NCAA Day 1 - 4 games in

 All right the first 4  games are in the books.  I guess technically there was one upset, but it was a 9 over an 8.  The rest of the games, to be perfectly honest, weren’t that great.  None of the favorites was in danger of getting beat.

Despite that, less than half the brackets went 4/4.  That is despite everyone getting a point for Houston.  The average was 3.28 points.  So, I know it’s early, but there is a 104-way tie for 1^st.  The way I score the brackets this early is by points won, and then as a tiebreaker, whoever has lost the least amount of points comes next.  So, if two people missed one game, and one person lost a Sweet 16 team and the other lost their champion, the team with the Sweet 16 loser will be ranked higher because they can still get more points.  I also do a net points, which I think is more indicative of how good your bracket is.  It is essentially points won – points lost.

So, here are the first rankings:

1. Adalyn H.: 4 (0) - Florida

1. Adam S. #1: 4 (0) - Duke

1. Adam S. #2: 4 (0) - Auburn

1. Alysimoso B.: 4 (0) - Houston

1. Becky H.: 4 (0) - Alabama

1. Ben Silv: 4 (0) - St. John's

1. Brad E.: 4 (0) - Michigan

1. Brandon B. #2: 4 (0) - Houston

1. Brandon B. #3: 4 (0) - St. John's

1. Brett K. #2: 4 (0) - Alabama

1. Brett K. #3: 4 (0) - Florida

1. Brian Ker: 4 (0) - Tennessee

1. Bryan K.: 4 (0) - Duke

1. Carl B.: 4 (0) - Duke

1. Charlotte N: 4 (0) - Auburn

1. Chris L. #1: 4 (0) - Florida

1. Chris L. #2: 4 (0) - Houston

1. Chris L. #3: 4 (0) - Duke

1. Chris L. #4: 4 (0) - Duke

1. Chris M: 4 (0) - Duke

1. Chrissy S.: 4 (0) - St. John's

1. Daisy N. #1: 4 (0) - Florida

1. Daisy N. #10: 4 (0) - St. John's

1. Daisy N. #2: 4 (0) - Tennessee

1. Daisy N. #3: 4 (0) - Florida

1. Daisy N. #6: 4 (0) - Auburn

1. Daisy N. #7: 4 (0) - Alabama

1. Dan Dz.: 4 (0) - St. John's

1. Dan McK #1: 4 (0) - Auburn

1. Dan McK #2: 4 (0) - Duke

1. Danielle A. #2: 4 (0) - Florida

1. Dennis R. #2: 4 (0) - Florida

1. Dirk F.: 4 (0) - Alabama

1. Dustin B.: 4 (0) - Tennessee

1. Elizabeth N. #3: 4 (0) - Florida

1. Elliot N.: 4 (0) - Florida

1. Eric V.: 4 (0) - Florida

1. Erin Muc: 4 (0) - Kentucky

1. Gary W.: 4 (0) - Florida

1. Gigi I.: 4 (0) - St. John's

1. Green Machine: 4 (0) - Auburn

1. Harrell #2: 4 (0) - St. John's

1. Hutch H. #1: 4 (0) - Kansas

1. Irene H. #1: 4 (0) - Florida

1. Irene H. #4: 4 (0) - Auburn

1. Irene H. #7: 4 (0) - St. John's

1. Jackson I.: 4 (0) - Florida

1. Jason S.: 4 (0) - Alabama

1. Jaxon S.: 4 (0) - Duke

1. John Erick: 4 (0) - Houston

1. John Lea: 4 (0) - Alabama

1. John Mack #1: 4 (0) - Connecticut

1. Josiah Tr: 4 (0) - Auburn

1. Kirt R. #1: 4 (0) - Auburn

1. Kirt R. #2: 4 (0) - Texas Tech

1. Kylee Tr: 4 (0) - Alabama

1. Larry G. #1: 4 (0) - Florida

1. Larry G. #3: 4 (0) - Florida

1. Luis B. #1: 4 (0) - Duke

1. Luis B. #3: 4 (0) - Duke

1. Luis B. #4: 4 (0) - Houston

1. Mark Bar: 4 (0) - St. John's

1. Mark Sp #1: 4 (0) - Duke

1. Mark Sp #2: 4 (0) - Houston

1. Mark Sp #3: 4 (0) - Duke

1. Mark Sp #4: 4 (0) - Duke

1. Marshmallow: 4 (0) - UCLA

1. Matt H.: 4 (0) - Duke

1. Matt N. #4: 4 (0) - Houston

1. Max70 #1: 4 (0) - Florida

1. Michael Vill #1: 4 (0) - Gonzaga

1. Michael Vill #2: 4 (0) - Michigan State

1. Michael Vill #3: 4 (0) - Florida

1. Michelle L. #3: 4 (0) - Duke

1. Michelle L. #4: 4 (0) - Houston

1. Michelle R.: 4 (0) - Houston

1. Mike Lu #1: 4 (0) - Florida

1. Mike Lu #4: 4 (0) - Auburn

1. Mike Lu #5: 4 (0) - Florida

1. Mike Nie: 4 (0) - Duke

1. Mike San: 4 (0) - Houston

1. Missy W.: 4 (0) - Florida

1. My Sister is Skibidy: 4 (0) - Florida

1. Pat K.: 4 (0) - Florida

1. Paul K. #1: 4 (0) - Duke

1. Pete J. #2: 4 (0) - Florida

1. Pete J. #6: 4 (0) - Alabama

1. Ray Min: 4 (0) - Auburn

1. Regina L.: 4 (0) - Florida

1. Rob I. #1: 4 (0) - Duke

1. Rob I. #2: 4 (0) - Florida

1. Roth W.: 4 (0) - Florida

1. Scott H. #1: 4 (0) - Houston

1. Scott Koh #2: 4 (0) - Florida

1. Stefon K.: 4 (0) - Auburn

1. Stephen C.: 4 (0) - Duke

1. Steve Muc #3: 4 (0) - Creighton

1. Steve Muc #5: 4 (0) - Duke

1. Thomas Val: 4 (0) - Duke

1. Tim N.: 4 (0) - Houston

1. TJ Val: 4 (0) - Auburn

1. Valerie D.: 4 (0) - Auburn

1. Zachary V.: 4 (0) - Houston

1. Zoe W.: 4 (0) - UCLA

105. Beau H.: 3 (-1) - Georgia

105. Brandon B. #1: 3 (-1) - Kentucky

105. Colston W.: 3 (-1) - Florida

105. Ryan Gar: 3 (-1) - St. John's

105. Jace D.: 3 (-1) - Florida

105. Alex I.: 3 (-1) - St. John's

105. Ally H.: 3 (-1) - Florida

105. Amber Dolly: 3 (-1) - North Carolina

105. Andrew D. #1: 3 (-1) - St. John's

105. Andrew D. #2: 3 (-1) - Duke

105. Andrew D. #3: 3 (-1) - Houston

105. Andrew D. #4: 3 (-1) - Auburn

105. Andrew D. #5: 3 (-1) - St. John's

105. Andrew S.: 3 (-1) - Florida

105. Andrew Spr: 3 (-1) - Duke

105. April Koh: 3 (-1) - Duke

105. Brad R.: 3 (-1) - Houston

105. Brandon H. #1: 3 (-1) - Michigan State

105. Brayden R.: 3 (-1) - Florida

105. Brent E. #3: 3 (-1) - St. John's

105. Brent E. #4: 3 (-1) - Tennessee

105. Brent E. #5: 3 (-1) - Michigan State

105. Brent E. #6: 3 (-1) - Michigan

105. Brent E. #7: 3 (-1) - Michigan State

105. Brent E. #8: 3 (-1) - Michigan State

105. Brent Sw.: 3 (-1) - Duke

105. Brett K. #1: 3 (-1) - Texas Tech

105. Bryce O.: 3 (-1) - Duke

105. CAAT #1: 3 (-1) - Auburn

105. CAAT #2: 3 (-1) - Florida

105. CAAT #3: 3 (-1) - Duke

105. CAAT #4: 3 (-1) - Houston

105. Carolyn: 3 (-1) - Florida

105. Chris Elm: 3 (-1) - Florida

105. Chris T.: 3 (-1) - Florida

105. Cicely Koh: 3 (-1) - Auburn

105. COOL GUY: 3 (-1) - Houston

105. Craig Ger: 3 (-1) - Duke

105. Daisy N. #11: 3 (-1) - UC San Diego

105. Daisy N. #4: 3 (-1) - Florida

105. Daisy N. #5: 3 (-1) - Tennessee

105. Daisy N. #8: 3 (-1) - Michigan State

105. Daisy N. #9: 3 (-1) - Florida

105. Danielle A. #1: 3 (-1) - Auburn

105. Dave A.: 3 (-1) - Michigan State

105. Def Eff: 3 (-1) - St. John's

105. Dennis R. #1: 3 (-1) - Auburn

105. Derek H.: 3 (-1) - Duke

105. Dianna A.: 3 (-1) - Mississippi State

105. Doobie1: 3 (-1) - Auburn

105. Doobie2: 3 (-1) - Auburn

105. Elizabeth N. #1: 3 (-1) - Houston

105. Elizabeth N. #2: 3 (-1) - Duke

105. Ely A.: 3 (-1) - Duke

105. Erica H.: 3 (-1) - Houston

105. Greg Ru: 3 (-1) - Auburn

105. Harrell #3: 3 (-1) - Tennessee

105. Harrell #4: 3 (-1) - VCU

105. Harrell #5: 3 (-1) - UC San Diego

105. Harrell #6: 3 (-1) - Missouri

105. Howard S. #1: 3 (-1) - Houston

105. Howard S. #2: 3 (-1) - Auburn

105. Hutch H. #2: 3 (-1) - Florida

105. Irene H. #10: 3 (-1) - Duke

105. Irene H. #2: 3 (-1) - Houston

105. Irene H. #3: 3 (-1) - Tennessee

105. Irene H. #5: 3 (-1) - Michigan State

105. Irene H. #6: 3 (-1) - Texas Tech

105. Irene H. #8: 3 (-1) - Alabama

105. Irene H. #9: 3 (-1) - Duke

105. Jared Bock: 3 (-1) - Florida

105. Jay H. #1: 3 (-1) - Florida

105. Jay H. #2: 3 (-1) - Houston

105. Jim Ten: 3 (-1) - Tennessee

105. Jo Jo D.: 3 (-1) - Duke

105. John Mack #2: 3 (-1) - Florida

105. Jon L.: 3 (-1) - Houston

105. Karen C.: 3 (-1) - Duke

105. Ken Pom: 3 (-1) - Duke

105. Kiah H.: 3 (-1) - Michigan State

105. Klei R CR: 3 (-1) - Auburn

105. Klei R. #1: 3 (-1) - Duke

105. Kyle V.: 3 (-1) - Auburn

105. Larry G. #2: 3 (-1) - Duke

105. Linvansanity: 3 (-1) - Michigan State

105. Lucid Dreams: 3 (-1) - Duke

105. Luis B. #2: 3 (-1) - Florida

105. Luis B. #5: 3 (-1) - Michigan State

105. Mario Muc: 3 (-1) - Florida

105. Mary Lou H.: 3 (-1) - Auburn

105. Michelle L. #1: 3 (-1) - Auburn

105. Michelle L. #2: 3 (-1) - Florida

105. Michelle L. #5: 3 (-1) - Texas Tech

105. Mike Bar: 3 (-1) - Florida

105. Mike Lu #2: 3 (-1) - Duke

105. Mike Lu #3: 3 (-1) - Duke

105. Nick Vos: 3 (-1) - Duke

105. Niren D.: 3 (-1) - Florida

105. Off Eff: 3 (-1) - Florida

105. Paint It Black and Gold: 3 (-1) - Florida

105. Pat Forde - SI: 3 (-1) - Florida

105. Paul K. #3: 3 (-1) - Florida

105. Paul K. #4: 3 (-1) - Houston

105. Pete J. #1: 3 (-1) - Florida

105. Pete J. #3: 3 (-1) - Auburn

105. Pete J. #4: 3 (-1) - Tennessee

105. Pete J. #5: 3 (-1) - Houston

105. Rich F.: 3 (-1) - Florida

105. Ryan W.: 3 (-1) - Duke

105. Sacrificial Gutless Bracket: 3 (-1) - Auburn

105. Sam MG #1: 3 (-1) - Auburn

105. Sam MG #2: 3 (-1) - Tennessee

105. Scarlett H.: 3 (-1) - Wisconsin

105. Scott H. #2: 3 (-1) - Duke

105. Scott Koh #1: 3 (-1) - Auburn

105. Shawn D.: 3 (-1) - Duke

105. Stan Ch.: 3 (-1) - Florida

105. Steve Muc #1: 3 (-1) - Mississippi State

105. Steve Muc #2: 3 (-1) - Alabama

105. Szecho L #1: 3 (-1) - Florida

105. Szecho L #2: 3 (-1) - Duke

105. Tim Dz #1: 3 (-1) - Auburn

105. Tim Dz #3: 3 (-1) - Duke

105. Tina H.: 3 (-1) - Wisconsin

105. WaPo: 3 (-1) - Duke

105. Wayne D. #2: 3 (-1) - Florida

105. Wayne D. #3: 3 (-1) - Florida

105. Wayne D. #4: 3 (-1) - Auburn

233. Faye N.: 3 (-3) - Duke

233. Steve Muc #4: 3 (-3) - UC San Diego

233. Tucker D.: 3 (-3) - Michigan State

233. Adam Elm: 3 (-3) - Alabama

233. Doug H.: 3 (-3) - Duke

233. Jeff W.: 3 (-3) - Florida

233. Leighton N.: 3 (-3) - Georgia

233. Max70 #2: 3 (-3) - Florida

233. Otis L.: 3 (-3) - Purdue

233. PV: 3 (-3) - UCLA

233. Tim Dz #2: 3 (-3) - Houston

244. Jon Fen: 3 (-7) - Michigan State

245. Jacob A. #1: 3 (-15) - Kansas

246. Dawn Tr: 2 (-2) - Tennessee

246. Brandon H. #2: 2 (-2) - Connecticut

246. Damien R. #1: 2 (-2) - Alabama

246. Damien R. #2: 2 (-2) - Houston

246. Daniel E.: 2 (-2) - Duke

246. Dylan B.: 2 (-2) - Duke

246. Hero R. - Cats Only: 2 (-2) - Auburn

246. Klei R US: 2 (-2) - Duke

246. Matt Mei: 2 (-2) - Houston

246. Paul K. #2: 2 (-2) - Auburn

246. Tyler C.: 2 (-2) - Florida

246. Wayne D. #1: 2 (-2) - Duke

258. Brandie H.: 2 (-4) - Duke

258. Billy E.: 2 (-4) - Florida

258. Brent E. #1: 2 (-4) - Alabama

258. Brent E. #2: 2 (-4) - Florida

258. Jacob A #2: 2 (-4) - Duke

258. Jim W.: 2 (-4) - Duke

258. Noah N.: 2 (-4) - Duke

258. Seth Davis: 2 (-4) - Duke

266. Reid D.: 2 (-6) - Texas Tech

266. Harrell #1: 2 (-6) - Florida

268. Bryce S.: 2 (-8) - Tennessee

268. Flagg Day: 2 (-8) - Duke

270. Klei R. #2 - Upset Special: 2 (-16) - St. John's

271. Mustard: 2 (-18) - Oregon

271. Laura Muc: 2 (-18) - St. Mary's

…and net points:

1. Adalyn H. (4)

1. Adam S. #1 (4)

1. Adam S. #2 (4)

1. Alysimoso B. (4)

1. Becky H. (4)

1. Ben Silv (4)

1. Brad E. (4)

1. Brandon B. #2 (4)

1. Brandon B. #3 (4)

1. Brett K. #2 (4)

1. Brett K. #3 (4)

1. Brian Ker (4)

1. Bryan K. (4)

1. Carl B. (4)

1. Charlotte N (4)

1. Chris L. #1 (4)

1. Chris L. #2 (4)

1. Chris L. #3 (4)

1. Chris L. #4 (4)

1. Chris M (4)

1. Chrissy S. (4)

1. Daisy N. #1 (4)

1. Daisy N. #10 (4)

1. Daisy N. #2 (4)

1. Daisy N. #3 (4)

1. Daisy N. #6 (4)

1. Daisy N. #7 (4)

1. Dan Dz. (4)

1. Dan McK #1 (4)

1. Dan McK #2 (4)

1. Danielle A. #2 (4)

1. Dennis R. #2 (4)

1. Dirk F. (4)

1. Dustin B. (4)

1. Elizabeth N. #3 (4)

1. Elliot N. (4)

1. Eric V. (4)

1. Erin Muc (4)

1. Gary W. (4)

1. Gigi I. (4)

1. Green Machine (4)

1. Harrell #2 (4)

1. Hutch H. #1 (4)

1. Irene H. #1 (4)

1. Irene H. #4 (4)

1. Irene H. #7 (4)

1. Jackson I. (4)

1. Jason S. (4)

1. Jaxon S. (4)

1. John Erick (4)

1. John Lea (4)

1. John Mack #1 (4)

1. Josiah Tr (4)

1. Kirt R. #1 (4)

1. Kirt R. #2 (4)

1. Kylee Tr (4)

1. Larry G. #1 (4)

1. Larry G. #3 (4)

1. Luis B. #1 (4)

1. Luis B. #3 (4)

1. Luis B. #4 (4)

1. Mark Bar (4)

1. Mark Sp #1 (4)

1. Mark Sp #2 (4)

1. Mark Sp #3 (4)

1. Mark Sp #4 (4)

1. Marshmallow (4)

1. Matt H. (4)

1. Matt N. #4 (4)

1. Max70 #1 (4)

1. Michael Vill #1 (4)

1. Michael Vill #2 (4)

1. Michael Vill #3 (4)

1. Michelle L. #3 (4)

1. Michelle L. #4 (4)

1. Michelle R. (4)

1. Mike Lu #1 (4)

1. Mike Lu #4 (4)

1. Mike Lu #5 (4)

1. Mike Nie (4)

1. Mike San (4)

1. Missy W. (4)

1. My Sister is Skibidy (4)

1. Pat K. (4)

1. Paul K. #1 (4)

1. Pete J. #2 (4)

1. Pete J. #6 (4)

1. Ray Min (4)

1. Regina L. (4)

1. Rob I. #1 (4)

1. Rob I. #2 (4)

1. Roth W. (4)

1. Scott H. #1 (4)

1. Scott Koh #2 (4)

1. Stefon K. (4)

1. Stephen C. (4)

1. Steve Muc #3 (4)

1. Steve Muc #5 (4)

1. Thomas Val (4)

1. Tim N. (4)

1. TJ Val (4)

1. Valerie D. (4)

1. Zachary V. (4)

1. Zoe W. (4)

105. Beau H. (2)

105. Brandon B. #1 (2)

105. Colston W. (2)

105. Ryan Gar (2)

105. Jace D. (2)

105. Alex I. (2)

105. Ally H. (2)

105. Amber Dolly (2)

105. Andrew D. #1 (2)

105. Andrew D. #2 (2)

105. Andrew D. #3 (2)

105. Andrew D. #4 (2)

105. Andrew D. #5 (2)

105. Andrew S. (2)

105. Andrew Spr (2)

105. April Koh (2)

105. Brad R. (2)

105. Brandon H. #1 (2)

105. Brayden R. (2)

105. Brent E. #3 (2)

105. Brent E. #4 (2)

105. Brent E. #5 (2)

105. Brent E. #6 (2)

105. Brent E. #7 (2)

105. Brent E. #8 (2)

105. Brent Sw. (2)

105. Brett K. #1 (2)

105. Bryce O. (2)

105. CAAT #1 (2)

105. CAAT #2 (2)

105. CAAT #3 (2)

105. CAAT #4 (2)

105. Carolyn (2)

105. Chris Elm (2)

105. Chris T. (2)

105. Cicely Koh (2)

105. COOL GUY (2)

105. Craig Ger (2)

105. Daisy N. #11 (2)

105. Daisy N. #4 (2)

105. Daisy N. #5 (2)

105. Daisy N. #8 (2)

105. Daisy N. #9 (2)

105. Danielle A. #1 (2)

105. Dave A. (2)

105. Def Eff (2)

105. Dennis R. #1 (2)

105. Derek H. (2)

105. Dianna A. (2)

105. Doobie1 (2)

105. Doobie2 (2)

105. Elizabeth N. #1 (2)

105. Elizabeth N. #2 (2)

105. Ely A. (2)

105. Erica H. (2)

105. Greg Ru (2)

105. Harrell #3 (2)

105. Harrell #4 (2)

105. Harrell #5 (2)

105. Harrell #6 (2)

105. Howard S. #1 (2)

105. Howard S. #2 (2)

105. Hutch H. #2 (2)

105. Irene H. #10 (2)

105. Irene H. #2 (2)

105. Irene H. #3 (2)

105. Irene H. #5 (2)

105. Irene H. #6 (2)

105. Irene H. #8 (2)

105. Irene H. #9 (2)

105. Jared Bock (2)

105. Jay H. #1 (2)

105. Jay H. #2 (2)

105. Jim Ten (2)

105. Jo Jo D. (2)

105. John Mack #2 (2)

105. Jon L. (2)

105. Karen C. (2)

105. Ken Pom (2)

105. Kiah H. (2)

105. Klei R CR (2)

105. Klei R. #1 (2)

105. Kyle V. (2)

105. Larry G. #2 (2)

105. Linvansanity (2)

105. Lucid Dreams (2)

105. Luis B. #2 (2)

105. Luis B. #5 (2)

105. Mario Muc (2)

105. Mary Lou H. (2)

105. Michelle L. #1 (2)

105. Michelle L. #2 (2)

105. Michelle L. #5 (2)

105. Mike Bar (2)

105. Mike Lu #2 (2)

105. Mike Lu #3 (2)

105. Nick Vos (2)

105. Niren D. (2)

105. Off Eff (2)

105. Paint It Black and Gold (2)

105. Pat Forde - SI (2)

105. Paul K. #3 (2)

105. Paul K. #4 (2)

105. Pete J. #1 (2)

105. Pete J. #3 (2)

105. Pete J. #4 (2)

105. Pete J. #5 (2)

105. Rich F. (2)

105. Ryan W. (2)

105. Sacrificial Gutless Bracket (2)

105. Sam MG #1 (2)

105. Sam MG #2 (2)

105. Scarlett H. (2)

105. Scott H. #2 (2)

105. Scott Koh #1 (2)

105. Shawn D. (2)

105. Stan Ch. (2)

105. Steve Muc #1 (2)

105. Steve Muc #2 (2)

105. Szecho L #1 (2)

105. Szecho L #2 (2)

105. Tim Dz #1 (2)

105. Tim Dz #3 (2)

105. Tina H. (2)

105. WaPo (2)

105. Wayne D. #2 (2)

105. Wayne D. #3 (2)

105. Wayne D. #4 (2)

233. Faye N. (0)

233. Steve Muc #4 (0)

233. Tucker D. (0)

233. Adam Elm (0)

233. Doug H. (0)

233. Jeff W. (0)

233. Leighton N. (0)

233. Max70 #2 (0)

233. Otis L. (0)

233. PV (0)

233. Tim Dz #2 (0)

233. Dawn Tr (0)

233. Brandon H. #2 (0)

233. Damien R. #1 (0)

233. Damien R. #2 (0)

233. Daniel E. (0)

233. Dylan B. (0)

233. Hero R. - Cats Only (0)

233. Klei R US (0)

233. Matt Mei (0)

233. Paul K. #2 (0)

233. Tyler C. (0)

233. Wayne D. #1 (0)

256. Brandie H. (-2)

256. Billy E. (-2)

256. Brent E. #1 (-2)

256. Brent E. #2 (-2)

256. Jacob A #2 (-2)

256. Jim W. (-2)

256. Noah N. (-2)

256. Seth Davis (-2)

264. Jon Fen (-4)

264. Reid D. (-4)

264. Harrell #1 (-4)

267. Bryce S. (-6)

267. Flagg Day (-6)

269. Jacob A. #1 (-12)

270. Klei R. #2 - Upset Special (-14)

271. Mustard (-16)

271. Laura Muc (-16)

 

I am still working on the probabilities to win each region.  I screwed something up and had to start over in one region, so it’s taking longer than I would like.  Still, those numbers are coming.

Game 5:

Picks for Auburn: 271

Picks for Alabama State: 1

Vegas Line: Auburn -32

This would be an all-timer if it happened.  Sadly, Auburn is up a considerable amount, so the dreams of another 16 over 1 win will have to wait at least until tomorrow.

Game 6:

Picks for Clemson: 228

Picks for McNeese State: 44

Vegas Line: Clemson -7.5

I don’t know what to make of this game.  McNeese is crushing Clemson at halftime 31-13.  13 points at half?!?!  Ouch.  That is excruciatingly terrible.  The strange thing about this game is that the McNeese State coach was announced as the new head coach at NC State prior to tip off.  I remember way back in 1989, Bill Frieder took the head coaching job at Arizona State on the eve of the NCAA tournament.  The AD there said he couldn’t coach the team because “A Michigan man will coach the Michigan team”.  That argument seems pretty sound, actually.  That worked out pretty well for Michigan, as they won the whole thing and the Steve Fisher coaching career took off from there.  I’m not McNeese State would be on as solid of footing, but they would be well within their rights to do that.

Also, I’ve heard the argument that part of this was transfer portal driven.  I heard that the basketball portal opens sometime in the middle of the tournament.  What genius thought that up?  So, players can openly shop for new teams – during the tournament?!  That makes exactly zero sense to me.  You couldn’t push that back a month?  It’s very strange.  I wouldn’t do that if I ran the NCAA.

Game 7:

Picks for BYU: 165

Picks for VCU: 107

Vegas Line: BYU -2.5

This is quite the upset special pick.  Sadly, I think both of these teams are underseeded.  I had VCU as a ranked team at the end of the season.  Just goes to show that if you don’t play in one of the Power 5 conferences, you are more or less invisible to AP voters and the selection committee. 

Game 8:

Picks for Gonzaga: 205

Picks for Georgia: 67

Vegas Line: Gonzaga -6.5

This makes me smile.  First off, to hell with Georgia.  As someone that attended Georgia Tech for a few years, I have no love for Georgia.  Not only that, I would’ve left them out of the tournament entirely.  I’m not ompressed with a sub-.500 team from a power conference.

Gonzaga, on the other hand, is criminally underseeded as an 8.  They remind me of the year Wichita State came into the NCAA undefeated and the committee put Kentucky in their region as an 8.  Seems pretty unfair for a #1 seed to have to play Gonzaga in the second round, assuming they get there (which I kind of do).

Gonzaga lost something like 8 games this year, but 3 of them were in OT and the other 5 were by a total of something like 20 total points.  Then, when they won games, they won by a huge margin.  Makes pegging just how good they are pretty tough.  Still, Gonzaga has been to 9 straight Sweet 16s, so I like their chances.

Good Luck everyone!!!!!