As always, I did some quick mathematics to try to predict the games. And then, when I didn’t believe some of the results, I went with my gut.
Part of it was because what I noticed happening. I was picking all the Big 12 schools. And to be honest, the Big 12 schools look really good. But the Big 12 has a history of blowing up people’s brackets. The last time a Big 12 team went to the final four was when Kansas got to the final in 2011. So, I quickly detoured from my model. Maybe this will be the year the Big 12 breaks out – but I don’t want to bet the farm on it.
In my sane picks, despite my history lesson, I don’t see anyone beating Kansas in the South. I have Miami Florida making a run and taking out Villanova – but the Jayhawks are going to finally end the drought. In the West, I had Duke upsetting Oregon and Oklahoma to get to the Final Four. In the East, I think the preseason #1 North Carolina Tar Heels will beat West Virginia. And in the Midwest, Michigan State gets to eliminate Virginia for a third straight year. This leads to Michigan State beating Kansas in the championship.
In my insane picks, I still have Kansas beating Miami. I still have Duke upsetting the Ducks and reaching the Final Four – but this time, Texas A&M beats West Virginia to get to the Elite 8. In the East, I still see the Tar Heels beating West Virginia – especially after Wisconsin upsets Xavier to get to the Sweet 16. And then I go crazy. In the Midwest, I have to cheer on my Boilermakers. I am going to have their front-court go on a surprising run that finishes off Virginia and then gets revenge on the Spartans to take the West. At this point, my Boilers lose to North Carolina, while Kansas still takes out Duke – which will lead to North Carolina claiming the National Championship.
So, there you go – now you know that Michigan State, North Carolina, Purdue, West Virginia, Duke, Kansas, Miami FL, Texas A&M and Oklahoma are all doomed with the Lunatic cheering them on. As I write this post, we already have 237 entries and still likely have our mad rush of entries that come in at the last minute on Thursday – don’t miss out on your chance to STOMP THE LUNATIC!!!!!