UPDATE: Uh, I'm not sure if anyone noticed, but I just went 8-8 on Sweet 16 games. Worth noting. Sometimes you have to take solace in these things when you pick Duke to go to the Final Four....
(10) Davidson v. (3) Wisconsin
How awesome is Stephen Curry? He’ll probably be like Jannero Pargo in the pros, but Curry really may be one of the ten best college players in the country. If Wisconsin can’t shut him down, no one can. Unfortunately Davidson’s greatest strength- random, explosive scoring outbursts from Curry, where he’s money from 35 feet in- is also their greatest weakness. What if he can’t get hot, like he did in the second half against Georgetown? Hopefully this game is at least closer than the last style clash game in the Sweet 16, UNC and Wazzu.
The pick: Davidson
(2) Texas v. (3) Stanford
It’s almost comical how perfectly the Lopez twins compliment each other on a basketball court. It’s like their parents said, “let’s make one of them a nifty low post scorer, and the other an all-out hustle guy, sort of like Joakim Noah or a less athletic version of Tyson Chandler,”. Now that's what I call family planning.
Texas is going to have their hands full with those two inside, but DJ Augustin should have his way with any Cardinal defenders. The X-factor in this game could Longhorns sophomore Damion James, who looks like he’ll be the prototypical seventh man in the NBA. A big time performance on a stage as big this one could propel is stock.
Also, I just found out that Robin Lopez is dating Michelle Wie. Here's what a commenter said on the Y! post:
Brook dominates Robin at PlayStation, but Robin has the upper hand at playing Wie.
That makes absolutely no sense, but, strangely, I agree.
The pick: Texas
(1) Kansas v. (12) Villanova
We’ve all picked teams to win games for odd reasons, but Mark Villano choosing Villanova to go to the Final Four only because the name of the school kind of sounds like his last name may be the most absurd/awesome way of predicting a winner yet. On the flip side, if Kansas goes all the way, we’re looking at guest posts all day from either Julie or bculz. I suppose everyone is a winner.
The pick: Kansas
(1) Memphis v. (5) Michigan St.
Pray that Memphis doesn’t lose a game because of shaky crunch time foul shooting- we may never hear the end of it from ESPN. I actually kind of like how John Calipari and his players are just totally writing it off their charity stripe struggle like it’s no big deal, while everyone else is jumping down their throats. Calipari's whole ‘We’ll make them when they count’ spiel is just beyond ridiculous; it’s not like free throws count for one point in the first half, two points in the second half, and three points in the game’s final two minutes. The Tigers have been my favorite team all season because of the greatness of Derek Rose, but because I attend a college with no sports teams, I automatically love everything with Big 10 attached to it. If Neitzel gets hot, this could be too close to call.
The pick: Memphis
Roman Modrowski is an assistant sports editor for the 
You mean, if Neitzel STAYS hot, and if Raymar Morgan can also show up - it's a no-brainer. MSU had the highest FG percentage in the Big Ten this year, we are always great defensively and at the line. In fact, this is the best shooting team I've seen in a long time in East Lansing. Staying out of foul trouble and limiting turnovers are the biggest challenges for the Spartans, but Tom Izzo has this team prepared, and he knows how to play tournament b-ball better than almost any other coach. Julie's pick: Michigan State.
Hey RIcky, wanna make a little side wager on this one?
LET'S GO STATE!!!!!!!
Picking Davidson there, hah Mr.O'D. Gutsy. Actually, NOT.
Davidson, from what I've seen, is the most disciplined team in this years tournament (along with Butler). They led U.C.L.A. at halftime, and had some costly turnovers hurt them against N.C. in a very closely contested game. They breezed thru their conference, and have Mr. Clutch in their corner.
Wisconsin is also a very well coached team, might I add, and they play defense as tough as anybody in the Big Ten (though I don't know if that has much value).
Davidson relies on smart play, low turnover basketball to offset differentials. True, Curry needs to be on his game, but the key here is Richards. If he can avoid turnovers and not lay all burden on Curry for the last ten minutes, Davidson should easily be in contention to win this game.
Wisconsin, on the other hand, would be wise to just shove the ball down the Wildcats throats with those Big Country Boys, and then let Flowers, Hughes and the rest of the outside shooters eat them up when Davidson starts to pack it in. Flowers has been HOT!
I like Wisconsin.
Texas: Speed rules this one.
Kansas: You represented well, 'Nova. Pick up your slipper on the way out, please?
Memphis: If State plays some zone (33%), they upset, otherwise, too much talent. Tiger free throw shooting keeps it close.
Go Louisville!
R'OD I was with you up until you picked Memphis. They barely squeeked by Miss. St. and as you pointed out they are terrible from the line. And I don't think we'll need to endure all day posts from Julie and culzie because the final game will pit UCLA against UNC and I'll be in Chapel Hill to welcome the 2008 NCAA Champions home.
I've decided, i have had a change of heart, now, I like MarkV.
Because...
without him, there would only be 2 other posters on Ricky's NCAA recap threads.
Endure? I swear my day will be enjoyable for all, no endurance necessary. I'll have to have a thread on strippers to keep you all interested I guess.
And so ends the dream.
If Villanova had prevailed and ran the rest of the table, I would have given the prize to someone else anyway; so good luck to the rest of the contestants that still have a dog (or a cock) in this fight.
I have fallen on my sword, and will now tend to the wound with a bottle of vodka.
I'd take Davidson +4 against the Bulls...
way to go RO'D I was 7 for 8 and was sick watching Mich. St. look more like the Bulls than anything,the first half. the worst part was that in the bracket I play (which goes round by round with the points increasing for each game as the tourny progresses) that pick dropped me from 31 of 4,286 to 212 locally and 1,824 of 89,195 nationally which is in the upper 10% so I quess I can live with that. Besides in the overall picture I have UNC taking it all, so I do still have a horse in the race.
anyone know what the vegas odds are for Davidson taking it all?
On one hand, you can live off that Davidson pick for awhile...on the other, the little 11 is SOOO bad this year.
well done...
You can officially Chalk it up...
Got Married on Saturday!!
Im going to take Hitmans week off blogging...for him.
I've got two tickets to Paradise...packing my bags and leaving...well..actually tomorrow night.
Peace...im Audi5000.
Mazel Tov, Culzie! Have a great honeymoon - we'll kind of miss you around here. I'll step in and be the troublemaker for the week if the natives get restless.
Didnt know the B stood for Bloomberg!!??
Later Everyone!!!
Thanks!!!!
Dont take No.....S*** from anyone!!!!
Considering you're out of town, it shouldn't be a problem
Baruk Ata Adunoi.....
Shalom Shalom!!
Now im really out...thats it....go crazy with your bad selves!!!!
Will you read the Four Questions at our Seder? You only have to be the youngest male at the table, but we'll settle for most immature.
It would be my 46th Mitzfa, bat or bar...but what the Heck???!!!Sure...why not!!