Yes! It’s Here! March Madness 2013 – the Superbowl of College Basketball, will begin Thursday, March 21st, 2013 with 68-teams focusing on the biggest prize in the college ranks, that of National Champion!
To be fair, there are several ‘Play-In’ games of smaller schools to actually get the opportunity to play against the #1 seeded teams in each region. Oh BOY, if you’re the smaller school that wins the ‘Play-In’ game. But the elation of that win turns into a sudden dose of reality once they step into the arena of BIG TIME Basketball against powerhouse #1 seeds like Indiana out of the East Region, Kansas from the South, Louisville representing the Midwest and, yes, the Cinderella Darling of previous National Championship runs, Gonzaga University out of the great state of Washington – with a student body enrollment of just over 7,800 – solidifying the #1 seed from the West.
Just looking at the brackets this year brings about intrigue and anxiety, depending on who you’re pulling for. I’m a North Carolina Tarheels fan and they’re an 8 seed. They’ve been a staple in the Big Dance for years and have 5-National Titles which includes 1957, 1982, 1993, 2005 and the last in 2009. They won’t win a 6th this year. (Sorry ‘Heels Fans). This is the first time I can recall UNC not having a ‘true’ big man in the middle. It will be tough to advance without one, especially if they win against #9, Villanova, they get #1 Kansas. Goodnight.
Also coming out of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) are N.C. State, another 8 seed in the East, Miami, a 2 seed also in the East who, arguably, should be a 1 after winning the ACC tournament and perennial tournament participant, Duke University (BOOO!), a 2 seed in the Midwest Region.
Another first, at least in my opinion, there’s not a clear favorite to win this year’s coveted trophy. That is unless you’re a #1 seeded fan. Indiana, Kansas, Louisville and Gonzaga have all been ranked #1 this season, only to suffer loses immediately after becoming #1. I know some will say, that’s just the regular season and this is when the season begins. True in both, but in years past, the dominating teams like Duke or Georgetown or North Carolina or Kentucky – which didn’t even make it in this year – or Michigan or Michigan St., just to name a few, were teams that ran the table during the regular season in most instances, won their conference championship and/or were regular season champs. It just doesn’t seem like the teams have that same dominance this year. And because of that, this tournament is Wide Open.
Outside of North Carolina being the clear favorite, I’ve never been so excited about March Madness. Why you ask? Because of how evenly matched these teams are, it will be hard to discern which region has the clear advantage or which team has an easier track to the Final Four. All the #1 seeds will make it deep into the tourney but they also have uphill battles with some teams that are poised to send them home before the Final Four.
Let’s take a quick look at some possible bumps in the road in each region:
- Louisville, the overall #1 seed in the Midwest may play #9, Missouri in the 2nd round and if Duke makes it through, Wow, what a great game to see who makes it through the Elite 8.
- Gonzaga, out of the West, has #2 seed Ohio State possibly in an Elite 8 match-up but they may have a tougher time trying to get past a tough Sweet 16 possibility with #4 Kansas State. And, there’s a hungry, 29-5, #3 seed, New Mexico team sitting out there as well.
- In the South, Kansas has some match-up problems of their own with a possible tango with #4 Michigan, in a must-see Sweet 16 nightmarish challenge. Within the same region, Florida and Georgetown may do the dance to advance to the Elite 8.
- Finally, the East #1 seed, Indiana definitely won’t have a cake-walk with Syracuse, a struggling #4 seed in their bracket. Miami, a 2 seed, is playing some great ball at the moment and has all the momentum going into this tournament. They too, are in the East and have a chance to advance to the Final Four.
Again, just looking at the brackets this year, survival early will be the name of this year’s Madness. Upsets have happened early before but I don’t see any of the #1 seeds getting bounced early this year. However, I don’t think all of the #1’s will make it through to the Final ‘Soirée’ either.
My Final Four are: Ohio State, Kansas, Miami and Louisville
Finalist will be: Ohio State vs. Miami
National Champions: Miami Hurricanes
I’m no Prognosticator by any means but my picks feel solid. It’s all up for debate which is why we fill these crazy brackets out every year. It’s Always fun, Always Crazy and It’s Always Madness Baby! Thanks Dick Vitale J
