Thursday, March 16, 2023

2023 March Madness - 3/4 done with Day 1

 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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