1) South Region: Why the Florida Gators Get to the Final Four
Florida will win the South region and basically be untested. Maybe it's because they didn't lose a game in the SEC and haven't lost a game since the year 2013. Maybe it's because I watched Michael Frazier II score 37 points in a dominating performance over my Gamecocks. Maybe it's because I trust very few coaches in the country more than Billy Donovan. Maybe it's because they have a core senior group that isn't seen in college basketball this day and age. Or maybe it's because that since the SEC didn't win the national championship in football, they HAVE to win it in basketball. No matter the reasoning, I see nothing but Florida having a very, off night stopping them from reaching Dallas. In fact, I think the Gators biggest test could come in the Round of 32 against Pittsburgh (should they get past Colorado). The Panthers looked very impressive in the ACC tournament, they can defend Florida's guards, and if Lamar Patterson plays like he's capable of, it could spell trouble for the Gators. Kansas would pose a threat to any other one seed, but without Joel Embiid in the first two rounds, it's no guarantee that the Jayhawks even make it to Memphis. Plus, even if they do get a match-up with the Gators, I'll take Scottie Wilbekin over Nadir Thorpe any day of the week, and I think Florida's stout enough on defense to neutralize Andrew Wiggins just enough. The other teams in the region include Syracuse (A team that can't score and hasn't looked like a three seed since the Super Bowl), UCLA (Who has a coach that NEVER wins in the NCAA tournament), VCU (Who won't catch anybody sleeping with Havoc anymore), and Ohio State (A team who can't score but has proven a double digit nothing doesn't mean they're out of a game). Speaking off the Buckeyes, I like their chances of getting to Memphis. Something tells me Aaron Craft isn't going to let his fumble against Michigan be his last impression on the Buckeye Nation. A win over Syracuse and a chance to get revenge for the 2012 defeat to Kansas would ensure that would not be the case.
2) East Region: Why the Michigan State Spartans get to the Final Four
Let me begin by saying how much I HATE this pick. Every expert, basketball fan, and soccer mom seems to have Michigan State in their Final Four. Yes, the Spartans are finally healthy. Their starting five is arguably the best in basketball, and this past week proved that. When you have the trio of Keith Appling, Gary Harris, and Adreian Payne, it doesn't take a lot to tell your team is going to be good. Yes, the Spartans have Tom Izzo, a coach that makes Final Fours happen no matter the situation in ways that would make Frank Underwood proud. It's been a few years since Izzo has made it, so the basketball gods would say he is due to make his return appearance. Those reasons made me pencil Sparty into a spot in North Texas, but this pick is by far the one I have the least confidence in. Last year, I picked the Spartans to win it all, and they fell flat against Duke in the Sweet Sixteen. A threat of getting Sean Kilpatricked and knocked out by Cincinnati in the Round of 32 is a legitimate possibility with these two physical teams. The same threat exists with Virginia, a team that has played Izzo basketball all season, rather than just one week, and a team that has players like Joe Harris and London Perrantes who want to be noticed on the big stage. Finally, in the bottom half of the bracket is the Iowa State Cyclones. Back in November, this is what I wrote about Iowa State:
The Team Who's Ranked Way Too Low: Iowa State
Last time most people remember seeing the Cyclones, they were one shot away from upsetting Ohio State and advancing to the Sweet Sixteen. Well, Sunday night the Cyclones got their revenge against a Big Ten foe and upset Michigan. Basketball in Ames has undergone a renaissance over the past couple years thanks Frank Hoiberg and look for Iowa State to take the next step this winter. Iowa State may suffer from Texas A&M syndrome and that could be their biggest obstacle in challenging Kansas for the Big XII title (They're going to put up ridiculous offensive numbers game after game. It's just a matter of whether they can hold it together enough on the defensive side). Keep an eye on Melvin Ejim this winter, too. The man is off to a great start after returning from injury, and he could be a household name once March rolls around.
Last time most people remember seeing the Cyclones, they were one shot away from upsetting Ohio State and advancing to the Sweet Sixteen. Well, Sunday night the Cyclones got their revenge against a Big Ten foe and upset Michigan. Basketball in Ames has undergone a renaissance over the past couple years thanks Frank Hoiberg and look for Iowa State to take the next step this winter. Iowa State may suffer from Texas A&M syndrome and that could be their biggest obstacle in challenging Kansas for the Big XII title (They're going to put up ridiculous offensive numbers game after game. It's just a matter of whether they can hold it together enough on the defensive side). Keep an eye on Melvin Ejim this winter, too. The man is off to a great start after returning from injury, and he could be a household name once March rolls around.
Now, it's March 18th. Iowa State won the Big XII tournament. Melvin Ejim won Big XII player of the year. Iowa State is one of the best offensive teams in the country (You can go back and look in the Athletic Acumen's archives to prove that I'm not lying to my readers in a desperate attempt to prove my credibility. I'd like to think I actually have a clue or two of what I'm talking about). Picking against the Cyclones just seems downright criminal, especially when you predict their good fortunes month in advance. Going against the Hilton Magic and Fred Hoiberg was tough, but ultimately Iowa State doesn't seem to have the defense to win four games and make it to the Final Four (If they do, though, I'm taking credit for being one of the first on the Cyclones' bandwagon). That's why I'm going with ol' reliable, the Michigan State Spartans, to represent the B1G in Dallas.
3) West Region: Why Creighton gets to the Final Four
DOUG MCDERMOTT... That's really all I would have to say to justify this pick that's based purely out of my rooting interest in what happens over the next couple of weeks. However, I'll go into some more detail about why I think this can actually happen. First off, the West is by far the weakest region out there and plagued by teams that don't have success in the tournament normally (Wisconsin, San Diego State, Oklahoma). I must admit this is a different kind of Wisconsin, and they have had their own type of Matthew McConaughey renaissance over this season. What do I mean by that? Well, both the Badgers and McConaughey have long suffered from certain reputations. The Badgers play slow basketball, play a lot of white guys with buzz cuts, and don't win in the tournament. McConaughey used to be a sleazy actor in horrible films and most famous for his opening moniker "all right, all right, all right." Now, McConaughey is proving himself to be a world class actor, he has an Oscar, and I take him seriously. Wisconsin basketball is trying to do the same. The Badgers have had a tremendous season, and Bo Ryan could get his team back to the Final Four. Sam Dekker, Ben Brust, Frank Kaminsky, and Traevon Jackson had a great season, but unfortunately, they won't get any farther than the Sweet Sixteen because of Mr. Douglas Richard McDermott. After dispatching of UL-Lafayette, the Cornhuskers in the Nebraskan Civil War, and the Badgers, the Blue Jays will defeat Arizona to reach the Final Four. If that logic isn't enough, let's look at wacky intangibles for why Creighton making the Final Four would be one of the most American stories of all time:
-As much as defense wins championships, nothing makes Americans feel better than watching some explosive offensive fireworks, or just explosions and fireworks!
-While many father/son duos are seen in high school, McDermott gets to play for his father in COLLEGE. People, we are a few song and dance numbers, a girlfriend who competes in academic competitions, and McDermott being discovered singing beautifully in the shower from watching Creighton University Musical!
-Creighton is still an underdog, and what's more American than rooting for the underdog from middle America!
Finally, Warren Buffett, the man who has made every American interested in March Madness with his promise to give a billion dollars out to an individual if he/she fills out a perfect bracket backs Creighton. Look at this beautiful picture!
Look at that picture. Take it all in. Then, go get your eraser because you have seen the light and realized that Arizona, Wisconsin, or San Diego State not only won't make the Final Four, they don't belong in the Final Four. You love Creighton. You love Dougie McBuckets. And if that's not true, you most certainly love money! Let's go Blue Jays!!!
4) Midwest Region: Why the Louisville Cardinals get to the Final Four
Last week, Louisville won a game by 61 points. SIXTY ONE POINTS. First off, I don't care who you're playing that says a lot about how well you're playing right now. Secondly, that was against Rutgers. Now Jim Delany, I now you are all about the money, but for the love of God, please don't let the Scarlet Knights into your conference next year. They are atrocious at every sport, and the Scarlet Knight is just a horrible nickname. This team will bring absolutely nothing but a few more dollars. Poach Kentucky, or Cincinnati, or UConn, or West Indiana Tech. Anybody but Rutgers. Please. Please... Anyways, the Midwest region will undoubtedly provided the best basketball. Wichita State vs. Kentucky, Duke vs. Michigan, Kentucky vs. Louisville, Wichita State vs. Louisville, Wichita State vs. Duke, and Kentucky vs. Duke could all be potential match-ups. Once again, I have some regrets about picking Louisville because of the sheer number of people making this trendy selection, but the Cards are for real. Last year, I criticized the play of Russ Smith. Won't see that happening this year. Not only can he still score like few other players in the country, he has now developed into a leader to fill Peyton Siva's shoes. Montrezl Harrell is going to be the key for Louisville to make a return trip to the Final Four. The man has had one of the most impressive season of anyone not named McDermott, and he's going to have to play well for the Cards to survive and advance in the region of death. As much as I'd love to see a Wichita State vs. Creighton Final Four match-up, I couldn't bring myself to pick the Shockers. I love Fred Van Vleet. Gregg Marshall is a superb coach. I hope Ron Baker (the Troy Bolton look alike) and Doug McDermott (the hopefully future Troy Bolton) go head to head in Dallas. Ultimately, the Shockers will not do as well in the position of the hunted. Look for Duke to make the Elite Eight behind Jabari "First Overall Pick" Parker and Marshall "I Don't Have Nearly As Much Talent As My Brothers" Plumlee, which will set up a game of the ages between the Cardinals and the Blue Devils. At the end of the day, Louisville's RUSSdiculous press will let them cut down the nets in Indianapolis, and Duke will be wishing they had a legitimate frontcourt presence.
Last night, I had a dream that Louisville lost to Manhattan 74-72 in the Round of 64 on a shot from around the free throw line with about four seconds left. Yes, I'm so pathetically consumed by this basketball tournament I dream about it, and yes, I'm fairly confident this won't happen, but I'm including this just on the off chance it happens, so I can get That's So Jacob or a spinoff to Psych in the works ASAP...
Last night, I had a dream that Louisville lost to Manhattan 74-72 in the Round of 64 on a shot from around the free throw line with about four seconds left. Yes, I'm so pathetically consumed by this basketball tournament I dream about it, and yes, I'm fairly confident this won't happen, but I'm including this just on the off chance it happens, so I can get That's So Jacob or a spinoff to Psych in the works ASAP...
Who Wins it All? My full bracket is pictured below... If you don't like pictures **SPOILER ALERT** I take the Gators over the Cardinals. And yes, Michigan is scUM... Happy Basketball, and may the 9.2 quintillion odds be forever in you favor!
J. Nave
HA! Creighton my ass
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