Yes, it is time for BB to disappear for a while. But before I do, I need to thank you, the loyal readers. I couldn't do it without you! Well, I guess I probably could, but what would the point of that be? Anyway, thanks for reading and posting and entering the contest. Congrats to Kansas. Have a Rock Chalk summer!
-- BB
Read moreJohn Calipari: The new Guy V. Lewis?
This is the funny thing about the national title game. I can think of about 15 reasons why Memphis choked it away, but I can't think of but two or three why Kansas won it. Most of the talk afterward centered on how Memphis blew that nine-point lead with 2:12 left, and not how Kansas stole the victory.
Much will be made about free-throw shootings -- and yes, that certainly was a factor. Memphis was 7-of-16 from the line after the first half, missing four of five freebies down the stretch when any one of them might have iced the ... Read more
SAN ANTONIO — This was a busy day for our resident expert. First, he spent the entire morning handing tissues to his old friend Dick Vitale after the veteran college hoops analyst was announced as an inductee into the Basketball Hall of Fame.
"I told him, ‘Dick, you are a blubbering mess. Get a hold of yourself!" Bracket Boy said. "But the old lug was just so overcome. It was sweet ... and maybe just a little pathetic."
After Vitale finally composed himself, BB had to rush down to the Riverwalk. It was such a beautiful day that, for the ... Read more
Winner, winner ... chicken dinner?
If your name is Michael McGrath, you might have a TV headed your way soon ...
Now, the Bracket Boy Legal Team has told me not to officially announce anything today, because they're lawyers. But let's just say it sure seems likely that Mike McGrath, who has been leading the BB contest for some time now, will walk away with the grand prize.
Mike picked all four No. 1 seeds and had Davidson making a long run -- that turned out to be the key in his bracket. He picked UNC to win it all, but it didn't matter. I ... Read more
The final Final Word!
Here it is. Your pick for the championship game!
Kansas vs. Memphis
Derrick Rose had a stomach ache yesterday, but tonight, he’ll be on the court making Kansas coach Bill Self feel queasy. The dynamic point guard is the biggest reason the Tigers are 38-1, but hardly the only one. They also have Chris Douglas-Roberts in the backcourt, Joey Dorsey up front and an athletic lineup was too much for UCLA to handle. But Kansas is better and deeper defensively – just ask North Carolina after falling behind 40-12. They will make it much harder for the Tigers to attack ... Read more
SAN ANTONIO – Our deflated expert spent last night holed up at the Alamo, hiding from the angry mobs of loyal readers who listened to him and picked UCLA in their office pools.
“I figured nobody would ever get me here!” Bracket Boy said. “You know, just like Davy Crockett.”
While he was hiding, he figured it was a good time to start working on his expenses. BB has had some, uh, issues with the editor of the newspaper in the past about his expense reports. There was that time in New Orleans, for example, ...
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SAN ANTONIO – The cleanup crew found him in a trash can in a dark hallway at the Alamodome, a crumpled UCLA roster clenched in his fist and a gaping pencil hole in his empty orange head.
“Hey Bob, looks like somebody popped this old basketball – wait a minute!” one of the janitors said. “I think it’s moving!”
“Owwww …” our deflated “expert” moaned. “Memphis … so darn good … Derrick Rose and all that speed… Joey Dorsey and all those muscles … Calipari and all that hair … OWWWW!”
Yes, loyal readers, ...
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Another year, another bracket busted
UCLA did not play well and Memphis did, but I can safely say this: Memphis is the best team in the country. And I say that as I watch Kansas absolutely DESTROY North Carolina. Seriously, would somebody wake up Roy Williams. Is this his guilty conscience at work about leaving Kansas high and dry a few years ago?
Anyway, I'll have more on Memphis after the games, but suffice to say, the Tigers now have a chance to be remembered as one of the all-time great college teams. The record (38-1) puts them at the top ... Read more
The ball is tipped ... and you are, well, here.
Are you ready? Well, I am. Took a nice long walk with defacto Big East commissioner Tom Luicci along the Riverwalk this morning. Now, I am sitting on my balcony overlooking the scores of anxious fans -- nearly all of them wearing some shade of blue, dark or light or Carolina -- and watching "One Shining Moment" clips on YouTube.
This one, of Michigan State winning the title in 2000, is the best of the eight or so I watched. But if you enjoy one more, please let ... Read more
And now ... the Final Four final word!
UCLA vs. Memphis
Talk about contrasting styles: Memphis, with point guard Derrick Rose leading a team that loves to get up and down the court, is fun to watch. UCLA? Not so much. The Bruins prefer the half court game in which every basket is coveted. Which style wins out? It could depend on the inside matchup between Kevin Love and Joey Dorsey. The Tigers have the better starting five; the Bruins are deeper. Plus, the Bruins are making their third straight trip to the Final Four – they won’t be intimidated.
Bracket Boy says: If the Tigers win, the ... Read more
SAN ANTONIO – Bracket Boy has spent much of the week wondering where he went wrong with his picks, and the answer came to him some time during his first day in Texas.
Maybe it was staring at the restaurant “Steers & Beers” that he can see from the balcony of his hotel. Maybe it was the brisket and bacon omelet (with the side of liposuction) that he had for breakfast.
Everywhere he looked in the city, he saw meat. And everywhere he looked in the Final Four.
“I saw the same thing!” ...
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Love is in my air
It didn't take an hour after arriving at the Alamadome for my man crush on Kevin Love to reach new heights.
First, I sat in on his interview session. The kid is polished. He talked about the Beach Boys. He talked about his father, former NBA player Stan Love, showing him videos of the 1980s Celtics and the Showtime Lakers. "I'd like to be a breath of fresh air for the people into the old school game," Love said. Yes you are!
Then, during the UCLA practice session, he started to wow the crowd with his full-court shot attempts. I've ... Read more
The Kansas Breakdown
Who else would pay for the Kansas all-time team to play the UNC all-time team. I would say the UCLA all-time team, but I'm pretty sure it would win ...
All-time starting five
Wilt Chamberlain … Wilt The Stilt played only two seasons at KU, but changed the sport, averaging 29.9 points and 18.9 rebounds.
JoJo White … the explosive guard hit a last-second shot in 1966 that would have ended the historic run of Texas Western – but the refs ruled he was out of bounds.
Danny Manning … KU’s all-time leading scorer (2,951) and rebounder (1,187) lead ... Read more
As a service to his loyal readers, Bracket Boy is previewing the Final Four teams: Today, the final installment – the Kansas Jayhawks.
For years, our resident expert has peered out the back window of the secret laboratory with his powerful binoculars, scanning the trees and bushes for the one bird he has never seen.
“I see a cardinal … a pigeon … a blue jay … a robin … a hummingbird .. a dodo bird … a Larry Bird … wait a minute. Hey, Larry, you need to call me before you just drop ...
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The BB has landed
Well, loyal readers, I'm here in San Antonio after a six-hour trip from Jersey. We had to fly through Houston, and I was in first class for the second leg of the trip, which was about 12 minutes. Just enough time for the flight attendant to hand me a beverage and then take it back when the plane landed. Oh well. I'm here!
San Antonio is a great city to host the Final Four, and I fully expect the Riverwalk will be jammed by tomorrow night. I can see it from my room, actually. I can also see the Alamo, ... Read more
The UCLA breakdown
Once again, as you'd expect from one of the best programs ever, UCLA's all-time team features the best of the best ...
All-time starting five
Lew Alcindor … only the single greatest college player ever, with three national championships, 2,325 points (a 26.4 average) and a dynasty on his resume.
Bill Walton … a three-time player of the year from 1972-74, he led the Bruins to a record 88-game winning streak during his time in Westwood.
Walt Hazzard … he is the guard who started the dynasty, leading John Wooden to his first title and undefeated season in 1964.
... Read more
As a service to his loyal readers, Bracket Boy is breaking down the Final Four teams. Today: UCLA
“Ohhhhhhmmmmm.”
The noise was loud and constant, and finally, after 20 minutes, Bracket Girl had enough. She stormed into the secret lab to find her man sitting with his legs folded on a yoga pad, meditating.
“Ohhhhhhmmmmm.”
“Bracket Boy!” she yelled. “What in the world are you doing? You’re supposed to be breaking down UCLA today, remember? The team you picked to win the national title?”
“No worries, dude, I am,” BB replied.
“Did ... Read more
The Carolina Breakdown
You could win a lot of games with a team of Carolina stars -- just think of all the talent that you're leaving on the bench.
All-time Starting Five:
James Worthy … the silky-smooth forward is one of the greatest college and professional players of all-time.
Michael Jordan … for years, His Airness has lifted the averaging income of UNC geography majors by about $5,000.
Lennie Rosenbluth … despite being just 6-foot-5, he averaged 27.8 points and 8.6 rebounds during the season as UNC went undefeated in 1957.
Phil Ford … the three-time consensus All-American is the school’s leading ... Read more
As a service to his loyal readers, Bracket Boy is breaking down the Final Four teams. Today: North Carolina.
Bracket Boy admits he was confused the first time he walked into the cavernous Dean E. Smith Center on the North Carolina campus. He looked up at the rafters, saw all the fabric floating peacefully near the air ducts, and asked his tour guide for an explanation.
“That sure seems like a strange place for a clothes line,” BB said. “Couldn’t have Coach Smith hung his wash outside?”
“Son, did you drink too much sweet tea or somethin’?” the guide said. ... Read more
Kansas vs. North Carolina starters
As promised, here is the analysis of the starting lineups for Saturday’s nightcap in San Antonio:
Kansas – No. 1 seed from the Midwest Regional
Starters:
G Russell Robinson 6-1 Sr.
7.4 pts.;; 2.8 reb.;; 4.1 ast.
G Mario Chalmers 6-1 Jr.
12.7 pts.;; 3.1 reb.;; 4.4 ast.
G Brandon Rush 6-6 Jr.
13.1 pts.;; 5.1 reb.;; 3.1 ast.
F Darnell Jackson 6-8 Sr.
11.2 pts.;; 6.7 reb.;; 1.1 ast.
F Darrell Arthur 6-9 So.
12.7 pts.;; 6.1 reb.;; 0.8 ast.
Offensively, Kansas is the most balanced of the remaining four in that it doesn’t rely on one specific scorer ... Read more
UCLA vs. Memphis starters
We’re despondently counting off the days of the 2007-08 college basketball season here in the lab, but excited for the crowning of a new national champion Monday in San Antonio. This year’s Final Four is unique because it is featuring four No. 1 seeds for the first time. Heading into the tournament, it was evident that only a select handful of teams had what it took to win the national title. So in the lab we weren’t all that surprised that the No. 1s all made it this far – the ability was always there, but, as always, it takes ... Read more
The Memphis breakdown
Since the Final Four features three of the best programs of all time, BB is going to give you his historical breakdown of each team ... and, well, Memphis might not be up there with UCLA, Kansas and UNC, but the Tigers still have a solid history.
All-time staring five: 
Penny Hardaway … re-invented the point guard position with 22.8 points, 8.5 rebounds and 6.4 assists a game his junior season before bolting to the NBA.
Derrick Rose … he might only stick around for a year, but the explosive point guard was the missing piece ... Read more
As a service to his loyal readers, Bracket Boy is breaking down the Final Four teams. Today: the Memphis Tigers.
The lights were dimmed in the secret lab yesterday, but our resident expert was wearing dark sunglasses anyway. He had a guitar on his lap and pain in his heart, and the way he was howling into a microphone, he sounded less like our usual BB and more like B.B. King.
Yes, loyal readers, it is true.
Bracket Boy had the Blues.
“My bracket is busted baby … oh, and Memphis is to blame.”
“Yeeeeah, my bracket is busted ...
Read more
When that final desperate heave from Davidson clanked left of the basket, our resident expert stared at his obliterated bracket, looked at all the No. 1 seeds that had advanced to the Final Four, and sighed.
“Chalk,” Bracket Boy said. “I hate chalk!”
Yes, for the first time since the field expanded to 64 teams, the all the top seeds have advanced to the national semifinals. If you like the spunky underdog, you’re not going to like this:
Memphis. UCLA. North Carolina. Kansas.
Rock Chalk, San Antonio.
“You didn’t have to know a thing about ... Read more
Kevin Love from 94 feet ... swish!
It really is an ongoing internal debate for BB -- is his favorite player in this tournament Stephen Curry, the unstoppable guard for underdog Davidson? Or is it Kevin Love, the fun-to-watch forward for his pick to win it all, UCLA. This video sways the debate back toward the 6-10 Love. Remember when LeBron James did this in a commercial? That was fake. This is not.
Read moreTwo down, two to go ...
North Carolina and UCLA. Two shockers! Alright, not really. But half the Final Four is set at chalk with a chance for all chalk. Here's your final word:
Texas vs. Memphis
From the had-to-hear-it-to-believe-it file: Memphis coach John Calipari is trying to sell the idea that his team loaded with NBA prospects is now an underdog. Why, because Dick Vitale picked Michigan State? Texas had a tougher test against Stanford, with forward Damion Jones (18 points) and 6-10, 299-pound Dexter Pittman proving the Longhorns have more than just a great backcourt. And they’ll need it today.
Bracket Boy responds: ... Read more
“Okay, Bracket Boob,” the sultry voice said soon after entering the secret lab. “Fork it over.”
Our resident expert, despite being the world’s most well-known and respected bracketologist, rarely gambles on his predictions.
“I don’t want word to get out that I’m betting on a certain team, which could cause a Las Vegas shutdown when everybody wins,” Bracket Boy explained. “It just doesn’t seem right.”
But he did make a bet a couple years ago. He and his sweety, Bracket Girl, were talking about George Mason’s run as a No. 11 seed in the NCAA Tournament, about the upset over ... Read more
And now ... the Final Word!
After a night of blowouts, I'm expecting (hoping) for two good games tonight. Two spots in the Final Four will be filled, and my teams are still alive.
Xavier vs. UCLA
The team with the most gloried history in college basketball takes on an upstart that’s trying to prove it belongs. UCLA has all the titles. Xavier is looking for its first Final Four appearance. Kevin Love, who had 29 points, 14 rebounds and four assists, stands in the way of the Musketeers. The key player for Xavier is Stanley Burrell, who will have to find a way to ... Read more
We are officially down to eight teams in the NCAA Tournament, so our resident expert figured this was a good time to come up with – “I’m picking a number at random here,” BB said with his usual wry sense of humor – eight observations about March Madness so far.
1. Good grief, UNC looks wicked good.
The Tar Heels can kill you quickly or they can kill you slowly. Arkansas wanted to run and they got blown out. Washington State wanted to play a slowdown style and they got blown out. They win when Tyler Hansbrough is just ...
Read more
Rock Chalk THIS!
Found this one while cruising the Web. Thought it was a nice video to post as you settle in for the evening games. Enjoy!
Read moreAnd now ... The Final Word
I'm posting this while the games are still going tonight so you, the loyal reader, can get a sneak peak at tomorrow's action. Multi-tasking!
Davidson vs. Wisconsin
Stephen Curry, meet Michael Flowers. Curry, the tournament’s leading scorer with 70 points in two games for Davidson, will be matched up against Flowers, the top defender in the Big Ten at Wisconsin. The Badgers will try to badger Curry into a poor shooting night, and more often than not, they’re successful. With 6-11 forward Brian Butch and Greg Steimsma, Wisconsin will also have the advantage inside – but so did Georgetown ... Read more
The NCAA Tournament is often called “the Big Dance,” but the way our resident expert sees it, it can be more of a tight-wire act for the eventual champions. “Before they clip the nets,” our bracketologist/tournament historian said, “they are often just one or two plays away from losing their shot at history.”
The several close games in this tournament got BB thinking: What were the best near-disasters for an NCAA champion in March Madness history? For your enjoyment, he offers this list, and hopes you e-mail him with a few of your favorites:
1982: North Carolina 52, James Madison ... Read more
ONIONS!
West Virginia-Xavier was another classic game, one made 10 times better because Bill Raftery was doing the game. He was spot on tonight. He just said this -- "Puttin' it all out there! Oh my goodness. Celebration. And why not?!" -- during a replay! If you can muster that excitement for a replay, you are money.
No question, when Joe Alexander went to the bench early in overtime with his fifth foul, you just knew Xavier was going to pull it out. Alexander was the heart and the soul of that team, and without him, they looked ... Read more
Let the games begin (finally)
Yes, that's Bruce Pearl. I stole it from Yahoo's hoops blog, but I felt like you, the loyal reader, should have that in the back of your head as your started to watch the games. Why? No reason. Just because I care.
Let's chat throughout the night. Washington State vs. North Carolina, you're up first.
Read moreSweet 16 Breakdown - West and South
I'm Ding and here is my preview of the Sweet 16 round in the West and South Regionals:
WEST:
(1) UCLA vs. (12) Western Kentucky
BREAKDOWN: Cinderella Davidson has stolen the show heading into the NCAA Tournament’s second weekend, but No. 12 Western Kentucky is actually the lowest seed remaining – which is horrible news for the Hilltoppers and the object of BB’s obsession, Big Red. No. 12 seeds are 0-13 in the Sweet 16 against No. 1 seeds all-time, and it seems doubtful that losing streak will end tonight. UCLA will use its trademark man-to-man defense to lock up ...
Read more
As the tournament moves into its second week and the field is narrowed to a more manageable size, we start to learn more about the remaining teams. Sometimes, the information is relevant to the games.
And sometimes … not so much. For example: Robin and Brook Lopez, the twin towers for Stanford, are two of the biggest – uh, literally – Michael Jackson fans in the world.
Yes, that Michael Jackson.
“Yeah, I thought it was a little weird, too,” Bracket Boy said upon reading this news. “But they are a combined 14-feet and 525 pounds. You want to ... Read more
And now ... the Final Word!
Here is a look at tomorrow's games. You, the loyal readers of BracketBoy.net, get it first, because I know you need it.
West Virginia vs. Xavier
Few coaches are more familiar with Xavier than Bob Huggins, who faced the Musketeers 18 times during his career with Cincinnati. He has Joe Alexander, the versatile big man who had 22 points and 11 rebounds in the Mountaineers convincing second-round victory over Duke. But unlike the Blue Devils, West Virginia has quickness on the perimeter and reliable frontcourt players. Start with Drew Lavender, one of the more underrated guards in the country, and ... Read more
You are the weakest seed ... goodbye!
Conventional wisdom -- i.e., what Dick Vitale just said on ESPN -- seems to point to Memphis being the No. 1 seed in most danger of missing the Final Four. And sure, that's the easy pick, and Vitale, at his age, isn't into challenges. But BB thinks he's missing the team that, by far, has the toughest road to San Antonio.
So in order, here are the No. 1 seeds with the best chance at getting bounced before we all head to the Alamodome:
1. North Carolina. Yes, that North Carolina. The team that outscored its foes in the first ... Read more
Texas and Kansas are championship contenders. Western Kentucky is in the Sweet 16. The Final Four is in San Antonio.
Bracket Boy, a noted history buff in his time away from bracketology, was staring at the brackets last night when he noticed a theme … and then he started to day dream about how an Old West Sweet 16 would play out.
“So saddle up, pardners,” our resident expert said, “and get your wiggle on, cause we’re gonna have a hog-killin’ time! Or something like that.”
First Round
No. 1 Davy Crockett vs. No. 16 Calamity Jane: Jane is feisty, ... Read more
Will the clock strike midnight?
The Sweet 16 is usually when we say goodbye to the plucky little teams that pulled off an upset or two (and ruined plenty of brackets in the process). We listen to their stories. We smile at their silly traditions. We watch their bleary-eyed coaches take every single TV or radio appearance from New York to L.A. But now the clock strikes midnight, the glass slipper turns into a pumpkin, or whatever mixed cliche you want to use.
Then came George Mason. And now, well, we almost expect a repeat. We see the promise and ignore the reality. The Final ... Read more
Just call him John Clankipari
John Calipari is in a state of denial, and really, it's almost endearing. He refuses to acknowledge that his team's inability to hit free throws could cost it a national title -- heck, it already nearly did in the second round against Mississippi State. The Bulldogs had a shot to win that game because the Tigers missed so many from the line in the final minutes.
Coach Clankipari would rather talk about all the wonderful things his Tigers do. "But everybody, all they want to talk about is our free-throw shooting," Calipari said. "I don't know why. I come back ... Read more
The pile kept getting bigger and bigger — boxers, jerseys, shorts and T-shirts and lots of sweatbands. Our staff bracketologist was tossing it all into a basket when one of his assistants, S. Paul, walked into the lab.
"Oh no!" the assistant yelped. "I knew this would happen. You've been demoted to housekeeper because of your picks!"
"No, dummy," Bracket Boy replied. "I'm getting my laundry together — and we're taking it to Davidson."
Perhaps the most stunning revelation about the most stunning team in the Sweet 16 is this: Students at Davidson can drop off their laundry on the ... Read more
Alright, let's talk about the contest
Have you checked the contest standings yet to see where you stand after the weekend? Well, I have, and it took about half of Sports Center to find my picks. I'm near the top of the eighth page, and since there are 35 pages, I guess that means I'm in the top 20 percent. I was feeling pretty good about that, until I remembered ... I'm flippin' Bracket Boy!!! I'm even behind loyal reader Rob Hoffmire, but not by much. Don't get too comfy, Rob.
Anyway, it's fun to look at the leaders. Right now, "Downtown" Robert Brown has a ... Read more
Monday blues? Let Big Red help
To get your day jumpstarted, I thought I'd offer these two wonderful clips. Big Red, the mascot for the Sweet 16-crashing Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, knocks on a dorm room door, and hilarity ensues. And then, below, Big Red shows off his dance moves. I suggest you watch long enough to get to "Thriller." Enjoy!
Read more
Usually, after the first four days of the NCAA Tournament, our resident expert has a severe case of the Mondays. But this year? He is ready to spring out of bed and celebrate.
"Cake for everyone!" Bracket Boy said. "It was a great first weekend of Madness and we should keep the party going.
So grab a fork and cut yourself a slice of his favorite chocolate cake with vanilla icing. Let this be your official invitation to the Secret Lab Sweet 16 party, and before we start playing Pin the Tail on Packer, let's take a look back at ... Read more
Separated at Birth?!
Alright, I admit. It's a stretch.
But Brad Stevens, the Butler head coach ...
And Opie? 
Anybody? Thoughts?
Read moreSeth Davis, step away from the buttons!
I wonder: Did somebody at CBS wake up one morning and say, "How can we make Seth Davis and Clark Kellogg more annoying? OOOH! I know! We'll give them buttons to push that puts annoying sound graphics on the screen and makes dumb sound effects!! Perfect!!!" Seth Davis pushes these buttons with authority; to his credit, Clark Kellogg looks as though every time he pushes one, it gives him an electric shock up his spine.
Anybody else convinced these guys hate each other? Because I am.
Enough with that. Villanova has opened a 15-point lead on Siena, which is a ... Read more
And now ... The Final Word!
BB has managed to keep his sense of humor even after watching UCLA play ... onto Sunday's action!
Siena vs. Villanova
Bracket Boy says: Little known fact: Siena constructed its first building on the site of an asparagus farm. So as you watch this game, put away your Doritos and pick up a healthy snack! Pick: Villanova.
Miami vs. Texas
Bracket Boy says: Wait a minute. Wasn’t this also the match-up in the Orange Bowl, circa 1987? Pick: Texas.
Butler vs. Tennessee
Bracket Boy says: I was going to make another Mr. Belvedere wisecrack, but 31-year-old Butler coach Brad Stevens ... Read more
What me worry? Naaaah.
Somehow, this close call managed to even top last year's second-round nightmare, when Ohio State had to rally from that huge deficit against Xavier. I think I sweated off 10 pounds during the final five minutes alone. If Texas A&M was a better team ...
But this is the way UCLA has been winning games all year. The team is not short on guts -- Kevin Love (19 glorious points, 11 wonderful rebounds) has more than some teams alone, and Darren Collison always seems to rise up in the clutch -- but I worry if the Bruins have enough scoring. ... Read more
Our resident expert had the strangest dream last night. Bracket Boy was dressed up as Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz, complete with the pig-tailed wig and Toto in her basket. His loyal assistants S. Paul and Ding were with him – one as the Scarecrow, the other as the Tin Man.
“Who was the Lion?” S.Paul asked.
“There was no Lion,” BB said.
“Little early in the tournament for the whole dream gimmick, isn’t it, sir?” Ding asked.
“Shut your pie hole.”
Anyway, our expert felt exactly like Dorothy did when the Tornado carried her to the Land ... Read more
If UCLA blows this game, I'm going to jam my pencil into the side of my head.
Alright. Joke's over! Ha ha ha ha. Enough with the fooling around, Bruins. Texas A&M is a nice team, but they're not on your level. What worries me is how the Aggies are scoring at ease -- 56 percent clip in the first half. I'm sure the Bruins will shake off the cobwebs and come out and play a great second half.
And, if not, I'm going to pop myself.
Read morePurdue. Seemed like a good idea at the time.
Alright, so I misread that one. I pegged West Virginia in the Sweet 16, and figured one Purdue got past Xavier, the Boilermakers would be the more talented team in their matchup with the Mountaineers. Just one problem.
The whole getting past Xavier thing.
Purdue is really good, but young. I think they'll have their day in this tournament, just not this year. I forgot my own cardinal rule: Go with the experienced guards. Drew Lavender is a pretty good one, and Xavier goes to the Sweet 16. And my bracket takes a big hit.
Read moreThis just in: Duke stinks
There's no sugar-coating this one, folks: Duke just isn't very good. I've spent the last two hours trying to figure out how this team won 28 games. Is the ACC that bad? Is it the fact they played zero -- count 'em, zero -- games in the nonconference on an opposing team's home court? Is it the refs? (Figured I'd just throw that last one out there).
They have absolutely nothing inside. Lance Thomas is a nice kid but he's not an ACC starter, and Brian Zoubek was a total reach as a recruit. They aren't very deep or athletic, ... Read more
And now ... the Final Word!
As always, here are the final irrelevant thoughts on today's action:
West Virginia vs. Duke
Bracket Boy says: Coach K vs. Bob Huggins. One does commercials for a credit card with high interest rates. The other runs a program with low graduation rates. Pick: West Virginia.
Kansas State vs. Wisconsin
Bracket Boy says: On all future references, let’s refer to “Bucky the Badger” by his full name, Buckingham U. Badger. I think he’s earned the respect, don’t you? Pick: Wisconsin.
Purdue vs. Xavier
Bracket Boy says: Xavier coach Sean Miller looks like Jerry Mathers from Leave It To Beaver. This ... Read more
Most loyal readers know that Bracket Boy has an interest — dare we say an obsession? — with college mascots.
He has them categorized, in fact, in a file cabinet inside the secret lab. There is a folder for "proud warriors" (Spartans, Warriors, Seminoles, etc.). There is a folder for "angry cats" (Tigers, Cougars, Catamounts, etc.). There is even a folder for "silly dogs" (Salukis, Great Danes, Terriers, etc.)
But the file that has always fascinated BB the most is labeled "Giant Amorphous Red Blobs." It contains only one entry: Big Red, the mascot for the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers.
Hands ... Read more
Day 2 recap
Bracket Boy called for the blowouts to stop. The people wanted upsets. And the brackets suffered. But who wouldn't pick Connecticut over San Diego or Indiana over Arkansas? Who thought Vanderbilt couldn't out-score Siena?
After only two lower-seeded teams won on the first day of the tournament, six upsets occurred on a historic second day. Tampa, Fla. became the first site in history to have four seeds lower than twelve win. Also, two No. 12 seeds and two No. 13 seeds won on the same day for the first time since 1985. The many highlights are as follows:
BIGGEST UPSET: ... Read more
Siena bites back
Ding here. I'm filling in for Bracket Boy because he has locked himself in the lab's bathroom as his bracket implodes. Why is his bracket imploding you might ask? Because Siena pulled the fourth upset of the day, and we still have four games remaining. Be careful what you wish for Bracket Boy.
No. 13 Siena never trailed against No. 4 Vanderbilt, and won easily, 83-62. Siena became the second No. 13 seed to win today (joining San Diego) and, incidently, the third lower seed to win at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, Fla. in three games today. ... Read more
Is Siena next?
We already have victories by a 12 seed and a 13 seed today, but this day could get even wackier this evening. Because there are many people who picked Siena to upset fourth-seeded Vanderbilt -- a team that struggled at the end of the season -- to win this game, and the Saints look poised to reward them. But it's early.
BB gets a dinner break. Talk amongst yourselves.
Read moreDispatches from the Lab: Friday afternoon edition (Pt. 2)
Ding (3:22 p.m.): Here in the lab, we're still fired up from that Western Kentucky-Drake game. In case you missed it, Western Kentucky won, 101-99, in overtime on a buzzer-beating 3-pointer from Ty Rogers. It takes a game like that to truly ring in the start of the tournament. Right now, Butler is going back and forth with South Alabama in another mid-major matchup that could go down to the wire in Birmingham. Texas is up big on Austin Peay already in North Little Rock. And Big East regular-season champ Georgetown is tied at 12 with UMBC in Raleigh.
Ding ... Read more
Dispatches from the Lab: Friday afternoon edition
Ding here. Day 2 of the first round is underway with four games in the early afternoon session. They are: No. 2 Tennessee vs. No. 15 American in Birmingham, Ala.; No. 7 Miami vs. No. 10 St. Mary's in North Little Rock, Ark.; No. 7 Gonzaga vs. No. 10 Davidson in Raleigh, N.C.; and No. 5 Drake vs. No. 12 Western Kentucky in Tampa, Fla. We'll be in the lab monitoring everything significant and inane, and bringing it to you as always.
Ding (12:30 p.m.): It took about two minutes for Billy Packer to start blatantly favoring Davidson in Raleigh. ... Read more
Butch T. Cougar has a blog
I was surfing the Internet, looking for information about today's games, when I stumbled upon something that I simply had to blog: Butch T. Cougar, the mascot for Washington State, has a blog. Check it out. How does he use the laptop without opposable thumbs?
In other mascot news: Bucky the Badger's full name is actually, Buckingham U. Badger. I feel, out of a sign of respect for the Wisconsin badger, we here at the BB.net blog should refer to him by his proper name on all references. Who's with me?
Day 1 Recap
Ding here. In case you missed anything from Day 1 of the NCAA Tournament, I’m here to recap. The first day of the tournament featured 16 games but only two upsets. I don’t know if that helped or hurt your bracket, but the top seeds are certainly happy with the results. Not only did the top seeds win, but most of them won by large margins, which translated into little pleasure for the viewing public. Hopefully today will feature the excitement that forged March’s reputation. Anyway, here are a few observations from Day 1.
CLOSE CALL: Duke nearly became the ... Read more
Bracket Boy heard a noise in the distance yesterday afternoon. It started like a faint hum, but within a few minutes, it sounded like a freight train was running outside the secret lab.
He opened the door and …
WOOOOOSH!!!!
The wind blew him around the lab and out the door. It blew him out onto the street, where he finally grabbed onto a street sign. He was at the intersection of Boring Blvd. and Yawn Lane.
The blowouts had come to take him away.
“Help me!” our resident expert yelped. “Somebody get me a buzzer beater! An upset! ... Read more
And now ... the Final Word!
Here are some final thoughts on Friday's action in the NCAA Tournament ...
American vs. Tennessee
Bracket Boy says: Really, the school should be called THE American University, just like THE Ohio State University, only without the good teams. Pick: Tennessee.
Davidson vs. Gonzaga
Bracket Boy says: Given Gonzaga’s history, they should call this one “David vs. Davidson.” Yeah, go ahead, Greg Gumbel. You can use it. Pick: Davidson.
Saint Mary’s vs. Miami (Fla.)
Bracket Boy says: Wonder if the St. Mary’s in Twickenham, England, is pulling for the Gaels. Or the one in Toowoomba, Australia. Yeah. I just wanted ... Read more
Should we hold the mayo?
Blech, that cliche is so overused. But O.J. Mayo is hardly looking the part of "budding NBA star" after hitting one of five shots in the first half for Southern Cal against K-State. Of course, with seven points, he has two more than the other budding NBA star, Michael Beasley, who is struggling in foul trouble. Kansas State doesn't seem to miss him. Is there a lesson in that?
Meanwhile, Belmont is within seven at halftime but I think they're about to be down 17 in a hurry here -- they've missed too many easy baskets in the first half ... Read more
Dispatches from the Lab: Thursday afternoon edition
BB (11:45 a.m.): Howdy folks. We're going to try something new today. Since me, S. Paul and Ding will spend the day watch the games from the secret lab, it seemed only appropriate to share our insights and dumb jokes with you, the loyal reader trapped at work. So if your boss wanders behind you and ask what you're doing, tell him you were looking at photos from the last Christmas party when he had a little too much eggnog. You know what to do.
S. Paul (12 p.m.): Okay, we're almost ready to go! I can finally change the ... Read more
Everyone is in the pool ... even Barack!
Perhaps you select your presidential candidates based on their "politics" or something boring like that. No surprise here, but your expert has to see who the candidates favor in their brackets before he'll consider pulling the lever in any election.
So he listened with great interest to Barack Obama's interview on 850 The Buzz in Raleigh, N.C. Sen. Obama is picking the Tar Heels to win the national championships -- "And this is not just because the N.C. primary is coming up," he insisted -- with a Final Four that includes Kansas, UCLA and Stanford. We would have punished ... Read more
First Round Breakdown - West
Greetings everyone. Ding here with my picks for the first round of the West Regional.
(1) UCLA vs. (16) MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE
BREAKDOWN: The Bruins are projected to have easiest path to the Final Four of any No. 1 seed in what is considered the weakest quarter of the bracket. For now, UCLA must beat Mississippi Valley State, the SWAC champion whose most famous athletic alumnus is a football player (Jerry Rice), rather than a hoopster. Look for UCLA to go inside to freshman Kevin Love early on the way to a blowout; Mississippi Valley State has just one player ...
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And now ... the Final Word!!
Georgia vs. Xavier
12:20 p.m., Washington, D.C.
BB says: The game plan for Georgia coach Dennis Felton to win the national championship: one massive tornado and six games in one day! Pick: Xavier.
Kansas vs. Portland St.
12:25 p.m., Omaha, Neb.
BB says: Portland State is making its first appearance. Halfway through the first half, the Vikings will hope it’s the last. Pick: Kansas.
Temple vs. Michigan St.
12:30 p.m., Denver
BB says: New Jersey’s best hope for a relevant college basketball team? Invade Philly! They have three. Pick: Michigan State.
Kentucky vs. Marquette
2:30 p.m., Anaheim, Calif.
BB says: ...
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When Bracket Boy heard that someone had come up with a way to watch all of the tournament games over the next four days without working, our resident expert jumped at the idea.
He admits he was a little concerned when a doctor told him to take off his uniform, headband and pencil and slip into a hospital gown. “But hey, he’s the doctor!” BB said. “Who am I to argue?”
And when the doctor cracked that BB was about to “lower his seed for the tournament,” well, our bracketologist just assumed the guy was a little batty. Then the ... Read more
First Round Breakdown - Midwest
S. Paul back here again, with my calculations on what will unfold in the first round in the Midwest Regional. Enjoy! (And don't tell BB!)
(1) Kansas vs. (16) Portland St.
BREAKDOWN: According to historical records, databases, Joe Lunardi's brain and The Star-Ledger's microfiche archive, no No. 1 seed has ever flown this far under the radar as Kansas. No chatter about this team. None. Though after punching them through the Bracket-Computer, it says they'll have the biggest win differential of any of the 1 vs. 16 matchups.
PERSON TO WATCH: Kansas F Brandon Rush. Has quietly been one of ...
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First Round Breakdown - South
Heyyy everybody, Ding here with my picks for the first round in the South Regional. S. Paul is still buried in his Bracket-Computer, so his picks in the Midwest will be up soon.
Memphis (1) vs. UT-Arlington (16)
BREAKDOWN: Memphis enters this tournament with the most wins in the country (33) and fewest losses (1), but has played down to the level of its opponents in Conference USA, looking downright lazy at times. UT-Arlington does hold opponents to just 39.7 percent shooting, but don’t expect its defense to rattle Memphis, which is led by sharpshooter Chris Douglas-Roberts (17.2 ppg).
PERSON ...
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First Round Breakdown - East
Okay, now that the official field of 64 is set, BB has assigned Ding and myself to breakdown every one of the 32 first round matchups and give a winner. Since BB is out of the Secret Lab with his handler, taking photo ops, we'll be giving you who we think will win these games.
I, S. Paul have broken down the East Regional first, the rest will follow.
(1) North Carolina vs. (16) Mt. St. Mary's
BREAKDOWN: The Mountaineers already notched their win last night, beating Coppin State (as I predicted!) in the Play-In game. But against the mighty ...
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I just canceled my subscription to SI
I would like to say "great minds think alike," but I'm much too disturbed at revelation that Sports Illustrated, the magazine that has jinxed dynasties and superstars for five decades, has copied my exact Final Four.
Yes, it's true. I don't have the issue in front of me, but the stinkin' copycats have Louisville, Kansas, Texas and UCLA, with UCLA beating Kansas in the championship game. I have contacted the firm of Dewey, Cheatum and Howe to see what legal action I can take. Again, I can understand why SI would want to steal my impeccable picks. But how dare ... Read more
Nerd alert! Nerd alert!!
There are two things that Bracket Boy hates about this time of year. Alright, make it three things, but let's focus on the two NOT named Billy Packer.
1. The "maybe it's time we expand the tournament" nonsense. This has been coming at us from all angles this season, starting from Villanova coach Jay Wright while his team was on the bubble (oddly, now that his team is in, I haven't heard him talking about it). Even the usually leveled-headed Mike Vaccaro seems to think