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March Madness

"Nothing is guaranteed, and anyone can beat anyone."

By Mike Oseroff

Mike Oseroff is Youth Radio’s resident sports commentator and columnist. Keep checking this space for his weekly updates! You can email him at sports@youthradio.org.

You know you love it.

65 teams.
64 games.
768 players.
Millions of fans.
One loss and it’s all over.

March Madness baby, the college basketball tournament. A time when everyone from basketball masterminds to complete idiots pool their money together in a winner take all guess-fest as they fill out their brackets and cheer passionately for teams they’ve never even heard of. All over America gamblers and fans alike try to pick the most correct outcomes of games in the tourney, with the champion sometimes taking home millions in cold hard cash. The only problem: this isn’t the NBA, it’s single elimination, which means one bad game for a top seeded team could mean an early exit from the dance.

I learned the harsh nature of bracket filling this year when I joined my first pool with a bunch of kids at school. I laid down 10 dollars a week ago along with 50 other kids and turned in my picks, which I hoped would win me the grand prize of 300 bucks at the end of the month. Seven days later I’ve truly experienced the unpredictable nature of the “madness,” and I see why it can be such a time of jubilation and heartbreak for those who put down big bets on the tournament.

As of March 26, the 65 teams have been narrowed down to the Sweet 16,and even though my first and second round picks were a little hazy, the big picture is looking a little clearer now, and it might be a little easier to predict how it goes down from here on out.

In the Midwest division, the number 1 seed Kentucky is still going strong, showing almost no weaknesses, to the delight of many, including myself, who picked them as National Champions a week ago. They face an underestimated Wisconsin team with a chip on their shoulder, but still count on Kentucky to continue on. Also in the Midwest, Dwayne Wade leads a talented Marquette team against Brandin Knight’s tough Pittsburgh squad. In a great matchup of 2 and 3 seeds, the defensively sound Pitt should pull it out with the help of their star point guard.

In the West division, number 1 Arizona plays Notre Dame, a 5 seed, after the Wildcats just barely squeaked out an overtime victory over notorious upset king Gonzaga. All the pressure is on Arizona after the Zags showed that they are human, but look for the cats to win at least one more against an Irish team that could shoot themselves out of the tourney easily. Also out West, 3 seed Kansas takes on 6 seed Duke in another great game between respective conference powerhouses. Kansas has the experience from the Final Four last year, and their starting 5 is great with Nick Collison and Kirk Heinrich leading the Jayhawks; but their bench is weak, and early foul trouble for them means Duke’s quick, sweet-shooting guards can run all over the KU reserves. I picked Duke for the Final Four and I’m sticking with them to move on.

In the South division, number 1 Texas and their star point guard TJ Ford take on UConn and Emeka Okafor’s 5th seeded Huskies. Texas has been dominant all season, and there is no reason to believe they won’t keep it up. Count on them for the Final Four. Rounding out the South is Maryland and Michigan State, a battle of 6 and 7 seeds. Maryland won it all last year, and has the confidence and experience to advance to the Elite 8 for the second year in a row.

And finally there’s the East division, featuring two games of big favorites versus big underdogs. In the first game, number 1 seed Oklahoma takes on the surprise team of the tournament, Butler, a 12 seed that knocked off both Mississippi State and Louisville. Oklahoma and Hollis Price aren’t number 1 for nothing, but I’m confident that Butler’s amazing story will end now. Also in the East is Syracuse-Auburn, a 3 seed against a 10 seed. Auburn shocked the world by beating Wake Forest, but Carmelo Anthony of Syracuse is the best college player in the game, and I see the Orangemen making it to the Championship before he moves on to the NBA.

When it is all said and done however, I’ve realized why complete no-nothings are usually the ones to win these pools: nothing is guaranteed, and anyone can beat anyone in March Madness. And even though I’ve all but surely lost my chances of winning any money, a Kentucky-Syracuse Final would at least give me the slightest bit of satisfaction. Until then I’ll keep on praying.

Check out more of Mike's columns!