Selection Sunday-The Aftermath

I'm off to a late start on the Madness (had company for the Selection Show and lots of Wii playing), so it's time to weigh in on the aftermath.

I think overall, the Committee did a decent job. I'm sure with the Bubble and the weather issues in Atlanta, this year's chore was more difficult than normal. We always seem to have hot debates and this year is no different. Make sure you vote on the polls this week and in spirit of election year, make your voice heard!!

Gripes:

I don't agree with Arizona, Oregon or Kentucky being in. I'm very iffy on St. Joseph's and I'm pleasantly surprised that Baylor made it. The seeding in a couple of instances bothered me, as well as a couple of matchups. For example, Gonzaga and Davidson as a 7/10 matchup? I think it underscores how good both teams are and I hate seeing mid majors battle each other immediately. Butler and South Alabama was in the boat in their matchup, 7/10 also. I think Butler was way underseeded, considering they are a top 12 team in the polls. Oregon seemed high as a 9, as did Vanderbilt as a 4. Indiana was a surprising 8 (I thought maybe a 5 or 6) and Tennessee as a 2 in UNC's region??

As far as the teams getting screwed, I was very dissappointed Illinois State and VCU did not get in, but they didnot have compelling enough evidence. Dayton I thought had a better profile than Kentucky, but I'm sure losing early in their tournament and not finishing strongly affected that. BUT, Arizona did not either.

Other Items:

-On the other hand, many are griping about Virginia Tech not getting in. Seriously, Seth Greenberg and Dick Vitale-ZIP IT!!!! Va. Tech was not good enough this year; they lost all their big games and they only beat Miami in the ACC tourney. You lost to Penn State and like 11 other times. Maybe if you won some of those games.....

-Bobby Knight, I'm sad to say, is the biggest waste of announcer space. It's sad, because I'm sure he has a brilliant mind. Anyone notice him slouching in his chair at the beginning of ESPN's analysis? Anyone also notice he was only one wearing a sweater? He looked bad...

-It was kind of funny seeing the Committee Chair, George Mason AD Tom O'Connor being interviewed by Jim Natz and Billy Packer during CBS' Selection Show. I bet O'Connor would have loved to slug Packer after his comments about Mason two years ago.

-From Vegas Watch.net, if you're crious how the experts picked the field, here you go: http://vegaswatch.net/2008/03/bracketology-grades.html

Important Business:

Y'all really don't care about my analysis; you want the picks. I'm afraid I don't have much ready, but I promise sometime before I leave for the Verizon Center on Thursday (I will be in person for the Madness in Washington, DC on Thursday & Saturday) that I will post my bracket. I challenge any readers out there to see if they are better than the Riff!

I will reveal this: I'm leaning towards UNC, Kansas, UCLA and Texas for the Final Four. Regular readers know I have not mentioned UNC and Texas in my Final Four projections. Louisville and Tennessee look to challenge UNC in the East and right now, I don't see either beating UNC. Kansas always seems to fall short, but they look a Finals team to me. Georgetown will be close, but not this year. I never thought Memphis would go beyond the Elite Eight and i think Texas can take them. Better practice free throws, Memphis. UCLA has been a favorite of mine all year and right now, I have them winning it all. Duke and UConn stand in their way, but UCLA should overcome each.

Upsets? If last year is any indication, not much in the way of upsets will happen. But...if we have what happened two years ago, the brackets will be a mess. I have been touting certain teams all year about who could pull an upset. Right now, I don't see much in the way of upsets: Maybe George Mason, maybe Winthrop, I'm leaning toward Davidson, St. Mary's (in terms of seeding) and Baylor. The ones that give me pause: Cornell, Western Kentucky and Belmont.

That's all for now....having picking your brackets!