March Madness

MSUSpartan back again: Well the first night of games is over and we had a pretty exciting first day of the tournament. Only three upsets in the first day, but we almost had a fourth with Creighton and West Virginia. Creighton was up late but fell apart towards the end of the game and West Virginia broke a tie with 2.4 seconds left and Creighton missed a last second three pointer. The other upsets tonight were UAB over LSU and Wisconsin Milwaukee over Alabama. I thought we might see a few last second shots for wins on the first day, but all we got was one. Maybe tomorrow will bring a few more. Thats what I love about March Madness. A 5 seed always seems to beat a 12 seed. We got one today, will we have another tomorrow. You will just have to watch to find out. There should be some good games again tomorrow. Here are my picks. 14-2 on day one. Only games I did not get correctly were West Virginia and Pacific.

CHICAGO REGION

10. St. Mary's over 7. Southern Ill: I do not know too much about either team. I have not seen either team play so I can not really make a good decision here. I am going to go with the upset, because I like to see upsets in the Tournament.

2. Oaklahoma St. over 15. SE Louisiana: Oklahoma State will win this game. I think they will let SE Louisiana keep it close but Oklahoma State is a great team and you will keep hearing there name throughout the Tournament. They were a Final Four team last year and they should be again this year. Illionios will have a hard time beating them in the Regional Final.

ALBUQUERQUE REGION

5. Georgia Tech over 12. George Washington: Georgia Tech is just too strong. The only reason they are a 5 seed is because of the conference they are in. They will make a long run in the tourament and upset and overrated Washington team in the third round.

4. Louisville over 13. La-Lafayatte: Louisville is one heck of a team. They have a chance to make a long run in this tourament. If they can catch Georgia Tech off guard in the second round they could be playing Wake to see who makes it to the Final Four. They have many weapons on offense and play well on Defense. I think a good team will be able to wear them down and change the pace of game. If a team can do that Louisville is in trouble.

SYRACUSE REGION

1. UNC over Oakland University: I would love to say Oakland would win. A team with a losing record beats the best team in the country. That would be just great. It will not happen. It will not even be close. UNC should be cuttting down the nets April 4.

8. Minnessota over 9. Iowa St: I am a Big Ten fan and seen my share of Big Ten games. I have seen Minnessota play 4 or 5 times and I like there game. When they get on a roll they are great. The same goes for when they are not playing well, they look ugly. I see them winning the first game and then going back home after a lose to the Tar Heals.

5. Villanova over 12. New Mexico: Well it is possible that another 12 seed wins in the first round, but not in this region. Villanover is too hungry not to win this game.

13. Ohio over 4. Florida: Being a Spartan I have to hate Florida because of the 2001 Championship. I just do not like there game either. They came on late in the season and one the SEC Championship. Ohio is out of the MAC and has played some good ball this year. I see a pretty big upset in the works and Florida will go back home and get an early sun tan.

6. Wisconsin over 11. Northern Iowa: Wisconsin is a good team. It beat MSU once and hung with Illionios a few times. They are a good team and should not have much trouble against an undersized Northern Iowa team.

3. Kansas over 14. Bucknell: Kansas is a good team. They will go far because, they are in a week bracket. Kansas and UNC are the elite teams in this region an will face each other to see who goes to the Final Four.

10. NC State over Charlotte: Another team from the ACC. So many good teams this year out of the ACC. They are better then a 10 seed and you will see this against Charlotte.

2. UCONN over 15. UCF: UCONN might have won it all last year, but they not make it out of their region. They played in a great Big East but will have a hard time against Kansas.

AUSTIN REGION

1. Duke over 16. Delaware St: Duke is an elite team and we will see them in the Final Four. They got all the skill to win it all, but should come up just short to a great UNC team.

8. Stanford over 9. Mississippi St: This is normally a flip of the coin pick. Both teams are good, but I think Stanford has what it takes to pull off the win. Both teams have been to the Dance before so they know what to expect.

5. Michigan State over 12. Old Dominion: State better be careful. They are playing a 12 seed. I hope they can shake off the past two loses and come out strong. They have a great team but always seem to play to their compitition. I think State has what it takes to go far, but they lack heart. I hope Magic can come and talk some sense into them.

4. Syracuse over 13. Vermont: Syracuse just won the Championship a few years ago. They know how to win in the Big Dance. They have the ability to go far as well. Do they have what it takes to take the next step and beat MSU or Duke. I can see MSU but not Duke. Just not ready yet.....again.

Teams to watch the rest of the tourament: Louisville, Geogia Tech and Utah. Louisville and Georgia Tech should be playing each other in the second round. Whoever wins that will beat up on Washington. Utah can surprise you. They are just fun to watch.

Be back Sat. for more insight into the tournament.