On the Busting of Brackets - The Internet's #1 Online Webspace for NCAA Tournament Picks, Predictions, and Analysis

Well, I just got done watching that tournament selection show earlier today and it was something else. I'm not sure why I didn't just wait until it was over to look at the brackets online, but come six o' clock I found myself on the couch watching Greg Gumble reveal the brackets in real time. Here are my thoughts after an initial review of the brackets.

What's the deal with Kansas?
Not only is Kansas my home state school and alma mater, they are also the defending National Champions and any in depth analysis of the tournament starts with them. I think the most we can expect from this young Kansas team is a sweet sixteen. I'm a bit fearful of the first round matchup against North Dakota State as it's the Bison's first ever big dance and they are going to want to score hard. In addition, Kansas seems to have trouble getting motivated for away games against undermatched opponents. Hopefully the Jayhawks late season struggles served as a wakeup call to get the team motivated. The potential second round matchup against West Virginia is also troublesome as the Mountaineers are one of the many well-coached and talented Big East teams and they probably deserve something more akin to a #5 seed. Kansas' success in this game is going to come down to Sherron Collins and the Jayhawkers won't win without a decent outing from him. I'm not expecting much from my Kansas boys this year, and anything past the Sweet 16 would be a pleasant surprise, but realistically I think it might be a battle getting out of the first weekend.

What's the deal with the Big 10?
The Big 10 Conference is way overrated and benefited from all the teams being at the same mediocre level. I'll also let you in on another little secret, the Big 10 actually has eleven teams!!! That's right, they have eleven teams even though they claim to only have ten teams and where I come from that makes them liars and cheaters. The Big 10 somehow managed to get seven teams into the tournament, but only Michigan State, Purdue, and Michigan are worth any of your bracketeering attention. The rest of the conference (Wisconsin, Ohio St., Minnesota, and Illinois) has been dismal against non-conference tournament teams and I don't see any of those teams advancing out of the first weekend.

Who are Cinderella Slipper Sleepers of the Big Dance?
Picking the Cinderella Sleepers is all about looking at the matchups and strength of schedule. Western Kentucky stands out as a team primed to advance as their first round opponent, Illinois, is way overrated and can't score baskets into the hoop net. Their probable second round match will be against Gonzaga and Gonzaga is never going to win anything and will always be at the losing end of some heartbreaking loss. I also like Michigan to make a bit of a splash so long as Oklahoma doesn't get its groove back, but they've shown no intentions of finding any such groove. Michigan had an impressive non-conference schedule and should be primed to dribble and shoot their way to a strong tournament showing. I'm also going to put some backing into the Temple Owls. The Owls are led by the slam dunk stylings of Dionte Christmas and are fresh of their Atlantic 10 Tournament title. Christmas is a true basketballer and I look for a strong showing from him during the Owls favorable matchup against Arizona State. I also think West Virginia is poised to make some noise. Bobby Huggins is a tournament coach and the Mountaineers are tournament tough and are much better than a #7 seed. Finally, I'm going to pick Florida State as a team in the ready position to make a deep run. They've got favorable matchups up until the round of 16 and it seems about time that the Tomahawk Chop makes its way back into the realm of cultural significance.