March Madness Crapshoot: Wide Open and Ready to Screw You Over
__________________________________________________________________________It’s no secret that this year’s NCAA Basketball Tournament field will be as wide open as it has been in recent memory. Hell I begun my interview with Brian Edwards back in February by talking about how wide open this year’s field would be, but now the fun and games are over – Until tomorrow when the games actually begin.
The ‘Crapshoot’ is a College Football staple that appears weekly in The Big Nasty Athletic Dept. during College Football season, but with The March Madness tournament kicking off tomorrow, I have called for a special occasion March Madness College Basketball Crapshoot. Let’s roll.
HERE’S WHAT I KNOW IS GOING TO HAPPEN…
I KNOW that at least one double digit seed will make it to the Sweet Sixteen. Forget about the 12/5 upset, this field could produce the 13/4 upset in many different areas. The most notable, although slightly inflated, 13/4 match up will pit Siena against a ripe-for-the-picking Purdue team that will be without its best player in Robbie Hummel. Forget about Robbie Hummel and remember that Siena is not your typical #13 seed. Siena has one a game in the big dance for the past two years, and that big game experience will serve them well enough to land in the Sweet 16. You want another darkhorse double digit seed that the media hasn’t ruined yet? Look no further than #13Murray State, who has won 30 games and plays Vanderbilt.
I KNOW that the one man band teams will rise. And by that I mean the Ohio States (Evan Turner), Oklahoma States (James Anderson), and Marylands (Greivis Vasquez) of the world. Teams with a standout player with that ‘closer’ role tend to thrive under the spotlights of March Madness, and this year should be no exception. Look for a possible Ohio State/Oklahoma State showdown to be one of the best tit-for-tat games in the tournament.
HERE’S WHAT I THINK IS GOING TO HAPPEN…
I THINK #5Temple will beat #12Cornell. This is the trendy 12/5 pick that will be on everyone’s bracket, and it was a hot pick until ESPN put its muddy fingers all over it with Jay Bilas losing his mind and picking Cornell to go to the elite 8 (there goes your bracket). Cornell has peaked before even stepping on the court as their inflated value has made people forget the fact that it is Temple who was underseded after winning what was a strong A-10 conference. Always remember that Temple’s coach, Fran Dunphy, used to coach alongside Cornell’s coach, Steve Donahue, and taught Donahue everything he knows. However Fran Dunphy did not teach Steve Donahue everything that Fran Dunphy knows. Temple wins rather comfortably. I think.
I THINK Kentucky will underachieve in The NCAA Tournament. Brian Edwards had some strong words for Kentucky, namely their coach John Calipari who he felt wasn’t a good enough game coach to make an impact during this year’s tournament. I agree. Kenucky’s immaturity (not youth) will be its downfall and looming matchups with dangerous Texas, Wisconin, and West Virgina teams make Kentucky’s road to Indianapolis and a possible Final Four a murderous one. I think.
HERE’S WHAT I’M PROBABLY WRONG ABOUT…
I’M PROBABLY WRONG, but Baylor will make the Final Four. I’m taking a big chance on a Baylor team that hasn’t seen this type of success for years. All Baylor has to do is win two games, which will be easier said than done, and they will be playing in their backyard of Houston, Texas. Baylor will enjoy an overwhelming homecourt advantage should it make a Sweet Sixteen Appearance, with fans that will have New Orleans Saints-like hunger and enthusiasm. A possible matchup with uber-favorite Duke, who will be playing the ominous role of Goliath, will create an electric environment down in Houston (to say the least) and Baylor could very well stand in Duke’s (and CBS’) way of a Final Four appearance for the first time since Lord knows when. 
I’M PROBABLY WRONG, BUT San Diego State will beat Tennessee. We haven’t liked or trusted this Tennessee team for a while now. This team has been playing far above their potential since losing a significant portion of their squad to criminal charges. I strongly felt that if they played a team with just a little bit of talent in the first round that they would be toast. That team is San Diego State, and the Aztec’s have more than just a little bit of talent. Many are anticipating a possible rematch between Tennessee and Kansas, as The Vols beat The Jayhawks earlier this year. However what many don’t know is that they will not see that matchup because San Diego State is fixin’ to shock the Volunteers cold. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.
Notable Big Nasty Tournament Predictions
-Siena, and Murray State will be surprise Sweet Sixteen entrants
-Xavier will go all the way to the Elite 8
-San Diego State will beat Tennessee
-Temple will beat Cornell
-Wisconsin will beat Kentucky
-My only 12/5 Upset sees UTEP defeating Butler
-Final Four: Baylor, Syracuse, Kansas, West Virginia
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Tags: Brian Edwards, College Basketball, I meant ready to screw your bracket over you sick pervs, March Madness 2010
