Unfavorable Four-cast? Maybe not this time
His impeccable research was finally complete, so Bracket Boy sunned himself by the pool at the Marriott Grand Marquis hotel in Atlanta most of yesterday. “I need to work on my tan,†our resident expert said. “I look more like a peach than an orange, and in this town, they might slap me on a billboard!â€
He was supposed to have dinner with de facto Big East commissioner Tom Luicci, but he’s decided to cancel. “Luicci has been totally insufferable since the only Final Four team I got wrong was Georgetown,†BB said. “Will the Big East backslapping ever end?â€
... Read moreHeeeeeeeere’s Brackie!!!
Bracket Boy had the strangest dream last night. He was ready to make his predictions for the Final Four when suddenly he found himself on a television set wearing a colorful turban and a black cape. He was sitting next to a gregarious life-insurance salesman who laughed at everything he said.
He was ... Carnac the Bracketologist? 
Ed McMahon: I have in my hand an envelope. A child can plainly see these envelopes are hermetically sealed. They have been kept since noon today in a mayonnaise jar on John Wooden’s porch. No one ...
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Move over, BB, Bracket Girl has something to say
Bracket Boy was getting ready to size up the mascots in the Final Four — "Albert the Gator must be making a nice living doing those ESPN promos," our expert was musing — when his significant other came charging into the room.
"BB! Hurry! Packer is at the door!" Bracket Girl said. "And he said he wants to fight!"
"Finally!" BB crowed, sharpening his pencil. "I keep these brass knuckles in my pocket, just in case. Just in case."
As soon as our resident expert walked out the door to the lab, BG slammed the door and barricaded it shut. ... Read more
A hairy situation for BB!
No, Bracket Girl was not happy, to say the least. She walked into the bathroom at the secret lab, took one look at our resident expert, and let out a loud howl that was heard for miles.
“What is that on your FACE?!?!â€
Bracket Boy smiled.
“This is my tournament beard,†he said. “In honor of the Final Four - more specifically, the center matchup between Greg Oden and Roy Hibbert - I have decided not to shave until the nets are clipped!â€
BG, predictably, was not impressed.
“Um, Bracket Boob?†she said, hands on her hips. “Your head is ... Read more
Go ahead, rub it in. And buy a T-shirt.
He had done his best answering all the e-mail individually, but finally, our resident expert gave up. He had to craft the following form letter to deal with his full-to-capacity e-mail inbox:
"Dear (Insert Name Of Loyal Reader):
"Thank you for e-mailing me to brag about correctly picking the entire Final Four, something I was incapable of doing thanks to Roy Williams and his choking North Carolina Tar Heels. I understand you must be very proud of your accomplishment, and that telling me about it helps confirm your bracketology greatness.
"Please feel free to purchase my commemorative T-shirt to celebrate ... Read more
Looking back, looking Four-ward
He had the pages ready to go to the publisher. Our resident expert saw North Carolina with a 10-point lead late in the second half — "Come on," he said to his bobbleheads, "when has a Roy Williams-coached team ever choked in a tournament game?!" — and knew he could finally publish his first book.
The working title: "How I, the one and only Bracket Boy, correctly picked the entire Final Four."
"The current version is 1,219 pages long," our bracketologist said. "And to think, I left out so much."
But then it happened, ...
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You can't spell Carolina with out C-H-O-K-E
Okay, so that doesn't make any sense, but who cares? This one really boils my blood. Yeah, the Hoyas deserve the credit and all that, but come on. This was a first rate, off the charts, paging Mama Cass choke job by the Tar Heels.
Up 10 points with 7:19, getting every single call? With how many NBA players sitting on the bench? Roy Williams might have shed his reputation as a guy who can't win the big one with that 2005 championship, but he most certainly should have won THIS one.
And I'm not just steamed ... Read more
The quote of the year
Before the games begin, this is must reading by Mike Freeman of CBS Sportsline.com for more nonsense from our least favorite announcer.
The column is on Carolina guard Reyshawn Terry, who Billy Packer labels as "soft" because, in his estimation, he doesn't know how to play hurt.
And how does Terry, our hero, respond?
"He has his opinion," Terry said of Packer. "Billy Packer has been around the game long enough to know better. Soft? That's foolish. It's offensive to be called that. I try not to let that sort of stuff bother me but I will say that ... Read more
Here they are: Elite Eight picks
MIDWEST REGIONAL FINAL
No. 1 Florida vs. No. 3 Oregon
Time: 2:40 p.m.
Place: St. Louis
Oregon is the little team in this game, with the little guy on the court: Tajuan Porter is just 5-foot-6, but he has connected on a school record 108 3-pointers as the Ducks try to continue their surprising run. Is Florida vulnerable? The Gators looked it in the Sweet 16 against Butler, but then again, what No. 1 seed didn’t have a scare in this tournament? It is hard to imagine the defending champs losing this close to a return trip to ... Read more
On the verge of a Final Four swing
The sound coming from the secret lab was strange, to say the least. Bracket Boy had muted Dick Enberg and Jay Bilas during the second half of the UCLA-Kansas game - this, of course, was no surprise.
But what was that music?
Was that ... a swing band?
“One, two, three, four ... one, two, three, four ... one, two, three, four ...†our resident expert kept repeating as the UCLA Bruins pulled away from Kansas in the final minutes last night.
He has never revealed this to his loyal readers, but last summer, Bracket Girl forced him to take ... Read more
There's something wrong with my TV
Call CBS. This cannot be right. Ohio State is winning at halftime? No, there must be a broken gasket in my television set. I'm actually not sure if this is good news for those of us who have picked the Buckeyes, but they certainly are playing better than they did in the last two gut-wrenching victories. We shall see.
While we're at the half ... anybody watch the end of that Rutgers-Duke women's game? What a victory for the Scarlet Knights, but you have to feel for Duke star Lindsey Harding. One free throw ties the game. Two free throws ... Read more
Elite Eight picks, baby!
SOUTH REGIONAL FINAL
No. 1 Ohio State vs. No. 2 Memphis
Time: 4:40 p.m.
Place: San Antonio
Will this be the game the Buckeyes finally fall? They were on the ropes against Xavier last weekend and against Tennessee on Thursday night, but Thad Matta’s young squad showed veteran poise in winning both times. It would stand to reason that Greg Oden won’t be as ineffective and foul-ridden as he was Thursday. This is the second consecutive season in which the Tigers have reached a regional final. Like John Calipari or not, he’s got Memphis firmly in the ... Read more
An update from campaign headquarters (a.k.a. the secret lab)
It was a busy day for our resident expert/campaign director. After watching his pick to win the national championship play its past two games, Bracket Boy has decided to turn to the secret lab into a campaign headquarters.
“We must elect Ron Lewis for President!†our bubbly bracketologist boasted after his man scored 25 points to lead Ohio State from the graveyard to a thrilling one-point victory over Tennessee.
Hillary? “I bet you she didn’t even enter an office pool!†Obama? “Lewis has played more years of college ball than he’s been a senator!†McCain? “He might be big on ... Read more
Another thriller. We're getting spoiled.
And this ending, I have to say, might be the best yet. This time, somebody didn't miss a shot or brick a free throw. This time, the players on both teams made winning plays. I really thought Vanderbilt had this one when they went up four late, but hand it to Georgetown: They're resilient. And Jeff Green can play on my team.
Did Green travel on that last play? It was veeeery close. You probably blow the whistle on that one in the first half, but I'm glad the refs let it go here. That would be an awful way ... Read more
Sweet 16: The Final Word
MIDWEST REGIONAL
No. 1 Florida vs. No. 5 Butler
Time: 7:10 p.m.
Place: St. Louis
Butler has a distinct edge – from the 3-point line. A.J. Graves and the rest of the Bulldogs have made 314 long-range shots, besting Florida’s 259. Sadly for the Bulldogs, that’s where it ends. They have no match for the Gators’ big men (Joakim Noah and Al Horford, most notably). And with folks whispering that Florida is a touch vulnerable, the Gators might be in the mood to flex a little of their defending-champion muscle.
Bracket Boy says: Paging Gene Hackman. Time ... Read more
Ron Lewis: Have my children
Well, another easy victory for my Buckeyes! My knees are still shaking. I suppose I should just crawl into my bed in the lab -- the one below the Ron Lewis posters, of course -- and go to bed, but I have some observations.
1. Did Thad Matta out-think himself with the Greg Oden on offense thing? Granted, maybe he would have picked up his fifth foul before he could make that final block. But the guy is more of a force on defense than offense. And weren't two of his fouls in this game ... Read more
Kansas? Forget it.
So you probably feel pretty good right now if you have the Jayhawks going all the way. They beat a very good Southern Illinois team. They had their close-call game, and as you savvy observers of the NCAA Tournament know, almost every championship team has one.
But forget it. Kansas will not win the national championship. Not shooting free throws like that.
Come on. Some of their attempts in the second half weren't even close. This is a team that looked tight and played tight, and if it weren't for Brandon Rush, the Jayhawks would have another tournament loss to ... Read more
Sweet 16: The Final Word
SOUTH REGIONAL
No. 2 Memphis vs. No. 3 Texas A&M
Time: 7:27 p.m.
Place: San Antonio
The skinny: So what if Memphis has won 24 games in a row? Whom have they beaten? The last close game the Tigers had in Texas was a three-point victory at SMU — always a tough place to play ... maybe in the early 1980s when Jon Koncak was the Mustangs’ center. And if that trip to the Lone Star State was tough enough, playing the Aggies in San Antonio will be a real test. Acie Law IV and three other Texas A&M ...
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Vandy likes its court just dandy
Seeing Vanderbilt in the East Regional semifinals brought back some memories for our resident bracketologist. Bracket Boy can remember how excited he was making his first trip to legendary Memorial Gym - the Fenway Park of college hoops - to watch the Commodores play.
“Front-row seats!†BB cooed as he walked into the gym. “Most schools usually just toss me on a ball rack in the corner. Finally, I have found a place that recognizes my importance.â€
But then our peerless prognosticator got to his seats. He was sitting below the court ... and remember, while he is a college ... Read more
BB the Great takes on the world!
Have you noticed a trend in the East Regional? With the USC Trojans and Vanderbilt Commodores advancing, and North Carolina defeating the Michigan State Spartans and the Eastern Kentucky Colonels to get to East Rutherford, it’s taking on a military theme.
And that got Bracket Boy, a history buff in his time away from bracketology, thinking: How would a Sweet 16 with the greatest military leaders play out? Well, here goes...
FIRST ROUND
No. 1 Alexander the Great vs. No. 16 William Tecumseh Sherman. It’s just as well that Sherman goes out early. The Final Four is in Atlanta this ... Read more
His better half can pick 'em, too
Our resident expert was taking stock after the wild weekend yesterday, counting the Xs and check marks on his bracket, and was actually feeling pretty good about his picks so far.
He has six of his Elite Eight teams still alive and all of his Final Four selections, and sits in fourth in the graphic-department pool. “True, me beating those nerds is like Hulk Hogan beating the Keebler Elves in a cage match,†Bracket Boy mused, “but still, I’ll take it.â€
Then he heard a familiar voice clearing her throat behind him. “Oh, Bracket Baby,†the voice said. “You might ... Read more
Bracing for the heavyweights
Thump …OUCH …Thump …OUCH … Thump … YOOOW! …
The noise from the secret lab was unusual to say the least. Our resident expert had put away his reams of statistical information, put on boxing gloves and was training on a heavy bag.
“This would be a lot easier if this thing wasn’t so, you know, heavy,†our resident expert noted. “But with this Sweet 16? You have to have muscles. You have to pack a punch.†And, in case you hadn’t noticed, BB will never be indicted by the BALCO grand jury.
Of the top 12 seeds in the ... Read more
Yawn.
Well, after yesterday, this was a good day for a nap. Southern Cal taking out Texas was a bit of a surprise (and a bummer if you have tickets for the East Regional games in the Meadowlands). Purdue, as noted before, gave Florida a tough go for 35 minutes. Otherwise ... eh.
I'll have more thoughts on the Sweet 16 and beyond later tonight, but here's one stat to chew on: Only once before did the tournament get to the regional semifinals without at least one team seeded higher than seventh -- in 1995. You know who won that year, ... Read more
Packer aside, Packer fans pack it in
The moment Billy Packer yelled, "OOOOOOH, ball game!" after UNLV took an eight-point lead with a late 3-pointer, you could have predicted that the Badgers were going to make a rally. Seriously, he does watch the other games, right? The Ohio State rally? Does somebody at CBS at least put a newspaper in front of his hotel room door?
So finally, a No. 1 or a No. 2 seed goes down, and that it's Wisconsin is not a surprise. The Badgers had injury troubles late in the year, and like the other heavyweight from the Big Ten, all kinds ... Read more
Brackets be damned, I'm rooting for Purdue
Eight minutes to go, tie game ... wouldn't count on it, but Purdue is showing some big time guts so far. Why was Raftery all worked up about that foul call. Am I the only one who saw that Noah clearly hacked him?
Read moreHaving no horse in the race
Having picked neither Virginia nor Tennessee to advance past the first round -- and then watching the two roll past Albany and Long Beach State by what seemed to be a combined 151 points -- I find myself watching this game without the least bit of angst. Anybody else have a game like this tournament? Where you have it on, and it's tight, and there are dumb plays or bad decisions, and you just ... what's the word I'm looking for here ... watch?
Interesting feeling.
I was thinking about a one-liner that my good friend Jeff "Killer" Kampf ... Read more
Day Four: The Final Word
EAST REGIONAL
No. 4 Texas vs. No. 5 Southern Cal
Time: 5:15 p.m.
Place: Spokane, Wash.
Bracket Boy says: Can we play this one in the Rose Bowl? Invite Vince Young and Reggie Bush? Just a suggestion. Pick: Texas.
SOUTH REGIONAL
No. 4 Virginia vs. No. 5 Tennessee
Time: 12:10 p.m.
Place: Columbus, Ohio
Bracket Boy says: BB had neither of these teams advancing in his original bracket so kindly requests they both get out of his face, ASAP. Pick: Tennessee.
No. 2 Memphis vs. No. 7 Nevada
Time: 5 p.m.
Place: New Orleans
Bracket Boy says: ...
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Buckeyes survive, and so does BB ... barely
The men in the white coats had already strapped him to a gurney in the secret lab and put the IV in his arm. As a precaution, they also had taken the shoelaces from his sneakers and removed his headband.
Our resident expert was mumbling, and while witnesses could not be exactly sure what he said, it sounded sort of like, “Wake Forest … all over again … Greg Oden … may the Clippers draft you … Thad Matta?! …. oh why oh why oh WHY!â€
But then, for the first time this March, we had a Moment. You know ... Read more
Overtime giveth. Overtime taketh away.
Not sure how to feel right now. Obviously, Vandy helps, and what a win for my bracket! But man, after seeing VCU rally from 15 down in the second half and nearly rally from seven down in overtime ... and knowing that a lot of brackets had Pittsburgh ...
So far, I bet you only a few people have played themselves out of their pool, and they had to do it with longshot Final Four picks (Maryland, anyone? Washington State?) Texas A&M would have killed a lot of pools. And did I mention Ohio State?
Anyway, the bottom line is ... Read more
Hillary? Obama? You can keep them
Let it be known that Bracket Boy will be writing in the name "Ron Lewis" on his ballot for President of the United States -- or, if he prefers, as King of the Universe. I cannot remember a time when I have EVER gone from feeling so completely worthless to feeling like I can conquer the world from the lab.
Of course, I'm still wondering if the Buckeyes are closer to the "worthless" part of that ledger when it comes to the office pool, but I will worry about that another day.
Read moreI've already turned it off
After the 10th layup Ohio State missed, it became clear to me that this will be another blown March. I'm going outside the secret lab to shovel snow. Not to clear a driveway or anything, but to make a large pile of it in a big, empty lot where I can burrow underneath and freeze to death.
Read moreDay 3: The Final Word
EAST REGIONAL
No. 3 Washington State vs. No. 6 Vanderbilt
Time: 5:40 p.m.
Place: Sacramento, Calif.
Bracket Boy says: One of these teams will make it to East Rutherford. Luckily, the games are already sold out. Pick: Vanderbilt.
No. 2 Georgetown vs. No. 7 Boston College
Time: 5:45 p.m.
Place: Winston-Salem, N.C.
Bracket Boy says: Big East commissioner Mike Tranghese has petitioned the NCAA to make this game officially called, “The Georgetown Hoyas vs. The Team That Shall Not Be Named.†Pick: Georgetown.
No. 1 North Carolina vs. No. 9 Michigan State
Time: 8:20 p.m.
Place: Winston-Salem, ...
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A deflating day ends air of invincibility
The media attention for Bracket Boy was so intense after his amazing start on Thursday - and his equally amazing collapse yesterday afternoon - that he needed to hold a press conference in the secret lab.
“Bracket Boy!†the media clamored. “Over here!!â€
“Yes. You in the stained shirt, go ahead.â€
“In the Thursday edition of The Star-Ledger, you were referred to as, and I quote, ‘an all-seeing, all-knowing prognosticating genius.’ But is it true some of your picks were so bad on the second day that you’ve resorted to inflating your head with ... Read more
26-6. Eh, not bad.
And only two Sweet 16s and one Elite Eight gone. It could have been worse, but I'm sure there are people out with about the same or better. Will the upsets come next round? BB could use Vandy and VCU tomorrow.
Read moreVirginia Tech-Illinois ... is it over yet?
Wow. I had to climb under the desk during this one. How many free throws did Virginia Tech miss? But the Hokies advance, and that would haven been an Elite Eight team.
Will the universe survive if a 12 seed doesn't beat a 5?
Read moreCan we buy an upset here?
Alright, so Winthrop over Notre Dame classifies as an "upset" in the sense that, heck, it's Winthrop vs. Notre Dame. That says it all. But everybody and their Aunt Ida was picking the Eagles to win that game (except, I admit, me, since I just decided to be Mr. Smartypants and outhink everybody).
VCU is an upset, too, since Duke still has the reputation. But the way the Blue Devils were playing ... you could see it coming (especially if you listened to Bracket Boy, who would like to remind his loyal readers that he pegged that one during his ... Read more
My bracket, the fire hydrant
Okay, so the Actually Quite Average Danes caused some damage today, but look: I only had Albany winning one game. It was a risk, and it failed, but the damage is minimal. The one I really need is Long Beach State beating Tennessee, and then I'll take my chances with the crazy surfers against this Virginia team that I swear is not very good.
Of course, not as bad as the Straight To The Pound Danes. It just infuriates me when a team you pick -- an underdog, no less -- does not show up. Quite frankly, nobody has been ... Read more
A Bracket Boy exclusive!!!
Bracket Boy has breached the Albany locker room to get this exclusive video of what the Great Danes are watching at halftime to get motivated for their amazing second-half comeback against Virginia!!!
Read moreDay Two: The Final Word
EAST REGIONAL
No. 4 Texas vs. No. 13 New Mexico State
Time: 7:25 p.m.
Place: Spokane, Wash.
Bracket Boy says: If New Mexico State pulls the upset, BB is worried that W will send the Texas National Guard across the border. Pick: Texas.
No. 5 USC vs. No. 12 Arkansas
Time: 9:45 p.m.
Place: Spokane, Wash.
Bracket Boy says: Southern Cal should win this one, as long as super recruit O.J. Mayo doesn’t show up with "the good stuff." Pick: USC.
SOUTH REGIONAL
No. 4 Virginia vs. No. 13 Albany
Time: ...
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15-1. Need I say more? Of course.
Bracket Boy was so excited, so deliriously dizzy, he had to call the local hospital for help.
“Please,†our resident expert said into the phone, “you have to send the men in the white coats to the secret laboratory. Lots of them. And tell them to bring the strongest straitjacket they have!
“HURRY!!!â€
He was bouncing around so much that, quite frankly, BB worried he might hurt himself. There are good days for a bracketologist, and there are days like our all-seeing, all-knowing prognosticating genius had yesterday.
He was 15-1. That’s like 1985 Bears good. If you listened to him, ... Read more
Gonzaga. Figures.
Well, even the 1986 Bears lost to the Miami Dolphins. So close to perfection, but when you pick Gonzaga one year after Adam Morrison's moustache gets shaved off the roster, you get what you deserve. I should have listened to Hoosier Mary and picked IU.
But I would have gladly settled for a split when Xavier went down big to BYU early. That one was a bonus. And come on, 15-1? You'd have taken that at the beginning of the day, especially with VCU on the slate.
Oh, did I mention I picked ... Read more
Good lord, are the refs trying to hose VCU, or am I just shamelessly rooting against Duke again?????
Seriously.
That was a foul at the end of the first half?
Hang in there, VCU. Hang in there.
Read moreRepeat after BB: It is early.
I will not get too excited about another quick start. I will not get too excited about another quick start. I will not get too excited about another quick start. I will not get too excited about another quick start. I will not get too excited about another quick start. I will not get too excited about another quick start.
Can I get that message out there? I am going to stay steady. Yes, seven results are in, and yes, I have picked all seven correctly, but that is just a mere 20 percent of the 32 first-round games (or ... Read more
3-0? Yeah, I'm taking it.
Davidson gave me a little scare, that's for sure. You knew this was a good team, but I thought it was a poor matchup against Maryland. If they had played the other ACC No. 4 seed, Virginia, I would have picked them. Heck, I picked Albany, and they're not nearly as good as Davidson.
And Texas Tech-Boston College. What a great game. Sorry to see Knight go, but when you watched that team, you really wondered how it won 21 games.
Has Stanford scored yet?
Read moreAnd we're (finally) off ...
... good golly, I'm jacked.
I'll be posting throughout the day, loyal readers, so please feel free to use this comment section to give me your early thoughts on the early games. By now, you know mine. I love college basketball. I love you, guys.
Love. That's what I feel now. LOVE.
Read moreDay 1: The Final Word
MIDWEST REGIONAL
No. 4 Maryland vs. No. 13 Davidson
Time: 12:20 p.m.
Place: Buffalo, N.Y.
Bracket Boy says: Davidson is a popular pick, but if these two teams were playing in December, Terrapins coach Gary Williams would be struggling to hold down the score.
Pick: Maryland.
No. 5 Butler vs. No. 12 Old Dominion
Time: 2:40 p.m.
Place: Buffalo, N.Y.
Bracket Boy says: You know which Butler doesn’t get nearly the acclaim he deserves? Geoffrey from the “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.â€
Pick: Butler.
EAST REGIONAL
No. 7 ... Read more
The most wonderful day of the year!
Finally, it is here. The single-greatest day of the year, just slightly better than tomorrow, only because today arrives first. Saturday is third best, Sunday is fourth, “and just to make your spouse happy,†Bracket Boy said, “assure him or her that your wedding date or the birth of your first child cracks the top five. In other words: Lie.â€
But we issue this warning: You might be tempted to call in sick today, but your boss is wise to this. Everybody wants today off, and BB will not bore you with another statistical analysis ... Read more
Why VCU? Why Long Beach State? Why not!
So these are two of the most common questions posed to BB:
1. What do you think of my Final Four? My answer is simple every time: I think there's a very good chance, as long as you don't have Belmont playing Jackson State for the title, that you might win the office pool. If you're taking chances, good for you -- if the pick is right (like our buddy Gregory with Oregon) you have a better chance to win the pool than you do if you're boring like BB this year. The more top seeds you pick, the better ... Read more
Here's the mail, it never fails ...
What Bracket Boy loves most about his job is the unwavering support from his loyal readers. No matter whom he picks in the pool, and no matter how those picks ultimately do, our resident expert goes to sleep each night knowing that his readers - no, his family - will always love him.
Take this note from David Schaefer of Livingston: “It’s a good thing The Star-Ledger stopped drug testing. VCU in the Sweet 16? I agree the West bracket ain’t so hot, but I don’t think VCU is Cinderella material.â€
Or this love letter from a reader who calls ... Read more
And finally ... THE PICK!
Sorry, no slouches in the Final Four. The upper echelon of college basketball was simply so much better than everyone else this year. Somebody surprising might sneak in - hey, it’s March Madness, it happens - but you’d be living on a prayer.
Anyway ... Florida vs. UCLA. A rematch from the title game last year. BB is concerned with the way the Bruins finished the season, but isn’t sold on the Gators, either. “There has to be a reason so few teams repeat, right?†Florida gets close, but UCLA prevails.
UNC vs. Ohio State. ... Read more
Here they are ... West Regional
A sign the world has gone mad: Niagara - Niagara! - was talking about being disrespected in the play-in game. The Purple Eagles win, but then get really disrespected against top-seeded Kansas, which then beats ninth-seeded Villanova, a potential Final Four team next March.
Every fact tells BB to pick against Virginia Tech, and still he is picking the Hokies over an Illinois team that’s lucky to be here. An Illinois team that deserves to be here, our Southern Illinois Salukis, gets past Holy Cross, but then loses to Virginia Tech. “Did I just pick them again?†BB wonders.
In ... Read more
Here they are ... Midwest Regional
Jackson State is a 50-sextillion-to-one long shot to win the tournament. Joakim Noah’s hair comes in at 10 sextillion to one. Florida advances, where it actually plays a team that almost matches up talentwise in Arizona, but not nearly in chemistry. Florida moves on.
Wouldn’t you agree that if Butler changed its nickname to the Mr. Belvederes, it would be more popular? Anyway, the boring old Bulldogs beat Old Dominion. Davidson has won 25 out of its last 26 games, but the game before that was a 75-47 loss to Duke. Take the Maryland Terrapins, and take them again against ... Read more
Here they are ... South Regional
Something to consider: If Central Connecticut State is so centrally located in Connecticut, and there’s no Connecticut State, why not just drop the Central? Anyway, Ohio State wins, then pounds on Xavier.
UPSET SPECIAL! Long Beach State is a senior-laden, talented team and if the 49ers can whip Cal Poly, they can whip Tennessee, right? They advance to play ... UPSET SPECIAL! ... Albany, which knocks out Virginia, the least deserving team among the top 16 seeds. That’s right. Long Beach State is in your Sweet 16.
In the bottom half of the bracket, Louisville proves Stanford should have been ... Read more
Here they are ... East Regional
Picks, picks, picks. BB has ‘em, you want ‘em. Just remember, use these only for entertainment purposes. “Because I know nothing helps entertain me,†our resident expert said, “like all that extra cash from winning the pool!â€
Wasting no more time, here is your game-by-game guide to once again making your co-workers look like drooling morons ...
East Regional
Pick this first game on mascot superiority alone: a sleek-looking ram vs. a deranged Colonel Sanders knockoff. Top-seeded North Carolina advances, then clubs Michigan State, which creams Tom Crean and Marquette.
USC-Arkansas ... is this an NIT game? Southern Cal ... Read more
Odds are, the oddsmakers are nuts
The powers that be at The Star-Ledger have decided that I should reveal my picks in the newspaper -- you know, something that you people actually have to pay for -- so you will have to wait another few hours until i can sneak then onto the brog. I already know who is going to win, of course. This must be how it feels for Jack Nicholson when he opens the envelope at the Oscars and, for that split second, he knows the answer the the question everyone in the world is waiting on. It is a great feeling.
But ... Read more
Professor B.A. Boy with his A to Z
Welcome to class, students. The esteemed Prof. B.A. Boy (the “A†stands for “All knowingâ€), with his PhD in M.M. (March Madness, of course) at the University of Bracketology-Newark campus, is here to take you through the essentials of the NCAA Tournament, from A to Z.
“Study up tonight, boys and girls,†our resident expert said. “Because there will be a quiz on this tomorrow, when I will unveil my picks for every game!â€
A is for Atlanta, and we might as well start our A to Z with the ultimate goal for all 65 teams: Reaching the Georgia ... Read more
I'm picking Butler to win it all!
Nah, I'm really not, I just wanted to get your attention. BB is going to reveal his picks soon, but he's not like these talking TV heads who rush into things. I know my loyal readers will wait for my bracket before making the picks. And we'll have them all, right here, with brackets in place and everything.
Yeah, okay. I'm just making excuses. I'm, like, totally stuck.
So shake me loose. Who are you guys picking?
Read moreYou're Ex-Cused
Okay, Shabe, so every now and then, BB is wrong. But come on -- who wasn't with Syracuse?
Certainly not the selection committee. Honestly, I cannot recall a team that has been hosed worse than the Orange. Maybe Butler a few years ago, but come on, they're BUTLER. This is Jim Boeheim. And look at the teams that DID get in.
Stanford? Sub 20 wins.
Illinois and Purdue? The Orange should have gotten in ahead of both.
Old Dominion? I thought the Monarchs belonged, but not ahead of Syracuse.
Stunned. Just stunned.
Other random thoughts: Did the committee have to ... Read more
T-minus 90 minutes!
And I'm bouncing all over the lab!
I love Kevin Durant -- just love his game.
Wisconsin is about as exciting to watch as a block of cheddar.
Put the red jacket in the closet, Sidney!
Heels get a No. 1 seed in BB's bracket, no matter what.
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi! You heard it here first!
It's almost time!!
AHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!
Read moreThe Lord of the Seeds
Hurry! Somebody get Gary Walters out into the sunlight! The Princeton athletic director was just on CBS this morning with Clark and Seth. He is starting to look like Smeagol from Lord of the Rings. Just a few more hours trapped in the room, Gary, and then one uncomfortable tongue lashing from Billy Packer, and you can come home to Princeton to your last-place shambles of a team.
Is Seth on the Florida State payroll or something? I will say this: Everybody who is picking the field (including yours truly) has the same 8-10 bubble teams, but nobody has ... Read more
We're going to win the office pool!
He had spent the night tossing and turning in the secret laboratory as he always does the night before Selection Sunday. He had done all his research, prepared the best he could, and of course, he is well aware that he’s the world’s greatest bracketologist.
And still ... Bracket Boy had his usual anxiety. “Pick UCLA. NO! Make it Florida. Ohhhh. Why did I pick Wake Forest two years ago?â€
His eyes were open just a crack. He glanced at the TV. Somehow, it had been switched off ESPN and onto one of those networks that runs ...
Read more
On Drexel, G-town and the games tomorrow
For some reason, my own brog will not let me post comments -- the computer is telling me to slow down, like I'm an NEC team playing North Carolina or something -- so let me address what "Mid-Major" fan wrote below on Drexel here.
I know this invites the men in the white jackets to come and take me away, but I agree with Jay Bilas on Drexel. They finished fourth in a so-so conference and negated every good victory with a bad loss. Most of their best wins are ancient history (I'll admit: at Creighton was a good one ... Read more
Absolutely FAMUbulous!
Three cheers for our FAMU Rattlers, who upset Delaware State to gain an automatic berth from the MEAC Tournament. Finally, after a few near-good finishes, this one ended on a last-second tip by Brian Greene.
Not that BB actually SAW this happen. I have a dilemma that I was hoping my loyal readers could help me with. Bracket Girl has stolen the remote control here in the secret lab. She has a movie on called "The Guardian," the one where Kevin Costner is a Coast Guard instructor. As is the case with most Costner movies involving water, it ... Read more
Random thoughts while I continue to wait for Vermont to take a shot ...
# Just when you think one team is the clear-cut favorite, they play a game like Ohio State is having against Purdue. Greg Oden gets in foul trouble, the guards look lethargic, they have trouble scoring against a mediocre team ... but they're still headed for the 16th straight victory. And wow, how about that Oden dunk at the end?
# Did Billy Packer really just question the expertise of Seth Davis and Clark Kellogg because they went to Duke and Ohio State, respectively? He's just warming up for tomorrow night. It is amazing how the ramblings of one ... Read more
Coffee. Black. And hurry!
Whew. What a night. Is it me or is Vitale yelling? He is? Okay, good.
Last night was the kind of night that can make life miserable for a bubble team. It was almost like Nevada decided, "You know what? The field is going to be easier if they lose." So the Wolf Pack goes out, while Utah State or New Mexico State will steal and automatic bid. But the Wolfpack (notice the subtle difference!) does not -- N.C. State beats Virginia to keep its season alive. I think the run ends for the Wolfies today against Virginia Tech, so ... Read more
Deep in the Hoop of Texas
He is not afraid to admit this to his loyal readers: Bracket Boy would not make a very good cowboy.
"The trouble is, the 10-gallon hats do not fit -- I need 15 gallons, at least," our resident expert explained. "And then those big belt buckles? In case you haven't noticed, a bulging waistline is not a big problem."
Still, he acknowledges that this month, the Lone Star State will have a big impact in March Madness, with five teams from cowboy territory expected to dance.
He offers this early road map:
Texas: Not only ... Read more
Dumb vs. Dumb
Here's another issue to debate: Which coach did a worse job at the end of the second half today? Was it Kentucky coach Tubby Smith and his near meltdown against Mississippi State? Or was it Miami coach Frank Haith and his team's collapse in the second half against Boston College?
Haith deserves votes after that length-of-the-court pass on the final play with 3.1 seconds left, which should have been more than enough time to bring the ball up to at least get a shot off. But Tubby gets my vote: This was an ugly collapse, filled with tactical and mental ... Read more
Evil vs. Evil
Is it me, or is anybody else having a hard time trying to figure out who to root for in this game between Kansas State and Bob Huggins and Texas Tech and Bob Knight? It's sort of trying to pick a winner between Darth Vader and the Wicked Witch of the West. Part of me say, "Well, Darth had major issues, while the witch was just evil for the hell of it." And part of me says, "Jeez, BB, all the witch did was piss off some Munchkins while Darth pretty much blew up an entire planet or ... Read more
I've been robbed!
Before we get going with the daily action, I have received an interesting e-mail from loyal reader Rob Hoffmire about a troubling discovery:
"Have you noticed ESPN360.COM has someone who looks a bit like you????" Rob writes. "Are you moonlighting or just mooning??? Who came first???? Are you a copycat???? Does Mrs BB know???"
First point: Rob's question mark key is sticky and needs cleaning.
Second point: Yes, those hacks at ESPN, incapable of coming up with a creative idea on their own, are ripping off my likeness to promo their ESPN360 thing. If you haven't seen it yet ... Read more
The BIG Big East Wrap-up
Bracket Boy looked at his tickets to the Big East Tournament and could not hide his glee! “Finally,†he said, “defacto Big East commissioner Tom Luicci has given me the seats I deserve – the fifth row!â€
Then he got there. He found he was sitting directly behind Patrick Ewing, who was sitting one row behind legendary Georgetown coach John Thompson. “This is like putting Mount Rushmore behind the Great Wall of China!†he yelled. “I’ll get you for this, Luicci!â€
What he could see from peering between Ewing and Thompson is, well, not ... Read more
Big East Tournament update No. 3: You know, on second thought, I'm still right
Dear Irv,
Hey! How are you? How's the family? I'm still here at the Garden, watching your favorite conference. My colleagues and I were trying to come up with other notable Irvs in history. Irv Gotti, the noted rapper. Or, if you prefer a different type of music, Irv Berlin, although I'm not sure anybody ever called him Irv. We discovered that Irv and Joe are sports radio hosts in Denver, also we're not sure they're famous. There's also Irv Noren, a former Yankees player, although he's not exactly Irv DiMaggio, the forgotten DiMaggio brother.
We're ... Read more
Big East Tournament update No. 2: Oooooovertime
Wow. What a great game. Louisville is up big, West Virginia goes on an 18-0 run, then scores on a layup with four seconds left, only to watch Cardinals guard Edgar Sosa go coast-to-coast for a game-tying hoop as time expired in regulation (even if he took about four steps). The biggest observation is a simple one: These guys can coach.
John Beilein is getting it done without much talent, as usual. You wonder how a guy like this would do at a place like Kentucky, where he'd have the elite players. Maybe he wouldn't do as much. I think ... Read more
Big East Tournament update No. 1: I'm still right, of course
Just saw my cousin Otto. Looks like he gained some weight. I said to him, "Otto, you have to cut back on the fried foods," and he just yelled back, "Come on, BB, it's just my natural pulp! You know that!"
But enough about that. Halftime in the second game has arrived, and I'm sorry Irv: No, you can't have a bobblehead, and NO, the Big East still does not have a contender for the national championship, no matter what the shameless Georgetown shills think.
I'll admit -- Georgetown looked pretty good in the first half. Teams generally do ... Read more
Irv, I dedicate this day to you!
NEW YORK -- Yes, this is how interactive BracketBoy.net is ... in honor of the post from my loyal reader Irv, I have decided to spend the day at Madison Square Garden, watching your beloved Big East Tournament.
Well, alright, so I had planned to come here anyway. But I will make it my mission, Irv, to show you the error of your ways -- there is no Big East team remotely good enough to win the NCAA Tournament this year.
This is what Irv had to say this morning:
"No Big East teams in your magnificent