Special ‘Bracketology’ edition
What happens when you take two headstrong sports guys and give them only one bracket to fill out for the NCAA Tournament?
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Battle Royale!
We’re kidding, of course. But there is some difference of opinion. Being men of science, we put this scenario to the test. Cheers & Jeers regulars John Keim and James Irwin volunteered for the experiment. Two sports writers, one bracket and 30 minutes to hash out the details.
They didn’t agree on everything. Split decisions are in red and reflects the team backed by the strongest argument (or the writer who happened to have access to the office Wiffle ball bat).
Game on, gentlemen.
| Rounds 1-2 | Rounds 3-4 | Final Four and title game |
Rounds 3-4 | Rounds 1-2 |
| Michigan State caused disagreement. The Big Ten guy, John, doesn’t like how the Spartans are playing. Strangely, we both liked Murray State over Vanderbilt (just don’t trust the SEC this year). We disagreed on BYU and Florida — the Cougars’ first-round woes are concerning. Neither of us think Minnesota belongs in the dance. | Ohio State, says the alum (the older, more stately one who happens to be the author), will beat Georgetown. Evan Turner is the difference, but Jon Diebler must shoot well. Kansas will beat either one. Kansas St. and Syracuse should be a fantastic game, but K-State has been one notch below elite status all season. | The easiest team to advance is Kansas. The Jayhawks will avenge their 2003 title game loss — maybe Roy Williams can come by and cuss for the TVs once again. And Kentucky — yes on a limb with two No. 1s — will oust Baylor to set up a fantastic final, a coaching rematch of the classic 2008 title game. John Calipari, bringing a younger squad than what he had in Memphis, will again be disappointed. Kansas has experience, but it’s more than that. The Jayhawks have talent, too, and the requisite clutch senior guard — Sherron Collins — who has good players inside to help. | We can’t pick against Duke until it’s done playing the NIT bracket. Baylor isn’t an NIT team. But this is about liking Baylor, not disliking Duke. Kentucky is too talented to lose. West Virginia will stay hot, though Bob Huggins’ past suggests early flameout. WVU won’t be able to stop Kentucky’s inside-out game. | Never pick Clemson in crunch time. Ever. Cornell is too chic an upset pick; we’ll pass. We disagreed on Purdue/Siena. The Boilermakers, even minus Robbie Hummel, are probably more talented. Still, Siena has done well in first-round games. Finally, ODU should be seeded higher and ND lower — that means upset. |
