Let The Madness Begin! ESPN Final Four Picks, too.....

Some thoughts about today's action and bracket selections as we start a new era in March Madness.

---CBS' new graphic package looks like TNT's. Why do that? At least they didn't ditch the classic theme song, but put a new variation on it (like they did in 2004).

---VCU was savaged by the ESPN crew, along with UAB. To their credit, they got VCU coach Shaka Smart on the air a few minutes ago and, as expected, Smart was extremely classy in the interview. I did not expect VCU to make it, but am glad they did.

---The BIGGER story, to me, is how weak the Selection Committee viewed the ACC this year. As soon as I saw Florida State, who finished THIRD in the conference, as a #10 seed, I knew Virginia Tech was toast, and posted as much on Facebook. This year, Tech can blame themselves for two BAD losses in the final week of the season (especially at home to Boston College), but also the whole ACC, which is as bad as I've ever seen it, and I've been watching since 1973-74....

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My picks? I'll post them before Tuesday's new "First Round". That'll take some time talking about the "third round" this coming weekend.....

ESPN's PICKS? (champ in BOLD)----

JAY BILAS: Syracuse, Connecticut, Kansas, Pittsburgh

DIGGER PHELPS: Ohio State, Duke, Kansas, Florida

HUBERT DAVIS: Ohio State, Texas, Kansas, Pittsburgh

DICK VITALE: Ohio State, Duke, Louisville, Pittsburgh

FINAL FOUR PICKS FROM THE ESPN ANALYSTS.....

The picks!

DIGGER PHELPS:

Louisville
Missouri
Pittsburgh
North Carolina

Pittsburgh beats Louisville


HUBERT DAVIS:

Louisville
Memphis
Villanova
North Carolina

North Carolina beats Memphis


DICK VITALE:

Louisville
Connecticut
Pittsburgh
North Carolina

North Carolina beats Louisville


JAY BILAS:

Louisville
Memphis
Pittsburgh
North Carolina

North Carolina beats Memphis


ME???????? I dunno yet.

March Madness Games on Richmond 3/20/08

Click HERE to see the schedule from CBS6 in Richmond for our local game broadcasts on Thursday. AND, read the info on the page, too, so you don't end up calling the poor receptionist on Broad Street.

Remember to get your VIP Pass (if it's not too late) and watch games not aired locally online!!!!!!!

Another look at the hour of Selection Sunday....

....from one of our NEW blog links, Awful Announcing, is another look at how the 6pm hour went down tonight and how some teams got into the bracket, and others did not.