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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