The first weekend of the tournament has come and gone, and I am getting handled. I am losing to every member of my immediate family in our tournament pool. We score 1 point for 1st round games and 2 points for 2nd round games. The totals for the first two rounds combined is...
Sean: 40
Sara: 55
Its that bad this year. My problem? Too many upsets! I did pick some successfully (Cleveland State, Arizona, W. Kentucky, Wisconsin), and just missed on some others (Utah State). I really thought there would be much more parity between the teams this year. I don't find the top seeds to be as unbeatable as I used to think they were. Pittsburgh? Just get Blair in foul trouble and you'll probably win. UCONN? Same thing with Thabeet, and assuming you will guard Jeff Adrian at the top of the key (which Texas A&M completely and utterly failed to do, and the guy hit 30 shots from the top of the key 15 feet out). I also thought a lot of the bigger teams from smaller conferences (Xavier, Gonzaga specifically) were absolute frauds.
Sara is winning and the worst part is that she's more obsessed with the tournament than I am this year, mostly because I am getting housed. She constantly wants updates on scores and on her office pool. It is getting to the point where I worry she will need professional help once the tournament is over and she can't get her fix of picking top seeds and being right. Because there's a lot of challenge in that, picking the smaller number over the bigger number. No sour grapes here, just a defeated novice sports blogger with nowhere to go and no shoulder to cry on.
Look for a baseball preview with predictions and such coming soon!
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Monday, March 16, 2009
The Correct Methodology of March
My method of selecting teams for March Madness has evolved over time, and I have become more nuanced as I've grown older. I used to select Indiana to go to the Final Four every year (they're missing from my bracket this year... hmmm). Homerism will only get you burned in March, and if you have any sort of wager riding on it (or your own pride), it will only derail your hopes of having bragging rights with your family and friends for a few weeks. I do take a few things into account, but the X-Factor is my gut. Now, my gut has grown a little bit over the past few years, which means it is even more trust worthy. So, if all else fails, go with your gut. If it doesn't feel right to pick the underdog, don't. But at least pick one or more underdogs, because, after all, it is March Madness.
The four factors of the correct methodology of March are:
1. Coaching
Coaching and strategy might be one of the most under-rated and over looked aspects of March Madness. There's a reason Bob Knight won three championships: he was a great coach and he put the fear of Almighty God into his players. You need to look for the good coaches with something to prove. I think one of those guys this year is Bo Ryan (Wisconsin). He's always one of the best coaches in the Big Ten, and this year Wisconsin has underachieved (by their own standards) and run an offense that could be problematic for a team like Pittsburgh. Wisconsin will draw the Pitt bigs (most importantly, Blair) outside with their funky offense. Other coaches I think will do favorably in the tournament: Jay Wright (Villanova), John Calipari (Memphis), Tom Izzo (Michigan State).
2. Defense
Defense may not win championships, but it doesn't hurt. UCONN's Thabeet stands head and shoulders (literally) above his competition, and should be a serious factor. The only way to beat UCONN is to spread them out and slash, because Thabeet will just dominate inside if you let him. I would not be surprised to see UCONN win it all or be taken down early by a slashing team that just happens to be shooting well on one given day. However, if they do win it all, it will be with gritty defense that starts in the middle. I also like Memphis and Purdue and their tenacity on defense.
3. Momentum
The big mo needs to be in your corner, and I think a good showing at a league tournament can take a team further than it really could have gone on its own. Syracuse and West Virginia have really played well in the Big East tournament, and I expect that to carry over into March Madness. I think Purdue might also experience a boost by winning the Big Ten tournament.
4. Cinderella
Or perhaps "cinder-fellas"? The thing that is really beautiful about March (and what is missing from Indiana High School basketball) is that there truly are David and Goliath matchups. Now, more often than not, David is destroyed by Goliath's sharpshooters, athleticism, rebounding, and overall better player quality. But the Davids have been getting more athletic as well. Remember George Mason? We're somewhat removed from that run in the tournament, but they beat far superior teams from Michigan State, North Carolina, and UCONN before getting beat by the mini-dynasty from Florida. You need to pick some upsets, and I particularly like Cleveland State, Utah State, Akron, and Wisconsin. The slipper fits someone every year, and while Cinderella might not stick around until the end of the dance, some Cinderella team will at least make an appearance and wow sports fans across the country yet again.
So there it is, four elements to take into consideration. And for my picks...
Sean's Picks:
Sweet 16: Louisville, Cleveland State, West Virginia, Michigan State, UCONN, Purdue, Utah State, Memphis, Pittsburgh, Wisconsin, Villanova, Duke, North Carolina, Akron, Syracuse, Clemson
Elite Eight: Cleveland State, Michigan State, Purdue, Memphis, Pittsburgh, Villanova, North Carolina, Syracuse
Final Four: Michigan State, Purdue, Villanova, North Carolina
Final Game: North Carolina over Michigan State (80-70)
Thus concludes a more logical and informed method of prediction. And by its logical and informed nature, my methodology is sure to fail. Best of luck and enjoy the Madness!
The four factors of the correct methodology of March are:
1. Coaching
Coaching and strategy might be one of the most under-rated and over looked aspects of March Madness. There's a reason Bob Knight won three championships: he was a great coach and he put the fear of Almighty God into his players. You need to look for the good coaches with something to prove. I think one of those guys this year is Bo Ryan (Wisconsin). He's always one of the best coaches in the Big Ten, and this year Wisconsin has underachieved (by their own standards) and run an offense that could be problematic for a team like Pittsburgh. Wisconsin will draw the Pitt bigs (most importantly, Blair) outside with their funky offense. Other coaches I think will do favorably in the tournament: Jay Wright (Villanova), John Calipari (Memphis), Tom Izzo (Michigan State).
2. Defense
Defense may not win championships, but it doesn't hurt. UCONN's Thabeet stands head and shoulders (literally) above his competition, and should be a serious factor. The only way to beat UCONN is to spread them out and slash, because Thabeet will just dominate inside if you let him. I would not be surprised to see UCONN win it all or be taken down early by a slashing team that just happens to be shooting well on one given day. However, if they do win it all, it will be with gritty defense that starts in the middle. I also like Memphis and Purdue and their tenacity on defense.
3. Momentum
The big mo needs to be in your corner, and I think a good showing at a league tournament can take a team further than it really could have gone on its own. Syracuse and West Virginia have really played well in the Big East tournament, and I expect that to carry over into March Madness. I think Purdue might also experience a boost by winning the Big Ten tournament.
4. Cinderella
Or perhaps "cinder-fellas"? The thing that is really beautiful about March (and what is missing from Indiana High School basketball) is that there truly are David and Goliath matchups. Now, more often than not, David is destroyed by Goliath's sharpshooters, athleticism, rebounding, and overall better player quality. But the Davids have been getting more athletic as well. Remember George Mason? We're somewhat removed from that run in the tournament, but they beat far superior teams from Michigan State, North Carolina, and UCONN before getting beat by the mini-dynasty from Florida. You need to pick some upsets, and I particularly like Cleveland State, Utah State, Akron, and Wisconsin. The slipper fits someone every year, and while Cinderella might not stick around until the end of the dance, some Cinderella team will at least make an appearance and wow sports fans across the country yet again.
So there it is, four elements to take into consideration. And for my picks...
Sean's Picks:
Sweet 16: Louisville, Cleveland State, West Virginia, Michigan State, UCONN, Purdue, Utah State, Memphis, Pittsburgh, Wisconsin, Villanova, Duke, North Carolina, Akron, Syracuse, Clemson
Elite Eight: Cleveland State, Michigan State, Purdue, Memphis, Pittsburgh, Villanova, North Carolina, Syracuse
Final Four: Michigan State, Purdue, Villanova, North Carolina
Final Game: North Carolina over Michigan State (80-70)
Thus concludes a more logical and informed method of prediction. And by its logical and informed nature, my methodology is sure to fail. Best of luck and enjoy the Madness!
Sunday, March 15, 2009
The Saralogic! method of bracketology...
Today is a much anticipated day in the world of college basketball...it is the great Selection Sunday! I, like many others across the U.S., will be filling out my bracket(s) within the next 24 hours or so, though my methods of choosing are quite different than most...
I thought I would take a few moments to school you in the Saralogic! method of bracketology. I do not guaruntee that this method will work for you, but I can tell you that it has/will work for me. Here is how it's done, kids...
1. Think mascots, not rankings.
With the Saralogic! method of bracketology, one must not focus on the rankings of the selected teams. Instead, one must think of it this way, if the mascots from each of the dualing teams had to fight to the death, which mascot would survive? For example, if I have to choose between the Memphis Tigers and the Texas Longhorns, my money's without a doubt on the Tigers. I mean seriously, in a fight to the death, which one would come out alive, an oversized cow or a ferocious tiger? Of course you cannot pick an entire bracket with this method alone, as there are instances where you may not know which mascot would be victorious (ex. Memphis Tigers and UCLA Bruins aka. Bears...I do not feel comfortable making a choice between a tiger and a bear, so this is where the other aspects of the Saralogic! method of bracketology come into play.)
2. Find your secret weapon.
Once you have completed the mascot match-up to the best of your ability, you must now bring in the magic weapon. I cannot tell you who or what your magic weapon will be, you must follow your heart to find it. Personally, I have a father who has a wealth of knowledge on all things related to sports (and pretty much everything else, for that matter). I consider him the secret weapon behind the Saralogic method of bracketology. When I have hit a wall in my picks, I simply pick up the phone and give him a ring to get his advice on who I should choose. Works every time.
I will post my picks as soon as I have completed my bracket, and we will see if the Saralogic! method of bracketology works this year!
I thought I would take a few moments to school you in the Saralogic! method of bracketology. I do not guaruntee that this method will work for you, but I can tell you that it has/will work for me. Here is how it's done, kids...
1. Think mascots, not rankings.
With the Saralogic! method of bracketology, one must not focus on the rankings of the selected teams. Instead, one must think of it this way, if the mascots from each of the dualing teams had to fight to the death, which mascot would survive? For example, if I have to choose between the Memphis Tigers and the Texas Longhorns, my money's without a doubt on the Tigers. I mean seriously, in a fight to the death, which one would come out alive, an oversized cow or a ferocious tiger? Of course you cannot pick an entire bracket with this method alone, as there are instances where you may not know which mascot would be victorious (ex. Memphis Tigers and UCLA Bruins aka. Bears...I do not feel comfortable making a choice between a tiger and a bear, so this is where the other aspects of the Saralogic! method of bracketology come into play.)
2. Find your secret weapon.
Once you have completed the mascot match-up to the best of your ability, you must now bring in the magic weapon. I cannot tell you who or what your magic weapon will be, you must follow your heart to find it. Personally, I have a father who has a wealth of knowledge on all things related to sports (and pretty much everything else, for that matter). I consider him the secret weapon behind the Saralogic method of bracketology. When I have hit a wall in my picks, I simply pick up the phone and give him a ring to get his advice on who I should choose. Works every time.
I will post my picks as soon as I have completed my bracket, and we will see if the Saralogic! method of bracketology works this year!
Welcome!
Welcome to "his and hers sportz!" Sean and I have talked about starting this blog for months now, and we've finally decided to create it...
What to expect when viewing this blog:
1. Funny sports related exchanges between a husband and wife
2. Sean's expert opinion on the latest sports news
3. Sara's unique perspective on all things sports (including, but not limited to: the terrible facial hair of athletes, ridiculous team and player names, things that are cute, things that make no sense...and so much more!)
4. Individual accounts of our experiences at different sporting events
5. A whole lot of insanity (mostly coming from Sean, because he is a little insane when it comes to his sports!)
And so it begins...
What to expect when viewing this blog:
1. Funny sports related exchanges between a husband and wife
2. Sean's expert opinion on the latest sports news
3. Sara's unique perspective on all things sports (including, but not limited to: the terrible facial hair of athletes, ridiculous team and player names, things that are cute, things that make no sense...and so much more!)
4. Individual accounts of our experiences at different sporting events
5. A whole lot of insanity (mostly coming from Sean, because he is a little insane when it comes to his sports!)
And so it begins...
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