2015 NCAA Tournament thread

Driving to work last weekend, I was about 10 minutes out and the game I was listening to was under 2 minutes. The game wasn't over when I arrived.

 

Actually, I have a simpler idea. At the two minute mark, there will be a mandatory TV time out while both coaching staffs are escorted out of the building.

 

I didn't even realize they were a trendy pick and I have them winning two games. My bracket is mostly chalk, though, definitely one of my most boring pick sets in years. I have Valpo winning two games, but my Final Four is pretty much the douchiest FF possible - Kentucky, Duke, Villanova and UNC, with Kentucky beating Duke in the title game.

 

I only care about the headlines. #designerguy

 

I've been in one where you get bonus points for upsets, but the points were based on seeding differential. So a 9 beating an eight was worth 1 bonus point, but a 16 seed beating a 1 would be worth 15. It was pretty fun.

 

I have SFA and Dayton in the Sweet 16. My boldest pick is Michigan State over Virginia. I have Wichita beating KU, but that's a pretty popular pick.

It's really hard not to pick a Kentucky-Duke final. I didn't pick Kentucky, but for no reason other than it's no fun to pick a team that is such an overwhelming favorite.

 

That would be a good way to do it. I must admit though, in the one where we had to pick a No. 1 seed and a No. 2 to lose in the Round of 32, it completely changes how you look at the bracket. I think Villanova has the best chance of not making it through the weekend, but I don't feel strongly about it at all. It's not like last year where the bracket was practically begging you to pick Kentucky for the upset over Wichita.

 

We made family picks.
I've got Kentucky (because), Wisconsin (white guy basketball), UVA (I don't like Nova, or OK, but could see MSU winning because Izzo) and Gonzaga (I'm a sucker) with Kentucky over Gozaga.
Wife took Kentucky, UNC, Georgia and Duke with Kentucky over Duke (she knows nothing about college basketball. While she was taking her time during a pick, I asked her to name one college basketball player. Just one. Couldn't do it).
My 3-year old daughter has Texas (I have a Texas T-shirt and taught her to do "Hook 'Em Horns), Wisconsin (She liked the "Big Red W"), Albany ("That's a goofy dog daddy) and St Johns ("I like the Red S"). She took Albany over Texas in the final, because goofy dogs always win out.

 

What's the biggest payout you've seen in a pool? In one of my (now) long-ago stops, a bar set up a pool every year, and there were at least 200 to 300 people who entered. It cost $5 or $10 per bracket you filled out, no limit. The winner regularly won more than $1,000 with payouts for the first five or 10 spots. Of course, I finished in the middle of the pack every year.

 

I look at the No. 2s and I could see all four losing - Gonzaga has a history of choke jobs and Davidson's scrappy; UVA is terrific but Izzo; Witchita over Kansas seems like a popular choice; and regardless of Arizona's ability, how can you not like VCU's chances if they win based on Shaka and the program's history?
For the No. 1, Kentucky and Wisco should cruise. Duke vs. San Diego St. would be interesting, but I think if NC State wins they'll take down Nova.

 

I don't see Arizona losing this weekend. I agree on the other three. I think Virginia has a great team, but that second round matchup against Michigan State looks brutal. It seems like every time MSU has a crappy seed they win at least two games.

 

I just entered one for the first time where the winner took home five figures last year. Wish me luck.