Monday, March 12, 2007

My Bracket

I sat in the Cheap Seats and studied the brackets. This is my opinion on what will happen in the Big Dance (blank bracket from ncaasports.com):

(click to enlarge)


I will explain my Final Four and NCAA Champion only. The rest of it, you'll have to ask about in the comments section.

Florida: Pretty self explainatory. They started the year on the wrong foot with a loss to Kansas in Las Vegas, but the Gators have jumped back into last year's Final Four form since then. They even went on a little rough streak towards the end of the season, just like last year's team. Joakim Noah will no-doubtedly be the spark plug that runs Florida's engine in this tournament. Whenever he is in the game, there is a notable difference in the level of intensity that this team has. The other key is how well the guards can shut down the other team with defense and 3-pointers. Horford, Brewer, and company should have an easy time with Purdue and Butler, and should be able to simply outplay Wisconsin.

Texas A&M: The game plan is easy for Texas A&M: get the ball to Acie Law IV. Law has been so good and so clutch throughout the entire season that there's no reason to think he won't knock the spirit out of any opponent with a clutch three-pointer or two...or seven. There are other players on this team, too, and they are all good. However, Law is still the key. Penn will be no issue for this team. Louisville will cause them issues, but i don't think the Cardinals' run will continue. Creighton will surprise people in the first two rounds, but the same fate will befall them that befell Louisville. The obvious surprise of A&M's road to Atlanta is a victory over Ohio State -- excuse me, the #1-in-the-nation Ohio State Buckeyes. The Buckeyes are amazingly strong. Greg Oden is amazingly strong. Mike Conley is an amazing point guard. Everyting points to A&M losing this game. That is why Acie Law will step forth and shock the nation under the dome in San Antonio. The clutch three will play a huge part in this game.

Kansas: Watching Kansas play basketball is sometimes akin to watching a master painter work his magic on canvas. They move the ball well, cut to the basket, shoot the three, and play defense so well. Bill Self built the Illinois team that Bruce Weber took to the Final Four, but he has the reins this time and will get his first Final Four appearance. The big win over Florida in November was a sign of things to come, and the Jayhawks have rarely disappointed. They cruised through the Big 12 regular season and tournament and they are going to stay on that roll, culminating with their final victory against the team that gave them their first big victory: Florida. Sasha Kaun is a dominant force for KU and will run step-for-step wlth Joakim Noah. The Hawks' guard play will be amazing as always and will knock the Gators out of their title defense. If KU is going to be so dominant against Florida, Niagra, Kentucky, Southern Illinois, and Indiana will have no chance against Rock, Chalk, Jayhawk.

Georgetown: Last year's tournament win over Ohio State was a big sign of things to come. Stellar play from Jeff Green and Roy Hibbert has propelled this team through an amazingly solid Big East including wins over Pittsburgh, Marquette, and Louisville. With a coach named John Thompson (JT the third, this time) and a forward named Patrick Ewing (Jr.) waving the banner for the Hoyas, it's just like old times on the west side of Washington, DC. Belmont will be a breeze. Texas Tech will provide little resistance because they have a good coach coaching mediocre talent. Washington State is good, but in a Pac 10 that doesn't prepare you for the size of Georgetown. UNC's Tyler Hansborough, who is obviously the key player for the Tar Heels, will have a very tough time with Hibbert, who is several inches taller than the Heels' sophomore. Acie Law's stretch of clutch three-pointers will be all spent after the big game against Ohio State, so A&M will have a really tough go at the Hoyas. Finally, the Kansas Jayhawks, with the inside game of Sasha Kaun being stifled by Hibbert and the three-pointer being their only option, will not be able to pull out from under Hibbert's shadow. JT3, Roy Hibbert, Jeff Green, Pat Ewing Jr, and the rest of the guys will bring Hoya Paranoia to the big dome in Atlanta and the glass basketball back to the Verizon Center in our nation's capital.

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