack a Zach
(Dave F.) (0) |
23. Hutch H. #2
(0) |
23. Irene H. #6
(0) |
23. Jeremy H. (0) |
23. Pete J. #2
(0) |
23. Stefon K. (0) |
50. Hutch H. #1
(-2) |
50. RB Blackburn
(-2) |
50. Sacrificial
Gutless Bracket (-2) |
50. Tom W Bel.
(-2) |
50. Andrew D. #1
(-2) |
50. Brent E. #1
(-2) |
50. Brent E. #4
(-2) |
50. CAAT #1 (Adam
O.) (-2) |
50. Jacob A. (-2) |
50. Karen C. (-2) |
50. Klei R. #3
(-2) |
50. Kristin G.
(-2) |
50. Miela314
(Brett G.) (-2) |
50. Nick D. (-2) |
50. Nick I. (-2) |
50. Samer C. (-2) |
50. Snoop Dogg
(-2) |
50. William M. #1
(-2) |
50. Baily T. (-2) |
50. Becky H. (-2) |
50. Eric V. #2
(-2) |
50. Howard S. #2
(-2) |
50. Hurry Up #1
(-2) |
50. Paul K. #3
(-2) |
50. Niren D. (-2) |
50. Pete J. #4
(-2) |
50. Tim N. (-2) |
77. Connor W.
(-4) |
77. Dianna A.
(-4) |
77. Eric G. (-4) |
77. Jason S. (-4) |
77. Mary Lou H.
(-4) |
77. Mike W. (-4) |
77. Pete J. #3
(-4) |
77. Tomas L. (-4) |
77. Andrew D. #3
(-4) |
77. Brent E. #2
(-4) |
77. Cool Guy
(Wytosick) (-4) |
77. Damien R. #2
(-4) |
77. Dan Dz. (-4) |
77. Eric V. #1
(-4) |
77. Kirt R. #2
(-4) |
77. Luis B. #1
(-4) |
77. Luis B. #3
(-4) |
77. Luis B. #5
(-4) |
77. Luis B. #6
(-4) |
77. Rob I. #1
(-4) |
77. Scott H. #2
(-4) |
77. Amanda R.
(-4) |
77. Chris E. (-4) |
77. Cicely K.
(-4) |
77. Daisy N. #1
(-4) |
77. Dave A. (-4) |
77. Howard S. #1
(-4) |
77. Josiah T.
(-4) |
77. Klei R. #4
(-4) |
77. Michelle L.
#1 (-4) |
77. Brett W. (-4) |
108. Ben S. #2
(-6) |
108. Chris L. #3
(-6) |
108. Chris L. #4
(-6) |
108. Chris M.
(-6) |
108. D Row
(Dennis R.) (-6) |
108. Daisy N. #5
(-6) |
108. Dimitris M.
(-6) |
108. Eric S. #1
(-6) |
108. Harrell R.
#3 (-6) |
108. Nick M. (-6) |
108. Scott H. #1
(-6) |
108. Stan C. (-6) |
108. Tim D. #1
(-6) |
108. Bret K. #1
(-6) |
108. Klei R. #1
(-6) |
108. Colonel
Sander (Eric S. #3) (-6) |
108. Josh C. (-6) |
108. Matt H. (-6) |
108. W Lafayette
Blues (Dave F.) (-6) |
127. April K.
(-8) |
127. Elizabeth N.
#1 (-8) |
127. Ryan W. (-8) |
127. Brent E. #3
(-8) |
127. Dustin B.
(-8) |
127. Daisy N. #4
(-8) |
127. Damien R. #3
(-8) |
127. Hurry Up #2
(-8) |
127. Irene H. #1
(-8) |
127. Luis B. #2
(-8) |
127. Michelle L.
#4 (-8) |
127. Scott K. #2
(-8) |
127. Tyler C.
(-8) |
140. Elliot N.
(-10) |
140. JB Erickson
(-10) |
140. Tim D. #2
(-10) |
140. Bryce S.
(-10) |
140. Daisy N. #2
(-10) |
140. Harrell R.
#1 (-10) |
140. Daisy N. #3
(-10) |
140. Derek H.
(-10) |
140. Elizabeth N.
#3 (-10) |
140. Mark B.
(-10) |
140. Max A. #2
(-10) |
140. Pete J. #6
(-10) |
140. Elizabeth N.
#2 (-10) |
153. Chad L. #1
(-12) |
153. Andy Katz
(-12) |
153. Matt O.
(-12) |
153. Jackson I.
(-12) |
153. Mike N.
(-12) |
153. Paul K. #1
(-12) |
153. Mason A. #3
(-12) |
153. Valerie D.
(-12) |
153. Mustard
(Nikolajs B.) (-12) |
162. Greg L.
(-14) |
162. Klei R. #2
(-14) |
162. Brent S. #1
(-14) |
162. John A.
(-14) |
162. Tiggy Tony
(Tony N.) (-14) |
162. Veronica G.
(-14) |
168. Craig G.
(-16) |
168. Scarlett H.
(-16) |
168. Bret K. #2
(-16) |
168. Chad L. #4
(-16) |
168. Vang L. #1
(-16) |
168. Vang L. #2
(-16) |
168. James G.
(-16) |
168. Kirt R. #1
(-16) |
176. Schmuidos #1
(Bob & Max) (-18) |
176. Marshmallow
(Nikolajs B.) (-18) |
176. Michelle L.
#2 (-18) |
179. Brandie H.
(-20) |
179. Derek B.
(-20) |
179. Irene H. #4
(-20) |
179. Steve D. #1
(-20) |
179. Shawn D.
(-20) |
184. Jon F. (-22) |
184. Michelle L.
#5 (-22) |
186. Kealoha G.
(-24) |
186. Alyssa B.
(-24) |
188. Max A. #1
(-26) |
188. Adam E.
(-26) |
188. Brent S. #2
(-26) |
188. Eric V. #3
(-26) |
188. Matt N.
(-26) |
188. Brandon H.
(-26) |
194. Chun W. #2
(-28) |
194. Aaron E.
(-28) |
196. Carrie F.
(-30) |
196. Mindi W.
(-30) |
196. Harrell R.
#2 (-30) |
196. Jaxon S.
(-30) |
196. Jonny Y.
(-30) |
196. Kyler T.
(-30) |
196. William M.
#3 (-30) |
203. SD Azteco
(Dan McK.) (-32) |
203. Scott K. #1
(-32) |
203. CAAT #3
(Adam O.) (-32) |
203. Hero R.
(-32) |
203. Michelle L.
#3 (-32) |
208. Chrissy S.
(-34) |
208. CAAT #4
(Adam O.) (-34) |
208. Kristina H.
(-34) |
211. Steve D. #2
(-36) |
212. Chase L.
(-40) |
212. Jay H. #1
(-40) |
214. Daniel E.
(-42) |
215. Adalyn H.
(-46) |
216. Ben S. #1
(-60) |
216. Chad L. #3
(-60) |
216. Chris T.
(-60) |
216. Damien R. #1
(-60) |
216. Eric S. #2
(-60) |
216. Marblesox
(-60) |
216. Paul K. #2
(-60) |
223. James P.
(-62) |
223. Rob I. #2
(-62) |
223. William M.
#2 (-62) |
223. Brad R.
(-62) |
227. Schmuidos #2
(Bob & Max) (-64) |
227. Bret K. #3
(-64) |
227. CAAT #2
(Adam O.) (-64) |
227. Irene H. #2
(-64) |
231. Mason A. #1
(-66) |
231. Upset City
(Brett G.) (-66) |
233. Sally R.
(-74) |
Here are the stats for the last games of the day:
Game 13:
Houston / Northern Kentucky
Vegas Line: Houston -18.5
Picks for Houston: 231
Picks for Northern Kentucky: 1
I can’t possibly be unbiased on this one. I have had Houston as my #1 ranked team from
the start of the season, and every week of the season. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Houston. I’m not even going to try to pretend like I
am moderating my enthusiasm for them – until they manage to lose. Then I’ll have to reconsider my life
choices. I hope that day comes some time
in early November, and not at any point in this tournament. I have nothing against the Northern Kentucky
Norse. They have a cool mascot, and I
find it endearing that they nicknamed themselves the Norse despite Northern
Kentucky not exactly known for it’s large Viking population. In this game though, I want to not sweat it
out at all.
Game 14:
Tennessee / Louisiana
Vegas Line: Tennessee -11.5
Picks for Tennessee: 187
Picks for Louisiana: 45
Raise your hand if you trust this particular Tennessee
team. Raise your hand if you trust Rick
Barnes in general. OK. I don’t see many hands in the air. That makes sense. Rick Barnes has a pattern. His teams at Tennesse, and Texas before that
always start the season really strong.
They look unbeatable until sometime in about mid to early February. From there, they start to fade and come in to
the tournament not playing particularly well, and then get upset early. I’ve seen happen time and time again. That’s probably why if you don’t have them
losing this game, you probably have them losing to Duke in the next round. As a matter of fact, if you compare them to
other #4 seeds, they are waaaay behind the other 3 in number of people that
have them in the Sweet 16 (68 brackets vs. 101 for Virginia, 113 for Indiana
and 157 for Connecticut). It seems like
Rick Barnes has a pattern and people have picked up on it.
Game 15:
Texas A&M / Penn State
Vegas Line: Texas A&M -2.5
Picks for Texas A&M: 136
Picks for Penn State: 96
I hate this game – for many reasons. Here’s my first reason: Texas A&M is
grossly underseeded as a #7. They
finished 2nd in the SEC. They
were ranked at the end of the season.
They are a very good team. I’m
not sure who they angered at NCAA HQ to get this seed, but they really did them
no favors. The second reason I hate this
game is because I don’t like mediocre big conference teams as a general
rule. I mean, they finished 9th
in the Big 10. That’s not great. I get that they may be better than someone
like a Toledo or Bradley or Hofstra, but I’d rather see teams like that. It’s my bias to small conference teams. The NCAA gives deference to these teams every
year under the guise of “Who have you beat?” as it’s main criteria, only to
have no big conferences ever schedule a mid-major school who could conceivably
beat them. That’s why North Carolina had
a chance to make the tournament despite being a mediocre team. Every game was an opportunity to beat a “good”
team. I have a third pet peeve with this
part of the game which almost no one cares about. When I have to hand-type picks into the
spreadsheet, autfofill is my friend. In
this part of the bracket, the next round of games could be Texas vs. Texas
A&M. That means sutofill won’t work
and I have to actually type in “Texas” or “Texas A” every time. This is a first world problem. No one actually cares about this. That doesn’t have much to do with this actual
game. It should be pretty close, and
probably a good watch.
Game 16:
UCLA / UNC-Asheville
Vegas Line: UCLA -17.5
Picks for UCLA: 230
Picks for UNC-Asheville: 2
Prior to injuries I was probably going to pick UCLA to go as
far as they could in this tournament before losing to Houston. I had them as the 2nd best team in
the country. Now I have no idea how good
they are. I don’t even know who is going
to start from them tonight. I’d like to
think it won’t matter for this game, but Arizona just lost to Princeton, so
everyone should be on high alert.
I’ll be back after this game is over with updated standings.
Good Luck!!!!!!
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