[LUconn]

might as well get this started.

I hadn't noticed until I just filled mine out but it looks like UNC has a cakewalk to the elite 8. They got a tough #2 but all the #2s are good. I think the committee was trying too hard for some storylines in UK's bracket. Uconn, Indiana, and Duke all strategically lined up to be able to play them? Coincidence I guess.

I don't like the way bracket choices are now with these extra play in games. I mean one of those teams could go on to the sweet 16, but then again, they're playing a toss up game to even get into the field of 64. I don't like it.

[TDDance234]

UNC vs. Kansas in Saint Louis could be a lot of fun.

I'm headed down Friday to catch the Duke game in Greensboro. Can't wait.

[SuperJon]

Carolina's bracket is a complete cake walk. If they don't reach the Elite 8 it's an embarrassment for them.

[Rooster Cogburn]

+1

[R i]

Upsets that wont be Upsets?

WVU will be favored in a 10-7 matchup against Gonzaga.

Purdue will be favored in a 10-7 matchup against SMC.

I think 3 of the four 12 - 5 matchup could go either way this year. Parody I guess. Interested in what the oddsmakers do here. Harvard being the exception against Vandy.

[jcmanson]

NC State is favored over San Diego State

And in case you haven't heard, Fab Melo is out for the tourney.

[NotAJerry]

NC State is favored over San Diego State

And in case you haven't heard, Fab Melo is out for the tourney.

Wow. So the weakest #1 gets that much weaker.

[LUconn]

Yeah, I don't think this will change how far Syracuse will go. They weren't going that far to begin with.

[jcmanson]

Yeah, I don't think this will change how far Syracuse will go. They weren't going that far to begin with.

I had them in the Elite 8. Changed it to sweet 16.

[jbock13]

Mississippi Valley State just had one of the biggest chokes I've ever seen in a NCAA tournament game.

[g-webb1994]

Mississippi Valley State just had one of the biggest chokes I've ever seen in a NCAA tournament game.

Sean Woods must have had Laettner flashbacks from 1992.

Melo getting the boot I believe might give UNCA a morale boost. A 16 has to beat a 1 at some point don't they? I hope UNCA does it.

I really like that Belmont team. I always have respected Rick Byrd, their coach, one of the most overlooked coaches in the college game, and has won over 600 games in his career, it is about time he wins a tournament game.

[BJWilliams]

Belmont is a team that it would not shock me if they pulled a first round upset g-webb. They have come close to getting it done on quite a few occasions so I agree that they are due (I think they almost knocked off Duke one year)

[jbock13]

Don't blink or you might miss an Iona possession.

[NotAJerry]

Iona lead down to 10 from 25. It would be one of the best hoops nights in a long time if this one is at least close and even better if both games were huge comeback wins.

[NotAJerry]

BYU up 71-70 with 2:11 to go. This is absolutely extraordinary.

[lynchburgwildcats]

I actually think, as afar as the #1 teams are conference, the South region is weaker than the Midwest.

#8 Creighton is better than #8 Iowa State or #9 UConn
#5 seeds - Wichita State and Temple - are a push. Maybe give Wichita State a slight advantage.
#12 VCU obviously better than the Midwest #12s.
#4 Michigan is better than #4 Indiana, especially with Indiana havving to play away from Assembly Hall and lacking Verdell Jones.
#13 Ohio vs. #13 New Mexico State. Don't know a thing about either one of them, but would not be the least bit surprised to see both win in the "second" round with their favorable matchups: A big east school (GTown) and a school that doesn't play well away from home.

Then Kentucky and UNC would jsut have to face whoever comes out of the bottom half of their region. It's a complete crap shoot, but the only team in the bottom half of either region that has a legitimate shot at winning the title is Kansas.

[NotAJerry]

78-72 BYU wins it.

[lynchburgwildcats]

I picked UNCA to beat Syracuse first round. WIll it happen? Not likely, but UNCA rates out as one of the best 16 seeds ever and some 16 seed will beat a 1 eventually. Without Melo, I see Syracuse as being lucky to make it past this weekend, especially given Boeheim's inability to take Syracuse past the first weekend so very often. And if they do make it past the first weekend, I see very little chance they go any further. So it's a low-risk, high-reward pick as far as I'm concerned.

[jbock13]

I picked UNCA to beat Syracuse first round.

uhm.... uhm... hmm... can't think quite what I should say regarding that...

[LUconn]

how is it high reward? Are you in a league that gives you more points for correct upsets? And weights them according to seeding? That would be one complex scoring system. If not it's a low risk, low reward. And probably not even low risk.

[jbock13]

how is it high reward? Are you in a league that gives you more points for correct upsets? And weights them according to seeding? That would be one complex scoring system. If not it's a low risk, low reward. And probably not even low risk.

The tourney I set up for FF. com is that way. But even still, I agree with you, I'm not sure it's really worth it. The point of my system is an emphasis on picking the right national champion, not whether UNCA beats Syracuse. UNCA beating Syracuse would get him 25 points. Picking the correct national champion gets you 100 points.

[lynchburgwildcats]

how is it high reward? Are you in a league that gives you more points for correct upsets? And weights them according to seeding?

Yes. This league has been running this way for about 8 years, the guys who pick next to no upsets never win. The risk takers are the ones that always win. This is why I always finish no worse than top three. As in life, you don't get ahead by playing it safe all the time!

[LUminary]

wildcats, i'm going with your risk-taking theory except in direct reverse of your application. or something like that. i'm picking syracuse. i figure everybody has bailed on them and they still have enough talent to win the thing. i should have the market cornered with them. besides, i had already filled out my bracket before hearing about melo. but i'm going with your theory.

[bradyfan]

A seed lower that 4 hasn't won since 1990. Even if there is a Butler or VCU this year (which there won't be), the chances of you picking that team are extremely slim. You don't want to be the guy that picked a Murray State or Belmont to the sweet sixteen/elite 8 and then they lose in the first round. I don't recommend picking all chalk, but the committee does a very good job determining these seedings and picking a bunch of upsets is a really good way to be frustrated by Friday. The past couple of years have been exceptions due to the lack of talent at the top but this year, those teams are coming back.

I've got Baylor, Michigan St., Ohio State and Kansas in my Final Four with Michigan St. playing Ohio St. in the championship and Michigan St. winning.

[ATrain]

My Final Four: Kentucky, Michigan State, FSU , Carolina.

Carolina beats Kentucky for the championship.