And what a weekend it was. Of course, I spent much of the weekend watching college hoops. Shocker.
I was really into it, too. The games were nothing short of spectacular on the whole.
It’s March, but this time of year might as well be Christmas. I actually recall the play-by-play team during one of the Atlantic 10 tournament semifinal games saying the same thing. It’s true. Just take a look at the MAC championship game from a couple weeks ago.
Two Ohio-based MAC teams put over 10,000 people in the Quicken Loans arena on a Saturday night. That’s a lot of people watching a MAC hoops game.
The place was packed. But that’s college hoops in March. And that’s only the friggin’ MAC.
After watching Ohio win the MAC, I couldn’t help but think that a MAC team isn’t going to do damage come mid-March. Then this weekend happened. Ohio won, not one, but two games. First it was a Michigan team from the Big Ten, then a USF team from the Big East. Next up is the ACC’s North Carolina.
With UNC’s PG suffering a broken wrist, Ohio is going to be a sexy upset pick. Still, the Tar Heels have opened as double digit favorites.
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How’s Your Bracket…?
I’m doing better than I thought. I’m actually in the 92nd percentile on Yahoo! Sports. I honestly didn’t think I’d be that high up when I checked yesterday morning.
I literally have a shot at having one of the best brackets on Yahoo! if things fall my way. That of course starts with UK winning it all against Ohio State. If those two pieces don’t fall, there is no shot at maintaining a high percentile.
The situation is looking good thus far. I have my entire elite 8 alive, and thus my entire final four picks in tact. For the sweet 16; I went 11/16. It was quite close to being 13/16 with Duke and New Mexico losing close ones.
Obama’s bracket is in the 98th percentile on ESPN. However, just like some characterize his presidency, things will be going down hill quickly. He only has 3 of this 4 final four teams alive — he lost Mizzou this weekend.
In our group it’s WaWaFan that has taken the lead. He is in the 96th percentile.
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How’s Your Bankroll…?
I updated the OWS March Madness Betting Project this morning. I’m on a good run. Once again March proves to be by far my most successful betting month.
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Final Takeaways From Weekend Number One…
Best Memory: In 10 years the greatest memory of the first weekend will be Lehigh.
Best Player Performance: Draymond Green. He has had an incredible collegiate career, and it ain’t over yet. It is going to be interesting to see how he is valued my NBA teams this summer.
Best Team Story Going Forward: Ohio. It has to be. They are a surprise and just about anyone who says they saw this coming is a liar. Given the way my bracket picks go — I will be able to root for Ohio Friday evening and enjoy every minute of it. This type of game is what makes March great.
Best Game thus far: There were so many to choose from. Even the “ugly” games were good games. Example; Kansas and Purdue. If I had to pick one I’d go with the last game of the weekend — Cincy & FSU. Not only was as sweet 16 birth up for grabs but there was a lot on the line for people’s brackets in that game, too. That only heightened my interest. The game was a true slug-fest. No, not literally, Cincinnati fans.
Worst Conference Performance: Mountain West. Four teams in and only one win to show for it.
Biggest Non-2-seed Disappointment: UNLV and Memphis. Both teams are super talented and went under the radar, largely due to their conference affiliations. That lack of interest seems warranted now as neither team could win a game. Honorary mentions to Temple and Michigan.
Biggest Turd: That would be Khalif Wyatt of Temple. Coach Dunphy has had to sit him down multiple times this season due to tardiness and other issues. He managed to pick-up a technical after screaming at an official this past weekend. His attitude could cost him a shot at the pro-level.
