As I look over the 2003 NCAA Division I men’s basketball
championship brackets, there is one school that stands out above
the rest. Not because they are No. 1 in the polls and not because
they are from my home state.
As I look over the 2003 NCAA Division I men’s basketball championship brackets, there is one school that stands out above the rest. Not because they are No. 1 in the polls and not because they are from my home state. But because I have no idea what IUPUI stands for.
The answer is – Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis.
Is that two schools in one?
No, it is the Jaguars – the Mid-Continent Conference Champions who are making their very first NCAA appearance.
Unfortunately, IUPUI has to play the Midwest bracket’s top seed Kentucky, the favorite to win the whole thing.
But we all know nothing is a lock in the Big Dance.
My almamater – the University of Wisconsin – received a No. 5 seed in the Midwest and will play No. 12 Weber State in the opening round. For those filling out brackets, the No. 5-No. 12 games are usually full of upsets. Hopefully, my Badgers can scratch that idea. But even so, two consecutive wins and Wisco will face Kentucky in the Sweet 16. Go Badgers!!
Everyone has a favorite team, and if you don’t, pick one. It makes it a lot more interesting. I’m not talking about the Dukes, Arizonas, and Kentuckys of the nation – but a true underdog, a small school with a chance. Albeit, a slim one – but every school has a chance.
Any Stanford alums?
The No. 4 seed in the South bracket, the Cardinal, will have an intrastate match-up against No. 13 San Diego. I’ll take the upset on that one, but what do I know anyway?
I haven’t won this thing ever. But don’t tell anyone because I am a sports writer. Dickie ‘V’ says Kentucky – ooh, he’s gone out on a limb with that pick. However, it doesn’t matter how many sports experts you consult or sports Web sites you visit because everyone has a different opinion on who’s going all the way. Just check it out if you don’t believe me.
While the Cardinal head south, the California Bears got the No. 8 seed in the East bracket and will face No. 9 NC State.
Is there home court advantage? Do the teams that don’t travel as far have the best chance because there’s no jet-lag factor? Hmmm, you just can’t tell these days.
I must admit I haven’t watched many college hoops games besides my Wisconsin Badgers – the Big Ten Champions. But the less you know the better.
The teams go from the top seed, No. 1, to the lowest seed, No. 16. There are four separate brackets that clash in the Final Four. But that doesn’t mean the better seed is always going to win.
That’s the beauty of March Madness. It makes you mad just filling out the brackets. Then, all of a sudden you need a No. 11 Central Michigan to upset No. 3 Duke in the Sweet 16. The worst thing that can happen though, is when you’ve got No. 1 Oklahoma going all the way and they lose in the first round. Game over, not exactly.
The strangest conundrum of this year’s tournament is Brigham Young University – the Morman school that could possibly mess up every office pool in the country if they make it to the Regionals. Why? Well if you haven’t heard, no BYU team plays on Sunday, not ever. I guess there were no Mormans on the selection committee. But the ingenius solution is if BYU goes to the Regionals in the South, then they will switch with a team in the Midwest bracket that has its game not scheduled for Sunday.
Confused? So am I, so let’s just hope No. 5 Connecticut does the job. Otherwise, I’ll need those sheets back to alter the brackets.
As the tournament grows deeper, some teams surprise, others disappoint, and a few go as expected. There are no formulas or strategies to follow. If you know one, let me know so I can get this monkey off my back and pick the winner.
Here are my top picks for team names of the tournament: Southern Illinois Salukis; Vermont Catamounts; Austin Peay Governors; Central Michigan Chippewas; San Diego Toreros; Tulsa Golden Hurricane; and Wake Forest Demon Deacons.
The Western Illinois Leathernecks didn’t get in, but there’s always next year.
