Chicago
Illinois is the obvious
number one team in the nation... and this
is what they get? You've got to be kidding
me. Though Oklahoma State might not be the
best 2 seed, (they aren't, see Wake Forest
for that title) they have just as much potential
as any other team in the tourney. Arizona
is overrated in my opinion, but definitely
deserving of a 3 spot, and they might possess
the best player in this bracket, Salim "Drop
34 on UW" Stoudamire. He's a great
college basketball player. I also see the
best 7 seed, 5 seed, and 4 seed in the field.
Boston College struggled down the stretch,
but they can't be looked upon lightly. Alabama
has proven (last year), that they can play
with anyone the country has to offer, and
don't look now but the Salukis might put
a damper on the experienced Cowboys. What
a bracket! I see Alabama against Illinois,
and Arizona against Southern Illinois in
this one.
Games to Watch
RD1
Texas(8) vs. Nevada(9):
Nevada has a possible tourney star in Nick
Fazekas. The Wolfpack danced far longer
than expected last year, giving them valuable
experience to do it again this time around.
Daniel Gibson, Diaper Dandy, has led the
Longhorns minus P.J. Tucker. Texas has way
better wins, but might have worse losses.
Eight-Nine match-ups are always a good game,
this won't be any different.
Arizona(3) vs. Utah
State(14): The naked eye would suggest
a no brainer blow out here. Don't expect
it. A super freshman and a solid senior
built a 24-7 record this year for the Aggies.
Spencer Nelson is the senior leader, but
Carroll played the star role in the conference
championship game win over nationally ranked
Pacific. Utah State also took down Utah
this year. This 3-14 match-up has the makings
of a stunner.
Southern Ill.(7)
vs. St. Mary's(10): This game gives
the world a chance to see the other Illinois
team. The Salukis could stun some big teams
in this tournament. I don't expect this
to be a great game, and I definitely don't
expect St. Mary's to upset, but the Salukis
might make a name for themselves in this
bracket. I warned the world earlier, if
the Salukis feel at home, where they didn't
lose all year, they could do big things.
They just happen to be in the Chicago bracket.
RD2
All Round 2 games are
worth watching, but these should be amazing...
Boston College(4)
vs. Alabama(5): This game has one of
the biggest surprise teams this year in
4 loss Boston College, and one of the most
talented in 'Bama. Alabama has proven that
they can play with the big boys, and play
long into the Big Dance. Boston College
was undefeated out of January. They were
4 and 4 after that, but had only one loss
to a team that didn't get invited (@ Notre
Dame). Among their 24 W's, BC has a triplet
of big wins. BC took down Syracuse, Villanova,
and Connecticut while Alabama didn't manage
to beat anyone better than Mississippi State.
So BC should kill them right? Watch this
game, it'll be well worth the two hours.
LSU(6) vs. Utah State(14)/Arizona(3):
I honestly think Utah State has a chance
against Arizona. If they do win and play
LSU, that's a reason to watch the game in
and of itself. If the probable happens and
Arizona wins, this will still be a good
game. LSU has a stud in Brandon Bass. The
kid is ridiculous numbers-wise, 17.5 ppg,
8.8 rpg, 56% shooting, 50% from three land.
Their one point loss against Kentucky on
Saturday in the semifinals of the SEC Tourney
ended the Tiger's 7 game winning streak,
including wins over Alabama, Florida, and
Miss State. Arizona is overrated and it's
best and only big wins were against UW in
Arizona and Utah. Don't get me wrong, 'Zona
has all the talent in the world, I just
think they are leaning the wrong way on
the upset wire.
Southern Ill.(7)
vs. Oklahoma State(2): Don't let the
7 seeded Salukis fool you. They're at home
in the Chicago Bracket, though I'm not really
sure what that means these days with all
the different locations for the early games,
but to put it simply, they couldn't be more
at home than they are now. Oklahoma State
was at the top of the college ranks all
year, and remains there as a 2 seed. Joey
Graham and John Lucas III, lead an experienced
OK State team looking to get back to the
Final Four. Will the Salukis do the dirty
and end the Cowboy run in the second game?
It could happen.
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