March Madness Update

Well, the Pack can't seem to beat Duke in March for love or money. Thus, they still, I think, sit precariously on the NCAA bubble, only because of their record. 13 losses are a lot of losses for a team trying to get an at-large berth, and don't think the Committee realizes that victory over Wake Friday was against a "Paul-less" Deacon squad.

So, I'll find out tomorrow night after Bible Study, on the way home...er....to work for Sunday night commercial work.

Which is where I just returned from for some Saturday night commercial work. I really know how to live, don't I?

Now, back to hoops----

Illinois looks more dangerous every day; now they have emotion with the team rallying around their coach, who lost his mom yesterday, and boy can I understand that.

North Carolina can beat anyone one day, and look like they could care less another. Their heads never arrived at MCI Center, based on the fact Clemson took 'em to the end and Georgia Tech was simply better today. They'll still get a #1 seed though, and Santa Clara can kick back and remind everyone they beat that #1 seed, too.

Duke. Hmmm. Reddick's hot, they win. He's not, they probably won't. Sweet 16? Yeah. Elite Eight? Maybe. Final Four? Now that would be Coach K's most monumental coaching accomplishment. Now, what if Luol Deng had stayed???

Georgia Tech. Reminds me of their 1993 ACC Tournament Champion team that went on to lose their 1st round NCAA Tournament game. The team they beat in that '93 ACC Final? North Carolina, who, ironically, then went on to win the National Title. They could go to St. Louis, or be back in Atlanta before the weekend....

Elsewhere...

--Kansas just doesn't look like a team that can make a run...

--Meanwhile, watch Oklahoma State; they know what it's like to be at the Final Four and must still be smarting at the tough loss to the Jackets a year ago...

--Kentucky is one to watch; then again, a "UAB" could knock 'em off in round two again. The latter is more likely than the former.

--Vermont will be an interesting first round opponent for someone.

--So will West Virginia, after their confidence building weekend in New York. I'm so happy for John Beilein, the former UR coach.

--I don't believe in either Pacific "powerhouse" (Arizona or Washington). Gonzaga has a better chance of advancing deep into the tournament, and no, I'm no longer calling them darkhorses or cinderellas, they've graduated from that.

--The mystery team (and coach) is Louisville. They're actually healthy in March, they survived by the skin of their teeth today in hostile territory (destiny?) and have a coach who knows the Final Four real well.

I'd keep my eye on them.

Bracket breakdown coming late tomorrow or Monday, depending upon time, workload, and how I feel (see previous post on how I feel....)

Final prediction for the Pack: they get an 8/9 game, then end up the sacrifical 2nd round lamb to Illinois in the Midwest bracket.