The East Bracket.

The question of the East Bracket is will I let my blatant homerism take control. Wisconsin AND Marquette live in this bracket. And I happen to like my home state sports teams. I remember Jerel McNeal and I care. And whatnot.

1 Kentucky vs. 16 East Tennessee State

Please. John Wall is God. And the fighting Mister Jennings may not be going out like that, but they are going out.

8 Texas vs. 9 Wake Forest

Texas is a sublimely talented team. They could come together and make a run to the sweet 16. But for two reasons, it's the Demon Deacons. They're a strong defensive team that forces a team into bad shots, and Texas has had severe offensive issues in recent weeks. Also? Never trust Rick Barnes.

5 Temple vs. 12 Cornell

If you wanted me to give Cornell my 5-12 blessing, they should have had a team that can't stop the perimeter jumper. Temple locks down the defense on the perimeter. Cornell's main strength is crazy go nuts from beyond the arc. Temple will force them off their game.

4 Wisconsin vs. 13 Wofford

An undersized team that runs mostly man to man? An officially healthy Jon Leuer? Their last game being a terrible game for Trevon Hughes? I vote yes to the Badgers advancement.

6 Marquette vs. 11 Washington

I'm going Marquette. Washington has a tendency to play down to the level of their opponents. USC was a terrible team, and they beat Washington twice. UCLA got one with no defensive presence. Texas Tech and Oregon as well. And nobody was as good from beyond the arc as the Golden Eagles.

3 New Mexico vs. 14 Montana

Montana may be able to keep it interesting for a little while, but you know what? No. Montana's perimeter D is bad. And New Mexico rocks it from treyland, and while they do not defend at an A level? Their B- defense is good enough here. Lobos to round two.

7 Clemson vs. 10 Missouri

Missouri. They can generate Turnovers and take care of the ball. Clemson cannot. LOCK CITY.

2 West Virginia vs. 15 Morgan State

West Virginia. I don't trust them to get much further, but Todd Bozeman isn't gonna do shit.

ROUND 2

1 Kentucky vs. 9 Wake Forest

A poor shooting team that just doesn't generate many turnovers? Yes please, says Kentucky.

4 Wisconsin vs. 5 Temple

First to 50 wins? Yeah. It'll be like that. These teams have some real similarites. Hit up KenPom. You'll see something interesting. But I trust the Badgers to generate more good looks here. Also? Their tall guy has power in their offense.

3 New Mexico vs. 6 Marquette

This is the sort of thing where the winner of the 6-11 game is going to advance through to the Sweet 16. New Mexico just doesn't force bad shots with near enough the alacrity to stop the winner of this game. And as for Marquette? Most teams score on the Lobos from beyond the arc from three. And the Golden Eagles are 7th in 3 point field goal percentage.

2 West Virginia vs. 10 Missouri

Missouri's going to shock some people. Not me though. Bob Huggins will fall early again. Missouri's a pressure team and Joe Mazzula is made of suck and Truck Bryant's got one arm. Missouri to the Sweet 16 is a Book it upset pick.

SWEET 16

1 Kentucky vs. 4 Wisconsin

You know what? I'm going to let my homerism soar. Why? Because they've beaten three teams when they were in the Top 5. And they have two guards who have the ability to take over a game Devan Downey style. They're more experienced, and when the pace slows down, Kentucky has trouble. Hit the upset one time Bo Ryan!

6 Marquette vs. 10 Missouri

I honestly don't know how this will happen. And if this does? Honestly. Marquette has a rotation of six going up against a 40 Minutes of Hell scenario. But they cradle the ball like an infant child. Maurice Acker is a steady force. And Missouri can't take advantage of Marquette's size. Marquette had bad luck when their paths crossed last year. IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN.*

REGIONAL FINAL

4 Wisconsin vs. 10 Missouri

The Badgers pride themselves on taking care of the ball. And they will not fear trying to go for the extra pass. I know it should prbably be New Mexico or West Virginia here. But screw it. No school. Wisco.

*Note: This Bracket Match-up will not happen. Come on.

The West Bracket.

It has a chance for intrigue. The craziest things you can talk yourself into? From this bracket. Vermont becoming the first 16 seed to take down a #1? Yep. UTEP to the Sweet 16? Yep. BYU to the Final Four. Even that. But my bracket commentary? Here we go.

1 Syracuse vs. 16 Vermont

Here's the thing about Vermont. Their strength is in Marquis Blakely. They don't have the T.J. Sorrentine to rock the three point shot. Syracuse advances.

8 Gonzaga vs. 9 Florida State

Teams that bang on the low post have given Gonzaga some real trouble this year. Not to say that Florida State is a guaranteed lock to win this game. But Gonzaga's weaknesses mesh a lot better with the Noles strengths than the other way around.

5 Butler vs. 12 UTEP

I may not be the first to suggest this as a 12-5 Upset, but I will at least give you a reason as to why. The teams that have beaten Butler are teams that shoot well and have an inside presence. Derrick Caracter provides the inside presence. RANDY Culpepper hops around and calls it comedy from the outside. And slow teams aren't what gave UTEP trouble this year anyway. Butler falls.

4 Vanderbilt vs. 13 Murray State

There's a lot of reasons to like Murray State here. Murray State crashes the offensive glass with style and aplomb. They also generate a lot of turnovers and a team like Vanderbilt can be weak in taking teams off of the defensive glass and protecting the ball. I can't believe I'm talking myself into this. But teams with good guardplay and or teams that can force bad shots inside have been Vanderbilt's big issue. Murray State can do both. Murray State advances.

6 Xavier vs. 11 Minnesota

Minnesota is a talented enough team that they could beat Xavier, but Xavier has enough shooters to make that sort of a scenario highly unlikely. And I trust Xavier's defense. So? The Musketeers roll onto round 2.

3 Pittsburgh vs. 14 Oakland

Please. You don't need me to tell you who wins this game.

7 BYU vs. 10 Florida

Every year I pick BYU in the first round and every year they get pummeled. I know that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing and hoping for a different result? But you know what. This pick is crazy. BYU.

2 Kansas State vs. 15 North Texas

Frank Martin advances to round 2. Thanks for playing Angry Green.

ROUND 2

1 Syracuse vs. 9 Florida State

This result is as easy as the fact that Syracuse generates enough turnovers to make Florida State pay, Florida State can't hit the three, and Syracuse can. Survive and advance PC Oranges. Survive and advance.

12 UTEP vs. 13 Murray State

Remember when I said that UTEP had trouble with teams that run faster than they do? Murray State doesn't. They also have had some issues taking care of the ball. UTEP won't blow them out, but the size and experience will win out.

6 Xavier vs. 3 Pittsburgh

This game feels like a coin flip. But I'm willing to trust in Pittsburgh's ability to control the pace and limit fast break opportunities. So yeah. Pitt goes ahead.

7 BYU vs. 2 Kansas State

I can't pick BYU here. I just can't. Kansas State is the sort of team BYU hasn't seen much if at all this year. And teams that could rebound have been the end of BYU via a right thrashing in previous seasons.

SWEET 16

1 Syracuse vs. 12 UTEP

The run ends for the Miners right here. Faster team, and they'll win on the offensive glass. Onuaku should be back by this point as well. The Cuse may win by 20.

2. Kansas State vs. 3 Pittsburgh

Kansas State has the better defense in this match-up. Pittsburgh may force bad shots, but the Wildcats are better glass cleaners. Kansas State may give up turnovers? But Pittsburgh won't take advantage of that. Kansas State rolls on.

ELITE 8

1 Syracuse vs. 2 Kansas State

This looks like one of those classic 88-84 up and down games where there are 21 lead changes. And if you're living in a world where the game looks like it's going to be tight as well as classic. Bet on the team with the best player. Kansas State does not have Wes Johnson.

So yeah. 2 down 2 to go.

The Midwest Bracket

Okay, in the interest of full disclosure? I'm going to tell you that I usually collapse by the first weekend. It's like a mediocre golfer at the Masters. But seeing as I'm starving the people in regards to production? I'll give you a commentary as I fill in the brackets.

We will start with the Midwest.

1 Kansas vs. 16 Lehigh

Kansas. I know that Bucknell has beaten a Bill Self led team. But Kansas is obvious.

8 UNLV vs. 9 Northern Iowa

Teams than can defend inside have given lots of trouble to the Rebels. The Rebels lost to Utah twice this year and they were kind of pretty terrible. Northern Iowa has one of the best rebounders in the country in Egelseder. I say they get to strap it up versus KU.

5 Michigan State vs. 12 New Mexico State

This is not the 5-12 upset that you're looking for. Izzo is built to win games in the tournament. Michigan State gets the win. Easy.

4 Maryland vs. 13 Houston

Houston absolutely can keep it interesting for 30-35 minutes. But the thing about Maryland? They get beaten by teams that rock the offensive glass. Houston just does not have that sort of genius power to their game. Maryland advances.

6 Tennessee vs. 11 San Diego State

This is the sort of matchup that actually plays right into San Diego State's hands. Most of the teams that have shown that they can beat Tennessee have an inside presence. If you tamp down inside shooting and crash the glass? You can beat Tennessee. And Tennessee isn't the strongest team defending inside. I'm going to take the Aztecs.

3 Georgetown vs. 14 Ohio

Ohio's just happy to be here. The team that gets hot to get in will not get beyond the first round. Ohio may gave won 5 in a row and 7 out of 8, but please. Please. Georgetown.

7 Oklahoma State vs. 10 Georgia Tech

It actually favors Georgia Tech on paper. It's not the run and gun Oklahoma State of years before. And they haven't generated the turnovers that have killed the Bees at several points during the year. Oklahoma State's going to have to make threes to have a chance here. And it hasn't happened yet.

2 Ohio State vs. 15 Cal-State Santa Barbara.

Ohio State can work it inside. UCSB gets killed by teams with an inside presence. Buckeyes get to round two.

ROUND 2

1 Kansas vs. 9 Northern Iowa

The Balance of Kansas will make them win. Northern Iowa just doesn't have the offensive horses. It'll be something like last years Purdue score. 61-55 or something.

4 Maryland vs. 5 Michigan State

Remember when I said that Maryland has trouble with teams that find a way to hit the offensive glass? Say hello to Tom Izzo's latest trip to the Sweet 16. The 9th best team at hitting the offensive glass will overcome a good Maryland team.

3 Georgetown vs. 11 San Diego State

The big bugaboo for the Aztecs is their inability to defend a team that can consistently hit from beyond the arc thereby limiting their inside defensive presence. With players like Austin Freeman and Jason Clark? Georgetown will get into the Sweet 16. (But I want it to be known if this was like a Football bowl pool? I'd give this game a low confidence score. BETWEEN THE HEDGINGS!)

2 Ohio State vs. 10 Georgia Tech

This is the sort of game that Ohio State will pull out. Georgia Tech's size will keep them in it for a long while. They may even be leading as we get to crunch time. However? Georgia Tech cannot make a free throw to save their life. And we all know that Evan Turner's rolling through his draft status drive.

SWEET 16

1 Kansas vs. 5 Michigan State

Redemption comes through in this game. Kansas is one of the deadliest teams at defending inside. Outside shooting is Michigan State's big weakness. They get down by 10 and it's over. Kansas to the Elite Eight.

2 Ohio State vs. 3 Georgetown

Georgetown is a team that doesn't take care of the ball. They also don't go to the bench unless they absolutely have to. And they also don't have Evan Turner. The better defense will win this game. And that goes to the Buckeyes.

Regional Final

1 Kansas vs. 2 Ohio State

I have no empirical evidence as to exaclty why I'm saying this. But I am going with Ohio State. Evan Turner is the sort of superstar that Kansas doesn't have. And you know what else? By this point anyway? My bracket is toast. So guts and nuts. Buckeyes to the Final Four.

The Quarterback Class in the NFL Draft

It's kind of a weak list again. No quarterback on the list is completely without a question. And considering the amount of money that's going to be put out there for the top guys? It has the potential to be a scary scenario at the top.

Sam Bradford (QB-Oklahoma)

Obviously? There's a lot to like about this man. Deadly accurate with a good enough arm. He's good enough to place the ball where it has to be to avoid the interception. And he can pick up the first down if necessary by running the ball.

But he missed the rough eqiuvalent of nine games last season. And considering his rawness at a pro-style offense? It means you are not getting a guy why would have a 22/20 TD/INT ratio. He locks on his receiver. And he was much more of a system quarterback than you'd think. His reads were a whole lot more Stoops-based. So what does that mean? You're paying nearly 75 million dollars for somebody in 2012. And then the world's gonna end.

Jimmy Clausen (QB-Notre Dame)

The Zack Ryder of College Football had an impressive season in 2009. I mean, it wasn't the defense that was Notre Dame's issue last season, right? And he definitively has the highest floor. A pro style offense? He was solid in it. Upside? He has copious amounts of it. Accuracy? He can make all the throws. Arm? Yep.

But in a way? He's Ron Pawlus writ small. Not to say that he can't be Phillip Rivers. (He's a jerkass who has a tendency to float passes), But you expected more from him. And how much of last year was due to Golden Tate and Michael Floyd? He's the safe 1st round pick. But meh.

Colt McCoy (QB-Texas)

He doesn't have a great arm. Most of his throws are under 20 yards. He has a tendency to take off and run. He will try to make the gunslinger move to make something happen. He has almost never had to be the man to get his team the win. So? There's a real chance he's going to be a higher regarded version of a Kliff Kingsbury or Andre Woodson.

Then again? He's got a chance to be Jeff Garcia, or let alone a Drew Brees. He's one of the smarter quarterbacks in College Football. And he knows how to run smart so he does not get killed. He has strong poise and good intelligence. For all we know? He could grow up to be Jared Zabransky.


Tim Tebow (QB-Florida)

We all know Tebow.
He has no quarterback skills.
Convert to the Y.

Old photo. Old site.
Number one on the Google.
Pretty soon old site dies.

Haiku fail.

In tribute to Corey Haim...

I present to you what I am...dead serious...about as the best Corey elated sketch of all time.

If I had to name the 33 at-large teams?

We can start with the obviously in from the Big Six who aren't leading their conference.

ACC: Duke*, Maryland*, Clemson, Florida State
Big 12: Kansas State, Missouri, Baylor, Texas A&M, Texas, Oklahoma State
Big East: Villanova, West Virginia, Pittsburgh, Marquette
Big 10: Purdue, Michigan State, Wisconsin
Pac 10: NOBODY (Cal is leading the conference, after all.)
SEC: Vanderbilt, Tennessee

Okay, so where we are here? 18 teams. So we're down to 15 teams. And currently, we have three non Big Six at-large teams. (2 of Xavier, Temple, and Richmond, as well as BYU). That makes 12 teams.

1. Georgetown (They're scuffling badly. They've very likely done enough to get there. Their strength of schedule is 1. And SOS is the strongest factor for bubble teams right now.
2. Virginia Tech (The computer numbers are terrible. But either they beat Georgia Tech and get 10-6 in the best conference ever. Or they get the 12 seed in the first round of the conference tournament.)
3. Louisville (They beat Syracuse and they're an automatic lock. But they'll get a bye into the second round of the tournament. And even if they don't? Their SOS is currently 7.)

4. Rhode Island
5. San Diego State
6. Dayton
--This is the sort of thing where there really is not much available on the Bubble. All these teams have decent resumes, and a team like Mississippi State is fringy with their strength of schedule and road striggles. I could see one of these three teams (Dayton) get left out. But that being said? There could be a problem if all three get left out.

7. Arizona State
8. Florida
9. Georgia Tech (A tough game versus Virginia Tech. But they've won all they were supposed to. They take back Virginia Tech on Saturday? They should be fine with one tournament win.)
10. Wake Forest (The loss to North Carolina is leaving them among the walking wounded. The final regular season game is versus Clemson. Not that the 6th place team of the ACC likely can't get in, but they might be 7th.)

11. Ole Miss
12. Washington
13. Mississippi State

14. UNLV
15. Notre Dame (The RPI is 61. They lost to Loyola Marymount in South Bend. And their strength of schedule isn't nearly enough to overcome both without a deep run in the tournament.)
16. South Florida
17. UAB
18. Illinois (They have to beat Wisconsin twice or Wisconsin/Michigan State. Pretty much dead.)
19. Seton Hall
20. Minnesota (Would need a run to the Big 10 tournament finals to get in.)

I know it looks half-assed. But damnit. I'm bored. So hey. That's okay.

Mariekson Gregorious! Dutch Shortstop!

If you utter his name five times in rapid succession, a tulip shall grow from where you stand.