If you are a stats junkie, there isn’t a lot to look at when it comes to NCAA College Basketball.  You’ve got double-doubles and total points, but they don’t get to much into statistics.   That all changes when it comes to the NCAA Tournament.

When it comes to filling out your NCAA Tournament brackets, statistics should factor into your picks.   Things like how many seniors are on a team, how much tournament experience both teams have, what players were/are injured, and other things should all factor into your decision.   Nothing is guaranteed, but it can improve your chances of winning your office pool.

One thing that has always interested me is the 5 vs 12 matchup.  In the last 23 years, only 3 times has a 12 seed failed to win at least one matchup (last year was one of those).  It hasn’t happened two years in a row during that time.  So, have you picked at least one 12 seed to win?  How about Western Kentucky over Drake?  (My wife is a graduate of Drake, so hopefully she doesn’t read this!)

Here are some thoughts about this years tournament and my predictions:

• After a few crazy years, I think things will settle down a little bit and we won’t see as many upsets.  I also think there is a chance that we’ll see all 1 seeds in the Final Four.
• Tennessee got screwed this year.   They blew the 1 seed, then got the toughest road of any of the 2 seeds in my opinion.  If they get by Butler, I don’t think they will beat Louisville.
• Xavier is a good team and played in a tough conference, but I think a 3 seed is way to high.   They didn’t win their conference (or even make the finals) and they didn’t finish the season as strong as they would have liked.
• I think Mississippi State has a good chance to beat Memphis if they get by Oregon.
• Michigan State just might bow out in the first round with a loss to Temple.

Those are my thoughts when looking over the bracket.   Here are my Final Four picks:  North Carolina, Kansas, Texas, and UCLA.    North Carolina beats UCLA in the Finals.

Who do you have in the finals?   If you haven’t already, don’t forget to sign up for the Pro Sports Beat NCAA Tournament Challenge.

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Bill Shaikin of the LA Times stopped by to talk about the China trip and the Dodgers’ possible interest in a 3rd baseman.

Todd Kaufmann:  Were you surprised that Andre Ethier, Russell Martin and maybe a Kuroda didn’t go on the China trip?

Bill Shaikin:  No. It is common for established major leaguers to be excused from long spring trips, particularly when a split-squad game is available at home. In regards to Kuroda, the Dodgers did not send him — or Brad Penny or Chad Billingsley or Derek Lowe — because the team believed all that travel would have hampered the starting pitchers as they prepared for the regular season.

Todd Kaufmann:  How concerned are the Dodgers about Jason Schmidt still feeling pain in the same shoulder he had surgery on?

Bill Shaikin:  Not overly concerned. The Dodgers never really expected Schmidt to be ready for opening day. The track record for comebacks from this type of surgery is limited, and ups and downs are to be expected. The Dodgers would love to see Schmidt regain his velocity and effectiveness, but they realize neither outcome is assured.

Todd Kaufmann:  There’s been talk that the Dodgers are still looking for a 3rd baseman, have they had interest in the Phillies’ Wes Helms or the Tigers’ Brandon Inge?

Bill Shaikin:  Not to this point, particularly given Inge has three years and $19 million left on his contract.

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Ok, we’ve got the East and Midwest Regions taken care of, so here we go with the South Region.

South Region - 1st Round

(1) Memphis v (16) TX Arlington…as in any 1/16 game, no need to break this down.  Unless Memphis has a complete let down and doesn’t show up, no way Arlington wins this game or even gets within 15.  Memphis moves on

(8) Mississippi State v (9) Oregon….This may be one of the most overrated games in the tournament.  I say that because neither team had success against Top 25 teams, though Oregon did have a win over Stanford (ranked 23rd at the time).  This is a hard game to pick for me, but I think Oregon plays in a tougher conference than Mississippi State.  Oregon wins a close on, moves on

(5) Michigan State v (12) Temple…..I think Michigan State is strong enough to win this game, but they better come prepared against Temple.  Could this be another 12/5 upset?  Not in my eyes.  Michigan State pulls away late, moves on

(4) Pitt v (13) Oral Roberts….Pitt is going to be one of the strongest teams to watch in this tournament and could be a surprise Final 4 pick.  Pitt moves on

(6) Marquette v (11) Kentucky….Kentucky hasn’t been the powerhouse they’ve been in years past, but the name still holds a lot of respect.  The name is all Kentucky has going for them in this game, Marquette is a strong team and a team to be reckoned with.  Marquette moves on

(3) Stanford v (14) Cornell….Stanford way too strong and should prove it right off the bat, plus their big men (Robin and Brook Lopez) are both alumni of the high school I went to (San Joaquin Memorial in Fresno, CA).  Stanford wins big

(7) Miami, FL v (10) St. Mary’s….This is one game that, WHEN not IF, St. Mary’s wins it won’t be an upset.  I think St. Mary’s is stronger than a lot of people give them credit for.  Either that or Miami is weaker than people think.  St. Mary’s on to the 2nd round

(2) Texas v (15) Austin Peay….Uh, yeah.  Texas wins big

South Region - 2nd Round

(1) Memphis v (9) Oregon….Oregon had a big win getting by Mississippi State, but their run ends here.  Memphis onto the Regional Semis

(5) Michigan State v (4) Pitt…This should be a great game in the South Region, one that should come down to who can hit their free throws down the stretch.  Pitt gets it done late, moves on

(6) Marquette v (3) Stanford….In a game where a lot of people will take Stanford, I think Marquette will be the surprise in this game.  Marquette proves too strong

(10) St. Mary’s v (2) Texas….St. Mary’s is a team with something to prove and could be this year’s Cinderella, but not against Texas.  Longhorns move on to Regional Semis

South Region - Regional Semifinals

(1) Memphis v (4) Pitt…..This is a game a lot of people will have their TV’s tuned for, because these are 2 teams that are National Title contenders.  Can Pitt knock off a team that a lot of the national media was already putting in the National Championship game?  Guess what, I’m predicting that Memphis falls here.  Pitt with the upset, moves on to Regional Finals

(6) Marquette v (2) Texas….Texas is a #2 seed, but that’s the only thing they’ve got going in this game.  Marquette has something to prove and they’ll continue to shock the world when they upset the Longhorns.  Marquette heads to the Regional Finals.

South Region - Regional Finals

(4) Pittsburgh v (6) Marquette….I’m not sure how many people would ever pick Pitt to face Marquette in the Regional Finals in the South Region, especially with Memphis and Texas in the same Region.  Both teams are strong and both teams are looking for a spot in the Final 4, but which team wants it more?  In my eyes, Pitt will be the better team on this day.  Pitt Panthers - South Region Champions

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You got my East Region picks, so let’s continue with the Midwest Region.

Midwest Region - 1st Round

(1) Kansas v (16) Portland State….do you really want this game broken down?  I didn’t think so….Kansas wins big

(8) UNLV v (9) Kent State….UNLV should be the stronger team, but in this tournament, anything can happen.  I just don’t think it’s at this point.  UNLV moves on

(5) Clemson v (12) Villanova….this might be an upset in the making.  Clemson could very well look past Villanova in this game, but coming off the win over Duke in the ACC Tournament and a near upset of #1 North Carolina, they should win.  Clemson pulls away late, moves on

(4) Vanderbilt v (13) Siena….Vanderbilt came off an upset win over #1 Tennessee, but followed that up losing 3 of their next 5, 2 of which were to Arkansas.  Does that matter?  Probably not…Vanderbilt moves on

(6) USC v (11) Kansas State….K State could provide an upset in this bracket, especially with wins against #2 Kansas and #10 Texas A&M.  USC also knocked off a Top 5 team (UCLA) and came oh so close to knocking off Memphis and Kansas in back-to-back games but lost both by a combined 8 points.  This could be one of the better 1st round games to watch.  Kansas State upsets USC

(3) Wisconsin v (14) CSU Fullerton….Wisconsin way too strong for Fullerton.  Badgers win big

(7) Gonzaga v (10) Davidson….I know Gonzaga has been a team to watch in the past, but I’m not sure this is the year.  Davidson wins in OT

(2) Georgetown v (15) UMBC….Georgetown may start off slow, but will be the Georgetown we’ve come to enjoy.  Hoyas win by double digits

Midwest Region - 2nd Round

(1) Kansas v (8) UNLV….Kansas has a goal in mind and UNLV is just another team standing in their way.  The Jayhawks will get a challenge, but they should pull away from the Rebels.  Kansas moves on

(5) Clemson v (4) Vanderbilt….Both teams have wins over ranked opponents, but which will take control of the game and move on?  I like Vanderbilt, but I think Clemson will find a way to pull out a win.  Clemson moves on

(11) Kansas State v (3) Wisconsin….The Cats will be coming off an upset win over USC and will be looking for more against Wisconsin, 1 problem, Wisconsin is just too strong.  Badgers win late, move on

(10) Davidson v (2) Georgetown…Davidson got a big 1st round win over Gonzaga, but their run ends here against a superior Georgetown team.  Hoyas move on

Midwest Region - Regional Semifinals

(1) Kansas v (5) Clemson….Clemson is going to be fired up and they’ll come ready to play.  No offense to Kansas, but their run ends here.  Clemson upsets Kansas, heads to Regional Finals

(3) Wisconsin v (2) Georgetown…Wisconsin is 4-1 against teams ranked in the Top 25 and will be the stronger team.  Wisconsin moves on to the Regional Finals

Midwest Region - Regional Finals

(5) Clemson v (3) Wisconsin….This should be a back and forth game for both halves and an overtime period.  When the dust settles, it’s Clemson who will find a way to win.  Clemson Tigers - Midwest Region Champions

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Enjoy March Madness?  We have taken the time to setup a Yahoo! March Madness League for our readers.

If you are interested, you’ll want to visit the Pro Sports Beat league.   You’ll need the following information:

Group ID: 127195

Password: PSB

Hope everyone decides to join before the tournament starts this Thursday!

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My favorite time of year, ok maybe after baseball season, but this is the most exciting postseason tournament in sports.  So, with that being said, here’s my picks.

Eastern Region - 1st Round

(1) North Carolina v (16) Coppin St./St. Marys play-in-game…No upset here, Tar Heels win big

(8) Indiana v (9) Arkansas….could be one of the better first round games.  Arkansas knocked off not only 18th ranked Vanderbilt but 4th ranked Tennessee in their conference tournament.  Though, Indiana has dealt with more turmoil this season than any team should have to.  I think they’re coming with something to prove.  Indiana wins a close one

(5) Notre Dame v (12) George Mason….Notre Dame could be a team to watch in this tournament, there have been 12/5 upsets before, but not this time.  Notre Dame moves on

(4) Washington State v (13) Winthrop….Washington State was one of the hottest teams in the country to start the season, going 17-3 in the first 20 games including wins over Gonzaga, USC and Arizona State.  This is one of those games that you feel the upset coming, and if Washington State isn’t careful, they could be the first Cinderella victim.  Washington State survives late Winthrop rally, moves on.

(6) Oklahoma v (11) St. Joseph’s….Oklahoma does have wins over Top 25 teams like Gonzaga, West Virginia and Baylor, and 2 of those wins were on the road, but I’m not impressed.  First upset of the tournament, St. Joseph’s knocks off Oklahoma.

(3) Louisville v (14) Boise State….Boise State needed triple OT just to win the WAC Tournament and they’re going against a far superior Louisville ballclub.  Louisville wins big

(7) Butler v (10) South Alabama….Butler, the Horizon League Champions (1st time since 2001) finished the year at 29-3.  This is a stronger team than a lot of people give them credit for but they better not look past South Alabama.  This should be a good game, but Butler has been here before and knows how to advance.  Butler pulls away late, moves on.

(2) Tennessee v (15) American….does this need explaining?  Tennessee knocks off Memphis, the #1 team in the country at the time, in Memphis, though I know they lost their next game at home.  Tennessee is way too strong to lose in the 1st round, especially to a 15 seed.  Game over in the 1st half, Tennessee wins big.

Eastern Region - 2nd Round

(1) North Carolina v (8) Indiana….Indiana had something to prove in the 1st round, and they may still have something to prove in the 2nd, but not against a far superior North Carolina squad.  North Carolina moves on

(5) Notre Dame v (4) Washington State….a game that everyone is going to be keeping their eyes on, especially because the winner has a Regional Semifinal matchup with the Tar Heels of North Carolina.  Washington State might be a strong ballclub, but not enough to take down Notre Dame….Irish run away with it, move on

(11) St. Joseph’s v (3) Louisville….St. Joseph’s run ends here, Louisville is just too fast and too strong.  Cardinals move on

(7) Butler v (2) Tennessee…..Butler may give Tennessee a game in the 1st half, but as soon as the Vols wake up, it’ll be over.  Vols run away late

East Region - Regional Semifinals

(1) North Carolina v (5) Notre Dame….One of the most intriguing matchups in not only this region, but I think the entire tournament.  Can the Tar Heels stay strong and move on to the Regional Final or will Notre Dame do the unthinkable?  I think the Tar Heels are too deep a team and too good to lose now.  Tar Heels on their way to the Regional Finals

(3) Louisville v (2) Tennessee….This is a tough one to call.  Both teams have what it takes to take down the other, but which teams will show up.  Will Tennessee be the team that knocked off Memphis?  Will Louisville be the team that knocked off Marquette (twice), Georgetown and Notre Dame?  Louisville with a last second win

East Region - Regional Final

(1) North Carolina v (3) Louisville…..Louisville had a great run to this point and both teams should go back and forth, but the Tar Heels have the talent and the coaching to make it to the Final Four.  North Carolina Tar Heels, East Region Champions

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