BtB Tourney Picks

by Chris Dobbertean on Mar 17, 2009 10:49 PM EDT in college basketball

Now that the not-so dramatic Opening Round game is over, the main draw of 64 teams is complete. Morehead State will try to defeat Louisville in their second matchup of the season. Since I will be heading up to Philadelphia tomorrow for the first round on Thursday, it's time for me to reveal my picks for this year.

Before we get to my 63 winners for this year, let's review how I did on my Banana Peel List picks for the non-major conference auto bids.

America East: Binghamton
A-Sun: ~~Belmont~~ East Tennessee State
Big Sky: ~~Weber State~~ Portland State
Big South: ~~VMI~~ Actual: Radford
Big West: ~~Long Beach State~~ Actual: CS-Northridge
Colonial: ~~Drexel~~ Actual: VCU
Horizon: ~~Butler~~ Actual: Cleveland State
Ivy: Cornell
Metro Atlantic: Siena
Mid-American: ~~Buffalo~~ Actual: Akron
Mid-Eastern: Morgan State
Missouri Valley: ~~Creighton~~ Actual: Northern Iowa
Northeast: Robert Morris
Ohio Valley: Morehead State
Patriot: American
Southern: ~~Davidson~~ Actual: Chattanooga
Southland: ~~Sam Houston State~~ Actual: Stephen F. Austin
Southwestern: ~~Alabama A&M~~ Actual: Alabama State
Summit: North Dakota State
Sun Belt: Western Kentucky
West Coast: Gonzaga
Western Athletic: Utah State

11 for 22 is, by definition, average, but I'll take it especially considering the amount of upheaval that usually happens during Championship Week.

Now in terms of tournament picks, I've had an up and down three years.

2008 - 36-27 (.563)
2007 - 46-17 (.730)
2006 - 34-29 (.540)

Since it's an odd year, I'm certainly anticipating good results! So, without further delay, here are my picks (for entertainment and ridicule purposes only). Upsets are in bold

Midwest

Round One
Louisville over Morehead State - sorry Morehead

Ohio State over Siena - I would've given the Saints more of a chance here if this game wasn't being played in Dayton.

Arizona over Utah - Jordan Hill should be rested and ready to go for the Utes.

Wake Forest over Cleveland State - They'll have a ton of problems with the Vikings, however.

West Virginia over Dayton - The Flyers will simply make too many mistakes.

North Dakota State over Kansas - The Jayhawks are young and turnover prone. The Bison can shoot the lights out and will have the crowd behind them. Plus, it's not like KU hasn't been stampeded by a 14th seeded Herd before.

USC over Boston College - The Trojans have gotten hot at the right time.
Michigan State over Robert Morris - It will be a short stay for the Colonials.

Round Two
Louisville over Ohio State- The Cardinals will survive the hostile crowd and a game Buckeye squad.

Arizona over Wake Forest - Wake will go from being #1 in the country at one point to being knocked off by the (probable) last team in.

West Virginia over NDSU - The Mountaineers end the Bison run (as normally happens to double-digit seeds at this point) and make their fifth Sweet 16 in their last five tourney appearances.

Michigan State over USC - Spartans win the battle of the Greeks.

Regional Semifinals
Louisville over Arizona - While the Wildcats will make a run, the Cards will have too much for them.
Michigan State over West Virginia- The drive to play in their own backyard continues.

Regional Final
Louisville over Michigan State - But the drive hits the roadblock the Cardinals will put up. The 'Ville appears to be peaking at the right time, and the Spartans are having a lot of issues, especially with Raymar Morgan struggling.

West

First Round
UConn over Chattanooga - Since I'll be at Wachovia for this, I'm hoping this isn't the case. It would be great to be in the crowd for a 16 over 1 upset.

BYU over Texas A&M - The Cougars take the rematch.

Purdue over UNI - The Boilermakers are too disciplined an opponent for a foul-prone Panther team.

Washington over Mississippi State - I think Brockman will create big problems for Elgin Bailey and Jarvis Varnado.

Utah State over Marquette - This is going to be a close one. The Aggies should have the crowd behind them and are back to playing good ball. The Golden Eagles still aren't right without their point guard, Dominic James.

Missouri over Cornell - It should be the second straight 3 over 14 blowout involving the Big Red.

Maryland over California - It really depends on which two teams show up. Both clubs have shown they can be worldbeaters and lay eggs.
Memphis over CSUN - The Matadors second trip to the tournament will end much like their first.

Second Round
UConn over BYU - What would Trent Plaisted have done against Hasheem Thabeet? The world may never know.
Washington over Purdue - The Huskies have shown they can beat grind it out-style teams.
Missouri over Utah State - The Tigers will wear out the Aggies in the end.

Memphis over Maryland - The egg-laying Terrapins return for this one.

Regional Semifinals
UConn over Washington - The third Sweet 16 matchup between these two ends just like the first two editions.

Memphis over Missouri - Mike Anderson's UAB teams always gave Memphis issues in C-USA. Mizzou will be a test, but Memphis will survive.

Regional Final
Memphis over UConn - This is where not having Jerome Dyson will hurt the Huskies. The Tigers will be motivated for this one.

East

First Round

Pitt over East Tennessee State - Even though I thought the Bucs should be seeded higher doesn't mean they're the 16 that will finally beat a 1.

Tennessee over Oklahoma State - The Vols will be the only SEC school to advance out of round one.

Florida State over Wisconsin - The Seminoles size and guard play will give the Badgers trouble.

Portland State over Xavier - With the way they've struggled the past couple of weeks, the Musketeers are prime for another upset.

VCU over UCLA - Get your bad Larry Sanders jokes ready.

Villanova over American - The Eagles won't make it easy on the Wildcats, though. This will be one to watch if you like good guard play.

Texas over Minnesota - With only two seniors on the roster, the Gophers inexperience will catch up to them as they face another relatively inexperienced squad, but one led by one of the best senior guards in the country, A.J. Abrams.

Duke over Binghamton - The Bearcats first trip to the tournament will end in defeat.

Second Round
Pitt over Tennessee - The Panthers will outmuscle the Vols.

Florida State over Portland State - The Vikings' run ends here.

Villanova over VCU - Much like 2007, the Rams will lose a close one to a Big East opponent in overtime.

Duke over Texas - The Blue Devils make it to the Sweet 16 for the first time since '06.

Regional Semifinals
Florida State over Pitt - Sorry, I don't trust Pitt getting past this round, at least until they get over the hump.

Villanova over Duke - This isn't a great matchup for the Blue Devils. Nova will outshoot them.

Regional Final
Villanova over Florida State - The Final Four has a party crasher this year.

South

First Round
North Carolina over Radford - Artsiom Parakhouski's presence won't be enough for
the Highlanders in this one.

Butler over LSU - The Bulldogs will shock a Tiger team that's probably a bit disappointed in their seed.

Western Kentucky over Illinois - Limited or no minutes for Chester Frazier + a WkU team that already beat Louisville = upset

Gonzaga over Akron - If LeBron played for the Zips, they'd win this.

Temple over Arizona State - The Owls tournament experience will give them the win.

Syracuse over Stephen F. Austin - The extra day off will help the Orange.

Michigan over Clemson - Yet another Beilein tournament win and more NCAA disappointment for the Tigers.

Oklahoma over Morgan State - Unfortunately for the Bears, the Sooners aren't the Terps.

Second Round
North Carolina over Butler - Even if this wasn't in Greensboro, the Bulldogs wouldn't have much of a chance.

Gonzaga over Western Kentucky - The Hilltoppers won't get their second straight second round win over a WCC opponent.

Syracuse over Temple - It won't be easy for the Orange.

Oklahoma over Michigan - The Sooners will be too much for the Wolverines, who will be due for a loss.

Regional Semifinals
Gonzaga over North Carolina - The Heels defensive issues create problems against the Zags.

Oklahoma over Syracuse - The Orange finally run out of gas and miss too many free throws.

Regional Final
Oklahoma over Gonzaga - Blake Griffin creates too many problems for the Bulldogs.

Final Four

Louisville over Memphis - The Tigers fall a game short in their quest for redemption.

Oklahoma over Villanova - The Wildcats simply won't be able to compete with the Sooners inside. Their guard play keeps it close.

National Championship
Louisville over Oklahoma - The Cardinals are just the better overall team at the moment, peaking at the right time.

I'll be providing regular updates on my picks during the tournament. I'll also be providing updates of the first annual SBN Site Bracket Bonanza throughout the tournament to see how my sheet is doing against those entered by other SBN site managers.

Good luck and enjoy the best three weeks of the year!

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Comments

'Zona in the Elite 8

Something I wouldn’t have balls to do with such a tough first round match up they’ll have. Good luck though.

by D.M.J. on Mar 18, 2009 12:02 AM EDT reply actions

Sweet Sixteen...

I have U of L knocking ’em off before they get to the Elite Eight.

Visit bloggingthebracket.com, SBNation's, bracketology site!

by Chris Dobbertean on Mar 18, 2009 7:54 AM EDT up reply actions

Well I'll throw mine in there........

Midwest::

UL over Morehead St
Siena over OSU
UA over Utah
Wake over Cle St
WVU over Dayton
KU over NDSU
USC over BC
MSU over Bob Morris

UL over Siena
UA over Wake
WV over KU
MSU over USC

UL over UA
MSU over WV

UL over MSU

WEST

UConn over Chatt
BYU over TAMU
Purdue over NIU
Wash over Miss St
USU over Marq
Mizzu over Cornell
Cal over Maryland
Memphis over CSUN

UCONN over BYU
Wash over Purdue
USU over Mizzu
Memphis over Cal

UConn over Wash
Memphis over USU

Memphis over UConn

EAST

Pitt over ETSU
Ok St over Tenn
FSU over Wisconsin
Port St over Xavier
VCU over UCLA
Nova over American
Texas over Minn
Duke over Bing

Pitt over Ok St
FSU over Port St
Nova over VCU
Duke over Texas

Pitt over FSU
Nova over Duke

Pitt over Nova

SOUTH

UNC over Radford
Butler over LSU
WKU over Illinois
Gonzaga over Akron
ASU over Temple
Syracuse over SFA
Michigan over Clem
Oklahoma over Morgan St

UNC over Butler
Zags over WKU
Cuse over ASU
Okla over Michigan

UNC over Zags
Cuse over Okla

UNC over Cuse

FINAL FOUR: UNC, PITT, MEMPHIS, LOU

LOU over MEMPHIS
UNC over PITT

UNC over LOU 77-70

A person who performs good Karma (deeds) is always held in high esteem
12/19/08 - Thank you KLJ for coming into my life.

by norcaliangelsfan on Mar 18, 2009 12:09 AM EDT reply actions

Interesting bracket

I have a ton of disagreements (although a lot of agreements as well), but I’m glad to see that, as the differences in each individual’s bracket is what makes March Madness so special (and so incredibly difficult to pick).

Two questions that are at the top of my mind though:
1. I know I’m biased, but you didn’t really give any reasoning for why VCU can and will upset UCLA. I will definitely accept that UCLA is having a major down year and are not the same defensive team they have been in the past, but this VCU is a weaker team in a weaker conference than two years ago, and I do believe they were over seeded tremendously by the committee. Eric Maynor is not the kind of point guard Darren Collison struggles against (he struggles against physically dominant, naturally athletic guards, of which Maynor is not one), and UCLA’s experience in the past three years added on to the senior leadership of DC, Shipp, and an underrated Aboya should easily take care of an inferior VCU club. There’s definitely been a lot of buzz around this as an upset (heck, Seth Davis immediately called this upset right as he saw it on the selection show), but the only valid reason I’ve seen for the upset to occur is Eric Maynor, Eric Maynor, and Eric Maynor. And he can’t do it alone, and at least from my point of view, he won’t be enough to beat UCLA.

2. What have you seen that makes you think Oklahoma will get to the Final Four? They haven’t looked the same at all since Blake Griffin’s concussion (even though he has fully recovered), and the loss to Oklahoma State was disappointing to end the season.

by uclaisthebest123 on Mar 18, 2009 12:53 AM EDT reply actions

I don't know what everyone is thinking

These upsets don’t occur in a vacuum. VCU is good, but Howland isn’t about to let his team get punk’d by a mid-major.

by Tom (RFTN) on Mar 18, 2009 7:27 PM EDT up reply actions

VCU is just a feeling...

…Oklahoma is purely a matchup thing.

Visit bloggingthebracket.com, SBNation's, bracketology site!

by Chris Dobbertean on Mar 18, 2009 7:55 AM EDT reply actions

Off to Philly...

…don’t burn the place down while I’m away. :)

Visit bloggingthebracket.com, SBNation's, bracketology site!

by Chris Dobbertean on Mar 18, 2009 12:26 PM EDT reply actions

Only a few smoke stains on the ceiling.........

I promise.

A person who performs good Karma (deeds) is always held in high esteem
12/19/08 - Thank you KLJ for coming into my life.

by norcaliangelsfan on Mar 18, 2009 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions

Everyone's down on the Utes.

Sad.

Jazzardous Materials
3rd Down & Full Count

by UtesFan89 on Mar 18, 2009 1:53 PM EDT reply actions

Eff Arizona

They have no chance.

I want to thank the good Lord for making me a Philip Rivers fan.

by Sam (sdsuaztec4) on Mar 19, 2009 1:14 AM EDT up reply actions

Plus not everyone

President Obama picked the Utes.

I want to thank the good Lord for making me a Philip Rivers fan.

by Sam (sdsuaztec4) on Mar 19, 2009 1:15 AM EDT up reply actions

mine are on my own site...

but what the hell…like these predictions are really worth anything

I won’t waste the space with my game by game..but my Sweet Sixteen is

Louisville
Wake Forest
WVU
USC
UConn
N Iowa
Missouri
Memphis
Tennessee
Xavier
Villanova
Minnesota
UNC
Gonzaga
Temple
Oklahoma

Elite 8

Louisville
WVU
UConn
Memphis
Tennessee
Villanova
UNC
Oklahoma

Final 4
Villanova
UNC
WVU
Memphis

Championship Game
Memphis
UNC

Champion…..drum roll anybody….Memphis…I think they are pissed that they don’t have a 1 seed

Marc Gross

by phillyfansportstalk on Mar 18, 2009 4:50 PM EDT reply actions

Question: Am I crazy to believe that Missouri will not only beat Memphis, but Connecticut to reach the Final Four?

I can honestly see them getting by Memphis, but I don’t have much confidence in their ability to Connecticut. I still have it happening as my one big party crasher in the Final Four. How off am I/

by uclaisthebest123 on Mar 18, 2009 7:26 PM EDT reply actions