Are your computer bookmarks adjusted yet? You know the ones I’m talking about. They’re labeled “Micro Report” and “Cost Saving Measures,” but really point to an online source to watch college basketball games. If so, these next few days at work are going to really fly by.
The 2011 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament kicks off at 6:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday. That’s when the first of four play-in games gets underway. This is the first time in tournament history that eight teams have a win-and-get-in chance for a bid. I like the idea, however, all of these seeds should be 16s. In this year’s case, it’s four 16s, two 12s and two 11s. How does that make sense when other higher seeds are already guaranteed a shot in the field of 64?
As I’ve told you in the past, I never tout myself as an expert when it comes to predicting who will move through the field. Most people who do wear the “expert” badge, however, usually have just as much luck as I do. We all know the 1, 2 and 3 seeds are going to get to at least the second or third rounds. From there, choose some upsets, because there’s no such thing as a perfect bracket, one where the top seeds win out.
My first couple of years, I took the bracket updating process very seriously. I would have a neon green highlighter to mark off winning selections and a neon orange for the busts. Nowadays, I stick with the old circle or cross-out method. The bracket doesn’t look as pretty at the end, but that doesn’t change my misjudgments.
The Super Bowl is the only event on the same level as the Tournament. These two Tier One events signify when the less-than-casual sports emerges from nowhere with a sudden interest athletics. But don’t write these non-basketball fans off. They’re the underdog who usually comes out on top at the end.
I’m all for knocking off the underdog.
View Scott Stanchak’s 2011 NCAA Tournament Bracket
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