March Madness is upon us – the most fun annual sporting event of the year. Believe it or not, in the main bracket pool I participate in I am the two-time defending champion. So there’s some pressure on me this year. Unfortunately, I have paid scant attention to college hoops this season, hardly watching any games. (That said, I did catch the ACC tournament final between Duke and Boston College and truly think it is one of the best college games I’ve ever seen – and as you’ll see, it’s a game that influenced my picks.) By the way, I do know enough to know that FSU got totally hosed by the selection committee. I root for underdogs as much as anyone else, but you can’t seriously tell me that the Missouri Valley Conference deserves as many tournament bids as the ACC.
So I’ve filled out a few brackets here and there. I was somewhat alarmed to see that Dick Vitale and I have the same final 4 (at least in my “official” bracket at Yahoo): Duke, UConn, Boston College, and UCLA. I need to revisit that one – the UCLA pick is the most uncertain for me. I just can’t have three number 1’s advancing, thus ruling out Memphis. I’ll root for Gonzaga but just can’t see it happening. Kansas is too young. Pitt may be the other viable option. Indiana? Please. Besides, I hate the Big 10.
Anyway, that’s the thought process that goes into these things. A little head knowledge and some strong conference and geographic preferences, along with more than a few shots in the dark on upsets. How do you fill out your brackets? Who did you pick this year?
UPDATE: In my official Yahoo bracket, I cannot help but point out that at this point in the evening I am 12 for 12! Allow me to gloat while I can because I’m sure to miss at least one of the final four games of the night…