Time to take a stand and pick some teams -- The South

by Truzenzuzex on Mar 19, 2008 6:56 PM EDT in Basketball Comment 12 comments

Moving on down the bracket-busting line, it's time for me to look at the South region.

First of all, I will pick Kentucky to go pretty far. Why? Because I am a die-hard Wildcat fan and whenever I do this, I try to will them further than they aught to go. I offer no apologies for my unrealistic optimism. If I had to fill out a bracket that had Kentucky losing in the first round, I feel sure my penance would be to stand in the smoking areas of Rupp Arena and let patrons who are smokers put their cigarettes out in my unprotected hands.

Self-loathing and masochism aside, here are my choices for the South region:

South:

First round:

Easy ones:

Memphis over Texas Arlington -- I don't need to explain this pick, do I?
Texas over Austin Peay -- I remember when Western and Austin Peay were in the OVC together, and they were our most hated foe. The Governors will not have enough for the Burnt Orange.
Stanford over Cornell -- The Ivy League and the Pac 10 were at opposite ends of the RPI this year, and the Big Red are not big enough for the Cardinal.
Pitt over Oral Roberts -- Oral Roberts hasn't played competition of Pitt's caliber all year.

Tough ones:

Mississippi State over Oregon -- Varnado is the difference. Jamont Gordon needs to play way better than he did against Georgia in the SEC final.
Michigan State over Temple -- I am going against my better judgment here. Sparty is so up and down, they are capable of losing this game by 20 or winning by 30. This is really a coin flip, I have no faith at all in Michigan State's consistency.

Upsets:

St. Mary's over Miami -- This is a very even matchup, maybe even closer than the 8-9 game. I like the Gaels in this one.
Kentucky over Marquette -- I'm betting that Marquette has not seen a team as determined as this, nor a stronger defense

Second Round:

Memphis over MSU -- This will be a much tougher game than the Tigers think.
Pitt over Michigan State -- If inconsistency doesn't get Sparty in the first game, it will get him against a very consistent and hot Pitt team in the second.
Kentucky over Stanford -- Sentimental pick -- so sue me.
Texas over St. Mary's -- Texas is a very good basketball team, and though the Gaels are, too, they are in a tough spot here.

Regional Semifinals:

Memphis over Pittsburgh -- Memphis plays better defense, and that will be the difference.
Kentucky over Texas -- If they can beat the 3, they can beat the 2.

Regional Finals:

Memphis over Kentucky -- You didn't think I was going to put them in the Final Four, did you?

There we go. Comment away.

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Comments

I am going to try something this year

I did a bracket that used Sagarin predictor rating to pick all the ratings...then I did one with the Ken Pomeroy ratings...and another using RPI...Then I really felt like punishing myself when I found this site:

http://www.masseyratings.com/cb/compare.htm

After the tourny I am going to go through that data and track the actual results against those ratings to see which was the most accurate.

Should be interesting.

by sylvar on Mar 19, 2008 7:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

That's cool

Make sure you let us all know the results after the tournament is over.

Looking for a rock to wind a piece of string around.

by JLeverenz on Mar 19, 2008 8:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Kentucky

I take an opposite approach to picking UK in years such as this. I will put them ahead as far as I think is reasonable, then I usually have whichever team that beats them go pretty far, usually to the Final Four in the hopes that UK will pull off the upset and bust the bracket. It's kind of a reverse Murphy's Law.

Looking for a rock to wind a piece of string around.

by JLeverenz on Mar 19, 2008 8:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

16-12 Became 18-13 In 1985

Took 2 upsets over conference champions to do it.

No reason why 18-12 can't become 20-13 (or better).

by FortyYearCatFan on Mar 19, 2008 8:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

My bracket

Me and my Fiance have decided to do some competition. I used my somewhat limited basketball knowledge to do my bracket and she used here non-existant basketball knowledge to do her's. Now it should be interesting to see who comes out on top and hopefully I won't lose too bad.

by adamblowers on Mar 19, 2008 9:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I'll second that, 40!

Yeah, 40!
I'll second that one. John Clay mentioned them today, bringing back a lot of memories ... like the "For Sale" signs in that coach's yard ... wasn't that ol' "12-loss Eddie?" Great games!
Sure, these guys can go 20-13 ... or better ... and they just might!
I watch every game expecting a win - the same way I have watched the Grid Cats for years, despite all odds to the contrary - and am not in the least surprised when Smooth (or Sparks, or whoever) drains a winner, and expect every one from Fitch, etc., to go in!
Doubters were probably wondering why, for instance, Preston LeMaster got to log some serious minutes on Senior Day - until he started raining threes. Many so-called fans didn't even know his name - or face, even - while others were among those who stated publicly that "he didn't deserve to play at Kentucky ... " etc. ...
Smooth says he is cutting down the nets. He just might! As one of my dear Kentucky friends used to say: "Where's the seat belt?"
Go, Cats! The sky is the limit and yours for the taking!

by Way2blue4SorryFairWeatherFew on Mar 20, 2008 12:08 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Hall Coached The 1985 Team

Sutton coached the very same players (except Irving Thomas replaced Bret Bearup) to 32-4 and Elite 8 in 1986.

by FortyYearCatFan on Mar 20, 2008 6:47 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks, 40!

Thanks for the reminder, 40!
I remember the '86 campaign better, for some reason ... and will of course never forget the December 1986 plucking of the Cardinals, "little brother" and raining threes ...
Amazing what a year will do for some players - and I would hazard a guess that the verdict out there would be pretty divided over who was a better coach. Eddie, of course, made a name for himself at Okla. State, where his son is now on the hot seat and rumored to be booted in favor of Billy G. Sounds outrageous, but someone out in Big 12 country claims to have heard that from Few at KU ... though now that Billy is King of the Bluegrass, he may decide to kick off his boots and stay awhile ...
You know, the karma is all in the right places in the South - the finals are in Cat Santonio again, and the last time we were there, we spanked the Cardinal - singular - and the guards at the Alamo would not let their tree mascot guy into the shrine because he was in costume and had a replica coonskin cap from the gift shop stuck on the top of his tree head ... so there is NO WAY those guys are going back to the Final Four this year!
Remember the Alamo (Dome) !!!
A new sheriff is in town - Sheriff Smooth, First Deputy Joe C, and the Three Amigos Jodie, Perry and Ramon!

by Way2blue4SorryFairWeatherFew on Mar 20, 2008 7:13 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I Was On OSU CAmpus last Month

Went there for a training class last week of February.

Talked to AD at basketball game. There is absolutely no truth whatsoever to the Gillispie-2-Okla St rumors.

Directly, first hand from OSU AD himself.

by FortyYearCatFan on Mar 21, 2008 6:16 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

South Region

I like either Texas or Pitt out of this region.(I've picked Texas in most of my brackets)

Memphis' poor free throw shooting, along with their less than stellar half-court offense, will cost them at some point. They're obviously very talented, but the most talented team doesn't always win. I feel they can be had by a team with a strong paint presence and solid guard play. Controlling the tempo is the key to beating Mamphis. That isn't a secret...some coach will find a way.

Darkhorses: Mississippi St. and Michigan St.

by Ken Howlett on Mar 20, 2008 1:54 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

South Region

I have Cornell winning in an upset over Stanford (and OFCOURSE Kentucky taking full advantage of said upset and winning the match up with Cornell). I also have Temple over Michigan State.

by kentuckygirl0724 on Mar 20, 2008 9:32 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs