Pick your Final 4, Bracket Buster and wildcard

Final 4:

South -Florida: They have looked good recently and I have no reason to doubt that they can get out of their quadrant. Had Embiid been healthy for Kansas maybe it would look different but I doubt even if he comes back he will provide much if any significant value for the Jayhawks.

West- Arizona: This was the most difficult quadrant for me to pick out of. I like wisconsin, their toughness and ability to defend, but they struggle at times putting the ball in the hoop. Kaminsky was great this weekend in the B1G tournament, Dekker as well, so who knows. Arizona took a loss to UCLA maybe they come back more focused and ready to get back doing what made them a 1 seed. 

East- Michigan State: They are finally healthy. And they ran through the B1G tournament looking like a well oiled machine. Izzo usually has his guys ready to play hard and focused by March, this march will be nothing different.

North- Louisville: I feel as though Louisville is being a tad bit underrated. Even though they didnt set the world ablaze to begin the season with early losses to UNC, Kentucky and Memphis they have been steadily improving and seemingly hit their stride recently. Russ Smith has been as good as anyone in the country over the past couple months of college basketball.

Bracket Buster and Wildcard: I’m going with Kentucky for both of these. Those kids faught back against a tough florida team to make it a game after it appeared to be almost out of reach. As has been the case all year, it depends on what Wildcat’s team shows up. If they show up soft and scared they will get bounced by K-State. If they play tough and together they will get by K-State and I think they have a real shot at knocking off Witchita State who I really am not sold on. Their best win of the year was against who, Saint Louis? By five? I am just not sold by who they played and if they will be prepared for a team with a lot of raw talent like Kentucky. 

If Kentucky gets past Witchita, their next game would potentially be a rematch with Louisville. Kentucky got the best of them early but who knows now. 

Final 4:

South -Florida: They have looked good recently and I have no reason to doubt that they can get out of their quadrant. Had Embiid been healthy for Kansas maybe it would look different but I doubt even if he comes back he will provide much if any significant value for the Jayhawks.

West- Arizona: This was the most difficult quadrant for me to pick out of. I like wisconsin, their toughness and ability to defend, but they struggle at times putting the ball in the hoop. Kaminsky was great this weekend in the B1G tournament, Dekker as well, so who knows. Arizona took a loss to UCLA maybe they come back more focused and ready to get back doing what made them a 1 seed. 

East- Michigan State: They are finally healthy. And they ran through the B1G tournament looking like a well oiled machine. Izzo usually has his guys ready to play hard and focused by March, this march will be nothing different.

North- Louisville: I feel as though Louisville is being a tad bit underrated. Even though they didnt set the world ablaze to begin the season with early losses to UNC, Kentucky and Memphis they have been steadily improving and seemingly hit their stride recently. Russ Smith has been as good as anyone in the country over the past couple months of college basketball.

Bracket Buster and Wildcard: I’m going with Kentucky for both of these. Those kids faught back against a tough florida team to make it a game after it appeared to be almost out of reach. As has been the case all year, it depends on what Wildcat’s team shows up. If they show up soft and scared they will get bounced by K-State. If they play tough and together they will get by K-State and I think they have a real shot at knocking off Witchita State who I really am not sold on. Their best win of the year was against who, Saint Louis? By five? I am just not sold by who they played and if they will be prepared for a team with a lot of raw talent like Kentucky. 

If Kentucky gets past Witchita, their next game would potentially be a rematch with Louisville. Kentucky got the best of them early but who knows now. 

 Florida

Louisville

Iowa St

Wisconsin

I had Kentucky as my Bracket Buster. But since someone went there I’ll go with New Mexico. But that’s mostly based on the up in the air status of Embiid. I’ll add Baylor as an HM as they’ll beat Creighton if they get past Nebraska. My last one is SDSU who I think can beat the hobbly Arizona team. 

Wild card: I could see a team like Oregon getting hot and going nuts as well as the winner of Iowa/ Tenn making a sweet 16 run. 

 Florida

Louisville

Iowa St

Wisconsin

I had Kentucky as my Bracket Buster. But since someone went there I’ll go with New Mexico. But that’s mostly based on the up in the air status of Embiid. I’ll add Baylor as an HM as they’ll beat Creighton if they get past Nebraska. My last one is SDSU who I think can beat the hobbly Arizona team. 

Wild card: I could see a team like Oregon getting hot and going nuts as well as the winner of Iowa/ Tenn making a sweet 16 run. 

 I’ve got Louisville, Kansas, Iowa St., and Oklahoma St. with Louisville over Kansas for the title.

I have Wichita St., Arizona, and Virginia losing in the second round.  I also have UConn over ‘nova in the second round.

 I’ve got Louisville, Kansas, Iowa St., and Oklahoma St. with Louisville over Kansas for the title.

I have Wichita St., Arizona, and Virginia losing in the second round.  I also have UConn over ‘nova in the second round.

 My final 4 right now is Kansas (only if Embiid is healthy), Iowa St (they’re my sleeper to win it all, Oklahoma St. (I’m hoping they step it up come tournament time, they’re better then their seed and record show), and Duke (thats the hardest regon for me topick right now).

 My final 4 right now is Kansas (only if Embiid is healthy), Iowa St (they’re my sleeper to win it all, Oklahoma St. (I’m hoping they step it up come tournament time, they’re better then their seed and record show), and Duke (thats the hardest regon for me topick right now).

 My preliminary final 4:

Michigan State, Florida, Louisville, and Oklahoma State.

I’m not wild about Oklahoma State, but oddly, I also have them beating Arizona.

Wildcard(s): Creighton, Kansas, North Carolina, Syracuse. I have a hard time counting any of them out.

 My preliminary final 4:

Michigan State, Florida, Louisville, and Oklahoma State.

I’m not wild about Oklahoma State, but oddly, I also have them beating Arizona.

Wildcard(s): Creighton, Kansas, North Carolina, Syracuse. I have a hard time counting any of them out.

 Now that I think about it, I could see Ohio St making an elite 8 run. They got a great draw to do so. A Kansas 2 with a question mark at C (health wise), and a 3 seed who has been limping as of late, plus the metrics seem to like them. 

That’s a serious wild card pick there. 

 Now that I think about it, I could see Ohio St making an elite 8 run. They got a great draw to do so. A Kansas 2 with a question mark at C (health wise), and a 3 seed who has been limping as of late, plus the metrics seem to like them. 

That’s a serious wild card pick there. 

 Final 4

Mich St, UCLA (also my wild card) Louisville and Wisconsin

Bracket buster….I have UConn the lowest seed in the Sweet 16 although I will be rooting against them

….altenatives busters = New Mexico or No Dakota St

 Final 4

Mich St, UCLA (also my wild card) Louisville and Wisconsin

Bracket buster….I have UConn the lowest seed in the Sweet 16 although I will be rooting against them

….altenatives busters = New Mexico or No Dakota St

Florida, Oklahoma St., Louisville, Michigan St.

MSU over Louisville

Bracket buster: Oklahoma St., of course, in addition to Tennessee who I have in my Elite Eight.

Wildcard: Villanova and Kansas

Florida, Oklahoma St., Louisville, Michigan St.

MSU over Louisville

Bracket buster: Oklahoma St., of course, in addition to Tennessee who I have in my Elite Eight.

Wildcard: Villanova and Kansas

I’ve made a couple brackets, but I think I’ve settled on:

Final Four:

• Florida
• Michigan State
• Wichita State
• Creighton

Bracket Buster:

• Stephen F. Austin (I have them reaching the Sweet 16 before falling to Florida)

Wildcard: 

• Texas (great interior play and a hot and cold guard in Isaiah Taylor; I think they have the kind of team that can give Michigan and Duke some trouble IF Taylor can go on a hot streak)

At the end of the day, I have Florida over Creighton in one bracket, and Wichita over Michigan State in the other.

I’ve made a couple brackets, but I think I’ve settled on:

Final Four:

• Florida
• Michigan State
• Wichita State
• Creighton

Bracket Buster:

• Stephen F. Austin (I have them reaching the Sweet 16 before falling to Florida)

Wildcard: 

• Texas (great interior play and a hot and cold guard in Isaiah Taylor; I think they have the kind of team that can give Michigan and Duke some trouble IF Taylor can go on a hot streak)

At the end of the day, I have Florida over Creighton in one bracket, and Wichita over Michigan State in the other.

The Midwest Region could give us some GREAT Sweet 16 games.  Kentucky vs. Louisville and Duke vs. Michigan.  I have Louisville out of that bracket, but you could make a case for any of those teams.  Or, even Wichita State.

The South Region in Memphis sets up for another great Sweet 16 with the potential of Florida vs. UCLA and Syracuse vs. Kansas.  Anyone else feel like going to the South Regional?

I don’t have any 1 seeds in my Final Four (Florida gets to the Elite 8) but my Elite 8 sets up some powerhouse matchups: Florida vs. Kansas in the South, Michigan State vs. Iowa State in the East, Oklahoma St. vs. Wisconsin out West, and Louisville and Duke from the Midwest.

The seeds in my Final Four bracket sounds about right, no one seeds but a 2 (Kansas), a 3 (Iowa St.), a 4 (defending champ Louisville), and my "Cinderella" pick of Oklahoma St. (an 8 seed). 

Looks like we will get to see the college stars:  I have Jabari Parker, Wiggins/Embiid???, and Marcus Smart all getting to at least the Elite 8 with Julius Randle and the Baby ‘cats getting to the Sweet 16. 

The Midwest Region could give us some GREAT Sweet 16 games.  Kentucky vs. Louisville and Duke vs. Michigan.  I have Louisville out of that bracket, but you could make a case for any of those teams.  Or, even Wichita State.

The South Region in Memphis sets up for another great Sweet 16 with the potential of Florida vs. UCLA and Syracuse vs. Kansas.  Anyone else feel like going to the South Regional?

I don’t have any 1 seeds in my Final Four (Florida gets to the Elite 8) but my Elite 8 sets up some powerhouse matchups: Florida vs. Kansas in the South, Michigan State vs. Iowa State in the East, Oklahoma St. vs. Wisconsin out West, and Louisville and Duke from the Midwest.

The seeds in my Final Four bracket sounds about right, no one seeds but a 2 (Kansas), a 3 (Iowa St.), a 4 (defending champ Louisville), and my "Cinderella" pick of Oklahoma St. (an 8 seed). 

Looks like we will get to see the college stars:  I have Jabari Parker, Wiggins/Embiid???, and Marcus Smart all getting to at least the Elite 8 with Julius Randle and the Baby ‘cats getting to the Sweet 16. 

 My Final Four

Kansas-Wiggs took his next step during the last week of the stadium and he is ready to show-out on the biggest stage… Hoping Embiid is back to play 10 minutes Sunday then be ready to go versus Cuse and florida.

Iowa State-This team creates a ton of mismatches.  The MSU Iowa State elite eight game could be one for the ages.   A niang-Payne matchup will be really fun matchup to watch and will probably decide that game, but ISU is hot right now and I love their style of play.

Wisconsin-They have a go to wing in Dekker who is apt at creating his own shot on the wing, which is something they have not had in the past.   I have faith in big Frank to step up as well.  The Arizona game will be tough, but Wisconsins inverted offense will pull Tark out of the lane and create problems for Zona’s Defense.

Duke-I’m hoping for a Louiseville Duke elite eight in this bracket.  I believe that Duke will be able to handle the pressure because they pretty much play 4 guys who can handle the ball at all time.  

Championship:  Duke vs. Kansas- This would be REALLY REALLY fun watching Jabari and Andrew  play eachother in the championship would be a media frenzy.  They could be playing for the top pick, but Embiid could steal the show as Duke really has no inside presence.  

The wild cards:  Is SDSU at a four seed too high to be a wild card??  They have some impressive wins and I believe they have as good as a shot at the final four as anyone in that bracket.  They are probably the most athletic team in that bracket.  Almost beat Arizona when they had Ashley and their athletisism would give problems to Wisc and Creighton.  

This will be a crazy tournament, in some brackets the four seeds will be a favorite over the one in the sweet sixteen.  I don’t think this is the year Buffet has to give out his 1 billion

 My Final Four

Kansas-Wiggs took his next step during the last week of the stadium and he is ready to show-out on the biggest stage… Hoping Embiid is back to play 10 minutes Sunday then be ready to go versus Cuse and florida.

Iowa State-This team creates a ton of mismatches.  The MSU Iowa State elite eight game could be one for the ages.   A niang-Payne matchup will be really fun matchup to watch and will probably decide that game, but ISU is hot right now and I love their style of play.

Wisconsin-They have a go to wing in Dekker who is apt at creating his own shot on the wing, which is something they have not had in the past.   I have faith in big Frank to step up as well.  The Arizona game will be tough, but Wisconsins inverted offense will pull Tark out of the lane and create problems for Zona’s Defense.

Duke-I’m hoping for a Louiseville Duke elite eight in this bracket.  I believe that Duke will be able to handle the pressure because they pretty much play 4 guys who can handle the ball at all time.  

Championship:  Duke vs. Kansas- This would be REALLY REALLY fun watching Jabari and Andrew  play eachother in the championship would be a media frenzy.  They could be playing for the top pick, but Embiid could steal the show as Duke really has no inside presence.  

The wild cards:  Is SDSU at a four seed too high to be a wild card??  They have some impressive wins and I believe they have as good as a shot at the final four as anyone in that bracket.  They are probably the most athletic team in that bracket.  Almost beat Arizona when they had Ashley and their athletisism would give problems to Wisc and Creighton.  

This will be a crazy tournament, in some brackets the four seeds will be a favorite over the one in the sweet sixteen.  I don’t think this is the year Buffet has to give out his 1 billion

The key this year will be how many 13, 14, 15, and 16 seeds win at least one game.  If none do, then I think somebody can get a perfect bracket. 

I think this year might actually be easier for someone to get a perfect bracket because there are no TRUE favorites so we will see a bunch of different Final Four picks.  Just on this thread, there are several different Final Four teams, but not true shocking Final Four team like a 13 or 14 seed or something crazy like that. 

I think if you got 1,000 people together to do 1,000 different brackets then I think one of them could get a PERFECT BRACKET a pretty decent percentage of the time (above 50%).  If we don’t get any Florida Gulf Coasts this year, then it might be an easier year for someone to get a perfect bracket.  The one seeds look vulnerable so I can see some brackets with those guys eliminated early (I have 3 number one seeds losing in the first round). 

I would run a regression analysis for each game (somehow) and take the 1,000 most likely scenarios.  That would probably give you around a 50% shot at getting a perfect bracket out of 1,000 brackets submitted.

After taxes, each of the 1,000 people would get half a million bucks.  Not bad.

The key this year will be how many 13, 14, 15, and 16 seeds win at least one game.  If none do, then I think somebody can get a perfect bracket. 

I think this year might actually be easier for someone to get a perfect bracket because there are no TRUE favorites so we will see a bunch of different Final Four picks.  Just on this thread, there are several different Final Four teams, but not true shocking Final Four team like a 13 or 14 seed or something crazy like that. 

I think if you got 1,000 people together to do 1,000 different brackets then I think one of them could get a PERFECT BRACKET a pretty decent percentage of the time (above 50%).  If we don’t get any Florida Gulf Coasts this year, then it might be an easier year for someone to get a perfect bracket.  The one seeds look vulnerable so I can see some brackets with those guys eliminated early (I have 3 number one seeds losing in the first round). 

I would run a regression analysis for each game (somehow) and take the 1,000 most likely scenarios.  That would probably give you around a 50% shot at getting a perfect bracket out of 1,000 brackets submitted.

After taxes, each of the 1,000 people would get half a million bucks.  Not bad.

Final Four:

• Florida
• Oklahoma
• Michigan State
• Louisville

Bracket Buster:

• BYU: Will defeat Oregon, Wisconsin and Creighton before losing to Oklahoma.

Wild Card:

• Duke
• Michigan

Final Four:

• Florida
• Oklahoma
• Michigan State
• Louisville

Bracket Buster:

• BYU: Will defeat Oregon, Wisconsin and Creighton before losing to Oklahoma.

Wild Card:

• Duke
• Michigan

 Final Four 

• Florida 
• Michigan State
• Oklahoma State
• Duke

 Final Four 

• Florida 
• Michigan State
• Oklahoma State
• Duke

Final Four:

Florida or UCLA or New Mexico (not sure yet to be honest)

-Arizona

-Michigan State

-The Ville

Bracket Buster:

-15-seeded American beating Wisconsin

-15-seeded Wofford beating Michigan

-14-seeded Louisiana-Lafayette beating Creighton

-13-seeded New Mexico State beating San Diego State

Wild Card:

-Oregon in the Elite Eight

-New Mexico State in the Sweet Sixteen

Final Four:

Florida or UCLA or New Mexico (not sure yet to be honest)

-Arizona

-Michigan State

-The Ville

Bracket Buster:

-15-seeded American beating Wisconsin

-15-seeded Wofford beating Michigan

-14-seeded Louisiana-Lafayette beating Creighton

-13-seeded New Mexico State beating San Diego State

Wild Card:

-Oregon in the Elite Eight

-New Mexico State in the Sweet Sixteen

What’s with people picking Oklahoma State over Arizona?

Is this an example of this "trolling" phenomenon I keep hearing about?

Oklahoma State is 262nd in offensive rebounding percentage.

Arizona, the best team in the country, will beat Okie State by AT LEAST 20.

Forget Arizona for a second, no team this paltry on the offensive glass has ever even sniffed the Final Four in the history of the Tournament.

What’s with people picking Oklahoma State over Arizona?

Is this an example of this "trolling" phenomenon I keep hearing about?

Oklahoma State is 262nd in offensive rebounding percentage.

Arizona, the best team in the country, will beat Okie State by AT LEAST 20.

Forget Arizona for a second, no team this paltry on the offensive glass has ever even sniffed the Final Four in the history of the Tournament.

 Florida, Michigan St., Arizona, Duke

 Florida, Michigan St., Arizona, Duke

 Final Four:
– Florida: solid team, they are rolling. Problem is them meeting Michigan St. in the semis.
– San Diego State: well-coached, good season, good defense, I see them beating Arizona in the elite 8)
– Michigan State: very, very solid team now being healthy. However, no real wild card on this team (someone who can get hot at any moment) in my point of view.
– Louisville (champion): they have been there already, and with Russdicilous playing under control I see them beating Michigan St. in the championship game.

Bracket Buster/Wild Card:
– Tennessee (they have a chance of beating Iowa, Duke and Michigan to reach the elite 8)
– UConn (they can reach the sweet 16, beating Villanova in the process)

 Final Four:
– Florida: solid team, they are rolling. Problem is them meeting Michigan St. in the semis.
– San Diego State: well-coached, good season, good defense, I see them beating Arizona in the elite 8)
– Michigan State: very, very solid team now being healthy. However, no real wild card on this team (someone who can get hot at any moment) in my point of view.
– Louisville (champion): they have been there already, and with Russdicilous playing under control I see them beating Michigan St. in the championship game.

Bracket Buster/Wild Card:
– Tennessee (they have a chance of beating Iowa, Duke and Michigan to reach the elite 8)
– UConn (they can reach the sweet 16, beating Villanova in the process)

 My final four are Oklahoma St, Duke, Michigan State, and Kansas. 

My wild card is Creighton. I think they can beat anybody on any given day. 

I think a bracket buster might be the Kentucky/Kansas St vs Wichita State game. We don’t see many #1 seeds lose to the 8 or 9 seeds, but I think we see it this year. 

 My final four are Oklahoma St, Duke, Michigan State, and Kansas. 

My wild card is Creighton. I think they can beat anybody on any given day. 

I think a bracket buster might be the Kentucky/Kansas St vs Wichita State game. We don’t see many #1 seeds lose to the 8 or 9 seeds, but I think we see it this year. 

 my final 4 equals= ucla, arizona, iowa st, kentucky.

my next 3 teams would be florida, michigan st and duke. 

im not sure i have a "surprise" team although both ucla and kentucky should count for those.

 my final 4 equals= ucla, arizona, iowa st, kentucky.

my next 3 teams would be florida, michigan st and duke. 

im not sure i have a "surprise" team although both ucla and kentucky should count for those.

I’ve got Florida from the South. Tough call. New Mexico is no guarantee to get past a Embiid-less Kansas so I’ve got to hedge my bets a bit.

I’ve got Florida from the South. Tough call. New Mexico is no guarantee to get past a Embiid-less Kansas so I’ve got to hedge my bets a bit.