I have received several requests for an attempt on my behalf to make my links open in a new window. From my research, there is nothing I can edit in this blog to make it happen, however all you have to do is hold down the SHIFT key while clicking the link, a little annoying I know, but life can't be all fun, and since the rest of this column is all fun, this should balance it out.

I mentioned in an earlier edition that just because of my striking similarities to Eminem I would not pursue a rap career. I am beginning to re-think this one. I realize that you don't need to have any talent at all. Rap sucks now. It has reduced itself to naming activities you do while wearing a white tee-shirt...I can do that. I'll keep you posted.

Anyways, I have been advertising this post for a while now and it's time for it to happen. We all have fun watching real life sports and their over-hyped All-Star games, but it's time to give respect to the other All-Stars of sports...Movie Character All-Stars. I will come out with a new post for each sport I deem worthy to have an All-Star team, and then one for Hockey too. Without further ado...The Movie Character Basketball All-Star Team:

(Real players that appear in movies as themselves are excluded from these teams. No Michael Jordan in Space Jam or Larry Johnson from Eddie)

Forward (Team Captain)- Shep (Above the Rim). Behind Tupac in the picture, Shep is a legend of the game. Once retired after his best friend was killed while they were playing, Shep made an improbable comeback and dominated as soon as he set foot on the court. A born leader with attitude and all around game Shep is what every team looks for in a captain. His leadership is essential to hold together the rest of this team. NBA Comparison: Michael Jordan

Forward- Lewis Scott (Celtic Pride). Almost excluded from the starting roster due to his huge ego problems, Scott's talent just could not be over-looked. He showed towards the end of the finals (post kidnapping) more of a team mentality, that's when his game went to another level. When in the groove, he can score in bunches. NBA Comparison: Vince Carter

Guard- Jimmy Chitwood (Hoosiers). Perhaps the purest scorer in the history of the game, Jimmy would lead this team in scoring. He can absolutely light up the scoreboard. Without him, Hickory High would have been bounced from the Tournament in Round One. I hesitated at first including a high schooler, but Chitwood is a cut above the rest. I think I would give my right arm for his jumpshot...and just shoot it without an arm. His shyness problem would be solved by captain Shep, who would turn him into a stone cold scorer. NBA Comparison: Larry Bird

Guards- Sidney Deane + Billy Hoyle (White Men Can't Jump). I was trying to decide between them and I couldn't, they come as a package. Sidney has the skills, Billy the fundamentals and both know how to win. Shep could control Sidney's mental lapses and his tendency to look good, but lose. If pushed to their maximum potential, they could be deadly. NBA Comparison: Baron Davis (Sidney), Jeff Hornacek (Billy)

Center- Saleh (The Air up There). Huge seven-footer with a world of potential. Saleh is still a raw talent that needs to be developed, but he absolutely dominated the African Tribal League. His tremendous athleticism gives him the nod over the rest of a thin field of centers. NBA Comparison: DeSagana Diop

Coach- Norman Dale (Hoosiers). A no-brainer for the position, coach Dale would get this team to work together and fire on all cylinders. Perhaps the best coach for meshing talent and getting the most from the team. Questionable in game adjustments would be monitored by Captain Shep, who would make sure that the right play was called at the end of the game, and would never, ever, under any circumstances use Jimmy as a decoy.

Reserves:
Jesus Shuttlesworth (He Got Game), Air Bud (Air Bud), Odin James (O), H. Doyel (Hoosiers, point guard on South Bend Central), Kenny Tyler (The 6th Man), Jamal Wallace (Finding Forrester), Kyle-Lee (Above the Rim).

There they are ladies and gentlemen, if you got a problem with them or think I left someone out (your probably wrong anyways, but...) leave a comment.

SWEET 16 ANALYSIS

Ahhh...nothing like the start of a new spring in Michigan. Birds begin chirping, the sun shines again, you can even begin to feel your fingers and toes outside, and the emotional roller coaster that is the NCAA Tournament is well underway.

As usual it was an up-and-down first weekend on almost all fronts. While the Oakland Region of my bracket has more red lines through it than a Vince Young Wonderlic test, I still feel rather optimistic of my bracket as a whole. Hey, no one is perfect.

With only 16 teams remaining I figured it would be time to provide a brief review of how each team has done and their rank in comparison to the 15 other teams (1 being most equipped to win title, 16 being least equipped).

I will begin right after I send this letter to the Big Ten Conference informing them that the Tournament did indeed start LAST week:

- UConn: UConn enters the Sweet 16 on the heels of two unimpressive victories. Pushed to the limit by Albany and Kentucky, they could be going home early if they don't show up against Washington. Moral Victory for the UConvicts as they have gone a week without having someone on the team steal something or shoot someone. Rank: 1
(Crowd chant of the year goes to the Pitt students for chanting, "Where's my laptop?" when Marcus Williams shot free-throws)

- Duke: If you are counting that is nine straight Sweet 16's for the Dukies, which is pretty darn impressive. Duke looked sluggish in Round One against Southern University but rebounded well to handle a pesky George Washington squad. Their role players are stepping up and Josh McRoberts has been huge, but he and Sheldon Williams will have to be ready to bang when they face Glen Davis and the upset-minded LSU Tigers on Thursday. Rank: 2

- Boston College: After almost giving me a heart-attack in their opening game, BC rebounded nicely against Montana. Craig Smith is dominating and should get work done against Villanova, but if the Eagles want to get past the Cats they will have to do it on the defensive end. My bet is that they get it done. This veteran group knows this year is their big chance, and here's betting that they get it done. Rank: 3

- Texas: Like a few other teams, the Longhorns started round one slowly. They later rebounded to dismantle a pretty good NC State team. Texas is dangerous with big man LaMarcus Aldridge and guard Daniel Gibson. They aren't just a football school anymore. Rank: 4

- Villanova: I finally got footage of Allan Ray's eye partially exiting his orbital bone in the Big East Tourny. It's really, really disgusting. Do not click this link if you don't want to see something that's pretty gross. Somehow, he appears to be doing fine, and is playing well. Nova can play with anyone and can be dangerous if they get on a roll. Rank: 5

- LSU: The Tigers needed a deep three just before the buzzer to get past Texas A&M in Round Two, and will need more to get past Duke. I, for one, think they have it in them. The Tigers can score inside and out, which pretty much covers the two ways you can score points. The game will be in Atlanta, so LSU should have some fans. Key to victory: Keep Glen David out of the hotel buffet line. Rank: 6

- Memphis: I still don't trust them after they let Oral Roberts hang around for about 80% of the opening round. If their young guns get on a roll and get used to winning in the Tourny, they can run the table. Given their placement in the weakest remaining Region, this is entirely possible. Rank: 7

- West Virginia: Everyone's darling team is back, but they didn't exactly have a tretcherous path to the Sweet 16 with wins over 11-seed Southern Illinois and 14-seed Northwestern State. The more I see Kevin Pittsnogle, the more I am amazed as to how I missed him while he was going to Waterford Mott High School (That's Metro-Detroit Humor at its best). As I said before, this team can beat anyone when they are on and hitting shots, who knows, maybe it could happen all the way to April 3rd. Rank: 8

- Florida: Yannick Noah's son can actually play some pretty good ball, while doing an excellent tribute to Side-Show Bob with his hair. Florida has some good and athletic bigs, but streaky shooting will likely be their demise. Rank: 9

- Washington: Under the radar team with two standout defenders that can guard either forward or guard. Brandon Roy will be a Lottery-Pick in the next NBA Draft. They have a chance because of stout defense, but just don't have enough beef to handle UConn. Rank: 10

- Gonzaga: Another team that I just really don't trust, and I really, really wish I did. I think Adam Morrison is great for the game, and its terrible that his struggle with type-one diabetes isn't a bigger story. This team just can't play defense, but they can outscore most teams. They have room for a little run, but a title is a long shot. Rank: 11

- Georgetown: Seven-footer Roy Hibbert dominated against Ohio State and showed why this team upset Duke earlier in the year. Which team shows up, the one that beat Duke, or lost to South Florida. Rank: 12

- UCLA: I just plain don't like UCLA, and I don't even really know why. I think most of it is because Jordan Farmar looks like a cross between Kevin Federline and Marc Anthony. I guess they are a pretty good team, but I don't like them...and this is my posting, so....Rank: 13

- Bradley: After upsetting Kansas in round one Bradley and the refs beat Pittsburgh in what was one of the greater foul disparities of the year (second half free throws for Bradley-26 for Pitt-4).
That doesn't take away from what is a very good basketball team built around a NBA-caliber player in Patrick Obryant (he is what puts the Braves above the other mid-majors). A victory over Memphis is not out of the question, but running the table probably is. Rank: 14

- Wichita State: After blowing out Seton Hall and going on a late run to finish off Tennessee the Shockers won't be afraid of George Mason. Well, I guess they wouldn't be too scared of George Mason even if they were coming off triple-digit wins over the North Dakota School for the Blind. The Missouri Valley's second sweet sixteen team is also a good one. Big man Paul Miller can play. Rank: 15

- George Mason: The main reason George Mason and Wichita are so far down on my ranking is because even if they reach the Elite 8, UConn will be there salivating waiting to mug...er beat them at basketball. Give Mason props from beating basketball powerhouses Michigan State and UNC. I like them to beat Wichita, but they have less of a chance than the Shockers to beat UConn. Rank: 16

If my luck holds true to form UCLA will defeat George Mason in the Finals and Farmar will win Tournament MVP.

Congrats to Dion Harris for his buzzer-beating fadeaway three in double overtime to advance the Michigan Wolverines to the NIT Quarterfinals. Michigan owns the NIT, they are only about 50 years too late.

Coming later this week...first non-college basketball entry...All-Star teams from sports movies.

Review of Round One

I was scripting a review of day one and realized that it would be in my reader's (both of them) best interest if I waited for the second slate of games.

I had taken some heat for calling every single number one seed over-rated, but I think Round One proved me right. Duke struggled with Southern University for most of the game, as did Memphis with Oral Roberts and Villanova with the great basketball Mecca Monmouth. UConn was actually losing by 12 in the second half to the Albany Great Danes before a late game run to seal the deal. Considering a few years ago the average point difference between a one and 16 seed was 37, these guys look vunerable.

Gonzaga further proved that anyone can play with them. I am actually a casual fan of the Big X, but Xavier isn't exactly...how should I put this...good this year and they gave the Zags all they could handle.

Syracuse's luck ran out, like I predicted. But Gerry McNamara's sarcasm filled post-game conference actually made me feel pretty bad for him, I like the guy, I hope he can somehow carve a nitch into the NBA.

For the first time in five years I don't pick Michigan State to lose in the first round, and they tank it...screw you Michigan State Basketball.

For they first time EVER I go against Kentucky in the first round and they pull off the victory.

Minor setbacks people, minor setbacks.

Boston College almost gave me a coronary with that double over-time fiasco against Pacific. Craig Smith almost won the Joey Harrington "I am going to ruin an entire sports season for Zach after he has defended and stood by me" Award with that travel with 4 seconds left in regulation giving Pacific a chance to win it.

It took a half for them to get started, but LSU flexed it muscle against Iona and showed why I like them so much. For the record freshman Tyrus Thomas is currently in the lead by costing the NCAA approx. $130 when he misplaced three basketballs into the crowd, two on monster blocks, one on a ridiculous pass that may have actually left the arena all-together.

I think I am going to give myself the "Most Inexplicable, ridiculously Stupid Omission from an NCAA Preview" Award for forgetting to not only mention, but to realize that the great Steve Fisher was still prowling the sidelines for San Diego State. The Fish is looking much older now than he did in the days of The Fab Five at Michigan. Much like Coach Norman Dale, Fisher may have never been the best in-game coach, but the guy got it done in every other aspect of the game. I think The Fonz's Defensive Coordinator from The Waterboy could have coached that 1989 Title winning team when Glen Rice set the NCAA record for consecutive sprint-off-the-pick-fade-away-threes at 173. And the Fab Five could coach themselves to two straight title game loses to UNC and Duke.

But give Fisher credit, he did what no Big Ten coach was smart enough to do, double team Marco Killingsworth before he even could catch a pass. Had it not been for Indiana's extreme emotional edge and timely shooting from Robert Vaden, the Aztecs would have marched on.

Marquette was the right pick, I will always stand by that one. No amount of basketball analysis can account for a player (Alabama's Jean Felix and his 8ppg average) who had gone 6-22 in his previous four games for three, coming out and hitting his first 5 threes and finishing 8-11 from deep with 31 points in what ended up being a 3 point win for the Tide. Hats off the the kid, he played a great game, but its crazy unpredictable stuff like that which makes the Tournament so fun, and so heartbreaking. Anyone who says that the pick of Marquette wasn't right is just being as ridiculously stubborn as I am.

Anyways, Duke is already up double digits on GW and I have to get mentally prepared for the rest of the games today. Sweet 16 analysis coming Monday.

So, I am sitting in my roommate Scott's comfy bucket-chair (which we recently commandeered from his room and he somehow hasn't noticed or cared) going through the daily ritual that is Madden 2006 Franchise Mode and discussing the latest great quote from Sports Guy's Quote of the Day. Then, out of the blue, my other roommate Derrick suggests that I have the potential to become a witty comedic sports writer in the mold of the immortal Bill Simmons. I quickly dismiss this notion as absolute hogwash and refocus on my latest computer victim of the All-Madden mode. Then I get to thinking...

I am a 21 year old white guy from the Detroit area that is being given advice by a large black male who is well cultured in hip-hop society and the happenings of today's youth. And I realize that I have potential to be the next Eminem...except I don't rap, I just know a lot about sports...and I don't have countless amounts of tattoos...and I don't want to kill my girl-friend...come to think of it the only similarity that I have with Eminem is that I am a white guy taking career advice from a black guy...whatever, maybe I will someday turn Derrick into the next Cowboy Troy, let me dream.

Since I have put absolutely no previous thought into any sort of writing I am somewhat uncertain of how to begin this whole shpiel. So what is easier than doing my own edition of Peter Griffin's 'Grind My Gears'. Here it goes...

You know what really grinds my gears? DIGGER PHELPS, STEVE LAVIN AND THE REST OF YOU BRACKETOLOGY LOSERS THAT THINK THAT USING THE WORD BRACKETOLOGY IS COOL AND STEAL MY FINAL FOUR PICKS AND SLEEPERS.

(Joe Linardi is a different story, that guy is unreal. I mean to be able to predict the NCAA Tournament selections year after year at a 96% success rate is amazing. I seriously don't think that people fully appreciate this. He has to go beyond all logic and sense and predict who the idiots on the selection committee are going to place in the field. I mean honestly, how many of us could have correctly predicted Air Force and Utah State over Cincinnati, Michigan and Missouri State. Or placed Atlantic 10 'powerhouse' Richmond in the 2004 field despite 12 losses...THE RICHMOND SPIDERS PEOPLE! OK back to the others.)

About this time last year, after a career worst NCAA Tournament pool finish, I vowed to pay more attention to College Basketball and deeply study the potential tournament teams so I could be ready for a bounce-back year of epic proportions.So as the season progressed I made important notes of certain teams that are Tourny over-rated:

- Gonzaga: For how much I adore Adam Morrison's style and the rest of the Zags offensive power I couldn't help but notice that they are totally inept at defense. I think a squad of Greg Ostertag, Kurt Rambis, Mark Eaton, Tony Danza, and Philip Seymour Hoffman's character from "Along Came Polly" could put up 100 on them. (As long as they had Gene Hackman and the rest of the coaching staff from Hickory High and Danza ran point to feed the ball to Hoffman, "LET IT RAIN!!!").

- Michigan State: One of the most over-rated teams in the country to start the season. Perhaps media types set their goals too high to start. They may have the best trio of big performers in the country (when they all show up to play) but Maurice Ager, Shannon Brown and Paul Davis all have their flaws. Ager is inconsistent, Brown can disappear in some games and Davis is softer than the New Brawny Man. To their credit, they began making strides until Matt Trannon's injury really ruined their season.

- UConn: The most talented team in the country, hands down. They, however, seem to suffer from the 2005 Detroit Pistons syndrome of being able to take portions of the game off and then flip on a light switch and win the game at the end. Sometimes it works, (see vs Notre Dame, Louisville and Army) in the Tournament, it won't. I also just don't really trust anyone on the UConn team enough to NOT commit a crime during the tourny and blow it for the whole team.

- West Virginia: A trendy pick after last season's surprise run in which they rained three pointers from all over. They are fun to watch and have likeable players but they just don't have the odds in their favor. Allow me to explain. The rule of thumb with three pointers is 60-40. Meaning shooting 60% on two pointers is the same as 40% on three pointers. When West Virginia is feeling it, they can easily hit 40% of three pointers and beat anyone in the country. If either Mike Gansy or Kevin Pittsnogle is off they can lose to anyone in the country. Last year they were on and made a run, this year they are more well known and teams will game plan accordingly. I picked the Mountaineers to the Sweet 16, but I wouldn't be surprised if they were upset in round one by defensive minded Southern Illinois (who could easily hold the Danza/Hoffman All Stars under 10 points in a game).

- Memphis: Along with Villanova they are perhaps the second most talented team to UConn. But this team just isn't used to winning. Outside of the great Rodney Carney they are all young and very inexperienced. None of their other regulars have even played in the Tournament, and the watered down CUSA did not help them prepare for what March Madness will bring them.

- Duke: Count me as one of the 4 people in the country who aren't true Duke fans, but really, really enjoy JJ Reddick. I can't blame many for hating him, but from someone who knows...don't be overly bitter of a player while he is great and then regret not fully appreciating him once he is gone (I was a Pistons/Barkley/Malone/ Stockton/whoever the Bulls were playing fan while MJ was around and I basically hate myself for it). That being said, this teams goes as JJ goes. Sheldon Williams is a good player but he has an absolutely massive forehead and I think I see it finally taking its tole on this over-worked neck. Freshmen Paulus and McRoberts will be great players soon, but Duke is vunerable if JJ struggles. Plus a big and athletic team can give the Dukies fits on the defensive end (HINT- SWEET 16 vs LSU).

- Villanova: I was almost ready to pencil them into the Final Four before the brackets even came out, then Pitt's Carl Krauser almost gouged Allen Ray's eye from his head in the Big East Tourny. It was one of those replays that just made you cringe when you saw it. Funny thing is, if Curtis Sumpter hadn't torn his ACL early in the year it might not have mattered. Villanova officials say that Ray is cleared to play in the tournament, if it was a sprained ankle I'd believe them, but when an organ of vision is almost ripped from the skull of a deadly shooter, his shooting may only be deadly to Nova. It's a shame, this team has the chance to change the game of College Basketball with their 4 guard attack.

- Syracuse: Hats off to Gerry McNammara for an amazing Big East Tournament. He carried that team to four straight wins in games in which they probably shouldn't have won. He has his team looking like...well, a team, instead of the group of misfits they were to start the season. That being said, I think their luck has run out. They are playing another red-hot team in Texas A&M which has won against Texas, at Texas Tech and spanked a good Colorado team in it's last four games. Syracuse's zone can be tough to solve but look for Junior guard Acie Law to stretch it with his improved three point stroke and big man Joseph Jones to dominate inside. (One good thing about the Cuse...I am pleased to announce that they will remain in the hands of a white point guard with a chin-strapped beard after G-Mac is gone. Eric Devendorf appears poised to carry the torch for 3 more years, which would shatter the former NCAA record by 6 years and 297 days.)

I also made a short list of teams that I thought could be surprise winners (since I excluded popular winners above):

- Pitt: They are tough, physical, play great defense and are lead by a fiery senior guard from the Bronx. At the beginning of the year I was telling my buddy Max (a diehard Pitt fan) how much his team was going to suck this year, making sure to mention that abomination of a football season. Oh boy was I wrong. If Carl Krauser isn't beyond shoving his index finger into an opponents eye socket to help his team win, how is a late game jumper supposed to scare him. The guy could show up drunk to start the game, pass out, wake up at half time hung over, and I would still put him in at the end to take the go-ahead shot. Big man Aaron Gray has improved leaps and bounds and is a big reason for their success.

- LSU: The Tigers have been bounced from the Tourny early the last few years, but this is a whole new Tiger squad. They are an absolute matchup nightmare for any team in the country. And it starts with 2 uber-athlete freshmen. I KNOW I KNOW, I just discredited Memphis and Duke for having young guys in key roles. The difference, Memphis has ONE experienced played and a slew of untested underclassmen that haven't faced enough top teams. Duke's youngins will be great players, but are of the variety that must develop because they aren't athletic freaks like LSU's rookies. SEC Freshman of the Year Tyrus Thomas (6'9'', 215) and fellow running mate Tasmin Mitchell (6'7'', 240) are absolute monsters who are big strong and fast. But they cower in size to sophomore Glen 'Big Baby' Davis (6'9'', 315) the guy is the size of a walrus, a walrus who is an unstoppable force in the paint. And oh yeah, to counter that size is senior guard Darrel Mitchell who can score and shoot from anywhere.

- Boston College: While their ACC Tournament push helped me confirm why I like this team so much, it unfortunately may have given my pool competitors a idea of just how good they really are. Veteran leaders Craig Smith, Louis Hinnant and Jarred Dudley won't back down from anyone and spark the nations most productive offence. They play at their own pace, play great defense and don't make mistakes. BC struggled early in the year, but that was without shot blocking forces Sean Williams and Akida McLain and with freshman sharp-shooter Tyrese Rice not seeing playing time. Smith is a beast, Dudley gives you a little of everything Rice provides the 3 ball they missed last year. This team is tough.

- Ohio State: It's strange, but for some reason I am a Michigan Wolverines fan, but actually like the Buckeyes. I would obviously never cheer against Big Blue, but when OSU plays other teams I usually want them to win. I don't know, maybe it's because I kinda fear them...not the school, the players. Which leads me to the question... which scenario with OSU football players would scare you more; a) Being in a dark alley with your expensive cell phone with Maurice Clarett and Ted Ginn and their glocks, or b) Being in an open field with AJ Hawk, Bobby Carpenter and Anthony Schlegel who are hunting you with rifles?

Anyways, the Buckeyes were a surprise to the Big Ten this year, in that they were supposed to wait for next years amazing recruit class before they won the league. They won the league anyways with a good big man, Big Ten Player of the Year Terrence Dials and excellent 3 point shooting from basically everyone else on the team. For all their strengths, one thing scares me about a Big Ten team relying on shooting so much in the Tourny...playing in Domes. It is harder to adjust than you think.

Next to do was to create a short list of potential upset teams:

- Marquette: Another team that I thought was going to be terrible that proved me wrong. This is why we don't do brackets until the end of the year. They could be this year's West Virginia, surprising everyone with finesse and shooting. Freshman Dominic James is electric and senior center Steve Novak can shoot from anywhere inside halfcourt. I would pay a lot of money for a three point center shootout with Kevin Pittsnogle, Steve Novak, Nevada's Nick Fazekas and Nova's Curtis Sumpter. Marquette was near unstoppable at home and will have to take that emotion on the road to a neutral site in order to surprise people. Coach Tom Crean is one of the best, even though I am still about 95% sure he and Tom Arnold are the same person.

- Bucknell: A classic team that no big school wants to play in the first round. Well coached, fundamental and deliberate. If they don't fall behind early their balanced lineup can play with anyone. Just ask Kansas, or Syracuse.

- Indiana: Say what you want about Mike Davis as a coach, the man can recruit, and his players love him. Since he announced his resignation at the end of the year he team rallied around him. Doesn't this sound familiar... oh yeah, in his first season in 2000 replacing the great Bobby Knight he lead the Hooisers to the Finals. Marco Killingsworth is one of the strongest players in the nation and he just looks like he pours honey on himself and wrestles bears for fun.

- UAB: They can be such an annoying team to play in the tourny. Extremely high-energy, full-court pressing, push the ball up the court, not afraid of anyone. And the do it every year...and every year we are surprised. UAB is like that team you play in pickup ball after your team has dominated the court all day and you are clearly the superior team, only to have this scappy, all over the place, 100% hustle, in your face team run you up and down the court until you pull the hair from your scalp and eyebrows out of frustration...that's UAB.

- Iona: LSU's first round matchup may be fatal. It sounds crazy, but if LSU can get past this Iona team, I like them to surprise Duke and make it all the way to the finals. Iona plays guard heavy basketball, like a poor man's Villanova. LSU should be able to push them around, but I wouldn't be entirely shocked if this team that starts four seniors and has one of the nations top scorers (Steve Burtt 25ppg) pulls the upset. But I would be devastated if they did, it would ruin another March for me.

- Nevada: I was lucky enough to see Nevada in person in the WAC Semi's. Nick Fazekas can flat out shoot the basketball. If any team is stupid enough to not body him up, they will lose...its that simple. Ask Kansas, he lit them up for 35 this year...on Kansas' home court. He tended to shy away from contact in the game I saw, and that appeared to be the only way to stop him. Sophomore Marcelus Kemp will be a star in the near future. If only they didn't have to play BC in round 2.

As you can see, I really put a lot of work into it this year, envisioning as many scenarios as humanly possible and a plan for each one. After much thought I came up with the Final Four of Pitt, LSU, UConn and Boston College. With my sleeper teams above I thought I was set. But NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, here come along Digger Phelps and Steve Lavin and their "Bracketology" and broadcast to the ENTIRE NATION nearly identical Final Fours and the SAME sleeper teams (minus U-Wisc-Milwalkee). Seriously, if someone else in my pool has my Final Four and Marquette and Indiana to the Sweet 16 I am going to shove Digger's highlighter in his eye Carl Krauser style.

On the other hand it gives me a little security that, maybe, just maybe my analysis was right. I mean it is their JOB to do this stuff, I have to go to school and deal with tests and midterms AND do this stuff, so maybe I am just some sort of sport almanac like my roommate Scott calls me. Then again, the only reason Lavin works for ESPN is because he bombed so badly as the UCLA coach that the Japanese are glad we didn't drop him on Hiroshima in WWII. By the way, I was literally laughing when Lavin took UCLA to the Final Four out of a bracket with Memphis, Pitt, Kansas and Gonzaga. Maybe I don't want the same picks as him.

Anyways, from the Final Four I pick LSU over Pitt and BC over UConn with Boston College beating LSU in the finals.
Of coarse writing all of this article was pointless if UConn shows up to play and can somehow keep from committing felonies, then it's their tourny to lose.