If there's something strange in your Midwest Region. Who you gonna call? BRACKET BUSTERS! If there's something weird in Carolina’s hood. Who you gonna call? BRACKET BUSTERS!
I ain't afraid of mid-majors I ain't afraid of no underdog
If you're seeing things that kill your bracket dead Who can you call? BRACKET BUSTERS!
A seven foot man dunking on your head Oh, who you gonna call? BRACKET BUSTERS!
If your Final Four’s gone, pick up the phone And call… BRACKET BUSTERS!
I ain't afraid of Cinderella I ain't afraid of buzzer beaters Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Who you gonna call? BRACKET BUSTERS!
If you've had a dose, and your Champ is toast You'd better call… BRACKET BUSTERS!
Let me tell you something Bustin' makes me feel good
Don't get caught in one-on-one, oh When it comes through the paint Unless you just want free throws I think you better call…
WHO WE GONNA CALL?
BRACKET BUSTERS!
-- “Exceed the Seed (Bracket Busters)” – by KP (Spoof of Ray Parker Jr.’s “Ghostbusters”)
Ahh yes, March Madness is back… and along with it comes the buzzer beaters, nail biting games, the constant influx of basketball… so much that in the first four days we as fans gorge on it, but it’s so good, that we simply don’t care. With the Cinderellas, the heartbreak, and the shocking upsets, also comes the broken brackets. That and more is what makes the tournament so special to us, because on any given day, anyone can beat anyone… well, except for those 16 seeds… but one day that will happen too. In the coming weeks, fans throughout the country will root for teams they have never cheered for in the past. Texas A&M fans become Texas fans for one day. Duke fans become North Carolina fans for a weekend. For those reasons and more, we thrive on the tournament chaos.
By now, many of you have already filled out a bracket, and therefore have your own Cinderellas in place. Let’s compare, shall we? I present you with a few of my “Bracket Busters”, including a six pack of teams that I think can “exceed their seed”. Feel free to pitch in some upsets of your own.
KP’s Bracket Busters for 2008
St. Joseph’s Hawks (#11 – East Region) vs. #6 Oklahoma
St. Joe’s is a talented and scrappy team led by a great coach in Phil Martelli, and headlined by the talented Pat Calathes (17.8 PPG, 7.5 RPG). However, my focus on this game is more on their sixth seeded opponent, the Oklahoma Sooners. In their last 12 games, the Sooners have gone 7-5, but more alarming in that number is that every loss has been by double digits, with the last three being a 14 point loss to Colorado, an 18 point defeat at the hands of Nebraska, and a 28 point blowout loss to Texas in the Big 12 Tournament. I sense something is missing with this Oklahoma team. There just isn’t a consistent intensity there, and therefore, I have Martelli and the Hawks knocking off Oklahoma in the first round.
Butler Bulldogs (#7 – East Region)
No one should underestimate Butler, even as a #7 seed. Last year, the
Bulldogs were a #5 team that gave the champion Florida Gators quite a
battle in the Sweet 16. For many (including yours truly) who had
Butler ousted by a #12 in the first round, I won’t make that mistake
again. In fact, combining the talent (A.J. Graves – 14.5 PPG and Mike
Green 13.5 PPG), the experience (four starting seniors), Tennessee’s
defense (the Vols are giving up a ton of points in recent weeks), and
the fact that Butler beat up on a similar Tennessee team last season,
I’m taking the Butler Bulldogs to reach the Sweet 16 again, after
knocking off South Alabama in the opening round and shocking the #2
Vols in their second matchup.
Villanova Wildcats (#12 – Midwest Region) vs. #5 Clemson
This is a young Villanova team that‘s likely still learning the ins and outs of head coach Jay Wright’s system. Clemson is definitely an opponent chock full of talent, but let’s face it, the Tigers can’t hit free throws to save their life. Not even close. If they could, they likely would have beaten North Carolina not once, but twice. In a big tournament game with a team that plays like Villanova does, it certainly could come down to late game heroics at the foul line. To clarify, Villanova shoots over 72% from the line as a team. As for Clemson, try 62%. That’s a big difference, especially in a likely tight NCAA tournament game. I give the edge to the Wildcats.
West Virginia Mountaineers (#7 Seed – West Region)
Bob Huggins is a good coach, and he’s proven that by getting the
Mountaineers to perform to a higher level than many critics expected
this season. With that being said, this is a dangerous team, led by
star Joe Alexander (16.8 PPG, 6.1 RPG). This is a battle tested team
that has faced a number of solid opponents, while defeating many
(Marquette, Pittsburgh, and Connecticut included). However, what is
more impressive to me is the close losses to solid teams (Tennessee by
2, Oklahoma in OT, Georgetown by 1, and Pittsburgh by 1). Therefore,
this is a team that gives the upper tier teams headaches. With all
that being said, I have West Virginia not only outlasting Arizona in
round one, but also upsetting #2 seed Duke to advance to the Sweet 16.
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (#12 – West Region) vs. #5 Drake
Since January 10th, Western Kentucky has lost just one game, that coming at the hands of a tournament bound South Alabama squad. This week, the matchup is with fellow mid-major Drake. Any Seinfeld lovers out there? If so, do you “Hate the Drake!” or “Love the Drake!”?? I don’t know if there’s any in between. Honestly, I don’t know much about Drake… after all, they kind of came out of nowhere this season to earn their high #5 seed as a mid-major. I have heard they are a lights out shooting team, which makes sense. Most mid-majors are that way. Maybe it’s that simple for me. Every now and then a hot shooting team will go cold, and quite often I see this happening when that team is on a big stage that they’re not used to. Western Kentucky has less pressure on them as a #12 seed, and even better yet, the Hilltoppers are a team filled with talent, led by star Courtney Lee (20.4 PPG). Furthermore, WKU has had some past tournament success as a Cinderella, and who’s to say that it can’t happen again in 2008. I’m banking on it, as the Hilltoppers knock off Drake in round one.
Michigan State Spartans (#5 Seed – South Region)
Every year, Michigan State is up and down during the season, with great wins against quality teams, while also suffering painful losses to sub-par squads. Still, more often than not, the Spartans are able to make some kind of run when the Big Dance comes around. It’s something that head coach Tom Izzo can get out of his players during the right time. I see it happening again, and while I know that Memphis is loaded with talent, they’re not battle tested over the last few months, and I think when you combine the talent and leadership by Izzo and senior leader Drew Neitzel, the Spartans (if they can get to the Sweet 16) have an excellent chance to knock out the #1 seeded Memphis Tigers. The Big Ten may have been down this year, but this is about one team with a great tournament coach and plenty of experience. I have Michigan State advancing to the Elite 8.
There you have it, a mixed bag of teams that I feel can make some noise during various phases of this year’s NCAA Tournament. Who are your Cinderellas for 2008?
March Madness is here! Don’t forget… if you need ‘em, the Bracket Busters are just a phone call away.
KP, great analysis. I LOVE your choice of St. Joe's over OU. I also have West Virginia going to the Sweet 16. I've been wavering back and forth between Villanova and Clemson. And I'm even wavering between Wisconsin and G'town in the Final Four. The winner of that game will go to the Final Four.
KELLYSCOTT,
I have NC playing UCLA in the title game, with Carolina winning it all...
JON,
Thanks... sounds like we have a few things in common. Honestly, I was going back and forth on that Clemson/'Nova game too. It just kept coming back to how bad they were from the charity stripe... and also recalling how many games I saw PSU blow late due to missing free throws. In the Dance, it comes down to those often, so I had to go 'Nova. By the way, I have Carolina beating UCLA in the championship game... 78-71 I'll say.
I have been a huge Duke basketball fan since attending camp there in 85,86, and 87! We never pull for UNC! I have UNC going pretty deep in all my brackets but would gladly have them ruined to see Carolina lose to Indiana/Arkansas in round 2! Or to Notre Dame/Wash. St. in the Sweet 16! Also, free throws aren't a factor in a 20 point game. Clemson has way too much talent for Nova to be in that game and have it come down to free throws! I do like your finals pick though. I have UNC vs. UCLA in two different pools with UCLA winning it all (it's just not in me to put UNC winning it all. though, I do think they have a terrific shot!)
jon464,
hope your right! if that happens, i should win 3 different pools and gain quite the financial windfall! and that match up would make for a very intense finals game for me! going head to head in a bracket with a buddy for $1000! we both have that match up. he has UNC. i have UCLA!
Last edited by auburnfan365 on March 20th at 8:16 AM.
AUBURNFAN,
Ha ha, I wondered if someone would key in on my "Carolina/Duke" comment. I of course know their dislike for each other, but hey... if you're a smart basketball person that enters a bracket and wants to win your pool... you take UNC far in the tournament. If you want to win, you pull for them to get where you have them. That's basically what I'm getting at, but hey... I'm sure you know that. I'm with you that Clemson has mad talent... they haven't been in this position in a while, and I don't know... something just tells me that 'Nova could surprise some people here, so I went for it. I also wouldn't be shocked to see Clemson go to the Elite 8.
You're exactly right! I must admit that I was pulling for them somewhere inside last Saturday when they were playing to get to the ACC Final on Sunday. Just because I was hoping for another Duke v. UNC game this year! That is, until we blew our afternoon game! And, I think I just have a little bias against your Nova pick. The buddy I have the big bracket with has them beating Clemson and then upsetting Vandy in round 2. I can't have that happen!! Good luck on your brackets though!
p.s. I didn't write earlier but I do love each blog you put out here. Always funny, inciteful, and well written. I'm a big fan of you and my girl Lisa!
Last edited by auburnfan365 on March 20th at 9:04 AM.
AUBURNFAN,
Thanks, I appreciate that... I do hope you will stop by and comment more often so we can talk sports here and there. As for the tournament, good luck to you as well. Who do you have in your Final Four?
REV,
Ha ha... well, I'll lean towards clueless for now. Who knows though... all I can hope for is a really exciting tournament, and one where my bracket isn't busted 'til at least next weekend.
Yeah, tough luck... you know, I could go on and on on that one. He was still playing b'ball that he never really gave PSU an additional chance, but then again... did he really want to?
YEEMUM,
Ahh, yes... very nice. Bravo!
Ha ha, a drink would be good here too. Honestly, if you watch March Madness, I think you'll get hooked. Usually, there are so many exciting games, and having a bracket gets you even more involved. To me, it is like Fantasy Baseball and Fantasy Football.
By the way, I have still been checking out those races... just haven't had much time to write the last week or two, but I should be able to get a bunch more out soon.
REV,
Ha ha, seriously. I'm keeping an eye on that game. That one would hurt me actually. I was tempted on Georgia, but I just figured they may lose their magic after taking a few days off... not so far... yikes.
REV,
Yeah, it really does... you have to wonder what changed. I guess it is amazing what a little confidence can do you for you? One day they're complaining about playing two games on the same day, the next day they're in the dance as a 14 seed... unheard of for a power conference team. The reason I ended up taking Xavier is that they had a lot of the same guys as last year, when they were in the tournament and at the point where they were real close to knocking off Ohio State (should have actually)...
i'm in a ton of brackets! i had to switch things up on some of them. figured if one main team got beat i didn't want to have no chance in all my pools. here are all of my final fours:
1. UNC, Kansas, Texas, UCLA then UNC & UCLA with UCLA winning it all. (Big time $ bracket).
2. Louisville, Kansas, Mich. St., UCLA then Kansas & UCLA with Kansas winning it all.
3. UNC, G'town, Texas, UCLA then UNC & UCLA with UCLA winning it all.
4. UNC, Kansas, Stanford, Duke then Kansas & Stanford with Kansas winning it all.
5. Tennessee, Wisconsin, Memphis, UCLA then Tenn & Memphis with Memphis winning it all.
6. Tennessee, Kansas, Memphis, Duke then Kansas & Duke with Kansas winning it all.
needless to say, i'm pretty high on Kansas and UCLA!
AUBURNFAN,
Wow, you don't mess around! I usually get in a few various brackets myself, but this year... I held back at one. I think maybe part of the reason was because I was thinking about writing more about the tournament, and wanted to stick to one set of picks... plus I decided that with my luck, I might as well save my money... ha ha. Some interesting picks you have there though... I ended up with a Final 4 of North Carolina, Georgetown, Texas, and UCLA.
The only bracket I really care about is the first one listed. UNC, Kansas, Texas, UCLA. UNC and UCLA in final and UCLA winning it (our final four there are pretty similar. i have Kansas beating G'town to get in. great minds think alike, huh? my third bracket is same final four as you!) I'm heads up with a friend of mine for $1000. The others are just $10 & $20 brackets so not too worried about those (as I'm sure you can tell by some of my picks, haha!). And, I think we all know it's only a matter of time before UGA wears down and Xavier makes their move!
Last edited by auburnfan365 on March 20th at 11:15 AM.
AUBURNFAN,
A thousand clams... wow... good luck there.
Xavier has gone on a run... have a five point lead with about three minutes to go. Still, Georgia had similar performances in the SEC tourney, so who knows. For my bracket's sake, I hope Xavier holds on... good opening game though.
I figured I'd go for the Tennessee v. Memphis rematch in one bracket! Also, the Duke v. Kansas rematch from years ago! On some of my brackets I went with the coach. Who has been there done that! Figured Coach K, Petino, Izzo, & Roy were pretty good guys to back! Also, Pearl and Calipari are future HOFers. I'll be looking for your posts throughout the tournament! And, thanks for the luck! As always with March MADNESS, I'm sure I'll need it!
Last edited by auburnfan365 on March 20th at 11:27 AM.
Kev, while I don't agree on Hilltoppers or St Joes, dang it if you didn't make good arguments! I like the thought process, and you may be on to something. I have elite 8 MSU too.
Big surprise here...I have USC and UCLA in finals, purely a homeristic pick, but think UCLA is the best team, their D is stifling, and if SC can beat them, then SC can beat anyone. NICE job!
You better watch out for Michael Beasley and company tonight!! SC would have a very tough route to the finals! K. State tonight then most likely Wisconsin, G'town, Kansas, then UNC!! quite a feat to accomplish! I seem to take your opposite approach! I try to keep Duke (my homer team) away from going too deep in most of my brackets. That way if they keep winning, I'm happy and don't care about my brackets! If they get put out, I'm upset but at least my brackets are still in tact! If I take them deep each year and they get put out, it's lose, lose! ( : I'm too analytical! Also, liked the Tommy A interview I read of yours today! Pretty much like I like everything you post! awwwww!
AUBURNFAN,
Yeah I look at coaching sometimes too... like what Izzo can get out of his teams in the dance... Roy usually does well... and so on. I am expecting a very interesting tournament... decent games so far, with Xavier holding off Georgia and so on.
LISE,
Well, thanks... glad I almost talked you into it.
No way, a Pac 10 final?! Get outta here... ha ha.
I have your USC boys going to the Sweet 16 actually, but they will have their hands full with Beasley, and then potentially a tough defensive Badgers team.
Auburn.... I picked USC not based on anything other than pure homerism. I freely admit it! :) And thanks for your kind words! Kansas doesn't scare me...we lost to them by 3 early in the year when we weren't jelling.
K-State will be interesting if only that they def have the home court advantage. SC will have to score fast to keep the crowd out of it, which they do very well. (Ask UCLA) Good luck to your Duke boys! :)
ksp,
you're right! Izzo gets all of his guys to play! just look at what they did today with their two leading scorers not scoring!
lise,
they definitely have a home court advantage! thanks for the wish good luck to my boyz! i would say the same to you for SC but that would kill every one of my brackets! LOL!
LISE,
I've heard a few others talk about Fullerton being able to surprise WI. Either way, that one doesn't get to me... I have USC in the Sweet 16.
AUBURNFAN,
Ha ha, seriously. Then again, I didn't take 8/9 or 7/10 matches into consideration... only took those seeds if I had them moving on to the Sweet 16. Still, UNLV is giving them a beatdown right now... yikes. 10 points in the first half? Are you kidding me?
ksp,
yeah, good point! although, Butler, Arizona, or West Virginia are potential Sweet 16ers! OMG I hate saying that seeing as two of them are a potential matchup for my Duke squad in the 2nd round! ) :
and why would CBS schedule it to where we get the last few minutes of a 4 vs. 13 seed when we get off work only to watch the full game of a 3 vs. 14 seed after that??! 5:00pm EST Cornell vs. Stanford tip with no others games on until 7:10pm EST??!! Wow, what a perfect time to schedule the K. State vs. USC game! OJ Mayo vs. M. Beasley for the whole nation to watch!
hey ksp,
just noticed your stay puft marshmellow man! what finger is he holding that ball up with? left hand so it seems that the ones bent down would be thumb and index! we all know which one comes next!!! was that a little freudian slip for all the haters of your bracket and upset picks here! hahahaha!
auburn...shame on you for going to work...this week is the biggest sick week of the year. It's like World Cup Soccer when Mexico plays. Nobody works. Go home and come down with the stomach flu...it's going around, ya know. (wink wink)
that was pretty good, I must say, Kev, nicely done. It was fine by me until we got to MSU beating PITT! Naww! It ain't gonan happen, I ahve Pitt going to the Final Four, yes, over Memphis. Maybe I am a homer. Well, I know I'm a homer, but based on all-around performance, I see Pitt making a big run.
Take care! BTW, wil you be cheering for Maryland-Baltimore County to beat G-Twon tomorrow? It says you're from Baltimore. Thanks for this, it gave me a laugh, and if something happens, I'll make sure I give ya a ring. Take care!
I picked Kansas State over USC for the simple reason that they play good together. Tenn and Kansas are my two favs. UCLA will exit early. Texas AM will suprise some as they have real talent and when playing together they are one of the top teams in the nation. Kansas, North Carolina, Tenn, Mempis, and Duke all play simliar styles. Texas is very good, but don't have a bench. The previous teams mention have strong benches. Georgetown should not be forgotten, the dark horse in this. With that, I'm glad it's almost fall, need to get back to football.
AUBURN,
Ha ha...well the logo guy there only has four fingers, so technically that isn't his middle finger. That is the best I could do with Paint to make it happen. Hey, did your Dukies scare you a little last night? That's the best game of the tourney so far.
LISE,
Sorry about your boys... I'm really frustrated about that game, because it was the one I sat on the most. Coming in, I wanted to take K-State all along in an upset, until they drew the matchup with USC... then I was torn. Oh well... I guess Mayo is gone for the NBA huh? Later
MIKE,
Thanks! Well, I guess we agree to disagree this time around, but hey, it happens... especially in the NCAA's. If it makes you feel better, a few people close to me have Pitt in that spot instead of the Spartans. As for the G'Town game, I have the Hoyas in the final four... so until my bracket is busted, I'm rooting for them.
PF,
Thanks! I hope there will be, that's what makes the tourney exciting. I almost chose K-State... planned on it until I saw their draw with USC. Nice pick there...
MATTP,
Almost fall? Ha ha... spring just started man! Hey, I like your enthusiasm there... I can't wait for football either.
Interesting thoughts on your picks... yeah I agree with G'Town, I have them in the Final Four actually.
HUSKER,
Shouldn't "work from home" be in quotes?! I had today off... so fortunately, I didn't have to, but I certainly would have. I was at work yesterday, but believe me, I had March Madness On Demand running. As for Huey Lewis... would you believe I saw him in concert? They were really good actually, and the dude had a maroon leisure suit on or something. Hysterical...
JON,
Hey bro... yeah I haven't done too badly in the opening two days. I still have a few big upsets that could happen this weekend... we'll see how those pan out, but aside from St. Joe's, I did pretty well. I think Louisville will beat OK. Later!
REV,
Nice pick! I was real close on taking Davidson... I did have them beating the Zags... then it was between them or Butler to win in the second round. In that region, I am not crazy about Kansas since they have not been able to reach the next level under Self, then Wisconsin I didn't think had it in them (plus the teams they would have to face)... left me with G'Town who had solid D and a big talented center and solid guard play. So I went G'Town and they had a 17 point lead... oh well. Big win for Davidson... and solid for you. My Butler pick was close... they took it to OT... dang!
Butler looked good, but UT is solid. Looks like they're having some PG problems though. Could be a weakness.
As much as I liked G'town, I think the Jeff Green loss to the NBA was too much for them to overcome. Hibbard should have been more dominant than he was and the team just looked inconsistent. You have to want it this time of year and I never saw that from them.
I disagree with you on Kansas, though. I think they're in the Final 4.
REV,
Well, now they look Final Four bound... Kansas that is. At first though, I didn't think so. How many years have people loved that team in the tourney, and they have not gone as far as their talent should have taken them? You know? Anyway, in my brackets... I need a Kansas upset to help eliminate those points for people, plus have my Michigan State upset pull through later this week. I think Louisville is taking out Tennessee.
If there's something strange in your Midwest Region. 
sense something is missing with this Oklahoma team. There just isn’t a consistent intensity there, and therefore, I have Martelli and the Hawks knocking off Oklahoma in the first round.
ourtney Lee (20.4 PPG). Furthermore, WKU has had some past tournament success as a Cinderella, and who’s to say that it can’t happen again in 2008. I’m banking on it, as the Hilltoppers knock off Drake in round one.
