I'm not sure you know this, but I minored in bracketology at the University of Detroit Mercy while majoring in another degree closely related to college athletics: communications.
It's true.
I spent more time studying my brackets in those three days leading up to the start of the tournament than I did studying for my women's studies class. (In all fairness, getting smart on bracket picks would likely pay more dividends in the future than reading Jane Eyre ever would.)
So, in an effort to help all two of my subscribers succeed in their bracket pool, I thought I would force, er, impart my wisdom upon you in the form of five rules. And I'm only charging a 10 percent fee of your winnings.
Rules
1. If the glass slipper fits too well... If everyone and their brother is picking the same Cinderella team **cough cough** Virginia Commonwealth **cough cough** chances are good their season will turn into a pumpkin before midnight.
2. Don't watch ESPN. I watched Dick Vitale and Doug Gottlieb pick all four #1 seeds to reach the Final Four in Detroit. Way to go out on a limb, dudes. Last year was the first time all four #1 seeds had reached the Final Four together. What are the odds it happens two years in a row? You'll increase your chances if you pick at least one #1 seed to lose before the Final Four. (Pittsburgh, anyone?)
3. Watch something else. I don't know if this is true, but I read somewhere that people who watch little to no college basketball fare better in their bracket pools than people who watch a lot of college basketball. It makes sense to me. I mean, I know who the good teams are, but those little numbers next to each team name level the playing field for everybody.
4. Your alma mater shouldn't matter. You've been faithfully following your college's team all season and are ready to cheer your head off during their (hopefully) successful run in the tourney. That's fine. But one word (okay, six words) of warning: don't let allegiances color your picks. We understand that you want the rest of your pool to know that you went to (insert college here). But is Portland St. really going to the Final Four? I mean, really - let's be sensible here. It's okay to pick them to lose in the first round. They're probably going to, anyway.
5. We're number one! (for a reason). When all else fails, go with the top seeds. I know I mentioned above that the odds of all four #1 seeds making the Final Four are about as likely to happen as AIG executives willingly returning their bonuses, but that doesn't mean one (or three) won't make it. Those teams are #1 for a reason. That reason? They're good. Barring unforeseen events, chances are pretty good they will all advance through to the Sweet Sixteen, at least. From there, choose them to advance at your own risk.
As far as sleepers go, you'd be hard-pressed to find four sleepers better than Dayton, Florida St., Michigan, and Utah St.
Three Upsets I Like But Don't Have the Balls to Pick
- (14) Stephen F. Austin over (3) Syracuse
- (13) Cleveland St. over (4) Wake Forest
- (13) Portland St. over (4) Xavier
...And One That I Will Pick
- (14) North Dakota St. over (3) Kansas
Finally, in no particular order, here are my Final Four: Connecticut, Gonzaga, Michigan St., and Pittsburgh.
Now go win your pool.
