This weekend’s games are comprised of the #4 seed Kentucky Wildcats playing the #3 seed Connecticut Huskies (Saturday, 6:09PM EST) and the #11 Virginia Commonwealth Rams playing the #8 Butler Bulldogs.  When I watch the tournament every year, after rooting for my local interests, I secondarily have a secret crush on the underdogs.  Yeah, I’m telling you that my ultimate wish would be to see four #16 seeds make it to the Final Four and set the bracket right on its ear.

I have no doubt that basketball purists would argue that this would be the worst thing to happen during the tournament because “truly the best teams” wouldn’t end up the Champions of NCAA College Basketball.  Unfortunately for those purists, this isn’t what the tournament is about.  It’s about being the best team on the floor, against your opponent, every single day you’re scheduled to play.  You do that and you are deservedly the Champion of the NCAA Men’s College Basketball Tournament.  As unlikely as that is to ever happen, I’m thrilled to know that either a #8 seed or a #11 seed will make the final game.  Yes, I am rooting for the Virginia Commonwealth University Rams to win the whole thing.

Most people will pick the Butler Bulldogs to take this one due to their sheer size and strength.  It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to notice that a stout defense is what it takes to win big games at all levels of this sport.  Butler turns solid defense into points on the transition, and we should expect Shelvin Mack and Matt Howard to continue to close the offense emphatically.

VCU, my pick to win, can get around Butler’s outstanding play with their speed.  Toss out whatever cliche’ you want here (I’m thinking “speed kills”), but that combined with their above average outside shooting skills – it wouldn’t surprise me to see them work both angles. Run through the defense.  If it fails, shoot over it.

UConn, on the heels of their ninth straight victory, has single-handedly rescued the Big East from the hurricane of criticism borne of early ousters from the Tournament. Few should argue that these guys are the favorite after rolling through San Diego State and Arizona. Here’s my view: keep playing like you have and you’ll win it all. That’s a pretty simple concept.

Kentucky has strength in leadership coached by John Calipari. However, on the floor, that’s a different story, putting on the court freshman at three of the five starting positions. I’m not sure that coaching is going to be the difference-maker this late in the tournament. These guys will be champions in the years to come, but I don’t see it happening this year, despite hard-fought wins against Ohio State and North Carolina. Take the lessons learned in 2011 and we’ll see you in the Final Four next year.

My Top Two, Championship Game Matchup Prediction: #11 Virginia Commonwealth University Rams vs. University of Connecticut Huskies.

Enjoy the games. I have.Similar Posts:

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I’ve used a number of tactics through the years to make my picks. A few of my favorite include flipping a coin, throwing a dart, or picking the meaner mascot. The results are usually the same…by the end of the first weekend I’ve lost half my final four and by the end of the Elite 8 I’m mailing checks to all the bracket managers because (like the Royals on May 1) I’m already mathematically eliminated.

That being said I have experienced a sprinkling of success here and there, most notably in 2008 when I rode my Kansas Jayhawks to a Ruby’s Pub Bracket Challenge victory, ending a lifelong bought of literal madness in March.

Here are my top methods for guaranteeing success when making your picks in your bracket this year…

Where would you rather go on vacation?

This is usually a pretty easy decision unless you’re male and picking between Louisville and Morehead State. I don’t actually know where Morehead State is, but brains full of all the testosterone I’ve lost since I turned 20 will only be thinking one thing, and it won’t have anything to do with Kentucky. Saint Peter’s vs. Purdue falls into this category as well.

This year’s toughest pick using this criteria is the Southeast Region’s #2 vs. #15 game, Florida vs. UC Santa Barbara. Which is a better vacation spot…Gainesville, Florida or Santa Barbara, California? Being allergic to the sun as I am, I would choose neither, which leads us to my second method…

Which team has prettier uniforms?

For this method, I usually turn to my mom. She has been picking out my clothes almost every day for the last 31 years, and I have to say I usually look damn good. It’s tough to go wrong in a t-shirt and khaki shorts, right?

Joanie’s Lock of the Tournament? Don’t bet on orange. You see, Mom and I are both redheads (though I’m more like a dark strawberry blonde) so orange doesn’t really look good on us. Sorry Syracuse, Tennessee, and Illinois. Like the losers on The Amazing Race, you have been eliminated. Unless you’re this Syracuse fan. Then you can stay.

Which team would make a better drink?

Being a bar owner I’m legally obligated to include this rule, and one game stands out here: North Carolina vs. Long Island. I don’t care much for Long Island Iced Teas, but it’s a pretty good bang for your buck if you’re looking for a quick buzz. In this case ignore the fact that no #2 seed has lost in the first round for the last 9 years.

Vanderbilt comes in a distant second here because the recipe includes brandy, cherry brandy, and bitters. No thank you, I’ll pass.

Who is your team’s biggest rival?

This is also called the “Pick against Missouri” rule. Congratulations Cincinnati, you’re moving on to the next round!

Who has the hottest alumni?

Another easy call here…Kentucky wins hands down over Princeton. Ashley Judd vs anyone is no contest. Wisconsin makes a good case here but probably loses to Kansas State in the 2nd round because of this.

***

There you have it. Your 2011 NCAA Tournament bracket is unbustable. Just make sure you have the Kansas Jayhawks cutting down the nets after the Final Four in Houston this year and you’ll be just fine.Similar Posts:

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As for the Jayhawks, they looked impressive against the Cowboys, but there’s also something to be said about the Big 12 being a little top-heavy as well. Granted, if KU — or any of the top teams in college basketball — shoot as well as the Jayhawks did against OSU, well, let’s just say they’ll justify their soon-to-be-rewarded high seeds in the NCAA Tournament. Whatever the case, Tyshawn Taylor’s still around, just not playing:

Granted, it’s hard to say just how much Bill Self needs him. Apparently, he’s filling the role of advisor quite nicely. Don’t miss them in action before the season is over! Grab your KU tickets today!Similar Posts:

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Actually, it was just a coincidence that the fight occurred on Valentine’s Day. Nine players total were suspended from Maryland-Eastern Shore and Bethune-Cookman schools. What happened was this: Bethune-Cookman (B-CU) left by 11 points with 16:22 left. B-CU’s Cleniece Roberts reportedly “committed a clean foul on Maryland’s LaKendra Wilkerson. Then the players got tangled.”

Once that happened all bets were off. The benches cleared, and frustrations were let loose with slapping, hitting, kicking and whatever else. Some blood was even shed before security, police, and even the athletic staff tried to pull everyone apart and stop the madness. Despite this, no major injuries occurred.

Both schools issued statements talking “how unfortunate” the whole thing was, and the conference is now working to try and reschedule this game. (Which really should be a sellout after all this).

A multitude of suspensions have come down, so all the girls’ wrists have been sufficiently slapped. I think this just goes to show that girls are just as passionate about sports and winning as the guys are. And good for them! (Well, not the fighting but the passion. Keep the play clean, ladies!)Similar Posts:

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Kevin Durant Loves Jimmer Fredette

Some of us knew about him before this season, but I digress.

Leading the way for the Cougars against previously-undefeated San Diego State was, of course, Fredette, who scored 43 points, thanks to an efficient 14-24 from the field, including 5-8 from behind the arc. Oh, and he was 10-11 from the free throw line, emphasizing just how good a shooter he really is. If that doesn’t do the trick, perhaps his NCAA-leading 27.4 points per game average will.

And like the lead tweet indicates, other, perhaps more prominent figures in the sports world are taking notice, namely, one Kevin Durant. Durant’s love for Fredette and Jimmer’s ability to score came shortly after Durant dropped 47 points on the Minnesota Timberwolves. Coming from perhaps the best basketball scoring machine in the world, that’s quite the compliment. Further, I think it’s safe to say Durant will want Fredette to at least try out for the 2012 Olympic basketball team.

You can never have enough shooters, especially in international play.

As for Fredette Mania, it’s popularity is growing so well, even his brother, would-be rapper TJ Fredette, is riding the wake left behind by his brother’s incredible shooting. Just check out last night’s pregame fun, featuring the younger Fredette’s rapping skills:

There’s nothing wrong with a little inadvertent nepotism.  Some highlights of Jimmer’s hot-shooting:

It’s easy to see why the Kevin Durants of the world are so enamored with Fredette’s game. So, while Jimmer-Mania runs wild, who’s your player of the year? Does Fredette already have a lock on the award or can Kemba Walker wrestle it away?

Whatever happens, it will be fun watching these two demonstrate just who the best shooting guard in college basketball is.Similar Posts:

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“Sometimes I dream, that he is me. I dream I move, I dream I grove… Like Dad. If I can be like Dad (I wanna be, I wanna be like Dad)…”
Sung to the tune of “Like Mike” from the Gatorade commercials.

Ohhhh no he didn’t. Like father, like son? Perhaps not completely for Central Florida’s Marcus Jordan, but he certainly has traits of the Jordan gene that helped his father dominate the sport of basketball so thoroughly. His acrobatic layup-scoop-shot-hybrid-thingy was certainly proof of that. Not only does the younger Jordan have some of his father’s athleticism, he also has the ability to score the ball as well. In three of his last six games, Jordan has scored over the 20-point threshold, including two back-to-back 26 point games.

Granted, these were buffered by two seven point outings — both Central Florida wins, mind you — but then again, that’s why the song says “Like Mike” and not, “be Mike.”

H/t to new IF writer Tony and his Jordan McCabe post for giving me the idea for the title.Similar Posts:

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Look out below, there, Antonio Ballard, because there’s a Kansas Jayhawk-themed Mack Truck by the name of Marcus Morris — he of the Morris twins — heading directly for your head. Oops, too late. Ballard, like the rest of the Miami of Ohio Redhawks, got absolutely destroyed by Morris and his band of merry Kansas Jayhawks. The beating was so severe, the Miami players believe Kansas is a better team than the Duke Blue Devils.

They aren’t the only ones either.  Basketball Prospectus moved KU into their number one spot as well.

Granted, with Duke’s freshman sensation Kyrie Irving on the shelf with a foot injury, coupled with how well the Jayhawks have been playing, it’s easy to see why people are taking a shine to Bill Self’s latest edition of Kansas basketball; and as long as the Jayhawks avoid three-point bombs from Ali Farokhmanesh, they should be fine.

H/t to Ballin’ Is A Habit for the video.Similar Posts:

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Apparently, Drexel is working hard in an effort to make themselves my second favorite college basketball team. First they upset Louisville in their house, something that pleased Rick Pitino to no end, and then, head coach Bruiser Flint offered this little gem:

Maybe the lowpoint for Louisville on Tuesday night came via Drexel coach Bruiser Flint, who told FoxSports.com’s Jeff Goodman after the game how he motivated his team.

“I told them, ‘We’re not playing against Kentucky,’” Flint said. “‘We can win this game.’”

Zing!

Granted, as my buddy Jim pointed out (@BigBakedBean), Flint’s comments were probably referencing last season’s Drexel game against Kentucky, the one that resulted in UK’s 2000th win, but nevertheless, and intended or not, it’s still a blast most Louisville fans would rather do without.Similar Posts:

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Yes, the “Dunk of the Year” field is filling up rather quickly, but none so far have shined brighter than Shay’s. And you’re damn right, that pun was intended. Shine’s dunk was so bright, his assistant coach — Mike Balado — ran to Twitter to inform the masses.

Digression: Coach Balado follows the Kardashian sisters. For some reason, I find that humorously interesting.

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In fact, I bet he had a double finger for that particular result.

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