NCAA Basketball Bracket Breakdowns

Today we have three special guests breaking down three of the four NCAA Tourney brackets for all our CIC friends. Tomorrow we have a very special guest who will break down the final bracket.

East Region Bracket

Steve Yellenich will graduate from Washington State this spring. He was a cabin counselor the past two summers. 2009 will be his third year at CIC and he will be in a brand new position at camp as a Trip Leader. Steve is a huge Ken Griffey Jr. fan and I expect he will be picking him to be the American League MVP in his return to Seattle this year.

For for all you die-hard, March is the best time of the year, I pick a team based on colors, and whichever school seems the most polite, the time is here, it is tournament time! The mood in Pullman (Washington State University) is a somber one since our beloved Cougars failed to make the tournament for the first time in two years (although we did get a shot at the NIT). Aside from that I could not be more excited for the month of March and the upcoming tournament. It truly is the best time of the year! (besides summer camp on Catalina of course!) The region I chose to break down this year was the mighty East bracket, full of east coast bias and crab cakes.

FIRST ROUND:
The first round as you all know is the most exciting couple days of the tournament, full of upsets, blowouts, and what just happened? There are six games going on at once!?


Pittsburgh (1) vs. East Tennessee State University (16): As much as I want to see this happen in my lifetime, I don't think this will be the first time a 16 seed beats a number one seed.

Duke (2) vs. Binghamton (15): Unlike last year, Duke will not be seeing a first round loss this time around, Duke wins by big. Thanks for playing Binghamton.

Villanova (3) vs. American (14): Head coach Jay Wright of Villanova led his team to a 13-5 record in nation's most difficult conference. As much as I love America, I am going to have to go with the more dominant team in this one.

Xavier (4) vs Portland State (13): This game could be surprisingly interesting to watch. Portland State, which got into the tournament by winning the Big Sky tournament, has three big time players on their team in Nelson, Dominguez, and Waters, all transfers from bigger division one schools. Portland State's biggest win this year was their early victory at Gonzaga, which is a rarity. Xavier, who has wins against tournament teams like Missouri and Memphis are coming out of the Atlantic 10 conference with a 12-5 record. Xavier has played more "big" games this year than Portland State, but don't be surprised to see Portland State compete in in this game. There will definitely be more of a home town feel for them since they managed to only have to go to Boise, Idaho. In the end though Xavier's better talent, and experience will allow them to take this game.

Florida State (5) vs. Wisconsin (12): This is not going to be the infamous 5/12 upset this time around. Wisconsin (19-12) was not even on many people's "bubble watch", but since having a 10-8 record in one of the nation's best conferences, they snuck in. Florida State, coming off a loss to Duke in the conference championship, is looking like a real threat to this bracket. After beating North Carolina in the semi-finals of the ACC tourney, and having a hard fought game against Duke, FSU has to have the "we can beat anyone attitude," which is why they are going to beat up on Wisconsin.

UCLA (6) vs. VCU (11): I could write all day why I think UCLA will win, and I have West Coast bias, and Pac-10 Bias. Therefore I will spare you guys from rambling. UCLA wins.

Texas (7) vs Minnesota (10): This is a tough draw for ole Tubby and the boys from Minnesota. Texas, led by senior guard A.J. Abrams, has something to prove to the nation in this tournament after having some questionable losses throughout the season, and after being knocked out by surprise team Baylor in their conference tournament. Minnesota on the other hand making their first tournament appearance in a few years is ready to surprise some people. Minnesota does have quality wins vs. teams such as Michigan State, Louisville, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Penn State. Tubby knows how to win in thie tournament and I believe that he will find a way to win against Texas.

Oklahoma State (8) vs Tennessee (9): The 8 vs 9 game is always one of the most difficult to pick, they aren't back to back seeds for nothing. OSU is somewhat of a defensive-minded team and could disrupt the run and gun throw up 3's left and right offense of Tennessee. The Vol's on the other hand don't really know what defense is, especially after allowing Jody Meeks of Kentucky to drop 53 points on them earlier in the year. I believe Oklahoma State's tough nose Big 12 style of play will overwhelm the NBA-esque style of play that Bruce Pearl uses at Tennessee.

Second Round:
So the first round wasn't full of the upsets like there usually are, but in the end the better seeded team really does feel like the best team to pick. Maybe the second round will provice something different.

Pittsburgh (1) vs. Oklahoma State (8): Jamie Dixon has his team as a number 1 seed for a reason. Their defense is familiar to that of the nation's leading defensive team, Washington State University (my school ). It is a pack-style defense that forces the opponent to shoot the outside shot, which still is usually contested by a hand in the face. Oklahoma State, who shot about 38% from the three point line this year, could have one of those games and find their shots, but Pittsburgh has too many weapons in this game. Pittsburgh wins easy.

Florida State (5) vs. Xavier (4): Florida State is still riding the momentum from their conference tournament and first round win and knocks off the mid-major conference team in the 2nd round. Hellllllllo sweet 16.

UCLA (6) vs. Villanova (3): UCLA has been an under-the-radar type team this year. Coming from an underrated conference this year in the Pac-10, UCLA knows how to win in the tournament. After being in the final 4 for the last three years, UCLA is determined to return to their usual scenery in March. Again, my west coast bias picks UCLA over the east coast foe of Villanova.

Duke (2) vs. Minnesota (10): I'll keep this short. Duke wins.

SWEET 16:

Pittsburgh (1) vs. Florida State (5): Behind the senior experience of Levance Fields, and their two leading scorers downlow in DeJuan Blair and Sam Young, Pittsburgh will put an end to the run of Florida State and move onto the Elite 8.

Duke (2) vs. UCLA (6): My west coast bias will be coming to an end. Duke is just to tough all around for the Bruins to take this upset. Kyle Singler is the same type of player as Dragovich for UCLA, but better and will show this against the weak inside game of UCLA. Gerald Henderson will match up very well with Josh Shipp of UCLA, and again I think the advantage here goes to the Dukies. Coach K, one of the most respected coaches in all of NCAA, does not want to see his early exit like they did at the hands of Belmont last year. Duke advances to the Elite 8.

ELITE 8:
So, go figure... I have the #1 Pittsburgh vs. #2 Duke teams from the east bracket in the Elite 8. These two teams both have shown to be atop the nation's best this year and will continue to show it in this region. I am going to have to go with the team I picked to win the entire tournament, the Panthers of Pittsburgh. DeJuan Blair will prove to be to much to handle for Kyle Singler of Duke. Along with Blair, Duke will have to draw their attention to Pitt's leading scorer Sam Young, which will cause problems all around for the Blue Devils. Pitt wins in a close game, but Pitt will win by 10. Final 4 here you come Pittsburgh!

Final Four: Pittsburgh

West Region Bracket

Danny Olson will be a third year counselor at Catalina Island Camps in 2009. He is a graduate of Washington State Univeristy.

March Madness, it’s awesome baby! Although Dicky V is a lil’ upset about St. Mary’s snub. Anyhow, on to the West Region breakdown, which features two tough Pac-10 teams that all of us west coast’ers should be rooting for!


Connecticut (1) vs. Chattanooga (16)
The last ten seasons have not seen a number 16 seed lose by less than 21 points to a number one seed. Sorry Chattanooga fans, not looking good. Uconn is the Juggernaut here, they will dominate in easy fashion to a thirty point victory.

BYU (8) vs. Texas A&M (9)
The 8-9 match ups are always the most fun to watch as the two teams are fairly equal. BYU has the better record of the two, but A&M was in the much tougher Big XII. I’ll go with the Aggies here for the slight upset over BYU.

Purdue (5) vs. UNI (12)
CIC has a strong Purdue connection, and I’m not aware of any University of Northern Iowa CIC’ers so I better make the safe pick. Typically the 5-12 game is a favorite pick for an upset in March Madness but Purdue had a solid year capped by winning the Big Ten tournament. They won’t allow a Cinderella story from UNI here.

Wash (4) vs. MSU (13)
Normally, I loathe UW. As a graduate from Washington State, UW was our biggest rivalry. We bleed the many crimson, they bleed purple. What is that about! That being said, after my Cougs made the tourney the past two years, we struggled this year to a NIT berth, just short of the NCAA’s. And come tourney time, I always root for any Pac-10 teams, even if I have to root for my bitter rival who wears purple. Huskies are paced by the Pac-10 freshman of the year Isaiah Thomas and senior power forward John Brockman who averages a double-double. Mississippi State was a surprising SEC tournament champion so I expect them to hang tough but UW to edge it out in the end with a victory and advancing to the next round.

Marq (6) vs. USU (11)
While Utah State is in the weak WAC and Marquette in the Big East which is probably the toughest conference in the land with three number one seeds in this tourney, don’t be misled. Marquette’s best player is out for the year and they lost early in the Big East tourney. Here’s my upset special pick of this tourney, USU and their 30-4 record upset the Goliath Marquette and advance to the next round.

Mizzou (3) vs. Cornell (14)
If this was a knowledge bowl, Cornell would have to be the favorite to win. Representing the Ivy League, Cornell had a solid year but let’s be honest they have no chance against the Big XII tournament champion Missouri. All you Cornell Big Red fans here’s hoping you prove me wrong!

Cal (7) vs. Maryland (10)
Cal is in the Pac-10 so you better know this Dusty will be picking the Golden Bears. Led by first year coach Mike Montgomery, Cal excelled with one of the best three point shooting teams in the nation. They lost last year’s star in Ryan Anderson and fired coach Ben Braun, but replaced him with former Stanford coach Mike Montgomery which proved to be a good move. Maryland has been a regular in the NCAA’s every year and coach Gary Williams is one of the best, but I gotta go with Cal to represent the west coast and PAC-10 with their dominant three-point shooting.

Mem. (2) vs. CSN (15)
Memphis doesn’t rebuild, they reload. Last year’s squad went undefeated until tourney time and they made it to the final four. This year’s squad looked to be a down year and then all they did was go 31-1. John Calipari can coach, recruit, and probably even play if he needed to. Cal State Northridge is a fun story, and while they aren’t Pac-10 they are on the west coast so I would like to pick them, but I’m not stupid. Memphis in a blow out.

2nd round

Uconn. (1) vs A&M (9)
Uconn

Purdue (5) vs. Wash. (4)
Washington

USU (11) vs. Mizz (3)
Missouri

Cal (7) vs. Memphis (2)
Memphis

3rd round

Uconn (1) vs. Wash. (4)
Uconn

Mizzou (3) vs. Memphis (2)
Memphis

4th round

Uconn (1) vs. Memphis (2)
Memphis is technically a mid-major playing in Conference-USA and Uconn in the powerhouse Big East. But Memphis schedules the toughest non conference schedule in the nation every year, beating teams like Gonzaga on the road. I think their athleticism will prevail over Uconn and they will win in the final game of the West bracket and make a return trip to the final four.

Memphis wins the West!

Mid West Bracket


Tom Horner is the executive director of Catalina Island Camps and a huge hockey fan. Actually he cares more about the World Baseball Classic than college basketball.

He does however enjoy the great CIC staff and thought putting his NCAA knowledge out there for everyone would be a great way to participate in what they love. Basketball.



Did you watch the selection show on Sunday afternoon? I didn't. I was at Costco buying food for the St. Patrick's Day potluck lunch Rasheed has organized for the office staff.

Have you watched much NCAA basketball this year? I haven't. See my pic? I’m posing with the only trophy I really do care about, wearing one of two jerseys I’d really ever purchase. (the other would be an LA Dodger jersey).

So how did I get to break down the Midwest bracket for the CIC blog? I run the blog. I needed 4 bloggers and figured if I said I was breaking down one of the brackets the other bloggers would feel confident they could outperform me. It’s a pretty good strategy on my part and on the other bloggers’ part. It's highly likely they will outperform me – except I can win more games because there is the play in game in the Midwest. It’s not really 64 teams; it is 65 teams with the last two playing each other to earn the right to get slaughtered by the number 1 number 1 seed.

All you need to know about the Midwest is that Louisville will win 4 games to reach the final four and then win two more games to win the entire tournament. They play in the Big East Conference. Three of the number one seeds in the tournament came from the Big East. Louisville beat them all. Some will argue UNC is the best team and chances are Lousiville and UNC will meet.

Louisville will beat Alabama State who will have beaten Morehead State in the 64 vs. 65 game.

Other round one winners on Friday are:

Sienna (9) over Ohio State (8)
Too much defense and experience from Sienna. A small upset here especially since OSU fans should outnumber Sienna fans about 100 to 1 in Dayton.

Utah (5) over Arizona (12)
Sorry Taki, Jenna and others who care about UofA or the Pac-10. Arizona shouldn't even be in the tournament this year. (See Danny's note above about St. Mary's getting robbed) The Wildcats would probably lose a first round NIT game.

Wake Forest (4) over Cleveland State (13)
Cleveland State is good but Wake Forest started 16-0. They will be too much to handle the first weekend and should make the Sweet 16.

West Virginia (6) over Dayton (11)
This could be a very close game. Dayton plays great defense and could give WV some trouble, but they can’t score enough to compliment their defense. Watch out though, if Dayton scores more than their opponents, they will make the sweet 16.

Kansas (3) over North Dakota State (14)
Last year’s champion will make this one look easy. NDSU is in the tournament for the first time - in the first year they are eligible. That is a success story in itself.

USC (10) over Boston College (7)
I don’t really like USC and routinely root for UCLA or other Pac-10 teams. However, USC is on a roll. They are playing fantastic defense and have solid team offense. BC drew the wrong team. This is the one of two first round upsets I will pick.

Michigan State (2) over Robert Morris (15)
Next

On Sunday we will see these games

Louisville (1) vs. Sienna (9)
Should be a good game but in the end the Cardinals will move on to the Sweet 16

Utah (5) vs. Wake Forest (4)
Utah relies too much on the outside shot and the last undefeated team in 5 of the past 6 seasons has made the sweet 16. Wake Forest moves on.

West Virginia (6) vs. Kansas (3)
Another good game. Kansas is better than expected after losing all 5 starters from last year’s championship team. Kansas is young and West Virginia needs their veterans to perform. I’ll go out on a limb and say West Virginia will make it the Sweet 16 for the fourth time in five years.

USC (10) vs. Michigan State (2)
USC is on a roll, but it ends here. Michigan State is the model of Big Ten consistency and USC is riding the wave. Waves end up washed out. MSU moves on.

Sweet 16

Louisville (1) will beat Wake Forest (4)
Michigan State (2) will beat West Virginia (6)

Louisville (1) over Michigan State (2)

A Louisville victory over MSU will send the Cardinals the Final Four in Detroit April 4-6.

That’s how I see it at 10:25 on Sunday night after 30 minutes of reading other people’s comments on the internet. I don’t think I’ve ever won a bracket, but I did finish in the money one time or another. I’m sure I missed an upset or two (Dayton or Cleveland State?) and picking Sienna over Ohio State in a game played in Dayton Ohio may not have been the most solid idea but I will stand by it.

The one thing that is clear is that Louisville is the class of the Mid West and gets a favorable game location in Indianapolis for the sweet 16.