Thursday, March 20, 2025

NCAA First 8 games - All women at the top

The first 8 games are finished.  I usually ask for at least one upset per 4-game stretch, and we got our biggest upset of the tournament so far, and it was McNeese State over Clemson.  If people remember last year, Clemson was one of the lowest seeds in the Sweet 16, so they were a pretty popular pick, especially in that kind of weak looking Midwest region.  But Will Wade is a pretty good coach, and they more or less ran Clemson out of the gym, even though the final score was only 2 points.  Trust me, it was not that close.

The other games weren’t all that competitive.  I’m really hoping for better games – not just as a fan, but also because it is after lunch and 2 of the 3 people here right now are taking an after-lunch siesta because the games haven’t managed to keep everyone awake.

Even though the games have been kind of chalky, we only have 6 perfect brackets left.  Here comes the amazing part of that number: Of those 6 brackets, they belong to only 3 people, and all of them are women.  That’s fantastic.  Who knows if it will stay that way, but that’s a pretty good stat for this point in the tournament.

Here are the updated standings:

1. Adalyn H.: 8 (0) - Florida

1. Daisy N. #10: 8 (0) - St. John's

1. Daisy N. #3: 8 (0) - Florida

1. Daisy N. #7: 8 (0) - Alabama

1. Michelle L. #3: 8 (0) - Duke

1. Michelle L. #4: 8 (0) - Houston

7. Charlotte N: 7 (-1) - Auburn

7. Josiah Tr: 7 (-1) - Auburn

7. Bryan K.: 7 (-1) - Duke

7. Chris L. #1: 7 (-1) - Florida

7. Chris L. #2: 7 (-1) - Houston

7. Chris L. #3: 7 (-1) - Duke

7. Chris L. #4: 7 (-1) - Duke

7. Daisy N. #2: 7 (-1) - Tennessee

7. Dan Dz.: 7 (-1) - St. John's

7. Elliot N.: 7 (-1) - Florida

7. Hutch H. #1: 7 (-1) - Kansas

7. Irene H. #4: 7 (-1) - Auburn

7. Luis B. #3: 7 (-1) - Duke

7. Mark Sp #2: 7 (-1) - Houston

7. Mark Sp #3: 7 (-1) - Duke

7. Mark Sp #4: 7 (-1) - Duke

7. Max70 #1: 7 (-1) - Florida

7. Mike Lu #5: 7 (-1) - Florida

7. Missy W.: 7 (-1) - Florida

7. My Sister is Skibidy: 7 (-1) - Florida

7. Regina L.: 7 (-1) - Florida

7. Thomas Val: 7 (-1) - Duke

7. TJ Val: 7 (-1) - Auburn

7. Zachary V.: 7 (-1) - Houston

7. Brandon H. #1: 7 (-1) - Michigan State

7. Derek H.: 7 (-1) - Duke

7. Irene H. #3: 7 (-1) - Tennessee

7. Irene H. #6: 7 (-1) - Texas Tech

7. Michelle L. #5: 7 (-1) - Texas Tech

7. Paint It Black and Gold: 7 (-1) - Florida

7. Scott H. #2: 7 (-1) - Duke

7. Shawn D.: 7 (-1) - Duke

7. Stan Ch.: 7 (-1) - Florida

7. Steve Muc #2: 7 (-1) - Alabama

7. Brandon B. #2: 7 (-1) - Houston

7. Dustin B.: 7 (-1) - Tennessee

7. Jaxon S.: 7 (-1) - Duke

7. John Mack #1: 7 (-1) - Connecticut

7. Matt N. #4: 7 (-1) - Houston

46. Steve Muc #5: 7 (-3) - Duke

46. Ben Silv: 7 (-3) - St. John's

46. Brett K. #3: 7 (-3) - Florida

46. Carl B.: 7 (-3) - Duke

46. Green Machine: 7 (-3) - Auburn

46. Jason S.: 7 (-3) - Alabama

46. John Erick: 7 (-3) - Houston

46. Kirt R. #1: 7 (-3) - Auburn

46. Kirt R. #2: 7 (-3) - Texas Tech

46. Pat K.: 7 (-3) - Florida

46. Adam Elm: 7 (-3) - Alabama

46. Doug H.: 7 (-3) - Duke

46. Mark Bar: 7 (-3) - St. John's

46. Ray Min: 7 (-3) - Auburn

60. Dan McK #1: 7 (-7) - Auburn

60. Irene H. #7: 7 (-7) - St. John's

60. Larry G. #1: 7 (-7) - Florida

60. Larry G. #3: 7 (-7) - Florida

64. Jacob A. #1: 7 (-15) - Kansas

65. Gary W.: 7 (-31) - Florida

66. Brad E.: 6 (-2) - Michigan

66. Daisy N. #1: 6 (-2) - Florida

66. Daisy N. #6: 6 (-2) - Auburn

66. Kylee Tr: 6 (-2) - Alabama

66. Colston W.: 6 (-2) - Florida

66. Hutch H. #2: 6 (-2) - Florida

66. Jay H. #2: 6 (-2) - Houston

66. Andrew D. #2: 6 (-2) - Duke

66. Andrew D. #3: 6 (-2) - Houston

66. Andrew D. #4: 6 (-2) - Auburn

66. Andrew D. #5: 6 (-2) - St. John's

66. Andrew S.: 6 (-2) - Florida

66. Brent E. #3: 6 (-2) - St. John's

66. Brent E. #4: 6 (-2) - Tennessee

66. Brent E. #5: 6 (-2) - Michigan State

66. Brent E. #6: 6 (-2) - Michigan

66. Craig Ger: 6 (-2) - Duke

66. Daisy N. #11: 6 (-2) - UC San Diego

66. Erica H.: 6 (-2) - Houston

66. Irene H. #2: 6 (-2) - Houston

66. Jared Bock: 6 (-2) - Florida

66. Jim Ten: 6 (-2) - Tennessee

66. Lucid Dreams: 6 (-2) - Duke

66. Mary Lou H.: 6 (-2) - Auburn

66. Nick Vos: 6 (-2) - Duke

66. Off Eff: 6 (-2) - Florida

66. Paul K. #3: 6 (-2) - Florida

66. Sacrificial Gutless Bracket: 6 (-2) - Auburn

66. Wayne D. #4: 6 (-2) - Auburn

66. Adam S. #2: 6 (-2) - Auburn

66. Alysimoso B.: 6 (-2) - Houston

66. Brandon B. #3: 6 (-2) - St. John's

66. Dirk F.: 6 (-2) - Alabama

66. Michael Vill #1: 6 (-2) - Gonzaga

66. Michael Vill #2: 6 (-2) - Michigan State

66. Michael Vill #3: 6 (-2) - Florida

66. Pete J. #6: 6 (-2) - Alabama

66. Valerie D.: 6 (-2) - Auburn

66. Howard S. #2: 6 (-2) - Auburn

66. Ryan W.: 6 (-2) - Duke

106. Brian Ker: 6 (-4) - Tennessee

106. Zoe W.: 6 (-4) - UCLA

106. Chris M: 6 (-4) - Duke

106. Dan McK #2: 6 (-4) - Duke

106. Michelle R.: 6 (-4) - Houston

106. Mike Lu #1: 6 (-4) - Florida

106. Eric V.: 6 (-4) - Florida

106. Dianna A.: 6 (-4) - Mississippi State

106. Michelle L. #1: 6 (-4) - Auburn

106. Sam MG #1: 6 (-4) - Auburn

106. Tina H.: 6 (-4) - Wisconsin

106. Ally H.: 6 (-4) - Florida

106. Brad R.: 6 (-4) - Houston

106. CAAT #1: 6 (-4) - Auburn

106. CAAT #2: 6 (-4) - Florida

106. CAAT #3: 6 (-4) - Duke

106. CAAT #4: 6 (-4) - Houston

106. Chris T.: 6 (-4) - Florida

106. Dave A.: 6 (-4) - Michigan State

106. Dennis R. #1: 6 (-4) - Auburn

106. Elizabeth N. #1: 6 (-4) - Houston

106. Jay H. #1: 6 (-4) - Florida

106. Jo Jo D.: 6 (-4) - Duke

106. Jon L.: 6 (-4) - Houston

106. Ken Pom: 6 (-4) - Duke

106. Kyle V.: 6 (-4) - Auburn

106. Luis B. #5: 6 (-4) - Michigan State

106. Michelle L. #2: 6 (-4) - Florida

106. Pat Forde - SI: 6 (-4) - Florida

106. Paul K. #4: 6 (-4) - Houston

106. Pete J. #4: 6 (-4) - Tennessee

106. Scarlett H.: 6 (-4) - Wisconsin

106. Steve Muc #1: 6 (-4) - Mississippi State

106. Tim Dz #2: 6 (-4) - Houston

106. Jim W.: 6 (-4) - Duke

106. Seth Davis: 6 (-4) - Duke

106. Mike Nie: 6 (-4) - Duke

106. Howard S. #1: 6 (-4) - Houston

106. Mike San: 6 (-4) - Houston

106. Matt H.: 6 (-4) - Duke

106. Mike Lu #4: 6 (-4) - Auburn

106. Adam S. #1: 6 (-4) - Duke

106. Brett K. #2: 6 (-4) - Alabama

106. Danielle A. #2: 6 (-4) - Florida

106. Pete J. #2: 6 (-4) - Florida

106. Scott Koh #2: 6 (-4) - Florida

106. Tim N.: 6 (-4) - Houston

106. Otis L.: 6 (-4) - Purdue

154. Elizabeth N. #3: 6 (-6) - Florida

154. Irene H. #1: 6 (-6) - Florida

154. John Lea: 6 (-6) - Alabama

154. Luis B. #1: 6 (-6) - Duke

154. Luis B. #4: 6 (-6) - Houston

154. Paul K. #1: 6 (-6) - Duke

160. Harrell #2: 6 (-8) - St. John's

160. Brandon B. #1: 6 (-8) - Kentucky

160. Irene H. #5: 6 (-8) - Michigan State

160. Karen C.: 6 (-8) - Duke

160. Marshmallow: 6 (-8) - UCLA

165. Erin Muc: 6 (-10) - Kentucky

165. Jon Fen: 6 (-10) - Michigan State

165. Rob I. #1: 6 (-10) - Duke

165. Roth W.: 6 (-10) - Florida

169. Chris Elm: 6 (-16) - Florida

170. Carolyn: 6 (-32) - Florida

171. April Koh: 5 (-3) - Duke

171. Brent E. #7: 5 (-3) - Michigan State

171. Brent E. #8: 5 (-3) - Michigan State

171. Irene H. #10: 5 (-3) - Duke

171. Larry G. #2: 5 (-3) - Duke

171. Pete J. #1: 5 (-3) - Florida

171. Pete J. #3: 5 (-3) - Auburn

171. Becky H.: 5 (-3) - Alabama

171. Dennis R. #2: 5 (-3) - Florida

171. Stephen C.: 5 (-3) - Duke

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

171. Daisy N. #9: 5 (-3) - Florida

171. Kiah H.: 5 (-3) - Michigan State

171. Mike Bar: 5 (-3) - Florida

171. Mike Lu #3: 5 (-3) - Duke

171. Niren D.: 5 (-3) - Florida

187. Bryce O.: 5 (-5) - Duke

187. Ryan Gar: 5 (-5) - St. John's

187. Andrew Spr: 5 (-5) - Duke

187. John Mack #2: 5 (-5) - Florida

187. Mario Muc: 5 (-5) - Florida

187. Mike Lu #2: 5 (-5) - Duke

187. Pete J. #5: 5 (-5) - Houston

187. Jeff W.: 5 (-5) - Florida

187. Faye N.: 5 (-5) - Duke

187. Mark Sp #1: 5 (-5) - Duke

187. Dawn Tr: 5 (-5) - Tennessee

187. Damien R. #2: 5 (-5) - Houston

187. Hero R. - Cats Only: 5 (-5) - Auburn

187. Tyler C.: 5 (-5) - Florida

187. Brent E. #1: 5 (-5) - Alabama

187. Brent E. #2: 5 (-5) - Florida

187. Jacob A #2: 5 (-5) - Duke

187. Noah N.: 5 (-5) - Duke

187. Cicely Koh: 5 (-5) - Auburn

187. Doobie1: 5 (-5) - Auburn

187. Doobie2: 5 (-5) - Auburn

187. Ely A.: 5 (-5) - Duke

187. Brent Sw.: 5 (-5) - Duke

187. Brett K. #1: 5 (-5) - Texas Tech

187. Danielle A. #1: 5 (-5) - Auburn

187. Elizabeth N. #2: 5 (-5) - Duke

187. Irene H. #8: 5 (-5) - Alabama

187. Irene H. #9: 5 (-5) - Duke

187. Luis B. #2: 5 (-5) - Florida

187. Rich F.: 5 (-5) - Florida

187. Sam MG #2: 5 (-5) - Tennessee

187. Szecho L #1: 5 (-5) - Florida

187. Wayne D. #3: 5 (-5) - Florida

187. Max70 #2: 5 (-5) - Florida

187. PV: 5 (-5) - UCLA

222. Scott H. #1: 5 (-7) - Houston

222. Billy E.: 5 (-7) - Florida

222. Klei R CR: 5 (-7) - Auburn

222. Tim Dz #3: 5 (-7) - Duke

222. Klei R. #1: 5 (-7) - Duke

222. Scott Koh #1: 5 (-7) - Auburn

222. Wayne D. #2: 5 (-7) - Florida

222. Linvansanity: 5 (-7) - Michigan State

230. Gigi I.: 5 (-9) - St. John's

230. Jackson I.: 5 (-9) - Florida

230. Daisy N. #4: 5 (-9) - Florida

230. Daisy N. #5: 5 (-9) - Tennessee

230. Reid D.: 5 (-9) - Texas Tech

230. Stefon K.: 5 (-9) - Auburn

230. Wayne D. #1: 5 (-9) - Duke

230. COOL GUY: 5 (-9) - Houston

230. WaPo: 5 (-9) - Duke

239. Tim Dz #1: 5 (-11) - Auburn

239. Harrell #6: 5 (-11) - Missouri

239. Steve Muc #4: 5 (-11) - UC San Diego

239. Brandie H.: 5 (-11) - Duke

239. Flagg Day: 5 (-11) - Duke

239. Amber Dolly: 5 (-11) - North Carolina

245. Szecho L #2: 5 (-17) - Duke

246. Chrissy S.: 5 (-19) - St. John's

246. Mustard: 5 (-19) - Oregon

248. Steve Muc #3: 5 (-23) - Creighton

249. Rob I. #2: 5 (-35) - Florida

250. Beau H.: 5 (-67) - Georgia

250. Leighton N.: 5 (-67) - Georgia

252. Alex I.: 4 (-6) - St. John's

252. Brayden R.: 4 (-6) - Florida

252. Greg Ru: 4 (-6) - Auburn

252. Daniel E.: 4 (-6) - Duke

252. Dylan B.: 4 (-6) - Duke

252. Matt Mei: 4 (-6) - Houston

258. Tucker D.: 4 (-8) - Michigan State

258. Def Eff: 4 (-8) - St. John's

258. Paul K. #2: 4 (-8) - Auburn

261. Daisy N. #8: 4 (-10) - Michigan State

261. Damien R. #1: 4 (-10) - Alabama

263. Jace D.: 4 (-12) - Florida

263. Harrell #5: 4 (-12) - UC San Diego

265. Bryce S.: 4 (-18) - Tennessee

266. Harrell #3: 4 (-20) - Tennessee

266. Klei R US: 4 (-20) - Duke

268. Laura Muc: 4 (-22) - St. Mary's

269. Klei R. #2 - Upset Special: 4 (-26) - St. John's

270. Harrell #4: 4 (-74) - VCU

271. Brandon H. #2: 3 (-7) - Connecticut

272. Harrell #1: 3 (-39) - Florida

…and the net points:

1. Adalyn H. (8)

1. Daisy N. #10 (8)

1. Daisy N. #3 (8)

1. Daisy N. #7 (8)

1. Michelle L. #3 (8)

1. Michelle L. #4 (8)

7. Charlotte N (6)

7. Josiah Tr (6)

7. Bryan K. (6)

7. Chris L. #1 (6)

7. Chris L. #2 (6)

7. Chris L. #3 (6)

7. Chris L. #4 (6)

7. Daisy N. #2 (6)

7. Dan Dz. (6)

7. Elliot N. (6)

7. Hutch H. #1 (6)

7. Irene H. #4 (6)

7. Luis B. #3 (6)

7. Mark Sp #2 (6)

7. Mark Sp #3 (6)

7. Mark Sp #4 (6)

7. Max70 #1 (6)

7. Mike Lu #5 (6)

7. Missy W. (6)

7. My Sister is Skibidy (6)

7. Regina L. (6)

7. Thomas Val (6)

7. TJ Val (6)

7. Zachary V. (6)

7. Brandon H. #1 (6)

7. Derek H. (6)

7. Irene H. #3 (6)

7. Irene H. #6 (6)

7. Michelle L. #5 (6)

7. Paint It Black and Gold (6)

7. Scott H. #2 (6)

7. Shawn D. (6)

7. Stan Ch. (6)

7. Steve Muc #2 (6)

7. Brandon B. #2 (6)

7. Dustin B. (6)

7. Jaxon S. (6)

7. John Mack #1 (6)

7. Matt N. #4 (6)

46. Steve Muc #5 (4)

46. Ben Silv (4)

46. Brett K. #3 (4)

46. Carl B. (4)

46. Green Machine (4)

46. Jason S. (4)

46. John Erick (4)

46. Kirt R. #1 (4)

46. Kirt R. #2 (4)

46. Pat K. (4)

46. Adam Elm (4)

46. Doug H. (4)

46. Mark Bar (4)

46. Ray Min (4)

46. Brad E. (4)

46. Daisy N. #1 (4)

46. Daisy N. #6 (4)

46. Kylee Tr (4)

46. Colston W. (4)

46. Hutch H. #2 (4)

46. Jay H. #2 (4)

46. Andrew D. #2 (4)

46. Andrew D. #3 (4)

46. Andrew D. #4 (4)

46. Andrew D. #5 (4)

46. Andrew S. (4)

46. Brent E. #3 (4)

46. Brent E. #4 (4)

46. Brent E. #5 (4)

46. Brent E. #6 (4)

46. Craig Ger (4)

46. Daisy N. #11 (4)

46. Erica H. (4)

46. Irene H. #2 (4)

46. Jared Bock (4)

46. Jim Ten (4)

46. Lucid Dreams (4)

46. Mary Lou H. (4)

46. Nick Vos (4)

46. Off Eff (4)

46. Paul K. #3 (4)

46. Sacrificial Gutless Bracket (4)

46. Wayne D. #4 (4)

46. Adam S. #2 (4)

46. Alysimoso B. (4)

46. Brandon B. #3 (4)

46. Dirk F. (4)

46. Michael Vill #1 (4)

46. Michael Vill #2 (4)

46. Michael Vill #3 (4)

46. Pete J. #6 (4)

46. Valerie D. (4)

46. Howard S. #2 (4)

46. Ryan W. (4)

100. Brian Ker (2)

100. Zoe W. (2)

100. Chris M (2)

100. Dan McK #2 (2)

100. Michelle R. (2)

100. Mike Lu #1 (2)

100. Eric V. (2)

100. Dianna A. (2)

100. Michelle L. #1 (2)

100. Sam MG #1 (2)

100. Tina H. (2)

100. Ally H. (2)

100. Brad R. (2)

100. CAAT #1 (2)

100. CAAT #2 (2)

100. CAAT #3 (2)

100. CAAT #4 (2)

100. Chris T. (2)

100. Dave A. (2)

100. Dennis R. #1 (2)

100. Elizabeth N. #1 (2)

100. Jay H. #1 (2)

100. Jo Jo D. (2)

100. Jon L. (2)

100. Ken Pom (2)

100. Kyle V. (2)

100. Luis B. #5 (2)

100. Michelle L. #2 (2)

100. Pat Forde - SI (2)

100. Paul K. #4 (2)

100. Pete J. #4 (2)

100. Scarlett H. (2)

100. Steve Muc #1 (2)

100. Tim Dz #2 (2)

100. Jim W. (2)

100. Seth Davis (2)

100. Mike Nie (2)

100. Howard S. #1 (2)

100. Mike San (2)

100. Matt H. (2)

100. Mike Lu #4 (2)

100. Adam S. #1 (2)

100. Brett K. #2 (2)

100. Danielle A. #2 (2)

100. Pete J. #2 (2)

100. Scott Koh #2 (2)

100. Tim N. (2)

100. Otis L. (2)

100. April Koh (2)

100. Brent E. #7 (2)

100. Brent E. #8 (2)

100. Irene H. #10 (2)

100. Larry G. #2 (2)

100. Pete J. #1 (2)

100. Pete J. #3 (2)

100. Becky H. (2)

100. Dennis R. #2 (2)

100. Stephen C. (2)

100. Andrew D. #1 (2)

100. Daisy N. #9 (2)

100. Kiah H. (2)

100. Mike Bar (2)

100. Mike Lu #3 (2)

100. Niren D. (2)

164. Dan McK #1 (0)

164. Irene H. #7 (0)

164. Larry G. #1 (0)

164. Larry G. #3 (0)

164. Elizabeth N. #3 (0)

164. Irene H. #1 (0)

164. John Lea (0)

164. Luis B. #1 (0)

164. Luis B. #4 (0)

164. Paul K. #1 (0)

164. Bryce O. (0)

164. Ryan Gar (0)

164. Andrew Spr (0)

164. John Mack #2 (0)

164. Mario Muc (0)

164. Mike Lu #2 (0)

164. Pete J. #5 (0)

164. Jeff W. (0)

164. Faye N. (0)

164. Mark Sp #1 (0)

164. Dawn Tr (0)

164. Damien R. #2 (0)

164. Hero R. - Cats Only (0)

164. Tyler C. (0)

164. Brent E. #1 (0)

164. Brent E. #2 (0)

164. Jacob A #2 (0)

164. Noah N. (0)

164. Cicely Koh (0)

164. Doobie1 (0)

164. Doobie2 (0)

164. Ely A. (0)

164. Brent Sw. (0)

164. Brett K. #1 (0)

164. Danielle A. #1 (0)

164. Elizabeth N. #2 (0)

164. Irene H. #8 (0)

164. Irene H. #9 (0)

164. Luis B. #2 (0)

164. Rich F. (0)

164. Sam MG #2 (0)

164. Szecho L #1 (0)

164. Wayne D. #3 (0)

164. Max70 #2 (0)

164. PV (0)

209. Harrell #2 (-2)

209. Brandon B. #1 (-2)

209. Irene H. #5 (-2)

209. Karen C. (-2)

209. Marshmallow (-2)

209. Scott H. #1 (-2)

209. Billy E. (-2)

209. Klei R CR (-2)

209. Tim Dz #3 (-2)

209. Klei R. #1 (-2)

209. Scott Koh #1 (-2)

209. Wayne D. #2 (-2)

209. Linvansanity (-2)

209. Alex I. (-2)

209. Brayden R. (-2)

209. Greg Ru (-2)

209. Daniel E. (-2)

209. Dylan B. (-2)

209. Matt Mei (-2)

228. Erin Muc (-4)

228. Jon Fen (-4)

228. Rob I. #1 (-4)

228. Roth W. (-4)

228. Gigi I. (-4)

228. Jackson I. (-4)

228. Daisy N. #4 (-4)

228. Daisy N. #5 (-4)

228. Reid D. (-4)

228. Stefon K. (-4)

228. Wayne D. #1 (-4)

228. COOL GUY (-4)

228. WaPo (-4)

228. Tucker D. (-4)

228. Def Eff (-4)

228. Paul K. #2 (-4)

228. Brandon H. #2 (-4)

245. Tim Dz #1 (-6)

245. Harrell #6 (-6)

245. Steve Muc #4 (-6)

245. Brandie H. (-6)

245. Flagg Day (-6)

245. Amber Dolly (-6)

245. Daisy N. #8 (-6)

245. Damien R. #1 (-6)

253. Jacob A. #1 (-8)

253. Jace D. (-8)

253. Harrell #5 (-8)

256. Chris Elm (-10)

257. Szecho L #2 (-12)

258. Chrissy S. (-14)

258. Mustard (-14)

258. Bryce S. (-14)

261. Harrell #3 (-16)

261. Klei R US (-16)

263. Steve Muc #3 (-18)

263. Laura Muc (-18)

265. Klei R. #2 - Upset Special (-22)

266. Gary W. (-24)

267. Carolyn (-26)

268. Rob I. #2 (-30)

269. Harrell #1 (-36)

270. Beau H. (-62)

270. Leighton N. (-62)

272. Harrell #4 (-70)

Game 9:

Picks for Tennessee: 266

Picks for Wofford: 6

Vegas Line: Tennessee -19

I really hope I’m wrong about this one, but on paper, it looks like a bit of a yawner.  I don’t love Tennessee, especially since Rick Barnes has a bad track record in the tournament, as does Tennessee.  Did you know Tennessee has never been to the Final 4?  That’s amazing to me.  They almost always start seasons really fast and fade hard at the end.  I had them ranked 11th at the end of the season, so I don’t love them as a 2 seed.  Then again, I had Clemson and Louisville ahead of them, and they are the only 2 upsets so far in the tournament, proving that I know almost nothing.

Game 10:

Picks for Kansas: 167

Picks for Arkansas: 105

Vegas Line: Kansas -5

This feels like the talking heads dream match up.  2 Hall of Fame coaches facing each other in the first round.  Wow!!  Honestly, I don’t care a whole lot about that.  I don’t love either of these teams.  I assume whoever wins here gets knocked out in the next round.

I also heard an interesting stat – No Kansas team that started the season as the #1 ranked team has made the Sweet 16 at the end of the year.  Seems like that might happen this year as well.  Honestly, that claim is probably trivially true for a lot of teams.  For instance, my alma mater, Western Michigan, has also never made the Sweet 16 in a season in which they started as the #1 ranked team.  Fun with logic!!!

Game 11:

Picks for Texas A&M: 202

Picks for Yale: 69

Blank picks: 1

Vegas Line: Texas A&M -7.5

This feels like the part of the bracket that everyone under the sun thinks will be the “wacky” part.  Lots of Yale / UCSD 2nd round matchups on people’s brackets.  As a matter of fact, 36 people have this 12/13 matchup in the 2nd round.  Lets look at the other regions. 15 people have a Colorado State / Grand Canyon pairing in the West.  12 have Liberty / Akron.  Only 6 had McNeese / High Point.  So yeah, people are loving this part of the bracket for upsets.

Game 12:

Picks for Missouri: 129

Picks for Drake: 143

Vegas Line: Missouri -6.5

What?!  OK, I can’t comment too much on this one.  It’s strange that a team that is an underdog has more picks than the favorite.  I had Drake ranked 25th at the end of the year and Missouri 34th.  Another fine example of the love affair the committee had for the SEC this season, and also the sheer unadulterated hatred they have for non-power 5 teams.

Fun fact, the head coach at Drake won a few National Championships at the DII level.  Then he got the job at Drake, and 4 of the starters from his championship team transferred with him.  Also, Drake plays veeeeeeery slow.  Missouri doesn’t, so it will be interesting clash of styles.

I’m still finishing up the probabilities of winning each region.  I’ll have that probably the next time I post anything.

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