March Madness is upon us...

I know Aristonica set up a league in another thread (SEE: This Thread ), but I thought I'd start another to get your picks for the Final Four.

I see Illinois, UNC, Louisville, and Syracuse making it.

Illinois is the best 5-Deep team in the country, hands down. Their guard play is solid, they have two substantial big guys down low... but their bench is a wee bit soft. I think their starting five can take them all the way, but it's a rocky road.

UNC is the most talented team in the country, but they have a real penchant for underachieving (See first game of the season's outcome: L to Santa Clara University). They could either win it all, or lose in the second round.

Louisville is the number 4 team in the country by some polls this week... but they got screwed in my opinion with a 4 seed. By rights, they should probably be a 2 Seed. They're the most dangerous four seed in quite some time, and the Albuquerque bracket is wide open.

Syracuse has pretty much everyone back from last year... and most players back from the 2003 Championship team (minus Carmello, of course). They have a real shot at winning it all, and are hot after winning the Big East Tourney this weekend. The Big East is probably the toughest conference in the country this year too, with Villanova, Syracuse, Boston College, Connecticut all getting seeds of 5 or higher. Sure the ACC has a full stack this year too.. but after the big four of UNC, Duke, Wake, and GT, it really trails off (where were Maryland and NC State this year??), while the Big East still has Pitt, West Virginia, and Notre Dame.

Anyway, who are your picks?

___________________

Illinois - The Illini will have a rough second and third round in Texas and 'Bama, both possible upsets. If Arizona is on their game, Stoudamire can beat the Illini by himself. However, the rest of the team is extremely streaky and if they're not on top of their game, they will get run all over by Ok. State. As long as the Illini play the all-around game they have been, they'll get through, although it may not be pretty.

Wake Forest - Definitely the second most difficult bracket this year (would be the most difficult if Washington was replaced with a more consistent team). With a low-seeded Pittsburgh (who will beat Washington if Krauser and Troutman take over), the potential in GTech and Gonzaga, all coupled with two very talented teams in Louisville and Wake Forest, I see the potential for 4 different teams to make the Final Four. However, Wake Forest has just been on point while Paul is healthy.

UConn - UNC always finds a way to lose in the tournament. They never get beat, they simply beat themselves. Villanueva will dominate the post against whoever they play, but this without a doubt is the toughest bracket to come out of, with the best 1-4 out of all 4 brackets.

Syracuse - Syracuse has been inconsistent throughout the year, but coming out of the most challenging conference in the nation will prove to be the deciding factor. They always show up when it comes tournament time, and Duke is all that stands in their way to a Final Four berth.

I think whoever wins the Illinois/Wake game will go on to cut down the nets, if they don't get beat up with all the tough competition.

Ok, these are my first brainless picks:
By that i mean, the first time thru, i just pick blindly
on gut instinct, without really thinking....

Next I do picks after I've studies the teams and tendencies.
Will post those Thursday. For now:

Illinois
Wake Forest
N.Carolina
Syracuse

Final: Wake Forest vs N.Carolina
Cahmp: Wake Forest, 81-78

As entered on ESPN

Haven't looked at the brackets to see if this could actually happen, but Gonzaga, Wake Forest, Arizona and Louisville.

Gonzaga has always been the team I have a soft spot for because no matter how high their ranked, they are always America's underdog

___________________

quote:

Originally posted by ChemEnhanced any party from 2003 and back I only remember bits and pieces...i've combined those memories into one awesome party

quote:

Originally posted by SPANIARD Haven't looked at the brackets to see if this could actually happen, but Gonzaga, Wake Forest, Arizona and Louisville.

3 of the 4 are in one bracket. That's why it's so sick!

Ill-noise - simple bracket, only problem will be Alabama later on

NC - most complete team of the tourney

Louisville - on fire right now

Duke - never count them out, rebuilding year my ass

this has got to be one of the hardest tournament draw decisions i have ever made .. most of the top teams do not have an inside presence (which is key to winning a championship .. history proves shooting teams do not make it to the end) or have the go-to guy at the last two minutes...

after many tournament fill-ins (i think i did like 6 or 7 so far.) .. i have figured that illinois, washington, and duke will eventually be knocked out at the sweet 16 or elite 8 .. they dont have a clear inside presence and illinois will definately have trouble going against either nevada or boston college .. north carolina has sean may (mr. double double) .. so they can take care of themselves if they have a bad shooting night ..

my top 8 is (out of the blue, because i have so many top 4) (with winners in BOLD) :

arizona beats boston college
louisville beats texas tech
north carolina beats wisconsin ..
syracuse beats utah ..

a crazy elite 8 there ..

___________________

quote:

Originally posted by SPANIARD Haven't looked at the brackets to see if this could actually happen, but Gonzaga, Wake Forest, Arizona and Louisville. Gonzaga has always been the team I have a soft spot for because no matter how high their ranked, they are always America's underdog

Ahhhh its always a tough thing with the Zags...the problem is that when they are seeded low is when they play best in the tourney. Seems like the sense of urgency kicks in and they step up their game. When there are too many expectations they seem to struggle. I see them going out early.

quote:

Originally posted by LeopoldStotch arizona beats boston college louisville beats texas tech north carolina beats wisconsin .. syracuse beats utah .. a crazy elite 8 there ..

That is definetely an interesting elite 8 you got going

My elite 8 (winners in bold)

Oklahoma St. def Illinois (i'm probably dreaming)
Wake Forest def Georgia Tech
North Carolina def Kansas
Duke def Kentucky

Wake def NC in final

quote:

Originally posted by che Ahhhh its always a tough thing with the Zags...the problem is that when they are seeded low is when they play best in the tourney. Seems like the sense of urgency kicks in and they step up their game. When there are too many expectations they seem to struggle. I see them going out early.

Tis so true my man. But in any case, the thing you have to love about this team rather your love, hate or are nuetral with them, is that you know they will always go out with a bang. We shouldn't have any problems with Winthrop though, the problems will come after that

___________________

quote:

Originally posted by ChemEnhanced any party from 2003 and back I only remember bits and pieces...i've combined those memories into one awesome party

Wake Forest
Ok State
North Carolina
Syracuse

Syracuse & OSU in finale
Syracuse Winning

CUSE CUSE CUSE CUSE CUSE CUSE CUSE!!! <-Orangeman

Upset Specials:

Wisconsin-Milwaukee (12) over 'Bama (5).
That should answer the questions of whether 'Bama will beat Illinois or not.

West Virginia (7) over Wake Forest (2) (2nd Round).
WV is HOT. Wake is not.

New Mexico (12) over Villanova (5)... and then Florida (4) (2nd Round).
Danny Granger is one of the best players in the country, and helped handle Andrew Bogut this weekend. New Mexico is largely untested, but has the talent.

Charlotte (7) over UCONN (2) (2nd Round).
I'm sorry, but UConn is really overrated this year. And Charlotte has outstanding guard play and really puts points on the board.

Utah (6) over Oklahoma (3)... and then Kentucky (2).
I don't know if these are really even upsets. Utah is solid. Oklahoma and Kentucky are both suspect. After all, Kentucky got smoked this weekend, and Oklahoma doesn't always show up in the big games.

I know some (if not most) of these will be wrong... but I think they're all plausible.

I love March.

___________________