Sports

Picking Through The Madness

What's the best way to pick teams in the NCAA basketball tournament? A Patch editor says there isn't one.

I don't do it for the money.

I don't even do it for the bragging rights.

I sign up every spring for an NCAA basketball tournament pool for one reason: It makes the next couple weeks of college games more interesting.

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Plus, I like being part of the action. March Madness pools are a ritual in many offices and family circles. It's as traditional in spring as Easter and St. Patrick's Day.

Every year, I take a different tact. Sometimes I read up on the teams. Other years, I just guess, based on my faint knowledge of college basketball and what I've kind of heard throughout the season.

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No matter which way I choose, one thing never changes. I always do lousy.

So, this year, I signed up again for my son-in-law's pool. I'm going to just wing it. Picking teams for all sorts of reasons and see what happens.

Let's start with the first round.

I hear the four number-one seeds are all good teams, so I'll pick them to win.

George Mason vs. Villanova. I don't know what state George Mason is in, so I'll pick Villanova.

Xavier vs. Marquette? Xavier is higher ranked, but Castro Valley basketball star Juan Anderson is going to Marquette, so I'll pick them.

Arizona vs. Memphis? I rarely pick Pac-10 schools because I think the conference is weak. However, my oldest daughter went to U of A, so I'll go with the Wildcats.

And on it goes.

Florida because my dad grew up in that state. Old Dominion because my wife read the coach there is good. Utah State because Newark Memorial High graduate E.J. Farris plays for them. Gonzaga? Who knows? I just like the way it sounds.

Onto the second round. Time to get more serious.

Three of the top seeds stay. I'll go with my wife and pick Old Dominion over Pittsburgh. Arizona, sorry guys. Can't see you going any farther.

San Diego State. Lot of people like them, but I'm from San Diego. I know how teams down there choke at all levels. Out go the Aztecs.

Let's go with Marquette. But I can't take Utah State any farther. They go down to Wisconsin.

Sweet Sixteen. Deeper we go. On to the Elite Eight. I'll stick with three number ones left.

Gonzaga, love the name, but you can't beat Florida. Alright, I'll go with Old Dominion one more time. Purdue, why not? North Carolina and U Conn, join the party.

OK, deep breath. Final Four. Let's stick with some favorites.

Old Dominion, you're done. Out you go and in comes Florida. Kansas, Ohio State, Duke. OK, so I'm not brave, but it's rare low-seeded teams make it this far.

The finals? Let's move Kansas and Ohio State in there. The winner? I hear Kansas is good, so what the heck. Same as the president. Kansas over Ohio State in the final.

What do I know? Nothing. What does anybody know?

These are a bunch of 20-year-old kids playing under an enormous spotlight. Anything can happen. And that's what makes March Madness so fun.


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