iPopCulture.NET

After garnering attention from around the globe, your 4 favorite morons are back with the 2^nd Annual Musings on March Madness by 4 Morons! Before we get into the picks for this year, let’s take a look at how we faired last year. The Final Four consisted of #5 Michigan State, #5 Butler, #2 West Virginia, and #1 Duke. Butler and Duke met in the National Championship with Duke taking home the title.

Unfortunately, our picks were just a little bit off. Ryan Lewis and Ben Wheeler picked Duke to make the Final Four, and that’s as close as any of us got. In fact, David picked #12 UTEP to upset #5 Butler in the 1^st round. Whoops!!! So, our picks were way off…but let’s be honest—so were yours!

So, we’re back this year and we guarantee to do better! If we don’t, we’ll give you next year’s picks for free! Without further ado, here are the Musings on March Madness by 4 Morons:

Biggest 2^nd Round Upset

Ben Wheeler:

#12 Richmond over #5 Vanderbilt (trendy)

A very talented Richmond team has a great chance over Vanderbilt.

#14 Wofford over #3 BYU (non trendy)…just a hunch

Ryan Akers:

#12 Utah St. over #5 Kansas St.

Forget Jacob Pullen. This team has been the biggest disappointment of the year. They better bring their “A” game vs. Utah State, who is holding opponents to 58 ppg.

Ryan Lewis:

#14 Wofford over #3 BYU

Jimmer Fredette is the best player in the nation. Period. However, even the strongest shoulders get tired of carrying a heavy load. Although they were once fighting for a #1 seed, the Cougars have not been the same since the loss of Brandon Davies, and the load on Fredette has gotten even heavier in his absence. Wofford’s perimeter defense is just strong enough to contain Jimmer. Coming off a tournament appearance last year when they nearly upset Wisconsin as a #14 seed, don’t expect them to miss out on a second chance to pull a monumental upset.

David Jones:

#11 Marquette over #6 Xavier

Everything is stacked against Marquette in this matchup. They lost their last game to Louisville. They’ve lost 3 out of their last 5. They’re playing in the same state as Xavier University. However, I am a big believer in the Big East and I believe the 11^th best team in the Big East is better than the top ranked team in the Atlantic 10. Marquette can score, pass, and shoot, and I think they’ll be too much for Holloway and Xavier.

Cinderella Team Most Likely to Make It to the Sweet 16

Ben Wheeler:

#12 Richmond

They have a great shot to make it past Vanderbilt and then Louisville in the second round.

Ryan Akers:

#13 Oakland

Keith Benson is big and they average around 85 ppg. They can score and score big. They’ve played a tough schedule all year long. I could see a Sweet 16 appearance in their future.

Ryan Lewis:

#13 Belmont

This may be the “trendy” Cinderella pick, but for good reason. Belmont was No. 1 in the nation this year in scoring margin. They lost a total of 4 games this year, 3 losses coming to tournament teams. They are the “favored” underdog against a Wisconsin team who scored less field goals in their game against Penn State than their football kicker can kick during the two-minute drill. Proving against Duke in 2008 that they shouldn’t be overlooked, the Bruins will prove to be the mid-major to watch this year.

David Jones:

#6 St. John’s

No, they’re not a Cinderella team and no, they’re not even a low seed. But I don’t believe we will see many, if any, Cinderellas in this tournament. St. John’s is the lowest seeded team that I see making the Sweet 16. In a tournament that may be chalk, they may be the closest thing to a glass slipper that we see.

However, I do want to put something out there that no one is talking about. While I fully expect Syracuse to make the Sweet 16, if Marquette beats Xavier and meets Syracuse in the 3^rd round, we could have an upset in the making. These 2 Big East teams met January 29 and Marquette defeated Syracuse 76-70. No one is talking about the Golden Eagles making the Sweet 16, but if they get past Xavier, there’s a chance Cinderella does dance after all.

Trendy 2nd Round Upset Pick that WON’T Happen

Ben Wheeler:

#13 Belmont over #4 Wisconsin.

Not happening!

Ryan Akers:

#12 Memphis over #5 Arizona.

Don’t get me wrong—Pastner is a phenomenal coach. But Memphis is simply not that great this year.

Ryan Lewis:

#12 Richmond over #5 Vanderbilt

Yes, I know, there have been only 3 years in the past 26 that a No. 12 seed has failed to win their first game, but it won’t be Richmond this year. Although Vanderbilt’s offense has a tendency to sputter at times, look for John Jenkins, Jeffrey Taylor, and Festus Ezeli to turn it up come tournament time. The ‘Dores have been upset in their last 2 NCAA appearances, but this is the year Kevin Stallings will guide them over the hump.

David Jones:

#13 Oakland over #4 Texas

It’s preposterous that people are even giving this game a second look. Texas is a very good team and the Longhorns were 15-4 in their last 19 games. They have wins over Kansas, Texas A&M (3), Missouri, and North Carolina. Oakland has some incredible scorers, but Jordan Hamilton can play! Expect to see this team drop out no earlier than the Sweet 16.

Star Player You Need to Know

Ben Wheeler:

Nolan Smith, Duke.

The ACC player of the year looks as if he is ready to dominate the tournament field again this year. He was really impressive in the ACC tournament and I think he is ready to lead Duke to yet another Final Four.

Ryan Akers:

Kemba Walker, UConn.

The dude scores. You can take your Jimmer Fredette. I’m pretty sure I could drop 100 points versus Southern Arizona State College of Sewing, too. Kemba plays a tough conference and plays big.

Ryan Lewis:

JaJuan Johnson, Purdue.

In the absence of Robbie Hummel, Johnson has become the MVP for Purdue, leading them to a 2^nd place regular season finish in the Big Ten. Averaging 20+ points, 8+ rebounds, and 2+ blocks per game, he has carried a team whose outlook became bleak after losing Robbie Hummel in October to another ACL injury. With a favorable draw in the tournament, Purdue looks to make their second-straight Sweet 16 appearance on the back of their senior leader.

David Jones:

Jimmer Fredette, BYU.

By now, you probably know his name. Jimmer leads the nation in scoring with 28.5 ppg and can hit a shot from anywhere on the court. As soon as you take a split second to relax on defense, he either drives by you with an acrobatic move or knocks down a 3 from NBA-range over your tired arms. He shoots over 40% from behind the arc and recently put up 52 points against New Mexico. By the way, this kid isn’t built like LeBron; he’s 6’2 and 195 lbs. BYU may not stick around too long, but enjoy watching Jimmer while you can!

Unknown Player You Need to Know

Ryan Akers:

Chris Singleton, Florida State.

I have watched two FSU games this year, and this kid is by far one of the best I have seen. I don’t know if it is raw skill to be able to play anywhere on the floor that impresses me, or just the hustle I saw, but if he is clicking and playing well, I think FSU could surprise a few people.

I also have to play the homer card and say Josh Harrellson with Kentucky. He is the most improved player in the nation in my opinion. After sitting patiently through struggles and problems, Harrellson has been the glue to hold together a young UK team. When Enes Kanter was declared ineligible, Jorts, for his ridiculous jean shorts he enjoys to wear, stepped up. He doesn’t throw down a lot of points, but he is like a vacuum on the boards. If Jorts continues his play of solid rebounding and can contribute with points, brackets could be busted going into weekend three.

Ryan Lewis:

Tobias Harris, Tennessee.

Unless you follow SEC basketball closely, you’ve likely not heard of the freshman forward. A consistent player for the Vols, Harris has come on especially strong as of late, averaging 20.8 points in his last 5 games. When team scoring leader Scotty Hopson (aka Kid ‘N Play) has had some inconsistencies in his game this season, Harris has stepped up to carry the load. His 15+ points and 7+ rebounds per game have helped him become a young leader on this conflict-ridden team. As they have proven in years past, Tennessee is not a team to be underestimated in the tournament, and Tobias Harris may find it to be a proving ground for his talent.

David Jones:

Derrick Williams, Arizona.

Die-hard college basketball fans and PAC-10 fans know Derrick Williams, but he has flown under the radar when it comes to the national media. As a 6’8 sophomore, Williams is putting up 19 ppg and 8 rbg. He scored over 20 points each of the three times Arizona played Washington this year. Be ready to hear Williams’ name during the tournament, and also as a lottery pick in next year’s NBA Draft.

Final Four Picks

Ben Wheeler:

East: #1 Ohio State

The only team in their region that could pose a threat to them is Syracuse. I see the Buckeyes rolling through their region on the way to Houston.

West: #1 Duke

Nolan Smith and Kyle Singler are ready to go out as champs again and Coach K is simply the best in the business. The potential return of Kyrie Irving could make them even more of a force. They don’t seem to have suffered from a championship hangover, especially after watching them dominate in the ACC tournament. They have a great shot to repeat as champs.

Southwest: #2 Notre Dame

They have been playing great basketball over the last month and seem to be ready to take their game to Houston. Kansas seems to be every expert’s pick to win it all; but wasn’t that the case last year?

Southeast: #10 Michigan State

This region is by far the hardest to pick, with maybe 10 teams with a chance to advance; and this pick may end up losing in the first round. I just can’t pick against Tom Izzo in the tournament. He is a master at getting the most out of his players come tournament time. I was tempted to make them my Cinderella pick, but can any MSU team really be considered a Cinderella?

Ryan Akers:

East: #1 Ohio State

Too big inside. Too skilled outside. They don’t go deep, but they click well together. I hate this pick, especially since it’s in the same bracket as my UK Wildcats, but they’ve sat atop the polls for the majority of the year and there is a reason for that.

West: #3 UConn

Why? Because they win. UConn is the only Big East team who had a very impressive non-conference performance in my opinion. While Tennessee beat Nova and Pitt, and UK beat ND and Louisville, UConn beat both of them and Texas, while rolling to a Maui Invitational Championship. They’ve only gotten better and they’re hot at the right time.

Southwest: #1 Kansas

Nothing pains me more than to have to put Kansas as a Final Four Contender. They have faltered down the stretch at times. Thanks to their friends in stripes, they escaped UCLA. They have played really bad basketball at times. But, it’s tourney time and I expect their best. The Morris boys are HUGE and exciting to watch. They can shoot outside with that white kid, while on the inside, they pass, shoot, and throw it down. I don’t see another team in the region who can match up with them.

Southeast: #2 Florida

So what if I’m an SEC homer? Florida is a good team. I think the SEC has flown under the radar all year long (see UT and UK vs. the Big East). Florida has experience, and we all know that experience goes a long way in March. Chandler Parsons, in addition to having the whitest name in college basketball, is a great outside player, but at 6’9, he can move inside and still play a role. Experience will definitely play a factor.

Ryan Lewis:

East: #1 Ohio State

Every time I’ve expected Ohio State to stumble this year, they’ve proven they are the superior team. Their balanced scoring attack from inside and out will prove to be too much for any team in their region, and I expect them to have a fairly smooth path to Houston. Thad Matta may be the best coach in the nation, and I expect him to prove it to 6 other teams over the next 3 weekends.

West: #1 Duke

I’m not a Duke hater, but I’m not a big fan either. However, I can’t not pick them. Look at their region. They have the shortest distance to travel for the first two rounds, and there is not a team in the West region that can match their combination of athleticism and coaching. Their toughest opponent in the entire region may lie in their 2^nd round matchup against the team who always seems to surprise us come tourney time: the big, sweaty, orange jacket and the Volunteers. Still, the Blue Devils will emerge from the region unscathed.

Southwest: #2 Notre Dame

It was a toss-up between Notre Dame and Kansas, but since at least two teams from the same conference have made the Final Four 18 of the last 26 years, I had to go with the Irish. Kansas began the year as one of the most dominant teams in the nation, but then tapered off, as has become their habit. I’m not even sure the Jayhawks will be able to overcome Rick Pitino and his pesky male cheerleaders.  Notre Dame has the talent to cover the advantage the Morrises create, and Ben Hansbrough has just enough of his brother’s grittiness to lead them to Houston.

Southeast: #1 Pittsburgh

Have you seen their region? The 2 and 3 seeds got man-handled in their conference championships, and I don’t see #4 Wisconsin advancing past the 1^st round. That leaves Kansas State and St. John’s as the only threats standing in Pitt’s way. Kansas State has been far less than consistent this season, and Pitt has watched St. John’s upset enough teams (including the Panthers) to make them a little on edge. This is the year Jamie Dixon finally makes his 1^st Final Four appearance.

David Jones:

East: #1 Ohio St.

The Buckeyes are playing like the best team in the nation right now. Although they have the toughest bracket, they match up well in all our their games. Sullinger doesn’t play like a freshman in the middle; he plays like a veteran with great footwork and a great passing ability. If teams decide to double Sullinger, there are plenty of guys for OSU who can knock down the outside shot. Watch for Ohio St. to roll.

West: #1 Duke

I hate Duke with a passion. As a UNC fan it makes me sick to see them advance in the tournament. In fact, I wouldn’t mind seeing my entire bracket blown to pieces in the 2^nd round if that means Duke gets beat by Hampton. Nonetheless, with the leadership and defense of Nolan Smith, the Blue Devils are poised to make a run at another Final Four. If Irving can contribute in the least bit, they should easily find themselves in Houston on April 2.

Southwest: #1 Kansas

As if it wasn’t bad enough picking Duke, I have the Jayhawks making it to the Final Four as well. Although Kansas is susceptible to turning the ball over, it will be difficult for any team in the Southwest to play with the Morris brothers down low. Kansas is a tricky team when it comes to the tournament. They could go all the way, or they could lose one of their first games (see Bucknell and Northern Iowa). However, I think this team is ready to make a run.

Southeast: #1 Pittsburgh

I hate picking all #1 seeds and never do it! I was determined to pick against Pittsburgh in this bracket until I saw their competition. #2 Florida is overseeded. #3 BYU is without Davies. #4 Wisconsin struggled to even make a basket in the Big 10 Tournament. #5 Kansas St. has been inconsistent all year. #6 St. John’s is missing one of their starting players. This is the region of “misfit teams.” Because of Pittsburgh’s difficult schedule and experience in the Big East, I see them being stronger and more experienced than the rest of their region. I also must mention that Brad Wanamaker is like a wizard at the guard position. He can score, pass, and rebound. With the ball in his hands, he should lead Pitt all the way to Houston.

National Championship

Ben Wheeler:

#1 Duke vs. #2 Notre Dame.

Ryan Akers:

#1 Ohio State vs. #1 Kansas

Ryan Lewis:

#1 Ohio State vs. #1 Pittsburgh

David Jones:

#1 Ohio State vs. #1 Kansas

National Champion

Ben Wheeler:

Duke

The Duke-OSU game serves as a de facto National Championship as the winner of that game will win against either of the other teams. I predict Duke will cut down the nets again as National Champs.

Ryan Akers:

Ohio State

Jared Sullinger can’t sing, but OSU will ride his back all the way to cutting down the nets. With the raw, youthful talent of he and Craft, and with the experience of Lighty, Diebler, and Buford, it’s going to be a tough road for whatever team plays them. Ohio State and Kansas would easily be the most exciting championship game I could think of watching, unless of course I could see my UK Wildcats beat the Tennessee “Volunteers To Clean Up The Highway Because Of Parole” one more time this year…

Ryan Lewis:

Ohio State

In a matchup of the two regular season champions of the two strongest conferences in college basketball, the Big Ten will prevail. My Big Ten bias and Ohio State loathing aside, no team in the tournament has the weapons that the Buckeyes have. Jared Sullinger has spent the season dominating the post while his guards, led by John “3-bler” (Diebler) have owned the arc. With four starters that average in double figures, OSU will be too much for Jamie Dixon’s Panthers to handle.  Congratulations to the 2011 National Champions, the Ohio State University. (It leaves a nasty aftertaste, doesn’t it?)

David Jones:

Ohio State

The combo of Sullinger, Dieber, Craft, and Lighty will be too much for the Kansas Jayhawks. When time runs out, they’ll be celebrating in Ohio and singing “Party in the OSU.” The Buckeyes will be cutting down the nets in Houston.

Ben Wheeler (@bw_wheeler) is a play-calling aficionado who is rumored to be in line for the head coaching job at NC State. He played at NC State during the Valvano era and is actually the guy Jimmy V was looking to hug in 1983. Ryan Akers (@RyanAkers) played at the University of Kentucky for two years before getting drafted by the Vancouver Grizzlies. When the Grizzlies moved to Memphis, Ryan decided to take his talents to South Beach…in Haiti. Ryan Lewis (@Ryan_Lewis) played college basketball at a small NCCAA Division II school that has yet to finalize its name. He is now Commissioner of a much bigger conference that refuses to recognize the “Big Dance” because it uses the word “dance.” David Jones (@iPopEditor) earned his Ph.D. from ESPN U under the guidance of Dr. Joe Lunardi. His dissertation was entitled, “One Shining Moment: How Jennifer Hudson’s Version Nearly Ruined the 2009-2010 Season.” And if you believe any of this, you probably also trust our picks, and I am deeply sorry for that.

[Photo source: http://bit.ly/gBVNFY]

Jay Bilas. Seth Davis. Digger Phelps. Dick Vitale. They all have their opinions and predictions about March Madness…and a lot of the time they’re wrong. Instead of boring you with 63 different picks, we thought we’d add a little edge to March Madness by giving you the first ever  “Musings on March Madness by 4 Morons.” Agree. Disagree. Hate us. Love us. It doesn’t matter. But when you hear the words to “One Shining Moment” on a Monday in April…you may find out we weren’t so far off…

Final Four Picks

Ryan Akers:

(1) Kansas, (1) Kentucky, (2) Kansas St., (3) Baylor

David Jones:

(1) Kansas, (1) Kentucky, (1) Syracuse, (2) Villanova

Only 1 time in history have all 4 #1 seeds made it to the Final Four (2008). It won’t be happening this year. Despite being handed a cakewalk to Indianapolis, I don’t see Duke making an appearance. Villanova was too much for them last year, and they’ll be too much for them this year too. It really wouldn’t surprise me to see Duke struggle or even lose against a Louisville team that beat Syracuse twice or a hot Texas A&M squad. Look for Kansas to dominate much like UNC did last year. Kentucky will have a tough road with possible matchups against Texas, Temple, and West Virginia. If Kentucky can stop Butler of WVU, they’ll be in Indy. Syracuse’s potential 2^nd round matchup with Gonzaga scares me, especially if Onuaku is out. But the game is in Buffalo so the Orange should survive. Other than the Zags, Syracuse shouldn’t have another difficult game until Kansas State.

Ryan Lewis:

(1) Kansas, (1) Kentucky, (1) Duke, (1) Syracuse
With 3 of the 4 tournament #1 seeds being ranked #1 nationally at some point during the season, not much will change in the tournament.

Ben Wheeler:

(1) Kansas, (2) Kansas St, (1) Duke, (1) Kentucky

I think probably pretty much everyone has Kansas and Kentucky advancing, and I see a great chance for Kansas State in the West (lots of potential upsets to clear out the higher seeds); and Duke by far has the easiest path of any one seed. They have been playing great as of late, with their only loss coming against a hot Maryland team playing on senior night in college park. Greg Zoubek and the Plumlee brothers have really stepped up their games, at least in the games I’ve been able to watch; so I can see them definitely advancing from their region.

National Championship Game

Ryan Akers:

(1) Kansas vs. (1) Kentucky

David Jones:

(1) Kansas vs. (1) Kentucky

Talent, talent, talent. John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins, Sherron Collins. Cole Aldrich. These are the two most-talented teams in the country. You’ll be seeing them on Monday night.

Ryan Lewis:

(1) Kansas vs. (1) Kentucky
Both teams have the same record, both teams with similar talent. John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins have been phenomenal freshmen throughout the year, but they’ve yet to be on a stage this big. Kansas, although going through the season with very little recognition, has been in this situation before. They’ve got the coach, the talent, and the experience. They breezed through the Big 12 tournament with little trouble, and that momentum will carry them to their 6th National title.

Ben Wheeler:

(1)Kansas vs. (1)Kentucky

By far the two best teams in the country.

National Champion

Ryan Akers:

Kentucky

I’m a homer….I think their youth will hurt them, but I can’t say Kansas…

David Jones:

Kansas

As much as I hate Kansas, they are the best and most dominant team in college basketball this year. Barring a crazy injury, I expect them to hoist the trophy as we hear “One Shining Moment.”

Ryan Lewis:

UConn Huskies
They’re unbeatable. They come into the tournament with a 72-game winning streak, and they haven’t beaten anyone by less than double digits this season. What? Oh. Sorry. Ahem. For the men’s tournament, Kansas comes out on top. It was written up that way. They’ve been there before. They have the talent, the coach, and the experience. The bright lights cause too big of a glare for Calipari’s freshmen and Sherron Collins goes out a champion.

Ben Wheeler:

Kansas

They will be just too good against a young Kentucky (maybe Calipari will at least have his team ready to shoot free throws against Kansas this time around)

Biggest 1st Round Upset

Ryan Akers:

I have two – either (13) Houston over (4) Maryland – yes, I know all year long we’ve heard about Vasquez, but I don’t have much respect for the ACC this year. Good players but not great teams and I think we’ll see this possibility.

Or (11) Washington over (6) Marquette. I watched Washington play back in November and was very impressed by their speed and skill. Face it, everyone loves the Big East, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see Marquette get rocked if Washington is aggressive and on.

David Jones:

(12) UTEP over (5) Butler

3-point shooting verses the big guys. Which one will prevail? Teams like Butler have the potential to get hot and win a few guys. However, all it takes is one bad shooting night and you’re gone. Even if Butler is hitting, I expect UTEP to make a strong physical presence known in this game and upset the Bulldogs. UTEP ended the regular season as a Top 25 team. A loss to Houston the C-USA Finals knocked them down to an underseeded 12 seed. This game has upset written all over it!

Ryan Lewis:

(13)  Murray State over (4) Vanderbilt
Sorry Nashvillians: I like Vandy too. However, they finished the season with some inconsistent play by their bigs, and that could prove devastating against a quick Racers squad. Murray State is outsized, but their consistent defense has kept them in close games this year, holding opponents to 60 points per game. They’ve also got 5 players averaging double digits, and their balanced scoring attack averaged 77 points per game. Brad Tinsley (Vandy) finally found his stroke against Mississippi State in the SEC tournament, but Jermaine Beal and Jeffrey Taylor better have it going against the guards of Murray State. The variable will be A.J. Ogilvy. He’ll be matched up against Tony Easley, who is a bruiser down low. Ogilvy has tended to play weak against tough opponents, which may prove to be the Commodores’ downfall

Ben Wheeler:

(14) Oakland over (3) Pittsburgh

Yes I know it’s a long shot but I have not been impressed at all with Pittsburgh this year and I could really see this one happening

(12) New Mexico St over (5) Michigan St

Not saying 100% this will happen but MSU just hasn’t been the same team over last month. Even if they win in the first round I dont see them advancing after that.

(12) Cornell over (5) Temple

This one’s for Andy Bernard.

Cinderella Team Most Likely to Make it to the Sweet 16

Ryan Akers:

Honestly, anything out of the South (Duke) bracket. I could rant about Duke getting everything going their way, but the fact is, Duke is an overrated team this year (1-3 vs. top 25 teams). In the South there is Sienna, Richmond, St. Mary’s, Louisville, and Robert Morris (just making sure you’re paying attention…) Any of those first four teams mentioned could pull some big upsets and make a run against some very overrated higher seeds.

David Jones:

(11) Washington

The Washington Huskies are hot! They’ve won their last 7 games. Even though they’re coming out of an unusually weak Pac-10, they have the firepower to break some hearts and wear a glass slipper through the first weekend. Don’t be surprised if they upset a very athletic Marquette team and take down New Mexico in the 2^nd round.

Ryan Lewis:

None
I don’t see any Cinderellas in this year’s field of 64. Cornell (12 in the East) may make a run, but they’ll have to get past a tough Wisconsin team with a now-healthy Jon Leuer, Trevon Hughes, and Jason Bohannon. Not likely. Doesn’t look to me like we’ll have a George Mason or Davidson this year. My apologies to Lehigh. (Isn’t that a grape soda?)

Ben Wheeler:

If Old Dominion had any other 1st round match up they would definitely be my pick but I don’t see them getting past a hot Notre Dame team. I would have to say (13) Siena has the best chance of advancing past Purdue and then Texas A&M or Utah St. Another low seed with a good shot of advancing is (11) Washington in the East. Sure they play in the maybe the worst big conference in basketball, but I could really see them making some noise in this tournament by beating Washington and New Mexico.

I can see Georgia Tech, who is finally starting to look like the team everyone thought they would be, taking out Ohio St in the second round to make it to the sweet 16.

Trendy 1st Round Upset Pick that WON’T Happen

Ryan Akers:

(11) San Diego St. over (6) Tennessee

Face it, I hate UT but this isn’t going to happen. UT can pull it together whenever they need to win. They won’t go far, but I don’t see this one going down.

And as a side note to Jay Bilas – get off the Cornell bandwagon – Temple will DESTROY Cornell in the first round and Cornell will not go on to beat Wisconsin and Kentucky. Analyst? I think not.

David Jones:

(12) Cornell over (5) Temple

Is Cornell underseeded? Absolutely! Do they have the potential to win this game? Yes. Will they? No! While Cornell is underseeded, so is Temple. The Owls probably deserve to be a 3 or 4 seed in the tournament. They have one of the best, if not the best, defenses in the entire country. At the end of the day, that defense will be too much for the Ivy League school. Sorry Andy Bernard…and Jay Bilas. Not happening! Also, don’t expect San Diego St. to beat Tennessee.

Ryan Lewis:

(13) Siena over (4) Purdue
Yes, Robbie Hummel’s injury will affect Purdue. Yes, they got embarrassed by Minnesota in the Big Ten semifinals. They’ve also got E’Twaun Moore and JaJuan Johnson, one of the best inside-out combinations in the game. They’ve also got Chris Kramer who is a major spark plug on both ends. Siena has their own scoring threats, boasting four guys averaging over 13 points a game. However, the up-tempo style that has surprised teams all season plays right into the Boilermakers’ hands, who boast a fast-paced offense of their own. Don’t place your bets on #13 in the South.

Ben Wheeler:

(11) Old Dominion over (6) Notre Dame- I mentioned this above and I just don’t see it happening, Notre Dame has been playing too good as of late to lose this one.

(11) San Diego St over (6) Tennessee- Sorry I just don’t see this one. UT is way too talented and well-coached to lose in the first round, plus I believe they were a little upset about their seed, so that could light a fire under them.

Best 1st Round Match Up

Ryan Akers:

(13) Siena over (4) Purdue. Yeah, everyone is calling this. The only reason I think this will be a good first round match up is because Siena will have a huge chance to win this game, so we’ll be able to see their top-notch playing.

For a more “good game” type of match up, there’s not a lot out there. Possibly the Maryland/Houston game. I also think the Mizzou vs. Clemson game could be a good game.

David Jones:

(6) Marquette vs (11) Washington

I mentioned Washington earlier, but Marquette is also a team that has great potential. They might be the most athletic team pound for pound in the tournament. Problem is, those pounds are limited. It’s a shame both these teams have to play each other in the first round because they both have the capabilities to make some noise in this tournament.

Ryan Lewis:

(5) Butler vs. (12) UTEP
This is exactly why the 12 seed over 5 seed upset has happened seven times in the last 5 years: it’s a game of two evenly-matched teams. Butler comes in on a 20-game win streak, breezing through their conference and finishing with a 6 game lead. UTEP lost once in the last 2 months of the season. Both teams excel on the defensive end, and each team features a premiere big man: Matt Howard for Butler and Derrick Caracter for UTEP. Butler has a balanced scoring attack while UTEP looks to Gordon Heyward’s inside and outside game for their points. While UTEP was still biting their nails on Selection Sunday due to a conference title upset by Houston, don’t look for them to bow out quietly. People continue to look at Butler as a possible Cinderella every year, but their carriage seems to always turn back into a pumpkin a little too early.

Ben Wheeler:

(7) Oklahoma St vs (10) Georgia Tech

Great frontcourt (GT) vs great backcourt (Ok St) . I see the Yellow Jackets taking this one

Also (7) Richmond vs (10) St Marys should be a great game.

Star Player You Need to Know

Ryan Akers:

John Wall (Kentucky)

Everyone has the love fest going on with him this year. Why? Because he’s stinkin’ good. Yes, you can be critical that he turns the ball over a bit too much or whatnot, but when Kentucky is behind, Wall takes over. That’s a star-caliber player. Yes, I’m a huge Kentucky fan, but that just means I have watched him play all year long. He takes over games, makes big shots, shares the ball better than any guard I’ve seen in a long time. If Kentucky is going to return back to the Final Four, it’s going to be on the shoulders of John Wall.

I feel like I have to add that DeMarcus Cousins is going to have to stay emotionally sound during the tournament for Kentucky to go anywhere, too. Cuz gets out of sync, then the whole ball club suffers (see Kentucky vs. Tennessee).

David Jones:

Da’Sean Butler (West Virginia)

As a 6’7 senior, Butler averaged 17.4 ppg and 6.3 rpg. He’s a dynamic player who has the ability to take over a game. He can also hit the outside shot. He’s fun to watch, and should be fun to watch all the way until the Elite 8. Also, don’t miss Wesley Johnson of Syracuse.

Ryan Lewis:

Evan Turner (Ohio State)
Have you seen this guy? The Big Ten player of the year could step on an NBA floor today and be a difference-maker for any team. He was a star among standouts in the Big Ten, and he raised eyebrows in nearly every statistical category. When he went down for 6 games in December with an injury, his team went 3-3, the 3 wins coming against D-1 nobodies. He averaged nearly a double-double per game as a guard, with 20.3 points and 9.2 rebounds, shooting 54% from the field and dishing  nearly 6 assists. There was no one better in clutch situations, and his 37% shooting from the 3-point line only complemented his slashing skills. After hitting a 37-foot buzzer beater in the Big Ten quarterfinals against Michigan, Turner hit a shot to force overtime against Illinois in the semis. He went on to score 12 of his 31 points after regulation to lead the Buckeyes to a double overtime win. He finished up the tournament with a 31 point, 11 rebound, 6 assist performance in a rout of Minnesota for the Big Ten title, all the while being named most outstanding player of the tournament and setting the record for most points in a championship game. He’s been on the big stage, and he’s proven that the bright lights can’t cast a shadow on his talent.

Ben Wheeler:

Greivis Vasquez (Maryland)

He may be my least favorite player from the last ten years not named Hansbrough but I respect his game and he brings it every night. He is the key to Maryland going anywhere in this tournament and I believe he will lead Maryland to at least the sweet 16

Unknown Player You Need to Know

Ryan Akers:

Quincy Pondexter (Washington)

Pondexter is going to make a lot of noise against Marquette. If Washington gets rolling, watch out. The guy is averaging 20 points a game, mostly from inside the arc…but he can pop outside and drain the three. Teamed with Isaiah Thomas who is averaging 17 points a game at guard, I’m just saying, I could easily see this team creating a buzz.

David Jones:

James Anderson (Oklahoma St.)

If Anderson played at a school like Kansas, Kentucky, or Duke, you would know his name right now. Much like Evan Turner at Ohio St., Anderson has the ability to win a game on his own. This 6’6 Guard averaged 22.6 ppg and 5.8 rpg this year. You can’t matchup with him. Don’t be surprised to see him drop 30 in the first game against a very talented Georgia Tech team. If Oklahoma St. can survive against Tech, we could see something special when Ohio State and Oklahoma State play in the second round. Also, keep Darington Hobson from New Mexico on your radar. Steve Alford has done a tremendous job with that program. It will be great to see how far they can actually go!

Ryan Lewis:

Darington Hobson (New Mexico)
Although they do have a #3 seed, New Mexico may end up as a surprise team to some people. They haven’t had much tournament success in the past, but they’re coming off a season capped by a Mountain West regular season title. Leading their surge is a guy in his third year of eligibility playing his first year in Division 1 basketball (played 2 years in junior college). He proved he was ready for the big show. He lead his team in scoring (16.2), rebounds (9.2), and assists (4.6).  He was held to single digits in scoring only 5 times in 33 games and he averaged nearly 34 minutes on the floor. In a 2 point victory over San Diego State (Mountain West tournament champs) in February, he had 29 points, 12 rebounds and 6 assists. Look for Hobson to make a splash in his first year in the dance. His team may not meet the criteria of a Cinderella, but I wouldn’t qualify Darington Hobson as Sleeping Beauty either

Ben Wheeler:

Edwin Ubiles (Siena)

The star of the Saints should wreck some havoc agianst Purdue and the rest of the South Region

Sidenotes:

Ryan Akers:

Top Overrated Teams:

Duke – yes, they’re good. And who else fills the number one? But, they haven’t played a high caliber competition in the ACC. I look for the Blue Devils to drop out, possibly in the second round vs. Louisville.

West Virginia – Big East lovers are questioning me. Yes, West Virginia has the one little offense they run called “Give Butler The Ball” but for all year, they’ve played from behind. Most of their games were victories of less than about 6 points. I’m just not impressed.

Nova – Failed at the end of the year. 2nd round upset by Richmond or St. Mary’s? You saw it here!

Ben Wheeler:

Worst Matchup: (8) Texas vs (9) Wake Forest, Texas has just collapsed towards the end of the season and I’m still not sure how Wake made it in the Big Dance

I know it’s not March yet. I know conference tournaments haven’t started. I know the word “bubble” is just now coming into play. However, I’m ready for the NCAA Tourney! It’s by far my favorite time of the year. Since we’re about a month away from Selection Sunday, I thought I’d make a few predictions on what I see happening. Yeah, I’ll probably be wrong and you can let me know when I am. But here’s a few things I forsee when March and April come around:

Kansas and Kentucky will play in the National Championship
If you asked me to make a list of my most hated basketball teams, Kansas and Kentucky would come in at 2 and 3 (behind Duke). Even though I can’t stand either team, they’re good. Really good. I don’t see how any team in the tournament can match up with their dominant guard play and inside play. Some teams may be able to match up with one element, but not both. With Kansas, Collins and Aldrich are incredible. At Kentucky, Wall and Cousins are only getting better. These are the 2 best teams in college basketball. Kansas is a lock for the Final Four. Don’t be surprised if Kentucky is there too…and in the Championship game.

North Carolina will miss the tournament
That prediction is like saying the Saints will win the 2010 Super Bowl. It’s already determined. Barring a miracle run in the ACC Tournament, my heart will be a bit broken come March 14.

Connecticut will make a strong run at getting into the tournament
Their road record and record against Top 50 teams (1-5) is awful. However, they played Syracuse tough at Syracuse. And now, Jim Calhoun is coming back. This team has talent…they just haven’t put it together yet. Don’t be surprised if Dyson, Robinson, and Walker start rolling and the Huskies get on a hot streak. It would be tough for them to get an at-large bid, but don’t be surprised if they make a run at the Big East title. The Big East isn’t as strong as last year.

The A-10 will surprise people
If you get in the tourney, you do NOT want to get matched up against an A-10 team. Whether it’s Charlotte, Dayton, Rhode Island, Richmond, or Xavier, all of these teams are tough. They haven’t been given much respect or TV coverage this year, which could make them even more dangerous!

The Big 10 will collapse in the tournament
Sorry if you’re a Big 10 fan, but I just find the conference a bit overrated. I’m impressed by Evan Turner and Ohio State, but I just don’t have much faith in Wisconsin or Purdue. Michigan State could show up, or get knocked out in the 2nd round. I just can’t figure them out. The Illini could make some noise, but I could easily see them getting knocked out in the 1st round.

Texas will be a force in the tournament
They’re sliding right now. Don’t expect that to continue for long. Kick them while they’re down because come March, this could be a different team. James and Pittman have the power to lift this team far in the brackets.

Be ready to say “Who?”
This could be a big year for the “smaller” basketball schools. Schools like BYU, Butler, Old Dominion, Northern Iowa, Cornell, and Siena could possibly make Cinderella runs in the tournament. However, if you take a look at the Top 25, some of these teams aren’t even Cinderellas. They’re actually college basketball’s best kept secrets. Don’t be surprised to see one of two of the listed teams in the Sweet 16.

The 1 Seeds will be Kansas, Kentucky, Syracuse, and ???
The first 2 are givens. Syracuse is hot right now. Even when faced with close games lately, they’ve overcome and won. This is a really really good team. Even though Jonny Flynn left, this team is better than last year. Wesley Johnson is a great player. If Rautins is hitting the 3, they can’t be stopped. As for the 4th team, this is a toss up right now. Villanova could take it; however if they sputter in the Big East tourney, they may get a 2 seed. If Duke finishes strong and wins the ACC tourney, they could also take it. I would also say Purdue, West Virginia, Georgetown, and Michigan St could make late runs.

Mizzou will make the tournament, and no one will want to play them
Yes, a personal prediction, but Mike Anderson and the Tigers will make the field. Because of their aggressive style of defense (40 minute of…) no team will want to play them.  When you have to play 2 games in 3 days, the last thing you want to see is an overaggressive full court pressing team that is relentless.

A 16 will finally defeat a 1
Just kidding.

Names you need to know come tournament time
John Wall- Kentucky
Wesley Johnson- Syracuse
Evan Turner- Ohio State
Jon Scheyer- Duke
Scottie Reynolds- Villanova
DeMarcus Cousins- Kentucky
Dominique Jones- South Florida
Damion James- Texas
De’Sean Butler- West Virginia
Cole Aldrich- Kansas

Kansas wins the National Championship
Yuck.

Everyone and their dog has a bracket this time of year. And everyone thinks they have good reason why their bracket is better than others…even though they haven’t watched a college basketball game in its entirety this year. Even the experts like Jay Billas Doug Gottlieb Seth Davis and Digger Phelps have no idea what will happen in the tournament. Some of the selections have to do with knowledge and insight; other selections are pure luke. Seeing 4 #1 seeds make the Final Four last year: Lot of insight and a little bit of luck. Predicting George Mason to make the Final Four in 2006: ALL LUCK! So what’s gives me the insight to make these predictions? Well, nothing. I’m just a big college basketball fan that tries to ignore the hype of the media. I might be right, I might be wrong, but here are a few of my predictions:

Arizona St (6) will defeat Syracuse (3) in the round of 32
I doubt anyone outside of Arizona St. actually believes this will happen. Anyone who saw Syracuse’s run in the Big East Tournament knows they can play. I just think that by having to play 2 games in 3 days, after playing what seemed like 37 games the previous weekend will be too much for the Orangemen. Not to mention, James Harden is a VERY underrated player at Arizona St. I’m looking for him to take the Sun Devils past ‘Cuse and even into the Elite 8. 

(3) Kansas will defeat (14) North Dakota St.
For some reason, picking North Dakota St. has become a trendy pick. The Jayhawks aren’t nearly as talented as last year, but they are coming out of a strong Big 12 Conference. This one won’t even be close! 

(6) West Virginia will knock off (2) Michigan St. to go to the Elite 8
We’ll have to wait to see if this plays out, but I really feel like any Top 7 Big East school is better than the number 1 Big 10 school. The Big 10 is weak, soft, and only competitive against itself. Michigan St. had some big wins earlier in the season and does have Tom Izzo coaching, but I think Bob Huggins will finally have a team ready for the tourney (Cincinnati fans will disagree!). 

The Curse of the 12′s: (12) Arizona will defeat (5) Utah and (12) Western Kentucky will defeat (5) Illinois IF Chester Frazier is out
Arizona doesn’t deserve to be in the tournament, but they will make it to the 2nd round because their conference has trained them well. Don’t consider this one an upset. Vegas actually favors Arizona. IF Chester Frazier does not play for the Illini, I think they’re going to be packing their bags early. Not 100% confident on this one, but I’m about 65-35. The Hilltoppers are underrated. Don’t believe me? Check out their nonconference wins. 

(4) Wake Forest will defeat (13) Cleveland St.
You may say “Duh!” but a lot of people are starting to look for the upset. Wake Forest might have the most talented group of players in the field. Only problem is, they’re young and don’t always play as a team. Don’t count out Cleveland St. They did beat (9) Butler, and could have beaten them 3 times if a few odd things didn’t happen in their games. Regardless, look for Wake to win this. 

(5) Florida St. vs (12) Wisconsin will have fewer combined points than Louisville’s total points in their first round game
FSU and Wisconsin have 2 of the most incredible defenses in the country. Look for both teams to play shutdown D and also have trouble shooting. My prediction is probably inaccurate, but it might be closer than some think. Expect the FSU-Wisconsin game to be about 68-55 Seminoles. Louisville could put up 140 on Morehead St., but I expect to see the walk-ons take the floor to keep that from happening.

IF Ty Lawson is healthy, North Carolina cuts down the nets. If not, they’ll be lucky to make it to the Elite 8
He runs the team. Larry Drew III and Bobby Frasor are nice backups, but neither have the speed or passing and shooting ability as Lawson. But if he’s completely healthy, I see UNC taking down Louisville for the Championship!

Feel free to post some of your own!