Bracketology 2015 (Sarah-cuse style)...
It all started a few years ago on a whim I thought to share my March Madness picks via my blog. Somehow I have continued to do so ever since. I once won an office pool with my stellar basketball insights. Impressed? Well you shouldn't be. BUT if you are feeling stumped and need a little help with your March Madness picks then read the following and prepare to dominate with an award winning bracket. (At least an award winning first round, because is all I'm going to detail.) I'm feeling good about my selections this year. If nothing else I will have fun watching basketball, cheering for teams I haven't thought of since last year's tournament and eating wings. If this baby cooperates I may even get to enjoy a frosty beverage by the time the Championship game rolls around. Then again, I have to be honest with myself because baby is probably going to hold strong a little past April 6th.
So without further ado, my picks for the NCAA Tournament 2015. Basketball is fun.
MIDWEST REGION
Kentucky v Hampton:
This is a no-brainer. Kentucky is undefeated this season. Did you know the last NCAA team to not lose an entire game their whole season and finish it out with an NCAA national title was Indiana in 1977. Yep, dropping the knowledge for ya. I'm gonna choose Kentucky on this one.
Cincinnati v Purdue:
I really want to take Purdue in this game but if memory serves me proper I have been burned before when not choosing Cincinnati in what may be considered a close match-up. And why is it so hard for me to remember how to spell Cincinnati? Maybe I shouldn't trust my memory here. Eh, I will choose Cinnattii / Cinncinnatti / Cinncinatti...the Bearcats to win.
West Virginia v Buffalo:
I hate to be a hater by Pittsnogle ruined West Virginia for me. How was that man a good basketball player and not a meth addict? Just search Google images and you will understand. So sorry to his family. I cannot choose West Virginia to win any game. I'm going with Buffalo.
Maryland v Valparaiso:
I actually swam a meet at Valparaiso when I was in college at UNI. It was a beeping long way to drive. BUT this is not a reason to chose them over Maryland so I will simply take the much higher seed and go with Maryland.
Butler v Texas:
Texas is a Big XII school and this is very much a Big XII house, more specifically an ISU house. None of us have a choice in the matter. We've been told by Matt, "Cheer for Iowa State or move to Kuwait." So Iowa State it is. Just kidding...kind of. And despite my dislike for Bulldogs I think the Bulldogs will take down the Longhorns.
Notre Dame v Northeastern:
Northeastern who? Also, I like Shamrock Shakes. Notre Dame wins.
Wichita State v Indiana:
Tough one! I don't have any good logic to determine a winner here so I will simply go with Wichita State because I like that White Stripes song, "Seven Nation Army." If you're not sure what I'm talking about you can listen to it here...
Kansas v New Mexico State:
Kansas for sure.
WEST
Wisconsin v Coastal Carolina:
I love the coast. Maybe not necessarily the coast of Carolina but I big, puffy heart beaches, sand, summer, swimming, warm! However, Wisconsin is a #1 seed so I have to choose the inland team.
Oregon v Oklahoma State:
Oregon basketball needs to fire their fashion director and get some new jerseys, warm-ups...the works! I'm going with Okie State.
Arkansas v Wofford:
I have no love for either of these teams. The State of Arkansas interests me about as much as staring at a white wall and Wofford makes me think of sad dogs. Doesn't Wofford just sound like a dog who is trying to impress some dog buddies but sounds like a doofus when he barks. Am I the only one who sees this? Anyway, I still have to choose a team and I guess it will be Arkansas...with reluctance.
UNC v Harvard:
Man, I was hoping Yale would be Harvard. Then Yale could have gone to the Big Dance for the first time since 1962 or something like that. But they lost and Harvard is in. UNC is the obvious choice here not just because they are the higher seed but also because Matt and I have actually been inside the UNC basketball arena. I have no memory of the arena's name but I do remember that it is very, very periwinkle colored in there. Anyway, I choose UNC.
Xavier v Ole Miss:
Did you know Matt and I are expecting a baby in the next three weeks? 22 days to be exact...well exactly to the due date but that doesn't necessarily mean anything. We also do not know if baby is a boy or girl. For each little blessing we have received Matt has always suggested the name Xavier with the nickname of X for a boy. Now, I'm sure he is mostly joking but I can never hear the school Xavier and not think of a sweet, baby boy. (Actually a boy named X would probably be doomed to a life of crime. That name doesn't ring confidence and professionalism. Sorry if your kid is named X.) Anyway, I feel like this is a basketball battle between generations. Xavier stands for modern/new /fresh/energetic and Ole Miss is slow moving molasses on a wind blown, dirt hazy, hot summer day. I'm going to choose new, modern, lively Xavier over ol' timey country. I also feel like this explanation is not very clear.
Baylor v Georgia State:
I will take the Big XII team in this match-up. Go Baylor.
VCU v Ohio State:
Oy! I really don't know which way to go here. I think I will take Ohio State.
Arizona v Texas Southern:
Texas Southern is located in Houston. One of my favorite R&B/Rap songs is actually sung by a guy named Houston but he is a crazy man who gouged his own eye out after doing drugs. True story. Also I prefer 90's grunge to R&B but everyone needs to branch out now and again. Anyway, I will choose Arizona in this game simply because I am so ticked at Houston, the rapper, for messing up what could have been an awesome career by instead doing drugs and trying to kill himself with a plastic fork. Poor decision.
EAST
Villanova v Lafayette:
Villanova is a pretty cool name for a college and they are a #1 seed so I gotsta go with the V.
NC State v LSU:
Ugh! Another tough one. I have been to North Carolina, as detailed in a previous game match-up. I have never been to Louisiana and I feel a little bad about that. So I am going to go with LSU to make up for not taking the time to visit.
UNI v Wyoming:
UNI! UNI! UNI! UNI! Swimming...I mean basketball. Go UNI! UNI!
Louisville v UC Irvine:
While I love warm sun and happy tank tops I have to go with the higher seed. Sorry California. Maybe next time.
Providence v BSU/Day:
I think the second team(s) listed is for a play in game and while I'm not sure I would guess BSU stands for... uh, I don't know. But Day has to stand for Dayton. Either way I'm going with Providence.
Oklahoma v Albany:
I have a friend who once lived in Albany. Or was it Buffalo? Eh, I'm going Big XII here. Oklahoma.
Michigan State v Georgia:
I actually applied to grad school at Michigan State but obviously chose not to attend. If I remember right Michigan State also won a heartbreaker to Wisconsin for the Big 10 title. Is that right? I bet Michigan State is going to be pumped to get back out there after that loss...if it was them. And while my gut says to pick Georgia my gut is also hungry. I'm going with Michigan State. Now to find a snack...
Virginia v Belmont:
Does anyone remember that game last year, Virginia v Iowa State at Virginia where Dustin Hogue was so upset about how the game was going he jumped into the air and karate style kicked a Virginia player. Not cool. But sorta ridiculously funny. That was a reallllllly bad game. Anyway, I'm going with Virginia here. Oh, and here is the video for you.
SOUTH
Duke v some play in teams:
Duke
San Diego State v St. John's:
I know St. John's is not located in St. John USVI but our vacation to St. John last year was so amazingly, wonderful I can never pick against a school that reminds me of the paradise that is St. John. Here is a picture for you...
I love you St. John. Forever and ever and ever and ever....
Utah v SF Austin:
I don't have a good feeling either way here. SF Austin is a 12 seed and at least one 12 seed usually beats a 5 seed each year. Not always, but a good chunk of the time. However I already chose one 12 seed (Buffalo) over a 5 (Pittsnogle-y West Virginia). I can't do it. I'm going with Utah.
Georgetown v E. Washington:
I think I told this story last year... When I was a kid I had a Georgetown sweatshirt that I really, really loved so I somehow convinced myself that I needed to go to college there. I also thought Georgetown was in Georgia. Oh, little Sarah. I still cheer for you and so I will also cheer for Georgetown.
SMU v UCLA:
Umm...close my eyes, spin in a circle, pin the tail on a school...I will go with SMU.
ISU v UAB:
UAwho? Go Clones.
Iowa v Davidson:
My dad really loves Iowa. Personally I find the men's basketball players to be kind of oogy. You know, the guys on the team just kind of creep me out. That is horrible, I know, but this is also my blog. Plus, Iowa has that guy who likes to poke people in the eye. What's up with that???? Sorry to insult your team, Dad. I will make it up to you by choosing them to win despite their oogyness. (Yes, I know that is not a real word.)
Gonzaga v North Dakota State:
Gonzaga is a cool name. I pick Gonzaga.
So there you have it. My first round picks for this year's NCAA Basketball Tournament. I truly love March Madness. Matt comes home at noon with take-out food. We put the girls down for a nap and watch basketball over trays over greasy foods. The sun is often shining. Everyone is happy. And I only have 22-ish more days until I get to meet my newest little baby. Life is good. Now make your basketball picks!
So without further ado, my picks for the NCAA Tournament 2015. Basketball is fun.
MIDWEST REGION
Kentucky v Hampton:
This is a no-brainer. Kentucky is undefeated this season. Did you know the last NCAA team to not lose an entire game their whole season and finish it out with an NCAA national title was Indiana in 1977. Yep, dropping the knowledge for ya. I'm gonna choose Kentucky on this one.
Cincinnati v Purdue:
I really want to take Purdue in this game but if memory serves me proper I have been burned before when not choosing Cincinnati in what may be considered a close match-up. And why is it so hard for me to remember how to spell Cincinnati? Maybe I shouldn't trust my memory here. Eh, I will choose Cinnattii / Cinncinnatti / Cinncinatti...the Bearcats to win.
West Virginia v Buffalo:
I hate to be a hater by Pittsnogle ruined West Virginia for me. How was that man a good basketball player and not a meth addict? Just search Google images and you will understand. So sorry to his family. I cannot choose West Virginia to win any game. I'm going with Buffalo.
Maryland v Valparaiso:
I actually swam a meet at Valparaiso when I was in college at UNI. It was a beeping long way to drive. BUT this is not a reason to chose them over Maryland so I will simply take the much higher seed and go with Maryland.
Butler v Texas:
Texas is a Big XII school and this is very much a Big XII house, more specifically an ISU house. None of us have a choice in the matter. We've been told by Matt, "Cheer for Iowa State or move to Kuwait." So Iowa State it is. Just kidding...kind of. And despite my dislike for Bulldogs I think the Bulldogs will take down the Longhorns.
Notre Dame v Northeastern:
Northeastern who? Also, I like Shamrock Shakes. Notre Dame wins.
Wichita State v Indiana:
Tough one! I don't have any good logic to determine a winner here so I will simply go with Wichita State because I like that White Stripes song, "Seven Nation Army." If you're not sure what I'm talking about you can listen to it here...
Kansas v New Mexico State:
Kansas for sure.
WEST
Wisconsin v Coastal Carolina:
I love the coast. Maybe not necessarily the coast of Carolina but I big, puffy heart beaches, sand, summer, swimming, warm! However, Wisconsin is a #1 seed so I have to choose the inland team.
Oregon v Oklahoma State:
Oregon basketball needs to fire their fashion director and get some new jerseys, warm-ups...the works! I'm going with Okie State.
Arkansas v Wofford:
I have no love for either of these teams. The State of Arkansas interests me about as much as staring at a white wall and Wofford makes me think of sad dogs. Doesn't Wofford just sound like a dog who is trying to impress some dog buddies but sounds like a doofus when he barks. Am I the only one who sees this? Anyway, I still have to choose a team and I guess it will be Arkansas...with reluctance.
UNC v Harvard:
Man, I was hoping Yale would be Harvard. Then Yale could have gone to the Big Dance for the first time since 1962 or something like that. But they lost and Harvard is in. UNC is the obvious choice here not just because they are the higher seed but also because Matt and I have actually been inside the UNC basketball arena. I have no memory of the arena's name but I do remember that it is very, very periwinkle colored in there. Anyway, I choose UNC.
Xavier v Ole Miss:
Did you know Matt and I are expecting a baby in the next three weeks? 22 days to be exact...well exactly to the due date but that doesn't necessarily mean anything. We also do not know if baby is a boy or girl. For each little blessing we have received Matt has always suggested the name Xavier with the nickname of X for a boy. Now, I'm sure he is mostly joking but I can never hear the school Xavier and not think of a sweet, baby boy. (Actually a boy named X would probably be doomed to a life of crime. That name doesn't ring confidence and professionalism. Sorry if your kid is named X.) Anyway, I feel like this is a basketball battle between generations. Xavier stands for modern/new /fresh/energetic and Ole Miss is slow moving molasses on a wind blown, dirt hazy, hot summer day. I'm going to choose new, modern, lively Xavier over ol' timey country. I also feel like this explanation is not very clear.
Baylor v Georgia State:
I will take the Big XII team in this match-up. Go Baylor.
VCU v Ohio State:
Oy! I really don't know which way to go here. I think I will take Ohio State.
Arizona v Texas Southern:
Texas Southern is located in Houston. One of my favorite R&B/Rap songs is actually sung by a guy named Houston but he is a crazy man who gouged his own eye out after doing drugs. True story. Also I prefer 90's grunge to R&B but everyone needs to branch out now and again. Anyway, I will choose Arizona in this game simply because I am so ticked at Houston, the rapper, for messing up what could have been an awesome career by instead doing drugs and trying to kill himself with a plastic fork. Poor decision.
EAST
Villanova v Lafayette:
Villanova is a pretty cool name for a college and they are a #1 seed so I gotsta go with the V.
NC State v LSU:
Ugh! Another tough one. I have been to North Carolina, as detailed in a previous game match-up. I have never been to Louisiana and I feel a little bad about that. So I am going to go with LSU to make up for not taking the time to visit.
UNI v Wyoming:
UNI! UNI! UNI! UNI! Swimming...I mean basketball. Go UNI! UNI!
Louisville v UC Irvine:
While I love warm sun and happy tank tops I have to go with the higher seed. Sorry California. Maybe next time.
Providence v BSU/Day:
I think the second team(s) listed is for a play in game and while I'm not sure I would guess BSU stands for... uh, I don't know. But Day has to stand for Dayton. Either way I'm going with Providence.
Oklahoma v Albany:
I have a friend who once lived in Albany. Or was it Buffalo? Eh, I'm going Big XII here. Oklahoma.
Michigan State v Georgia:
I actually applied to grad school at Michigan State but obviously chose not to attend. If I remember right Michigan State also won a heartbreaker to Wisconsin for the Big 10 title. Is that right? I bet Michigan State is going to be pumped to get back out there after that loss...if it was them. And while my gut says to pick Georgia my gut is also hungry. I'm going with Michigan State. Now to find a snack...
Virginia v Belmont:
Does anyone remember that game last year, Virginia v Iowa State at Virginia where Dustin Hogue was so upset about how the game was going he jumped into the air and karate style kicked a Virginia player. Not cool. But sorta ridiculously funny. That was a reallllllly bad game. Anyway, I'm going with Virginia here. Oh, and here is the video for you.
SOUTH
Duke v some play in teams:
Duke
San Diego State v St. John's:
I know St. John's is not located in St. John USVI but our vacation to St. John last year was so amazingly, wonderful I can never pick against a school that reminds me of the paradise that is St. John. Here is a picture for you...
Utah v SF Austin:
I don't have a good feeling either way here. SF Austin is a 12 seed and at least one 12 seed usually beats a 5 seed each year. Not always, but a good chunk of the time. However I already chose one 12 seed (Buffalo) over a 5 (Pittsnogle-y West Virginia). I can't do it. I'm going with Utah.
Georgetown v E. Washington:
I think I told this story last year... When I was a kid I had a Georgetown sweatshirt that I really, really loved so I somehow convinced myself that I needed to go to college there. I also thought Georgetown was in Georgia. Oh, little Sarah. I still cheer for you and so I will also cheer for Georgetown.
SMU v UCLA:
Umm...close my eyes, spin in a circle, pin the tail on a school...I will go with SMU.
ISU v UAB:
UAwho? Go Clones.
Iowa v Davidson:
My dad really loves Iowa. Personally I find the men's basketball players to be kind of oogy. You know, the guys on the team just kind of creep me out. That is horrible, I know, but this is also my blog. Plus, Iowa has that guy who likes to poke people in the eye. What's up with that???? Sorry to insult your team, Dad. I will make it up to you by choosing them to win despite their oogyness. (Yes, I know that is not a real word.)
Gonzaga v North Dakota State:
Gonzaga is a cool name. I pick Gonzaga.
So there you have it. My first round picks for this year's NCAA Basketball Tournament. I truly love March Madness. Matt comes home at noon with take-out food. We put the girls down for a nap and watch basketball over trays over greasy foods. The sun is often shining. Everyone is happy. And I only have 22-ish more days until I get to meet my newest little baby. Life is good. Now make your basketball picks!
Comments
My system is based on teams with a "V" or a "Z" in their names. I ALWAYS pick Villanova, Vanderbilt, Gonzaga (that's just fun to say), Valpraiso, etc. And, honestly, it kinda works.
Emily P
Kiss of Death.
Grandpa Craft