Well, here we stand a week and a half after "Selection Sunday," and 65 have been whittled down to 16. One long weekend has seen jubilation from low seeds such as Bucknell and University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and tears of despair from contenders such as Syracuse and UConn. Who thought it would be this topsy-turvy?
Going off the picks in last week's edition of The University News, I currently have one of my Final Four teams left, so we are not going to even touch my bracket.
The biggest disappointment, West Virginia notwithstanding, has bar none been the Big East. Much ado was made during the season that the conference was the top in the country. Maybe they wore each other out during the season, because their tournament performance was incredibly pathetic.
Boston College, who was undefeated throughout most of the season, lost in the second round to Cinderella: UW-Milwaukee. UConn lost in the second round as well to a middle-of-the-ACC-pack team: North Carolina State.
Big East champion and my national championship choice, Syracuse, was bounced in the first round by a school from a state known for ganja, Ben and Jerry's and Birkenstocks: Vermont.
And that was the top of the conference. Pittsburgh withstanding, the middle-of-the-road teams in the Big East have fared better. Villanova and West Virginia have both advanced to the Sweet 16. West Virginia knocked off ESPN's choice for national champion in double overtime: Wake Forest.
What does all this say about the Big East? To be honest, I am not sure. Except that Dick Vitale and his declarations of ACC supremacy could still be correct.
Side note: Is it me or does he remind you of Pavlov's dog when Duke, Coach K, or J.J. Redick are mentioned?
Granted WFU was knocked off in the second round, and Georgia Tech lost to higher-seeded Louisville, but there are still three ACC teams in the Sweet 16. I despise the love of the ACC by commentators across the country, but it's hard to argue with results.
NC State's Julius Hodge has regained his poise and skill from his sophomore year for the Wolfpack. UNC has put together a balanced, deep team, and are now my choice of the remaining to win it all.
Then there are the "Dukies." Every March, they seem to be right there and have as good of a shot as any of the other 15 teams remaining. The outside sniping ability of college basketball's poet laureate, J.J Redick has catapulted the Blue Devils.
Thursday will be a day of incredibly intriguing contests.
Oklahoma State and Arizona, a game featuring a number two and three seed, will be a showdown of two balanced teams. Wildcats win.
Washington and Louisville features potential All-Americans Nate Robinson and Francisco Garcia respectfully. Garcia leads the Cardinals past the top-ranked Huskies.
Upset specialists Texas Tech and West Virginia will square off as well. Advantage: Mountaineers.
Illinois draws the Cinderella Panthers in the third round. As much as I want this one for Bruce Pearl, Ed McCants and the rest of the gang, I just do not see it happening.
Friday's games should see two out of four teams upset. UNC should handle Villanova, who is now without top rebounder Curtis Sumpter.
Similarly, Duke should not face too tough a challenge from Paul Davis and the Spartans.
NC State should keep their run going into the Elite 8, taking down Wisconsin. Despite the Big 10's strong showing in the tournament, I will take a mid-ACC team over the number-three team in the Big 10.
Look for Andrew Bogut's Utes to upset SEC-power Kentucky in the round of 16. Bogut, potentially the player of the year , is too strong on the inside and knows how to get his teammates going if defenses sag to the post.
All in all, the Sweet 16 should be interesting and the Elite 8 will be even more exciting.
