It’s time. SU has instructed the research staff to stop running the predictive models for the NCAA Tournament (I mean I thought 25,000 scenarios was sufficient). We are ready to boldly make our predictions for this year’s games and provide expert commentary to the intergalactic subscriber base as they rush to fill out their brackets. Here is what you need to know and keep in mind:
- The PAC 12 got a lot of love from the NCAA Committee but SU is not feeling it. I saw Oregon play at the Barclay’s Center just a year ago. Unimpressive. And now they are a #1 seed? Hard to believe.
- Watch out for Wichita State. Well-coached, have been there before and many will be sleeping on them this year. I think they will make it through for the first few rounds.
- Many are high on Kansas. SU has never been a Bill Self fan – his teams often find a way to disappoint and being the #1 overall seed is too much pressure for them. But they should make it to the Final Four.
- The same is true for North Carolina although I like Roy Williams and feel he is a good coach. But they usually fall short. They were the preseason #1 team but will fall to Providence in the 2nd round.
- Kentucky was dis-respected as a #4 seed and Coach Calipari will ride that “diss” all the way to the bank with his team. They are Final Four bound.
- SU saw a snippet of an ESPN 30 for 30 show on the Texas A&M coach who has Parkinson’s Disease. It’s a nice story and the guy is a fighter. They are an experienced team and for no particular reason, SU says they make it to Houston because the coach’s story is inspirational.
- Teams that win their conference tournament often tire themselves out. This will be a factor for UConn – beware of picking them.
- Michigan State is still the best team and while SU hates them, they will be the last team standing come April.
- I think Purdue is a tough match-up for many teams with their large front line and will make a deep run. Iowa is over-rated and will depart early. Same with Maryland.
SU Final Four: Kentucky; Texas A&M; Michigan State; and Kansas. Michigan State wins it all.
Care to weigh in with your overall championship prediction and be admired by thousands if you are right and ridiculed if you’re wrong? This is the place to do it!
Sports Update Intergalactic 
I have the same Final Four with Michigan State cutting down the nets. Would have been nice to hold a SU March Madness contest with the winner having dinner at SU’s house and spend an hour discussing sports with Mr. SU… or Mrs; SU if the conversation moves toward women’s sports.
Wow, kind of scary that you and I are on the same page. Probably not good for either of us in terms of winning any prize money.
Can we start an SU March Madness pool on one of the free sites? For bragging rights only. Howard, this should be your top priority. 🙂
Shep, as I still have my day job, I am afraid I don’t have time for that type of stuff. Perhaps next year!
Iowa v Oklahoma and UNC v Michigan State
MSU over Oklahoma for the title.
On a personal bragging front – my son’s team (Northwest Catholic) is in the CT Class M final four. If they win tonight, finals at Mohegan Sun this weekend.
Sasha, going rogue with the Iowa pick in the Final Four. Clearly, you know something that I don’t. Oklahoma is a good pick – they have the best player in the country in Hield. Good luck to your son in the Class M finals. We expect pictures and video.
Rogue indeed on Iowa – no scoop there: just the bracket we created last night. I have picked maybe one final four team in the past five years…
Not sure I agree with your UConn logic. Didn’t UConn win the NCAA tournament a few years back after winning the Big East conference tournament? You can make just a good, if not better, argument that the momentum of winning a conference tournament can carry you pretty far, plus the idea that often the hottest, not best, team, wins in the end. That being said, I’m not sure how good this UConn team really is, and, though I’ll pick them in the first round, I don’t think they’re going to upset a #1 seed in the second round.
Ezra, so far you are right my friend. But let’s see what happens today. Michigan State had all the momentum going into yesterday’s game. I do feel that it can tire a team out but I am happy to be proven wrong!