Ohio State, Duke, Syracuse, Kansas, Villanova, and Wichita State all have something in common and it isn’t something to be proud of. They all have been upset thus far in the NCAA tournament — sent home packing much earlier than many people expected. March Madness is known for its crazy shenanigans, but so far this tournament has been the craziest that I can remember. There are still many good teams left in the tournament, but what has transpired thus far is unexplainable.

Despite this picture being from 2009, not even Barack Obama could have predicted what would transpire thus far in the 2014 tournament, Pete Souza [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

#1 Florida vs #4 UCLA

#1 Virginia vs #Michigan State

#3 Iowa State vs #7 Connecticut

#1 Arizona vs #4 San Diego State

#2 Wisconsin vs #6 Baylor

#4 Louisville vs #8 Kentucky

#2 Michigan vs #11 Tennessee

This NCAA Tournament has given us some really good match-ups in the Sweet 16 and it’s looking like more of the same in the this weekend. Now here is my preview for what will transpire in the next few weeks:

Sweet 16:

#1 Florida vs #4 UCLA (Florida),

#10 Stanford vs #11 Dayton (Dayton)

#1 Virginia vs #4 Michigan State (Virginia)

#3 Iowa State vs #7 Connecticut (Connecticut)

#1 Arizona vs #4 San Diego State (Arizona)

#2 Wisconsin vs #6 Baylor (Wisconsin)

#4 Louisville vs #8 Kentucky (Kentucky)

#2 Michigan vs #11 Tennessee (Michigan)

Elite Eight:

#1 Florida vs #11 Dayton (Florida)

#1 Virginia vs #7 Connecticut (Virginia)

#1 Arizona vs #2 Wisconsin (Arizona)

#8 Kentucky vs #2 Michigan (Kentucky)

Final Four:

#1 Florida vs #1 Virginia (Virginia)

#1 Arizona vs #8 Kentucky (Arizona)

NCAA Championship Game:

#1 Virginia vs #1 Arizona

I’ve got Arizona holding up the trophy after its all said and done with the final score being 76-69.

What do you think? Did I even get close? Comment below.

It was almost too late.

Watching this team all season, it seemed as though these players would never all find their comfort zone, at least not all at the same time. Sure, role players like Ridge Shipley (at UC Riverside), Anthony Silvestri (at UCSB) and Jamal Johnson (vs. CSUN and Hawai’i at home) had shown flashes of brilliance. But those flashes never seemed to come at the same time or at exactly the right time.

Until last week.

Point guard, Jamal Johnson, has been Cal Poly’s ultimate role player for the past four years. By Will Parris

Offensive flow

Cal Poly finally found an offensive confidence and flow that has been working for them. Gone are early shot-clock misses that lead to fast breaks on the other end. Somehow, getting deep into the shot clock didn’t force a lot of last-second heaves from the eventual conference champs either.

Reading driving lanes has been of particular importance. David Nwaba, the most athletic player in almost any game he plays in, has been of particular note with improved court vision. In Cal Poly’s 31-point drubbing of Santa Barbara, the sophomore scored 11 points, grabbed six rebounds, and dished three assists. The rebounding and assist numbers were both team-highs.

In the championship game, Nwaba’s line was 17-6-2. He slashed to the hoop in a controlled and timely fashion. When he read that help was coming, he passed just enough to keep the driving lanes open. Nwaba shot 52 percent from the field this season, but it’s his court vision and willingness to move the ball during the Big West Tournament that made both him and his team more dangerous.

Defensive intensity

Joe Callero’s calling card has always been his teams’ defense, but the Mustangs’ D looked flummoxed at times this season. Maybe their opponents tightened-up some during conference play, but I saw more shots taken at the end of the 35-second clock by opponents over the past three games than I had all season.

Maybe it was a matter of matchups, but Cal Poly didn’t mess around with any 3-2 kinds of defensive schemes in the conference tournament. Instead they mixed man-to-man pressure with the matchup zone that has made them so difficult to score against in seasons past.

No matter what defense they played, the energy and defensive intensity from the Mustangs definitely picked-up. Nwaba, whose game Callero describes as “edgy,” is the on-ball defensive leader in that case. Energy from defensive role players like Joel Awich and Zach Gordon finally all lined-up right too.

For a few minutes on Saturday night, Cal Poly senior Kyle Odister’s role went from making deep three-pointers to helping mop up a wet spot on the floor. By Will Parris

Know your role

I feel like I could take 500 words to describe the odyssey of each of the 12 players on this year’s team who have seen significant minutes, but for now I’ll say this. When Joe Callero arrived five years ago, the thing I was most impressed with was that all the players on the court — whether or not they were physically outmatched — looked like they knew what they were doing and were put in a position to succeed. Everyone clearly knew their role and could execute it with intensity.

This year’s team didn’t always look like that, but once they got healthy and got into the Big West Tournament, this year’s Cal Poly team finally, improbably, found their rhythm. They found their roles.

On Wednesday, in Dayton, Ohio, they’ll try to find their 14th win.

SEE ALL OUR CAL POLY TOURNAMENT PHOTOS POSTED AT FACEBOOK.COM/FANSMANSHIP

Another Fansmanship podcast, you say?

For the first time in many months, Luke, Andy and Owen get back together to talk about the upcoming baseball season, the NCAA Tournament, and NFL free agency.

L-Man says that Assembly Hall will be the home of the defending National Champions next season. By Sean Benham from Chicago, via Wikimedia Commons

For the last few months, college basketball teams have fought and battled out every second, every possession, every drop of sweat. For those lucky enough to make the tournament, their hard work has paid-off. Its bracket time in college basketball, a very exciting time in any player, coach or fan’s life. It’s a time where people make their picks and see how they stack up against others. Even the President normally gets mixed-up in all the fun and excitement, so without further adieu, here are my predictions for the 2013 March Madness bracket, the bolded teams are the predicted winners:

Midwest Region:

1 Louisville, Big East (29-5)
16 North Carolina AT&T, MEAC (19-16)/Liberty, Big South (15-20)

8 Colorado State, MWC (25-8)
9 Missouri, SEC (23-10)

5 Oklahoma State, BIG 12 (24-8)
12 Oregon, PAC-12 (26-8)

4 Saint Louis, A-10 (27-6)
13 New Mexico State, WAC (24-10)

6 Memphis, C-USA (30-4)
11 Middle Tennessee, Sun Belt (28-5)/Saint Mary’s, WCC (27-6)

3 Michigan State, Big Ten (25-8)
14 Valparaiso, Horizon (26-7)

7 Creighton, MVC (27-7)
10 Cincinnati, Big East (22-11)

2 Duke, ACC (27-5)
15 Albany, American East (24-10)

1 Louisville

9 Missouri

5 Oklahoma State

4 Saint Louis

Sweet 16:

1 Louisville

5 Oklahoma State

                                           Elite Eight:

                                             1 Louisville

                                       2 Duke

6 Memphis                                                                                      

3 Michigan State                  

7 Creighton

2 Duke

Sweet 16:

3 Michigan State

2 Duke

West Region:

1 Gonzaga, WCC (31-2)
16 Southern University, SWAC (23-9)

8 Pittsburgh, Big East (24-8)
9 Wichita State, MVC (26-8)

5 Wisconsin, Big Ten (23-11)
12 Ole Miss, SEC (26-8)

4 Kansas State, Big 12 (27-7)
13 Boise State, MWC (21-10)/La Salle, A 10 (21-9)

6 Arizona, PAC 12 (25-7)
11 Belmont, OVC (26-6)

3 New Mexico, MWC (29-5)
14 Harvard, Ivy (19-9)

7 Notre Dame, Big East (25-9)
10 Iowa State, Big 12 (22-11)

2 Ohio State, Big Ten (26-7)
15 Iona, MAAC (20-13)

1 Gonzaga

8 Pittsburgh

12 Ole Miss

4 Kansas State

Sweet 16:

1 Gonzaga

12 Ole Miss

                                     Elite Eight: 

                                       1 Gonzaga

                                             2 Ohio State  

6 Arizona

14 Harvard

7 Notre Dame

2 Ohio State

Sweet 16:

6 Arizona

2 Ohio State

South Region:

1 Kansas, Big 12 (29-5)
16 Western Kentucky, Sun Belt (20-15)

8 North Carolina, ACC (24-10)
9 Villanova, Big East (20-13)

5 VCU, A 10 (26-8)
12 Akron, MAC (26-6)

4 Michigan, Big Ten (26-7)
13 South Dakota State, Summit (25-9)

6 UCLA, PAC 12 (25-9)
11 Minnesota, Big Ten (20-12)

3 Florida, SEC (26-7)
14 North Western State, Southland (23-8)

7 San Diego State, MWC (22-10)
10 Oklahoma, Big 12 (20-11)

2 Georgetown, Big East (25-6)
15 Florida Gulf Coast, A Sun (24-10)

1 Kansas

8 North Carolina                                          

4 Michigan

5 VCU

Sweet 16:

1 Kansas

4 Michigan

                                                 Elite Eight: 

                                                  1 Kansas

                                                         2 Georgetown

11 Minnesota

3 Florida

2 Georgetown

7 San Diego State

Sweet 16:

2 Georgetown

3 Florida

East Region:

1 Indiana, Big Ten (27-6)
16 LIU Brooklyn, NEC (20-13)/James Madison, CAA (20-14)

8 NC State, ACC (24-10)
9 Temple, A 10 (23-9)

5 UNLV, MWC (25-9)
12 California, Pac 12 (20-11)

4 Syracuse, Big East (26-9)
13 Montana, Big Sky (25-6)

6 Butler, A 10 (26-8)
11 Bucknell, Patriot (28-5)

3 Marquette, Big East (23-8)
14 Davidson, Southern (26-7)

7 Illinois, Big Ten (22-12)
10 Colorado, PAC 12 (21-11)

2 Miami, ACC (27-6)
15 Pacific, Big West (22-12)

1 Indiana

8 NC State            

4 Syracuse

12 California

Sweet 16:

1 Indiana

4 Syracuse

                                                     Elite Eight:

                                                      1 Indiana

                                                      2 Miami

6 Butler                                                                   

3 Marquette

2 Miami

10 Colorado

Sweet 16:

2 Miami

6 Butler

Final Four:

1 Kansas

1 Indiana    

                                                            Championship Game:

                                                             1 Indiana

                                                             2 Duke

2 Duke

2 Ohio State

National Champion: Indiana Hoosiers

Some photos by Will Parris of the first round of the Big West Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament.

First round winners were the four top seeds: Long Beach State, Pacific, Cal Poly, and UC Irvine.

Photos By Will Parris – Parris Studios

[scrollGallery id=102]

With the Super Bowl right around the corner, the time of year has returned once again. This particular pocket on the calendar serves as the preparation point that will give way to the onslaught of sport for the year to come.

As we speak, New Orleans is being blitzed and invaded by 49ers fans and Ravens fans alike, not to mention the straight-up football fans and “party fans” that are piling in. It is Bourbon Street, after all.

Even the First Super Bowl Party gets a little loose! By White House (Pete Souza) / Maison Blanche (Pete Souza) [CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

We know the pageantry and performance of the big game won’t disappoint. The annual pinnacle of American sport never lets us down, and even if the scoreboard is lopsided, one of your friends at the party seems to always end up that way as well, making the whole Super Bowl party experience a let-down-free zone.

Pushing all the rif-raf to the peanut gallery, the 49ers open, and will most likely remain, favorites – and with good reason. Colin Kaepernick is a dynamic force that is currently surfing the wave that most young phenoms always seem to – “they don’t even know where they are right now.”

The combination of Colin Kaepernick riding the whitewash of momentum, coupled with his elite, dual-threat ability coming of age right before our eyes, makes the 49ers an extremely dangerous favorite. The 49ers could win by a slim margin or a big margin. This is something you can’t necessarily say about the Ravens.

If the Ravens get over, it will be a ‘Rice, Rice, Flacco to Boldin or Pitta 3rd down conversion’ type of game. The deep bomb to Torrey Smith is something I don’t really see the defense of the 49ers allowing, given the prowlace their two all-pro safeties.  At the same time, I would also be foolish if I didn’t consider the magic a retiring Ray Lewis and his defense seem to have going.  Underdogs can still overachieve.

Analysis of the game aside, the unbridled fun of the Super Bowl also serves as a recognizable signaling of the year to come in all other arenas of sport.

The NBA all-star game is on the horizon, and unfortunately for most fans, the taste of purple and gold is impossible to remove from the palate of NBA water-cooler talk everywhere.

Dwight Howard throw-downs have been few and far between so far this season. By Fido (Flickr: Bucks @ Lakers) [CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

I know everyone is exhausted with the revolving Laker discussion, but the reason the Lakers continue to hoard the headlines is a reason you rarely equate with this franchise – their ineptitude.

Give me an “A” or give me an “F,” right?  Unfortunately, “F” sells in a huge way, and sadly, sells even more than “A” does – but you can’t blame the Lakers for all the attention they are recieving.  Another main reason the Lakers are hogging print and air waves is because nothing around the rest of the NBA is making waves.

The Heat are dominating in their defense of the title. The Celtics, Knicks and Rose-less Bulls are still nipping at their heels in the East.  Great.

In the West, the Thunder are still running, the Spurs are still lurking, and the Clippers and Grizzlies are still up-and-coming. Great.

Yawn.  Alright!  I’m awake!

Moving on — what or who else looms near this time of year? You got it – everyone’s favorite worst guy ever, the infamous “bracket guy.”

Unrightfully so, no one pays an emphatic amount of attention to the national NCAA basketball scene until March rolls around, but when it does, get ready to throw down your bracket and your bucks.

Cinderellas will be the overlying theme as they always are, and golden chariots will turn back into pumpkins in the end like they always do – but the overall saga of March never comes up short.  One.  Shining.  Moment.  I’m welling up just thinking about it.  No I’m not.

Seamheads are beyond hyped this time of year as well. Everyone is a potential pennant winner in spring training, and pitchers and catchers report in less than a month.

With the Giants coming off another World Series Championship and the Dodgers having huge expectations, the rivalry only looks to get juicier. By andyrusch (http://www.flickr.com/photos/asrusch/5748267516/) [CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Money, money and more money has morphed a perpetual big-market underachiever into the new West coast version of the New York Yankees. Trading for the gigantic contracts of super stars has given way to monumental stadium renovations for the Dodgers, which will create more revenue, and eventually give way to taking on even more gigantic contracts of super stars.

Moneyball may get you to the dance, but big money allows you to go home with the prom queen in the end. The Dodgers have officially taken on the new face of baseball’s dark side, and will become even more of a polarizing team than they were before.

Spoiler alert: yes, the rebels eventually win in Star Wars, but in baseball the empire always eventually wins in bulk. Blue thinkers finally realizing gold once again could be right around the corner.

From progression to regression – congratulations on almost killing your sport one more time, Gary Bettman. Hockey is back, but now the few casual fans that existed before care even less.

Kings captain Dustin Brown hoists the cup, a trophy of a dying sport. By Eric Chan from Hollywood, United States (DSC00815 Uploaded by JoeJohnson2) [CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

On a positive note, the Kings raising the banner was beyond due.  It was an awesome run last season and a championship that was well deserved for Kingdom loyalists — but the realistic future of hockey has essentially become a dimming light, one that now can barely even be seen by a telescope in the night sky of the American sporting realm.

It wouldn’t be an all discussion without mentioning eagles and earplugs, two associations about to start the longest campaigns of any professional leagues in the United States. 10 months?  Forget campaigns, try marathons.

There are niches in our sports melting pot that absolutely live for the PGA and Nascar circuits. And strangely enough, they couldn’t be more polar opposites.  Its the quietest sport and the loudest sport.  Its the high-class perception and the low-class perception.  And given the differences, it’s kind of ironic how the hardcore fans of both circuits would probably never get along, yet the 19th hole and the 5th wheel effectively serve the same purpose.  I guess that’s one thing everyone can agree on – booze.

So there it is and here it comes – the great American sporting landscape.  And with all of the anticipation and excitement on the horizon, there’s honestly nothing I can see that could put damper on the cornucopia of sport all of us fans are in line for, could there be?

April 15th. Yea, the smartass went and did it.

For whatever reason, I’m less into the tournament as today goes on. I think I need to wait and see how tomorrow goes before I make a judgment on this year’s first round.

That being said, I want to be clear: I’m still calling the round of 64 the FIRST round. I get that the “First Four” are technically the first round, but I’m not calling today’s round the second round if everyone but four teams left have not played a game yet. Sorry, NCAA.

Also, I think the first round is an OK thing, but just like I’ve had less interest in the Bowl season, the “first four” makes the 3-week tournament just seem overextended. Sixty-four teams and 3 weeks is plenty.

As I write this, UNLV is balling. The Rebels are coming back on Colorado like Grandmama was still on the court. And I’m pretty pumped because I picked UNLV to go to the Sweet 16. I guess it all comes down to how healthy my brackets are…

5:15

New Mexico is a SOLID team. Their ability to make free throws down the stretch was the key. Louisville better watch out vs. Los Lobos.

Casper Ware looked tired toward the end of the game. I know there are some really great players returning in the Big West, but with Ware and Orlando Johnson (among others) leaving, I’m interested to see who steps up. Eversley on the all-Big West first team next year isn’t out of the question.

I picked Southern Mississippi to beat Kansas State earlier. Kansas State’s Rodney McGruder was a stud, scoring 30 points for the Wildcats. If Kansas State plays as good on Saturday as they played today, I think they’ll upset Syracuse. The ‘Cuse almost lost today without their ridiculously-named big-man Fab Melo, and if K-State plays solidly, they will probably beat them.

One more thing -Baylor’s neon uniforms are awful. Sorry.

3:23

Long Beach State’s in a tough game. Love watching Casper Ware. With Drew Gordon on New Mexico and two former UCLA Bruins on UNLV, the Bruins are pseudo represented in the tournament… I guess….

Also, New Mexico is making ALL their free throws right now. That’s a good way to win a ballgame.

12:55

I just looked at who was winning/who won. No Big surprises yet. I picked K-State to lose to Southern Mississippi based on their coach’s rant earlier in the season. I know K-State played great defense, but if Southern Miss. had shot the ball at all in the first 10 minutes, I would be undefeated in my bracket so far. I’m still confident though.

Still wondering when the first major upset will be. I will guess tomorrow morning. -OM

9:45

Seriously though, I have Murray State into the Sweet 16. They better beat CSU.  – OM

9:40

I’m going to start off the day by being “Brackets already busted guy” … My brackets are busted… AHHHHHH Welcome to March Madness! – OM

The unstoppable freight train that is the annual Madness of March is almost upon us! Conference tournaments are about to start and the big tournament is right around the corner! Its almost that “Bracket Guy” time of year once again!

Fansmanship.com will be putting on a bracket challenge on Yahoo! Sports for all of those sports fans that wish to participate. To the winner go 365 days of bragging rights!

To enter, simply click the link to the entry page and then enter the information below. Name your pick set, and you’re in!

http://tournament.fantasysports.yahoo.com/t1/register/joinprivategroup
Group ID: 3286

Password: march

Thank you and good luck from Fansmanship.com!

On Sunday afternoon, the Dodgers pitching again held up their end. Chad Billingsley didn’t allow any runs through eight innings. Unfortunately, the scene was all-too familiar. Including the game in Colorado, I had seen the Dodgers score exactly zero runs through the first 17 innings I watched live this year.

I saw Juan Uribe swing at pitches I quit swinging at when I was 11 years old. I saw Matt Kemp thrown out trying to steal on Yadier Molina. I watched horrible at-bats from Rafael Furcal, Tony Gwynn, and even Andre Ethier. A few guys got to third base. Rod Barajas’ 400 foot foul ball in Colorado was the highlight through almost two games.

In the top of the ninth inning on Sunday, Jonathan Broxton brought my Dodgers happiness to rock-bottom. I hadn’t been high on them (in case you haven’t noticed), but I was about to reach a new low in watching them get shut out 3-0 and 1-0 in consecutive games I’d seen in-person.

Then Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp brought me back from the brink. In the bottom of the ninth inning, Ethier led off with a double. Not trying to do too much with the ball, Ethier drove it into the right field corner and hustled to second base. After a pitching change, Kemp continued his patient approach. After working the count in his favor, Kemp drove a pitch over the left-center field wall. All my frustration with the Dodgers, momentarily at least, vanished. I jumped around in circles in the aisles at Dodger Stadium and screamed like a girl. One swing. And all was well again.

And it was as hot as it looks...

It was as hot as it looks....

As Kemp came to the plate, the thought did cross my mind to take out my Droid and start videotaping the at-bat. I have done that in the past with no positive effect on what happened in the game. Instead of doing so, I put myself in the moment. Too often I’ve tried to record things only to have them come out worse than expected. And then I’m left with a compromised fan experience.

So I watched as Kemp hit his home run. And I wasn’t any less excited that I couldn’t show it to my readers- sorry folks. I’m sure you can see the highlight on MLB.com if you really want to. It was pretty awesome.

___________________

But enough about the Dodgers. We are in my FAVORITE sports time of the year. March through the beginning of June. March Madness, the start of baseball season (with the promise of Spring), 40 games in 40 nights, the Kentucky Derby, the Indianapolis 500, the Masters, the NHL Playoffs, the beginning of MLS, and so many other great sporting events dominate evenings and weekend days.

Especially when you’re on the Central Coast, the option is always there to stay outside all day in the sun and then spend the evening relaxing with a cold beverage and enjoying some of the best sports times of the year. And I’m loving every minute of it. I’ll say it again- what a great time to be a sports fan.

13 of 16 picks correct on day one.  I’m pretty stoked about that.  Hopefully tomorrow will be just as fortunate.  O, UCLA won.  Sometimes you have to win dirty in a tournament format.  Quit complaining.  Be happy about the Bruins advancing!  – ADS

Thurs. 3/17 8:32

UCLA makes me freaking crazy sometimes. I would press them ALL GAME if I was the other team. They do so many things that good teams don’t usually do – miss free throws, give up open shots when they shouldn’t, have bad body language and questionable ball handling, etc… As a fan, that’s the kind of crap that makes me crazy.  OM

Thurs. 3/17 8:20

Loco- it will be OK. UCLA is a good defensive team. Bruins look so good at times and at times, especially against the press, they look like they don’t have a plan- especially Nelson. He’s my favorite Bruin I think but he doesn’t need to be handling the ball on the press… If Honeycutt stays and Smith stays, then the Bruins might be Top-10 next season. The good thing about UCLA’s future is that they’re all pretty talented, but not uber-talented enough to go to the show next year. Bruins in 2012. OM

Thurs. 3/17 8:10

Steve Lavin! If a team is outrunning and outgunning you, the last thing a team should do is try and run faster. Slow this game down! St. John’s could be another final four pick of mine who loses today.–Loco

Thurs. 3/17 8:08

Without a doubt Michigan St. is the most underachieving team in recent years. Kalin Lucas can go play in Iceland for all I care. My bracket is donzo. Put me in heels. –Loco

Thurs. 3/17 4:58

Wofford missing a lot of easy shots early. Will hurt them later. Count on it.

Thurs. 3/17 4:57

Key to the Bruins/Michigan State will be turnovers and rebounding. How many shots can UCLA knock down from the outside and how many transition buckets do they give up/ get.

If Nelson, Smith, and Lee get going, then the Bruins will be a tough out. If they are all playing bad, UCLA will struggle to stay in games. For my bracket’s sake, here’s hoping they play well. OM

Thurs. 3/17 4:55pm

OK something’s really bugging me so far today. During every game I watch, they’re calling this the SECOND round and saying that teams are advancing to the THIRD round with wins today. This really sets me off. It is the FIRST ROUND. The past two days, while part of the tournament, are not the first round. The first round stated today, and OH BOY what fun it’s been so far. Morehead State’s win was HUGE… Probably the shot of the first day… OM

Thursday, 3/17 – 4:30pm

Through the barrage of the first 8 games, I have picked 7 of the 8 correct, including 2 of my 3 major first round upsets.  Now Belmont needs to take out Wisky.  I consider a major upset a 12 beating a 5 or worse.  Morehead State and Richmond are moving on, and the winner of that matchup will take on Kansas in the Sweet 16.  This was considered in my bracket when I chose Kansas as the national champion.  The fact that they will face a team of Richmond or Morehead State’s caliber in the Sweet 16 means they basically won’t be challenged or won’t have to give a true 110% effort until the elite 8.  This gives them an advantage in that elite 8 game and in the Final Four.  My prediction is taking flight.  So far, so good.  – ADS

Thurs. 3/17 2:50

Doug Gottlieb=Frodo Baggins.–Loco

Thurs. 3/17 2:48

Memories of the little man Princeton beating the big boy popped. Close but not close enough. No consolation bracket in March. Calipari and co. survived a serious scare, 59-57. –Loco

Thur. 3/17 12:55 PM

There goes my bracket. I had L-Ville losing by four in the tournament championship game to Ohio st. Rick Pitino are you serious? I am all for cross dressing yall’, but can I shave my legs first? Damn it.–Loco

Thur. 3/17 12:37 PM

Quick informal poll for those of you with a smart phone: What is more entertaining – Angry Birds or the first day of the tournament? Keep in mind the “staying power” of Angry Birds…

Thur. 3/17 9:52 AM

I woke up really excited this morning. Today the real tournament starts. How long until someone pulls off a buzz-worthy upset or a play that turns the Internet upside down? UCLA’s not playing until tonight, so at least I won’t miss that. I picked them to beat Florida before I looked at where the game was. The Gators will have a home-court advantage in Tampa… Gotta stand by your picks though. Whose brackets are blown up already? — OM

Thur. 3/17 8:58 AM

One game you wont want to miss today? #2 San Diego st. vs. #15 Northern Colorado. San Diego st. is the most overrated high seed I have seen in recent years. Let me make myself very clear, ff they don’t lose today, they will lose in the 2nd round to Temple. Steve Fisher’s Aztecs like to get up the court and pressure teams with their hectic team defense. But Fisher’s team has faced only a couple of half-court squads during the season (BYU), and are 0-2 against them. Reigning Big Sky Conference champion Northern Colorado, is a slow tempo, low possession team, that can hit the three as good as anybody in the country. Look for Big Sky player of the year, Devon Beitzel to make a name for himself today.–Loco

Thur. 3/17 8:47 AM

Luck of the Irish? Does Mike Brey serve his two seeded Irish team green beer on the sidelines? I say yes. No luck needed today. Irish in a blowout. –Loco

Thur. 3/17 8:37 AM

Twenty three minutes and counting until the best playoff format in the world of sports tips off. Unfortunately we are beginning with a grind-it-out poor shooting affair in WV v Clemson. Bob Huggins is 23-18 all-time in the Madness. Better known for his brooding personality on the sidelines then he is a brilliant coach, Huggins has arguably does his greatest job this season.  Without their two leading scorers from last seasons final four squad, the Mountaineers won eleven games in the stacked Big East and come in as a five seed. Can you say overrated? Don’t think so. This is a low possession v high possession game. Usually in the March tournament, a low possession team wins out. WV 59, Clemson 55.–Loco

Thursday 3/17 12:20am

Couldn’t believe the selection committee selected UAB instead of Colorado when they did it, and the Blazers getting curb-stomped in the field of 4 by 18 only re-affirms it.  How can a team that beat Kansas State three times, and Texas not get a bid?  Ridiculous.  Anyways, visions of buckets about to dance in my head!  It’s almost like Christmas Eve!  Good night!  – ADS

Wed. 3/16 8:13 PM

I wonder, what if Brandon Davies had stayed celibate? If so, things would be different. BYU can Fredette going anywhere in the tournament. –Loco

Wed 3/16 8:04 pm

It looks like my ideas about the Pac-10 surprising the pundits might already be crumbling. VCU is fun to watch though. They look better than USC, but I also think USC might have a lot better chance to pull an upset on Friday. They sure could use Bryce Jones’ athleticism out there. Here’s a fun story about Jones’ high school team, Taft High School from Woodland Hills, CA:

When they came to a tournament in San Luis Obispo (Jones won the slam dunk contest and his team won the tournament), there were more adults on the bench than players. Really. It was like every player had their own personal handler. Timeouts were like Chamber of Commerce Mixers. And the fun didn’t stop there. Taft also brought their public address announcer to announce their lineup at the tournament. He was good, but it was awkward and hard to get excited knowing that he wasn’t introducing both teams. It was quite a spectacle.

When that is the world a young player “grows up” in, it’s no wonder that some adversity causes that player to break down and act in a dysfunctional way. That’s the chance a coach takes by recruiting players like Jones who are high risk and high reward. With VCU’s athleticism and length, I’m sure Kevin O’Neill wouldn’t mind another talented athlete to turn to. The way USC is turning the ball over though, having another freshman on the court (no matter how talented) probably wouldn’t help them much. OM

Wed. 3/16 7:35 pm

Yes, the tournament technically started on Tuesday night, but the brackets catch fire for real on Thursday. Follow us here for continuous updates and analysis from the Fansmanship.com crew.