Explaining My Bracket

Now that it is 12:01pm and all bracket entries are locked, I will explain the selections for my bracket. Yes, that might make me look like an ass because I didn’t want to reveal everything, but if you’ve read the blog all year my thoughts should be pretty evident. I’ll break down some selection thoughts by region and then give a Final Four summary. I preface all the commentary by saying a few words. I’ve watched more college basketball this year than ever before. If you ask me about most teams in this tournament, I’ll be able to give you a summary. I won last year’s pool, which reinforced my knowledge I was able to amass. I won not cause of the luck of the four #1 seeds, but because I was strong enough early on and I saw something in Kansas that few others saw. I feel good about my opinions on the bracket, but it’s March and that means anything can happen.

East Region:
I’ve liked Pitt all year, so my choice of them should be pretty obvious. Villanova has the ability to take advantage of Duke’s weaknesses. Nova attacks the rim, hits the offensive boards hard, and can drain threes. Duke will get to the Sweet 16 without issues because neither Texas nor Minnesota is a threat. The pick of Xavier to the Sweet 16 is about being risk averse since FSU/Wisconsin is a toss-up. I chose Wisconsin in that game because I think their slow offensive style and defensive effort will frustrate FSU. Oklahoma St. should beat Tennessee because they’re similar teams with OSU being able to hit threes. Texas beats Minnesota because Minnesota isn’t the same team away from home and they have trouble scoring.

South Region:
I was really hoping for better talent in this bracket. In my opinion, it holds the weakest #2, #3, #4, and #5 seeds. UNC should stroll to the Final Four assuming Ty Lawson has half a toe. The real question is: who will they face to get there? I see Clemson posing a threat to Oklahoma because Missouri showed Oklahoma struggles against the press. I’m taking a shot with Clemson because they could fall to the slow pace of Michigan in the first round, but you need to take some chances. I have Syracuse losing to Arizona St. because I think ASU’s zone and methodical offense will keep the game at a slow pace, which favors them. The real painful decision was ASU over Clemson because I watched ASU completely self-destruct against USC’s pressing defense in the Pac 10 final. That pick is more about ASU having a better chance not to lose. WKU should beat an Illinois team without Frazier. LSU/Butler is a tossup and I’m taking the best player on the floor in Marcus Thornton.

Midwest Region:
Louisville has a pretty easy ride. The only team I see challenging them is Wake Forest, but Wake has shown the tendency to fall asleep. I went with the risk averse selection (notice a pattern yet?). Siena might’ve played a bunch of teams in non-conference play, but they didn’t beat any of them, so I took Ohio St. Arizona might not deserve to be in, but now that they are, they have three very talented dudes who might be too much for Utah. You should know my thoughts on West Virginia by now. I wish the bottom half had a stronger team, but I went with Michigan St. because they have the easier road to travel and more experience than Kansas.

West Region:
Connecticut is the most vulnerable #1 seed. With that in mind, this is my only non-chalk Final Four selection. The Memphis Tigers should be no surprise because I’ve been high on them since they trounced Gonzaga. Both Purdue and Washington could be upset in the first round, so I went with Purdue to the Sweet 16 because I think they have less chance of being upset and better perimeter play than Washington. Missouri will struggle running half-court sets against Memphis’ #1 defense. I’m 90% certain that Marquette won’t crap the bed in the first round because of their senior leadership. California and BYU have too much perimeter game for their opponents in round one.

Final Four:
This is where the rubber hits the road. I went with the two teams in the final who I’ve been backing for the last two months. Louisville’s guard play should catch up to them eventually and I don’t like Carolina’s mental makeup or coaching. Memphis takes home the title because they have the athletes to compete with Blair and Young. Fields will struggle with the quicker and stronger Evans. Memphis takes home the title and makes Mr. T a defending champion.

At least that’s how I dreamt it up last night. Let’s play ball!