Monday, March 13, 2006

How to own your office bracket

It's pretty simple actually, you will need the following:
A bracket, an RPI site, an abacus and/or TI-82, an Aztec calendar, a copy of "The Art of War" and a bottle of Jameson (and maybe an expert opinion or two). Remember, it's not about how much you know, it's about how much more you don't know. Think too much and you might as well just throw your $5 away on something frivolous like food. It helps if you have no emotional attatchment and any of that pesky "I've been watching X team for Y number of years" mindest holding you back to any of the teams, so I'm in luck this year. First rounds, here we go. Keep in mind, 9 seeds over 8's hardly counts as an upset. This is when working with UK homers will pay off (hopefully). So look for good mismatches from the RPI standpoint and take 'em. Also, 10's over 7's is child's play (well, at least in NCSU's and UNI's cases). Can I pick Alabama and sleep well at night or do I pick them and secretly hope they lose, still screwing me? That's where the Jameson comes in. Same goes for 11's over 6's. Stick with the highest RPI'd 11's and take at least one. A few are no-brainers. Then, there's the ever-so-popular 12-5 matchup. It happens EVERY YEAR. And at least one 12 usually makes it to the Sweet 16. Again, take the least lopsided matchup or top rated #12 and go for broke. This brings us to the most intriguing of the predictable upsets: Kansas going out early. This year they play Bradley in the first round, and by the RPI #'s, it's not that bad. Flip a coin, more Jameson, just don't put too much thought or reasoning in it, because it just doesn't matter in the tourney. This could set up a problematic second round matchup if neither long shot pays off, but don't sweat it. The second round should be slightly less crazy. Now is when the late-season trends can pan out. Think Tennessee is way overseeded? Think Gonzaga is an overhyped media darling? Still amazed how Texas gets to play its first rounds in their home state (at least this time it has the veneer of being earned) Ditch 'em in the Sweet 16/Elite 8 rounds. As for the later rounds, historically the Big 12 and SEC have a history of going down early (my alma mater is a prime example). Just something to keep in mind. In the late rounds, stick with the big boys. Also remember that the Final Four is never all of the #1 seeds. Other than that, you're on your own. And just remember that the secretary that bases her pics on which mascot could win in a fight will probably win it all, anyways.

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