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: ... Read more

Things are getting snippy in the lab

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 ... Read more

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 ... Read more

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 ... Read more

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 expansion, to 96 teams, is inevitable. Enough!

If the play-in game shows us anything, ... Read more