Initial March Madness Thoughts.....

Worked a full day today; by choice mind you.

The 6pm hour would have been considered my "lunch hour". Time for Selection Sunday!

First stream of thoughts are.....

1) Tennessee has no business being a #2 seed. That was the only announcement in the bracket that elicited a loud response from me. UNC, Gonzaga, even Florida would've been better.

2) You would think this would create a wide open scenario for UConn to head to the Final Four, but hold on. UNC is #3, and they may have to get past the toughest #6 seed by far this year, Michigan State. When they're on, they can hang with anyone.

3) Already the Winthrop cheers are coming out, as the upset specialists are jumping on this bandwagon since they drew Tennessee. I see no specific "upset special" in this region, at least so far.

4) Illinois/Washington would be a 2nd round war. Hope it happens.

5) Arizona/Wisconsin is an intriguing round one matchup, with Villanova looming as the prize for the winner. I smell trouble for 'Nova here, as either team would look at beating the 'Cats as the mark on the season they've searched for all year.

6) If BC plays like they did in the ACC Tourney, they could go to the Final Four. Having said that, they also just as easily be knocked out in Round Two by Nevada. You know, Nevada. The best team in the tourney nicknamed "Wolfpack".

7) I'm considering two upsets in this region (Minneapolis): UW Milwaukee over OU and, for as much as I'm already hearing about Georgetown, don't forget Northern Iowa. I was courtside when they knocked off a #3 seed in Missouri in 1990.

8) Why can I see Xavier beating Gonzaga and Oral Roberts giving Memphis fits?

9) Kansas/Pitt in round two could be the best matchup of the weekend. Big 12 Tourney Champ versus Big East Tourney runner-up. Memphis should be worried.

10) West Virginia and Syracuse need watch out. Southern Illinois and Texas A&M will give them trouble in round one (I really think the Orange will struggle in round one; they can't keep coming up with miracles, can they?)

Brackets (toughest to easiest):

1) Washington DC
2) Oakland
3) Minneapolis
4) Atlanta

And, I have NO IDEA about a Final Four yet. I've got 'til early Thursday AM. Lots to think about. I see at least 14 teams that could run the table.

This will be an awesome tournament!!!

:)