The underdog is howling. Stayed for Steve and the bear. Oh yes, a home team getting points. What's better than that?
Welcome in. It's been a while. The bear, myself, stay up here, the crew back. Pod is up and going.
It's one of the best weeks of the year. I still like last week better than this week because it's wall to wall nonstop action, but that's another conversation for another time. Bear, I'm going to start with this. This is the toughest bracket I've ever had to fill out in my life.
Doing this all my life since I've been being able to write names and online. This is the toughest year to fill out a bracket. Yeah, and I think it's because you look at the number of close games we have lined in the first round, we've got 11 games already that have a point spread less than three points. And that doesn't even factor in the 11 seed playing games on Tuesday and Wednesday.
We're probably going to get at least one more. I mean, it's more than you had combined the last two years. So if you've got, yeah, 30 of the games that are that are cost-appointful type games, yeah, it's going to be going to be a lot of wild variance in a lot of coin-flippy games and people's brackets here. But a bunch of games have a lot of trouble with it.
And it's weird because you go down. It's like they had the ones and twos are all massive favorites. But it's not a game involving one or two. It's tough sledding this year.
Yeah, and that's what gets me to this because I started feeling that around after Thanksgiving and seeing the teams and Alabama goes to Seattle and beats Gonzaga. They go through SEC at bad losses. It just felt to me like a year where a lot of teams had a chance. You didn't have that top tier where there were three teams and everybody else.
So on February 1st, I wrote down all the teams I thought can win a national title. I had 21 teams. Yeah, I was going to say, we talked about this on Daily Wager one day. I thought you were saying I have like 20 or 20, but I thought that.
I had 21 teams on February 1st. I did it again on March 1st. I had 20 and I interchanged a couple in and out and then I lost one. And then, selection Sunday, after going through the bracket, yesterday morning, I did my final list and I have 14.
I have 14 teams where I think I can win a national title. And that seems like a ton. I get it. I went out on our buddy, Mack and Fugue, this morning, they were laughing me off the show with that theory.
But I just because... Why would they laugh when you walked the show with that? Nobody's as smart as I thought. It's Kentucky, like Kentucky or Tennessee.
It's like automatic. Auburn SEC. I didn't have any wins in the tournament for UAB, Auburn and Alabama. So people down there probably are not going to like me.
Alabama might be an underdog against Rutgers or Notre Dame. Bingo. That gets me to my... Alabama, Alabama, I'm sorry for going on a tangent.
No, no. Alabama might be like the most undisciplined, I don't want to say dumb, but they make some unbelievably idiotic between poor shots, stupid fouls, can't hit free throws, like watching that game against Vanderbilt, that second half, it was unbelievable. That team's going to win a game in the tournament? I don't think so.
I don't think so. And let's start there. Let's start with your nuggets. Now listen, people, I saw people were tweeting at you as you start coming out and firing away with your head state tournament.
Oh, that's a text man. That's what he means. I'm thinking about terrorists. I'm going to say, hey, it's a coincidence, maybe, but the last four threes to lose in the first round, well, from the big 12, dot dot dot, Montana State, anyone, that means I'm picking Montana Sandis throwing something out there.
It's a kind of a recession piece as a little nugget as to what's happened recently. And these nuggets... Unievable. People are not spare.
They're not spare. They're not. We appreciate the passion, but I do want to point out, these nuggets you're going to throw out. They're from your database, which is man-made, which is a man-made database by you.
And say, turn them, you can't get this anywhere. This was about, I'd say, six years ago, maybe. What it would have been, like, six, seven years ago, I basically acquired all of past lines from tournament games, and ESPN made a deal to acquire some data. I think it was from the gold sheet, which had a bunch of NCAA closing lines, and that's...
And I built this from scratch, and I'm pretty proud of it. And then other people in research like Mackenzie Kramer and others had some tweaking and made it bigger and better and more efficient. But, yeah, we built this from scratch, and it's one of the things I'm pretty proud of, because I said, I don't know if it's a place on the web where you've got an all-time NCAA database back to... We've got point spreads back to the field of 64 in 1985, that we can just keep it apples to apples and do everything.
So, yeah, I love mining this thing for a little nuggets and little trends and just kind of notes it. It doesn't mean that it means to run out and play this game or play this side, or... But I will say, I do think, last week on his show, I think it was... The young Alexander had talked about stolen, about conference tournament things, and he came out and said about certain trends and situations and tournaments, they apply year after year, and they have it, and he's done very well playing things, because it's like a one-time of year where he does it.
But I think the teams and the players may change, but the situations with the seeds, they stay the same. The situations with coaches in certain situations, they stay the same. So, I think there is some relevance when you find a... Whether it's a trend within a 11 seed who might be favored over a 60.
There is a reason why a 11 seed won mine in the last 13 games when their favor over succeeds. Like, the situation kind of dictates the types of teams that you're kind of comparing and working with and dealing with. So, some of those things I would pay a little bit more attention to. No, from the espresso, blend wellness into your coffee routine with a coffee plus range, infused with functional benefits.
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Discover coffee plus on Espresso.com. I think that's what I think is most important. Just trying to accumulate as much information. And when you see these 11s versus 6s, obviously B vitamins awaiting their opponent Rutgers Indiana.
LSU is a four and a half point favorite over Iowa State. Texas is, I believe, still a one point favorite. Even though I feel like the public should be all over Virginia Tech in that game. And then Michigan is the 11th and favored by two and a half points over Colorado State.
So, your information, you've accumulated on the 11s into 6s. What can you tell us to make us feel better about those picks? Yeah, there have been 13 11 seeds that have been favored over six seats. Nine of them went out right and obviously covered.
The interesting thing is that of the nine of the nine wins, they've been by an average of 16 points a game and each has been by at least 12 points. So a lot of times these games aren't like people. People see this. Oh, wow, the team seated five spots lower.
It's favored. Like, why is that? A lot of times these games aren't close. So maybe you find an alt line with Michigan.
What two and a half, maybe you find a Michigan minus five and a half, six and a half, seven and a half, and you take a little bit of plus money there. Maybe you're looking, wait and see what happens with workers in Notre Dame. Or you're looking, see what happens if that Virginia Tech Texas game flips in Virginia Tech becomes a favor. I think you're right though.
I think the two of the bigger public sides, I think, in the first round are going to be South Dakota State and Virginia Tech. Did you know? Yeah, I just, and that's where, and we'll talk about this in a bit. Like, as far as the bracket goes, I still out of bracket totally based off public opinion.
And like last year, I did well because I picked Baylor and everybody had Illinois because they came right in, read hot, read hot off the Big Ten. They had their good zag, they had their other team. I just thought Baylor because they were kind of off the radar. They didn't win their conference tournament.
That's another thing I look at where, you know, that scene could be really high and people, it's the last thing they see. And it's another thing. It's a really tight NFL betting to me. You know, it's really, really hard to forget what you saw a team look like a week prior.
And that's huge to me in March Madness. And that's why this year I don't have Gonzaga or Arizona. I right now have two brackets. I have one.
I don't even have a one seed making the final four. But then I look at Kansas and, you know, Kansas is a team who everybody talks about their draw. That side, right? Everybody's talking about Kansas and Arizona and their draw that they like.
I think I was a big problem. I think they've just figured things out offensively. And they're just going to say, well, I'll score you. I don't care who we play.
And Arizona's bracket. I look at Houston who's a team. If they can get out of there, they ain't afraid of anybody. And they'll depend more than anybody.
Arizona's face. That could be a problem. And like I said, if they play ten times, yeah, Arizona's probably going to win nine of them. Okay, but could that one time happen?
And that's the one time I go with those brackets. How about just the idea of, you know, and this is what sticks out to me because I look at Duke's a two seed, 17 and a half. They're giving Kentucky 17 and a half is a two seed. I can remember when ones and twos were given like 30 points.
You know, like I just think this, this just shows you the veteran leadership these teams have, even though they're smaller schools. Gonzaga 23 and a half. I saw one book. I think opened up.
Gonzaga at 28. Like there's numbers out there that I think are really eye opening. They were 20. I have to get to it.
It's interesting. It's interesting too. Because Georgia State was a team that when I was watching the Sunbell tournament, I thought they'd be a 15 and I thought they would be a 15 see that I would not want to play. I mean, they block a ton of shots.
They play basically ZFG. I mean, I'm sure people know what that means. I thought they would have been a very dangerous 15 see now whether they can be exact or keep that game close. I don't know.
But yeah, you're right. I can remember the days where you got where those great Duke teams in the early 90s were laying massive amount of. You know, it's not. It's interesting.
What you said about teams winning your conference tournament and then kind of wanting to the public opinion. Like I think the two obvious teams are I want Tennessee and I don't want Tennessee for a while now. And I am I will admit a little bit concerned with the amount of weight that the bandwagon has been picking up. So I'm a couple of very nice futures on the balls.
But I would think they're going to be a very popular big. I was kind of out there on Sunday going to part of the charge as to why they should be a two or why are they not a two and Duke is comparing the resume metrics and whatever else. But you look at the draw a little bit more for kind of seeing it's not path sometimes means more than seed and they get a villain. You get a villain over team who you lost to in a weird, funky game the first time and they've been dealing with their own injury problems and you beat Arizona already.
And the way you play defensive, Chris, isn't fully healthy. Maybe you'll be okay in that game and Iowa is the other one. I mean, I get the love for Iowa, but at the same time, it's a team that really didn't have very many good wins at all during the regular season. And then they got hot in the Big Ten tournament and they needed the Han in Miracle 3 to beat Indiana in the semis.
And now they're that's a dangerous first game. And then people love the 512 upset and Richmond is a team that are they are they great. No, I don't think the A10 was a very good league in all this year. But Richmond, the way they limit possessions and grind it out.
Like that number I saw you in a half with the last number that I saw. I'm hoping my game time may be able to get nine or nine and a half and see if Richmond can maybe slow them down a little bit and keep back in. I don't think Richmond can win. Yeah, I went I went to the A10 tournament down here in DC Friday Friday Sunday and I got to see Davidson twice.
I got to see Richmond twice. And here's the deal and I listen there as well coach teams as you're going to face they are going to be a pain in the ass for these their two opponents in the first round. My problem is they're not rich. It's not your typical, you know, shot clock wind and I will always get a three off.
They're not that anymore. They struggle to get shots off and that was against the teams in the A10 that I saw. Now you factor in, you know, power five size and I was athletic with the Murray brothers and those guys they could switch pretty well and they're a handful and Richmond's got pressure on them to keep scoring. And then when you look at Davidson, I just worry about their ability to get shots off.
They're going to have to get they're going to have to be really, really clean and crisp offensively because of the athleticism that Michigan State can play with defensively. That's that's where I worry about Davidson against them. I think there's been Davidson teams the last three or four years that are better than this one. So that's what it is.
You know, like you know, I gave it some shots, election in the last minute and a half of that game on Sunday. The three threes and then how do they lose that game? I mean, you're up six with a minute and a half to go. You don't allow with three point field ball and you don't give it a turnover and you lose.
And that was after five minutes without a field goal. It was crazy. But you could feel that you could feel it building in the building just the angst of like, Hey, we need another bucket here. We can't get it and Richmond's just pulling out and ones out of their butts.
And I'm usually I like the eight 10 because they do usually have some elite scores and that's what worries me here because I don't think they had an illicit gilliard. That guy plays 40 minutes every single game. I can't believe how awesome he is to watch it person. He was not going to let his team lose late in that game, even though he didn't miss a free throw.
But just seeing how long he's played there and seeing him with Mooney after the game like it was just really, really good stuff and I was fortunate enough to be there and just see that because that's what that's what those conference tournaments are made of and that's why they're so good to me. But getting back to just some teams that I'm thinking that as far as public perception, I think I think it's I might have the toughest the toughest run when you look at every possible opponent that comes next and let's just start there in the West because Memphis is a two point favorite. I actually like Boise because of the public. I think Memphis is getting way too much credit for the recent run they've been on in their conference.
Now I will say this the Mountain West enough is enough to win some games and listen, I've been against the last year. I know BPI had Syracuse over 20% to make the Sweet 16. I like Syracuse last year. This year the BPI there was 70% say Virginia Tech and then 16% say Michigan.
So Michigan obviously playing on the Mountain West team, but Boise is a team that I think could slow Memphis down and make things tougher than so I like boy. I mean think about that in Portland you get Boise and Gonzaga. That's an awesome atmosphere. It is.
It is. And if you look at that game and I think Memphis is a live team here because because of the matchup. I don't think they're going to be committing a million turnovers in the game against Boise just because of the pace of the play. I think they just might score to get an out score.
So we'll see. Ultimately what happens but like I'm glad you brought that up about Gonzaga because I agree with you. If you look at the eight nine they went or especially Memphis. I keep having flashbacks to national championship game last year with how Baylor just absolutely bully them out.
I've needed them and I can see that happening with Memphis again like the Dan region and during those guys like those are legit players. Yeah. They are really good. And I know because I guess as their wins and maybe maybe in that game Memphis would commit a million turnovers and it's a coaching match.
I think they played Texas Tech earlier this year. I'm pretty sure. Or maybe not what could have been here before. I look at a team as UConn.
I've watched them all year. They're a veteran group. I think they got a brutal draw here because we Mexico. Maybe Texas Tech was working early this year.
I'm sorry. I just wanted to tell you. You were thinking about this year. Yeah.
They beat Texas Tech 69. Yeah. That's still when you know Texas Tech still had transfers coming in and things like that. But just going back to that top of that bracket.
I think Vermont is a team second straight tournament. Absolutely brutal draw. Couple years ago they had to play a very athletic floor state team. I believe went to the lead eight that year.
Now they get Arkansas who knows going to come at you from every single angle. I'm dying to see what that matchup is in the second round. That's UConn Arkansas. That's a phenomenal game.
If it's New Mexico State Arkansas either way that's going to be a great second round game. I'd like to see you kind of mix it on the ground. Would be great. Maybe we could get that.
We get that in a quick lane ball or something like that. Maybe we could get that. Yeah. Good things happen.
We'll save that for the preview or post spring ball. So yeah, I think it's a good look. I mean, those teams are going to have to fix it. But the one thing going back to Memphis is I think these now when you get in these circumstances, I think the D especially boys who plays good defense.
They're going to make you have like if you're a week, this is shooting, you're going to have to make shots. And I'm not sure if Memphis could do that, whereas we know it's a traffic ability. Arkansas can get hot. UConn's a team that does struggle, but they do run offense, which I like because watching some of these teams, including in this bracket, they don't do it well.
And they have zero interest in defending and I'm talking about the two seed. I was so angry last week being in Connecticut, just watching the Seton Hall Georgetown game and just like I couldn't wait to unload on Yukon the next game. Oh, couldn't. Because you can't bet on Connecticut in this day to get it.
I was I was I literally almost drove to New Jersey just like a bet Yukon. Mine is whatever the number was. That was my bad daily major. There's no it was.
But see in that Alabama category of no doubt. Shots awful fouls turnovers. No doubt. I'm sorry to interrupt on to you.
It's I don't think it's what to say because they're not built to keep going in this tournament. And if they even do make it to play Texas Tech, that is a horrible horrible. I mean, that would be it remind me of the old Greg Paul is Duke team against Villanova in Boston when Villanova was Scotty Reynolds and that team. They just took they just took the manhood and they just dominated and made him look really soft.
And that's why I think that's a second dude is Duke, but I don't even think Duke makes I think Sparty beat Davidson. I think Michigan State beats Duke. So I have good exactly playing Texas Tech in the Elite. Yeah, I can see that I can I think Texas Tech will be the team against the eight from that bottom.
Yeah, bottom region. You know, even though I did do think Montana State can beat him because of that historical note. I do think it'll be Texas Tech and I think you're looking at the you're looking to get inside or or Memphis. I think Memphis is was one of those plays where they were 30 to one to win the region.
I'm like, you know what, 31 couple bucks, whatever. Why not? Where were the chicles? Yeah.
First round matchup. I love the 17 and a half with Olertin. Do you see I like the other way? No, I love Fullerton plus 17 and a half.
Really? Yeah. They don't defend there. They do.
I can't hurt them offensively. I thought they were pretty impressive what they did coming back against Long Beach. I just think it's a lot of points. I get it.
And usually I am kind of dog guy. These big numbers. I don't know. This team was picking at the bottom of the bottom of the league.
It kind of went just a long time ago. I know. They want some games to give them. So you think Rutgers could be favored against Bama?
Maybe not. Yeah. I like Rutgers said Vance. I know that to play texture.
Good game. Just trying to think other lines. I don't know who I would rather play. He's talking about teams.
I take teams, man. Rutgers I think is a terrible match for Alabama. Exactly. That's why I like that.
I think Alabama I'd rather play Notre Dame than I would. No doubt. No doubt about it. And you got some tricky spreads with Arkansas five and a half and you can six and a half.
Those are those are. I mean that was the first bracket that came out. I was like, whoa, this is this is a loaded region. So moving down to the left bottom left is your east.
And those four seeds have really struggled lately. Like if you go if you go look at the last. The last couple of years, three and nine against the number and they're just seven and five straight up. So like these four 13 games are very tricky.
And it makes it quite important to spread number and it looks like this massive upset, but it makes sense as to why it's because you brought up the Arkansas for months, right? Five and a half. It makes sense as to why these upsets happen. Like a four seed is basically a lower area top 25 team that's now playing away from home against a really good.
It's a really good mid major. And those ups just happened all the time during this regular season. So we shouldn't be surprised that they happen now during the next double entrements. You got to get in.
That's one of the things to when you're filling out your bracket and you're betting these games like especially when you're filling out your bracket, you almost have to just don't even worry about that seed number. You're almost better off. Going down finding the biggest spread and just putting what the number is in that matchup is opposed to picking your bracket based on a based on a seed because the number is going to tell you more than what the one, what the C is. Did you know?
As I said in the East, Baylor is the one Kentucky is the two. Everybody has a bracket. They know what the seeds are. As we go down, I think Carolina Marquette winner could be a real problem for Baylor.
Ken Joe's been great since he's come over to Chantua injury. I think really hurts. That's what happens in the tournament. You need those guys.
The big guys just take away easy buckets, especially in the tournament. I have to give yourself another chance on the other end. That's why I really didn't like Baylor in the big 12 tournament. Even though I don't know how much money still have a never won that thing.
And I don't think they really care because they do have a national title last year. They really struggle shooting this re against a ball. They're like two or 21. That was a maddening thing to watch his their inability to hit shots.
And I think Carolina Marquette winner is a real real problem for Baylor in that next round. Now the size, Carolina's size could be a big issue. It's both the way that match up Carolina's size and then Marquette's pressure. I just think they can frustrate Baylor.
And then moving down, this is what I have. I think Indiana is playing as well a half-court defense as you could possibly play. Have you seen it up in Arizona? He's good to go.
Because I did that. I don't know when people are going to be listening to this and absorbing this. But that was my biggest question. Without him defensively, that could be a big issue tonight against Wyoming.
Okay. UCLA give a ton. I like UCLA in advance. And this goes back to the thing.
The BPI hate going against them because they've been awesome picking. But I just don't just feel like Virginia Tech, everybody's going to just remember that Beaten Duke. And they're going to get all this money in Texas first round. Yeah.
And then Billis, Jay had a great point on this game. And he's 100% correct and was something that I thought about. How this game is officiated will determine who the winner is. If they allow Texas to defend and get out and bump and hand check and all that, then Virginia Tech's not going to have open looks and pecks will win the game.
They allow Virginia Tech to call fouls and get technical eye which allows Tech to get open looks again. And tell them when the game is officiated. And you can say that with a bunch of games obviously. But this one in particular will I think determine the winner.
But I don't agree with you. I think Virginia Tech will be a very popular pickier. And for good reason for the way they played the SEC tournament. What is it's a lot better?
Yeah, even if what was the note that I heard to it's like since like February 1st, I think it was they like only do cad more wins and they see play the Virginia Tech did it. It's like we shouldn't have been surprised to a lot of people that the whole piece put together a good run. I think people were surprised at how well they play and how badly they do can the SEC doggone. Yeah.
We conference. I'll tell you that and they played both the right time. Purdue is a team I have circled preseason future on them. I think I like their draw because of everyone that's going to love Kentucky coming out of that bottom.
They got to do it though. And I don't judge coaches on success in the tournament. I think it's a little tough and produced struggle as of late. Obviously last year losing in North Texas.
Murray and San Francisco. I could be sway there seeing how much money is now on Murray. They are pretty public team. I like U.S.
hard in that game. Yeah. And San Francisco could score obviously playing the West Coast Conference. Kentucky just the way they could come at you bears with both with Wheeler and tie tie with two guys.
And you know I look at Duke as a team they don't have one guy that can handle the ball really well. I think it's two. And that's why I think their versatility in the back court. But the problem I see is with Purdue if they get to Kentucky I think Oscars are going to struggle with guys that are bigger than him.
And they got two that could battle him. And that goes against my public thing where everybody loves Kentucky and Cal Perry and everybody will just say Purdue has one big one. I could see myself picking Purdue on the bottom side of that bracket. And UCLA is a team that they don't look the same as last year but I'm not giving up on them.
I think they're as tough as it comes and Cronin has done a great job of adapting his style. I don't think choosing was healthy all year but I did look a lot better in a Pac-12 tournament. And to me it's Tiger Tigers got to play well at the point guard. He was phenomenal in the run.
They got a lot more on a Bernard in the Pac-12 tournament. So I have UCLA and Purdue meeting in the Elite Eight. And you didn't even mention how many hot days it was the last week. They're getting the hot days that they got last year in the NCAA tournament.
That's what they're getting lately. But you're a bit like Tiger eliminating some of the dumb fouls and the turnovers. I almost feel like UCLA kind of treated the regular season as a little bit of a dress rehearsal for the Pac-12 tournament and the NCAA tournament. Like what how different would your opinion of UCLA be right now?
If Arizona doesn't come back from double-digit seven, back with Tyler. Great point. Great point. I put it out earlier.
I would love a prop to be posted somewhere that you could bet as opposed to just betting both two teams doing the region. Like did UCLA and Kentucky versus the field in the East region? What would that number be? I'd like that bet.
This is the one region where I would be very surprised if the ones see Gridge. Oh yeah, for sure. No doubt. No doubt.
Because you've got the best two. You've got the best four. And you probably have potentially the toughest eight nine winner as well even though I like Memphis Boise. But like I don't, if Baylor gets there after all the injuries and some of the flaws this team now has, I mean well done.
No doubt. But it's been 15 years since the defending national champion even got past the sweet 16. Yeah. So like to expect them to win three games I think is asking a whole lot.
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Get financial advice that puts you at the center. Find your advisor at IGprivatewealth.com. Before we move on, there are a couple things I want to mention first. If you want more NCAA Tournament talk, check out Ball Men on Campus with Jay Bilis, LaFonzo Ellis and Seth Greenberg.
They drop their big tournament for you podcast on Monday and they'll have two new episodes for you every week throughout the tournament. Follow Ball Men on Campus wherever you listen to your podcast. Also, new episode of SB Pod comes out tonight. Scott, his most feared thing in the world, builds out a bracket.
It is unbelievable how much he does not like it, but he will do it because he loves you, the people. Finally, watch NBA Today, 3 Eastern, New Pacific, Honey SPN, and the ESPN app. You can also listen to the show as a podcast. Let's go top right to the South, Arizona, the one, Nova to two.
I really like TCU. Again, see it all. You touched on it all now. I like TCU in that matchup.
This is a real tricky 512, 413 to come out to face that one to me. I can't get out of my head how good Houston has been in this tournament. I mean, I go back a couple of years ago. If Michigan doesn't hit that, I was at pool, made that shot, right?
The half court shot to beat them. Houston, I think, goes on and run there. Then you're looking at totally different wins in the last couple of tournaments. I really worry about them now with no Sasser and no more.
I can see an extended time without them. Those are guys that could get their own bucket and those are the guys you need in the tournament, but I still think Houston beat you. Do you think Houston because BPI loved Houston? Well, Houston be a favorite over Illinois.
I don't know. Like how much you're going to dock Houston? I mean, you got to take a little bit off of their power rating because the players that they don't have. Yeah, but they have it.
They haven't had it for a while now. That was my most interesting. I might be a pick them. Yeah.
I might be a pick them. That's Illinois. He's so mad, man. They're one of those teams that the individual parts add up to a whole lot less than what they should.
Like the individual parts are greater than the sum that they add up to. Like you just look at them with the perimeter players that they have and over in the middle, like this team, the way they play D, like this team should be achieving like looking a lot better than what they have going into the tournament. Trying to get a dangerous team to when they need a miracle shot to the team. I know problems.
It just sucks because the Cervillo dynamic of that team where they're running. Like they're mostly like a lot of ward. It's amazing. Yeah.
It's a weird, weird thing to see. It was last year and them having taken to the cleaners by Loyola. It's really, really weird to see. When you look at those four teams on that 512, 413 line, it goes back to me, Justin Houston, because I know they're going to defend the heck out here.
That's why I like them to face Arizona there. We talked about the Michigan Colorado State matchup. I just think Michigan is a bad matchup for Colorado State. I think Roddy will struggle with the size of Michigan to bring.
The about a has been really, really good. I think that's really Tennessee and Michigan I see as a matchup. I'm not buying Loyola Chicago. I think Ohio State with Brandon and Liddell are ready for this moment.
I know they haven't looked well and obviously everybody will bring up oral Roberts last year. I mean, that's the question for young players. Yep. That's up in awesome 72 in my opinion with Villano in Ohio State.
Yeah, I'm just looking to that game with the Impiccisburg, which would be a pretty awesome crowd. I mean, you'll get ton of fans from both schools there, which would be, I think that line flipped right there. I think I'll have to open up his favorite now. Yeah, even though I don't think the soil team is getting high, but they want to one of them is every valley when I was going to Michigan should get in the tournament.
Yes, over the team that didn't. Yes. Okay. Should they have been in where they are right now and not one of the playing in the first four game, maybe not.
But I mean, again, the players that they had with Dickinson, you beat, you beat Iowa with the season to be Purdue late in the season. You can say late in the season. Like that's they had some good wins there in the big 10. So I don't have a problem putting them in.
I mean, I always have more of a problem with the seating than I do teams and getting into it because one of these last four odds are one of these teams aren't going to really factor into the national championship. I know UCLA would get to the final four a year ago, but like the path of the seating and the path that you give certain teams and certain team opponents, I think has a greater is a greater angst to me than arguing whether SMU should have gotten in over Indiana. Okay. Understood.
I think Michigan can make a run here. I really do. I can take Michigan's draw overall, Ohio State's draw anytime. You're an 11 in your favor.
Give me that. Yeah. You know, I mean, it's supposed to be in a seven and being an underdog to a 10 and then having to play it too. So I actually think Michigan can make a run here and it's a great matchup against Villanova because what does Villanova do with the size and I've seen Villanova plenty of that.
One saw. Just run that five out offense, which is just awesome to watch and it really puts you in a bind defensively. So that's a match up. I want to see.
I know what I wanted, but do you think it most the number one team people have in the final four is Arizona? No, One seats. Okay, really? Yeah.
I mean, I still like Tennessee in this region. Yeah, I know. I mean, I don't care that they got too fresh in the back ward. I mean, those guys who've been fearless all year long, I'm like, Ziegler is a player and Chandler can make shots.
I like the, I like the best givey one all day. The guy just doesn't get tired. I like this Tennessee team. And I think obviously the biggest question is going to be the guy on the sideline, like he struggled and he's getting to the Elite Eight in what was it 2008 that he's been out of the first weekend once.
There was terrible performance last year in the tournament when they got down to the Oregon State in his last 13 games. So they had coach in the tournament and he's deemed 111 and one against the numbers. So they clearly do not play up to their expectations. But hey, we said that about Virginia was the punch line right after they became the first one seat to lose to you to a 16 and UMBC and they were the punch line until they weren't.
So maybe Rick Barnes and Tennessee will kind of be the same thing like there's a punch line until they're not. But I would think that they would like their match up against Michigan or Colorado State and then a villain over team that they potentially get to avenge a loss against an Arizona team that they already beat. They're probably better now than they were the start of the year. This was freshmen have gotten some more ball under their belt, creases health.
Well, we'll see how his ankle progresses. He says he's fine, but I wouldn't discount Tennessee chances. I think Kansas is my bar, but with the most prevalent one seat in the fall for. Okay.
You get Tennessee plus 400 won the region. You can also get him. Well, you can also have him at 38 to one to win the title. Do you see anyone challenging Kansas besides Iowa?
Well, this is I've dubbed this my Kansas or chaos region. I can't just I think is I mean, I think they're head and shoulders. I think about everybody in this in this region. But if it's not Kansas, like it could be like someone like ridiculous.
You've got a two seat in Auburn who is struggling to struggle the way from home that guards have taken kind of bad shots of time to turn the ball over. He has three seat in Wisconsin where it looks like Davis is either still hurt and or on fumes. He got a four seat in Providence and Ken Palm has metrically as a luckiest team in the country. You've got five seat in Iowa who is the chic darling trendy pick coming off of a big 10 tournament win and you got a six seat in LSC that inspired a take coach.
So like you could go down to like the Miami USC winner as a potential final four type team if it's not Kansas. What about Iowa State? They happen to be on a six 11 game like the cycle one's played pretty well for a good part of this year and have some good wins. They can make a run Richmond if in the 12th I like if they happen to.
Be Iowa. They're going to be scared of Providence or South Dakota State. No, it's like I think this is if this is either a you're you're loading up on Kansas and you're solo entry Kansas or you're taking shots with ridiculousness is like Miami USC Iowa State because I think the two through six seats are having a ton of laws and a ton of work. And you talked about going off with that five and off and that's what Miami brings like they got a bunch of guards on the floor that back and score they got a final four coach.
And I think that's a great match up for them with USC. I know I know you guys he's got some size that they might be able to exploit and Peterson is a dynamic player but let's see the just between the again another one. Why is this effort there? They want to get another team just makes unbelievably baffling decisions can hit free throws like I like Miami in that game getting the point and a half to win that game outright.
So yeah, this is a if it's not Kansas, like I said, it's it's going to be something ridiculous. Yeah, I like Miami goes to 16. I think LSU is the team because when you watch them, they are a pain. But like I could easily see them coming out of the bottom of that bracket, but the coach thing really, really makes me think again just knowing what they were with him and all the chaos that was around that program last couple years when they got to the court, they usually played well.
It's a weird, weird dynamic because I don't think I was states that good. I don't think they were turn the team. I just I didn't see it. They started out great.
That's awesome. But I didn't see it down the stretch and Providence is a team. I'm really rooting for them because I love it. Coolies so much like I want them.
But South Dakota State is a team who I see. I thought both those teams and that's some of the final return of the teams. I thought North Dakota State was a really, really good team and they should have got more consideration for the bubble just knowing what they what they could do and the veterans they have. And that's that's what I want more in this tournament.
Great in San Diego State is a total toss up to me. I'll tell you what, getting back to North Dakota State like the semi final game of that tournament against Oral Roberts. Yeah. I mean, Oral Roberts doesn't play a look at defense, which is fine.
But the shots and the open looks and you just think there's the flow of that North Dakota is on. It's so much fun to watch in the second half of the North Dakota State offense. I mean, that was insane. So yeah, it's a shame that there wasn't a spot for a team like that.
Yeah. And yeah, going back to years last year with Acepis and O'Bannor with Oral making that run. That was as good as conference tournament as you're going to watch. So to me, it's Kansas or Iowa in this one.
And that's where I struggle because I feel like everybody's going to be on Iowa and I have a future on Kansas, which really makes me hate when everyone says they have the easiest runs in the final. Which is kind of what I said. I know. I know.
I'm like, oh, he didn't say it too. Did he? It's all I've been hearing for three days. It's funny because you look at the, again, I'm going back to like the 413 game.
Like, this is a historical, you know, low number of problems. Minus two. I mean, they're only in two for that. If they were by two and a half and they both lost outright.
So like it's that weird dynamic of, okay, Providence is a bit lucky. They're so due to lose the history says that they're going to lose a little spread so low, but like the world's going to be on South Dakota State. So it's like what do you do on your, like I might go like contrary and favorite, no Providence here. I can see myself doing that.
The problem is that now you got, you know the style they play. I'd much rather have the underdog that is more of an offensive team in that matchup. The other one I would, I had no, I thought I was going to pick it. Then I didn't see it until later because the games in Milwaukee is Colgate.
I like Colgate plus the points against Wisconsin. I still know what I'm getting with Johnny. You know, what I'm getting with Johnny. Yeah, as I said though, it was in Milwaukee.
Like I would have picked, I think Colgate on my line in the bracket, but Milwaukee, and I think it's the last game Friday night. Like there's going to be some, that crowd's going to be feeling it. So that, that tough, again, Colgate vermont. I just feel bad for those teams just getting a brutal draw and being in the turn.
I mean, everybody's going to talk about what Colgate did to Arkansas last year. They obviously didn't end up covering either. And by the way, you know, it's looking at this. Like, like, you realize Wisconsin is 34th and Ken Palm.
Yeah. And they're indeed, I'm actually in 33rd and 10th, and they're all there. And I like, interesting. I try and watch the games and not going too much into the computers.
I just, I feel like I do better with that. And it goes back to the Duke and Tennessee thing. Like don't cry about your seat when you have a better line than the two seat S. Like just take it all in and sorry to all the people down at college station.
I know you're still upset. Conference tournament wins. I quell over five and a half. So you're thinking, oh, I'm on that, don't you?
If you like Arizona and UCLA, I think Arizona is going to get three wins, you would think at least, right? You know, if you want to get one of USC, you can say, yeah, that's what you're, that's what you're banking on. Yeah, that's that's. West Coast conferences.
You've only got two or no, you got, oh, that's San Francisco and it's huge. It's five and a half. Wow. So you got three teams for five and a half.
Atlanta 10 over under a half. No, I'm not willing to give St. Mary's one. No, I know that that that's a tough one.
And that's, well, I'm tempted. I'd be tempted to go under there. What's this? Both of the big boogers, if St.
Mary's loses and San Francisco loses, you know, I don't think San Francisco will lose. I think I'm going to beat Murray. I got to be like in Zag would have to win the title. About big 10, 10 and a half.
A lot. A lot of teams to get them though. Well, let's do that. Let's run down.
I mean, think about it. If you get your first round, they all win the first round. Purdue will Purdue will win for further first round game. You got to hope Indiana gets in.
Like do they does this? What are the rules say on this? Like, does it does include the playing game? No.
OK, so you got to hope you got to hope workers and Indiana win their when they're playing games, then where they get into the main draw. Correct. Man, I might go under. See, I think it's over.
The team that's. Illinois. Huge. Much as I like them.
Like you're talking about. You're talking about the use in that game. Like that's going to be a problem for that. Use me.
They could bully coffee around, I think, with Carl and some of those guys. Yes. They're so active. Did you watch any of that game on Sunday?
No, yeah. The game was just like textbook basketball porn. I mean, just like physicality freeps all over the place. No, no chance of getting an offensive rebound.
No, I was. No, I didn't want to get back on defense. Oh, that big 10 number is awesome. Awesome.
SEC. I don't see an SEC number. I see nine and a half. You really need Kentucky.
Yeah, that's what you're back on. I'm going to get into the lead eight. You know what you really need? I was really you really need LSU to play Auburn in the sweet 16.
Yep. Because right there you get to you get three. Yep. You get five with the third win.
Tennessee, they have anybody on the upper right now? Oh, Arkansas is big too. I don't like over the SEC. I go under.
I think I think Kentucky gets to the eight. I think I think Tennessee gets to the eight. So they get to the eight. That's three.
That's six right there between Kentucky and Tennessee. Auburn will lose to Jacksonville State. That's seven. Watch out.
Gamecocks. I think I think you'll be able to find LSU's huge. Three more there. LSU's the that's that's the one.
Yeah, you need two out of them. So if you had to pick, you would rather go over SEC then big 10. Yes. OK, I would I think I'll take the big 10.
Big 10's got to show up after last year. And there's a reason I haven't won a title in 24 years. Memphis is huge for your American over under two. My last two.
Wow. Yeah, they know you're in an eight nine game of Creighton. Your six seat is an underdog. Big 12 nine and a half.
ACC four and a half. Oh, God. ACC four and a half under plus one 50. That's a no brainer.
You think so? Ah, see, I sort of like Carolina's draw. I think the practice is going to be right. So we get to Caroline in the front of the world.