Friday's NCAA Matchups - SixBit Style

WASHINGTON DC REGIONAL
(1)UConn vs. (16)Albany
This pits the Huskies against the Great Danes. While I'm sure both are great dogs, only one is a good team. UConn sends Albany to the kennel in a cakewalk.

(8)Kentucky vs. (9)Alabama-Birmingham
Intriguing matchup. You know UAB will want to win so they can stay out their jaguar infested state for a while. But Kentucky is Kentucky and it is hard to go against them even if they are having a down year. Then again, UAB has a really cool dragon mascot and call themselves the Blazers. But Kentucky has Naomi Judd as their #1 fan. I flipped a coin on this one and it came up Kentucky.

(6)Michigan St. vs. (11)George Mason
While pondering this matchup, I was wishing I could meet the "George" who was such a fantastic mason that he got a university named after him. Somehow that quickly turned into wishing I had a Blizzard from Dairy Queen. Michigan St. is the easy choice here as I seen them making a run to the regional final.

(3) North Carolina vs. (14)Murray St.
Ahhh. Another team claiming to be a state when they actually aren't. And this isn't even the most egregious example (see below). You know my policy, no non-state teams claiming to be states will win an NCAA game. The longer they are in the tourney, the more they mis-educate the youngsters who follow the tournament. They must be abolished and soon. NC in a yawner.


ATLANTA REGIONAL
(6)West Virginia vs. (11)Southern Illinois
WV is one of my new favorite teams after they rocked the Pit here in Albuquerque at last year's regional. Their fans are passionate and travel in packs consuming large amounts of high-energy carbs. They beat Texas Tech in last year's regional semi-final so that is good enough for me. No reason to even mention SI. WV wins in a 3-point barrage.

(3)Iowa vs. (14)Northwestern State
And finally we have come to our most egregious example. Northwestern State? Imagine my shock when research led me to the discovery that this school is actually from LOUISIANA! So now it is no shock that Louisiana usually ranks 50th out of 50 states in educational scores. Iowa wins this one by forfeit as the geographically challenged NS can't find its way out of the state and never makes it to the arena.

(7)California vs. (10)North Carolina St.
I like California and they have a solid team. But they matchup against a university that knows what a state is. NC St. takes this nail-biter.

(2)Texas vs. (15)Penn
Texas beat Texas Tech 3(!) times this year. No brainer on this game. They send Penn back home so they can get down to doing all that Ivy League stuff they do.


MINNEAPOLIS REGIONAL
(1)Villanova vs. (16)Monmouth
Uh not much to say here. I have a hunch Villanova will win.

(8)Arizona vs. (9)Wisconsin
This one is a dead-even matchup between disappointing teams. Neither one beat Texas Tech so I am not sure how to differentiate between the two. I do like cheese, however, so gotta go with Wisconsin.

(7)Georgetown vs. (10)Northern Iowa
When I think of Georgetown, I think of Freddie Brown's last second pass to a wide open North Carolina player in the championship game and that bald guy with the funny shaped head they used to have back in the 80's. Then I start to feel bad that those are my shallow memories of Georgetown. To pay pennance, I predict them to win.

(2)Ohio St. vs. (15)Davidson
Since Davidson will be out of of the tournament before Saturday rolls around, you show know that they are called the Wildcats. A scintillating choice but that won't help them in this one.


OAKLAND REGIONAL
(1)Memphis vs. (16)Oral Roberts
ORU will lose and lose for one big reason: they don't have enough faith. If they had enough, they would most certainly win. How much they would need I don't know but however much they have is not enough.

(8)Arkansas vs. (9)Bucknell
I bet you didn't know that Bucknell was actually ranked in the Top 25 near the end of the season. This is a good team who had success in last year's tourney. I love the underdog and see Bucknell pulling it out.

(5)Pittsburgh vs. (12)Kent State
You don't even need to read this one to know that I am going with Pittsburgh. The only hope Kent "not a" State has in this one is if the Kent is short for Clark Kent.

(4)Kansas vs. (13)Bradley
It is never fair when it is 5 against 1. Poor Bradley, he doesn't stand a chance trying to guard all the athletic Jayhawks. Kansas has really turned it up the past 6 weeks and will have no problem putting away Mr. Bradley.



As always, my advice is free but am willing to accept snacks and meals.