March Madness - Let's Hear Your Notable Picks and Pans
Mates,
It is that time for March Madness. And while we need to step away from the smoldering crater that is U of M hoops right at this moment, March Madness is still a very fun time of the year. I run our 'family and friends' bracket - I put up the money, family and friends send me their sheets, and I score keep. Traditionally we do the bit about 1 pt for first round wins, 2 pts for second, and on it goes. 1st and 2nd get $.
So hopefully you've had time to fill out a bracket or maybe you'll do that today. Technically the 'First Four' games start today, I think they're down in Dayton.
Today's questions:
1. Who are your Final Four teams?
2. Who wins it all?
3. Who is your longshot team to go the farthest?
Any other commentary is welcome. Also, for the many here that have my contact info re: back channels, you too are invited to send me your sheet.
Have a great day and Go Blue
Remember, we are the National Champions and nothing can change that.
XM
March 19th, 2024 at 10:55 AM ^
Haven't picked my final four yet, but I know I'll have UCONN winning it all. I don't see many/any weaknesses there.
Beastly team
Team I think surprises, Samford...no idea why, but why not
March 19th, 2024 at 11:26 AM ^
I'm way more interested in the women's tournament, both bc Michigan isn't in the men's tournament and bc I live in Caitlin Clark country. I think that the tournament is where Iowa will really miss Monika Czinano from last year's team that made the finals. This year's team is super fun to watch but Caitlin actually didn't shoot as well as usual from long distance in their last few games and in the B1G tournament. And yet they won anyway so don't count them out. Go Hawks!
March 19th, 2024 at 11:32 AM ^
She struggled a lot more and seem to be forcing stuff more than usual at the end of the season.
I think its similar to other players who are under a ton of pressure to hit a milestone or break a record. Usually they achieve the record but their overall game suffers as they get closer and closer to breaking it and even in the games that follow.
- Patriots chasing the perfect regular season saw them playing in tight games to end the season and more mistakes than usual compared to the first ~10 or so games.
- The Heat in 2012-13 went on an insane win streak, but started to play worse and worse until the streak finally broke at the end there.
- Judge went a bit cold in the final 2-3 home runs leading to his AL HR record a couple years back. If you notice, he started swinging all-or-nothing instead of his usual swing.
Like a bye, a full week or more off can be detrimental to a team...but in the case of Clark, I think it helps her, since she can get some time to breathe and move forward.
March 19th, 2024 at 11:48 AM ^
The scoring record pressure definitely cost Iowa the Nebraska game in Lincoln--they were feeding her nonstop and when she wasn't scoring the offense ground to a halt. Very uncharacteristic for Bluder's teams. I agree with you that the time off will help them here--it's actually going to be almost 2 weeks (13 days) since the B1G tournament final when they tip off this coming Saturday.
March 19th, 2024 at 11:28 AM ^
I have Pitt and St. Johns making it to the championship
March 19th, 2024 at 11:32 AM ^
Disagree. I think Indiana instead will win the NITBGH (Not Invited, so Taking our Ball and Going Home) tournament.
March 19th, 2024 at 11:39 AM ^
Hexclad?
March 19th, 2024 at 11:53 AM ^
XM--your post prompted me to actually fill out a men's bracket. Disclaimer: I've watched little to no men's college hoops this season. Iowa's men's team sucks, Michigan's men's team was even worse and as I stated in another comment I'm much more interested in the women's games and tournament this season.
My final four: Iowa State, Marquette, North Carolina, Purdue
Championship: Iowa State over Marquette
I'm really impressed with ISU--they looked incredible in the Big 12 tournament and in smashing Houston in the final. TJ Otz is a fabulous young coach--too bad his buyout is way above Michigan's pay grade.
March 19th, 2024 at 12:40 PM ^
post your bracket here and i'll enter you in the 'family and friends' group.
March 19th, 2024 at 12:11 PM ^
I have a bit of competition in me… I want no one else to succeed.
I was not aware there was a basketball season this year.
preach....
I got to the end and realized I liked the Big East way too much. I also hate Houston's bracket.
https://fantasy.espn.com/games/tournament-challenge-bracket-2024/bracke…
I’m rooting for Yale. I almost wish Juwan was coming back for another season so he could snag Bez Mbang from the Ivy League. There should be serious NIL for Bez MGoBang! He could be the face of the Friday Posbang. Let’s make this happen.
What I really like about him is his ability to pass the basketball. That’s right, he’s a Bez Dispenser.