Bracketology

I have been looking at some of your selections in the NCAA Tournament and all I can say is...you really weren't paying attention.

In the interest of education I'll give you a Hannibal Lector insight into the mind of someone that is singing along with their predictions...ME!

The Sweet Sixteen...well, the Fabulous Fifteen plus one


I don't know why everyone is making such a big deal out of the NCAA Tournament this year. I mean who didn't see this coming?

Like most of you I had Syracuse, Kentucky, Duke, West Virginia, Kansas State, Ohio State and Cornell making it to the second weekend of the tourney. I've been a BIG believer in the Northern Illinois- What, oh it's Iowa? Are you sure? I've been a big believer in those pesky Panthers of Northern Iowa ever since they thumped Indiana State. I am an especially big fan of senior Guard Ali Farokhmanesh, not so much because of his late game heroics but because with the addition of a single syllable his surname becomes an expletive.

Anyone that didn't have Tom Izzo and Michigan State hasn't been paying attention for last decade. He's the best coach in the country, period.

As a shameless self-promoter myself, I am morally obligated to support Bruce Pearl and Tennessee. He's a bi goof, but he seems to really enjoy the job and he doesn't seem to be a stepping stone coach. Is he a hump? Yes, but he's successful so of course I had them as well.

Xavier has made it to the round of sixteen three years running, and as Crash Davis always said, "You never Farok with a streak."

As someone that lived in a Pac-10 city for three years I am something of an expert when it comes to West Coast Athletics. Now I haven't watched any Pac-10 college basketball since Eddie O, and Tyus Edney led the Bruins through the Final Four, but I think that the knowledge that I gained while I was out there has become innate. At any rate, of course I had Washington making it into the Sweet Sixteen.

I always bet on Purdue because it's my only opportunity to get behind a school with a drink as it's mascot. No mixed message there.

Let's see everybody had Baylor right. I don't really have that much insight here, but the Golden Bears remind me of Jack Nicklaus who was known as the Golden Bear, even though he went to Ohio State. And it got me to thinking about Tiger Woods. That whole thing is a mess of biblical proportions, but after reading through some of his texts I couldn't help but wonder what the New York Post's headline will be after the first day at Augusta, "Tiger Golden, Showers Delay First Round."

I had to look into the NCAA rule book but apparently hospitals ARE allowed to enter into the tournament as long as they follow proper recruiting practices. So because I have gotten stitches at three different St. Mary's over the years, I had them blowing past Villanova. No brainer.

The only team left in the field that I didn't get right was Butler. Butler, who likes Butler? The most famous Alumni from Butler is Jim Jones. Who is Jim Jones you ask? Only the religious wacko that was responsible for the deaths of over 900 people. Ever heard or used the expression "Drinking the Kool-Aid?" Well that's him. I mean even L. Ron Hubbard had the decency to let his followers become movie stars. And that other guy, you know the one that was chasing Halle-Bop, at least he gave out comfortable shoes.

Anyway, Murray State got jobbed. Butler sucks, I had Murray State. I always take Murray State, mostly because of Bill.

So that's how my brackets are shaping up, 15 for 16. Not bad. Not bad at all. I let you know how I do this weekend on Monday.

What was that? Post 'em, you mean before the games. Ha, and give away all of my secrets for free?