LET THE MADNESS BEGIN

Selection Sunday has came and went and the brackets are out. If you’re still old school like me then get your pencils are highlighters ready. If not, start clicking. Virginia, Villanova, Xavier, and Kansas received the four #1 seeds this year with Duke, UNC, Cincinnati, and Purdue pulling in the #2 seeds. I was surprised to see Kentucky at all after a pretty bad season but they come in with a #5 seed. Oklahoma and Trae Young also sneaked in with a #10 seed after a terrible end to their season. I’m predicting that we won’t see a single #1 seed in the Final Four this year. It would be the first time that happens since 2006, and it hadn’t happened since 1980 before that year. There is parity all around the nation this year. More importantly, there are lower-seeded teams that are coming in to the tourney on fire. Michigan comes in as a #3 seed after winning the Big 10 tournament and I have them staying hot and headed to the Final Four. I also see Arizona and DeAndre Ayton using all of the turmoil surrounding them to upset Virginia in the Sweet 16 and continue to the Final Four. Villanova will face a tough test in the Sweet 16 against West Virginia and that press spells trouble for them. I think that press carries West Virginia all the way to the Final Four. My fourth Final Four team will be Duke even though they have a brutal draw. They will most likely have to beat Oklahoma, Michigan State and Kansas, but if anyone can do it its Coach K. I also look for a rare senior superstar Grayson Allen to use his experience in the tournament to lead a talented team to the promised land. In the end I’ve got Michigan beating Duke in the Championship. And yes I’m picking my personal favorite team, get over it. They’re playing their best basketball at the right time. Moritz Wagner looks like the second coming of Dirk Nowitzki and stellar guard play is always a key in March and their backcourt has been great as of late. No matter how you fill your bracket (or brackets) out, this tournament will be filled will close games and excitement. The play-in games will be happening tomorrow and Wednesday with the first seeded games on Thursday. It’s the most wonderful time of the year for basketball fans, so get your snacks and get ready for some great ball.