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March Madness 6 - My "Expert" Picks

At ESPN, Bill Simmons does a March Madness Countdown, ranking in inverse order his choices for the tourney. I liked that approach and decided to adopt it here.

But first, let me tell you who I pick to win it all - the Florida Gators. In large part, because the Florida Gators are my team - grew up in Florida bleeding Orange and Blue (and no I did not attend the university) - I am a blind partisan charter member of the Gator Nation. But I also think there are good reasons for picking the Gators. Andy Katz lays them out:

the Gators have -- when they're playing up to their potential -- the top starting five in the country in juniors Al Horford, Joakim Noah, Corey Brewer and Taurean Green and senior Lee Humphrey. They have the experience of winning a title. They have a coach in Billy Donovan who won a title a year ago and coached for the championship in 2000. But there's more here than the numbers. This selection goes deeper. The reason the Gators will win the title is because of their kinship. Sure, there have been plenty of other tight teams, but in the past 17 years, I don't remember seeing one this enmeshed . . .

Gators win it all again, because they are ALL team. Now for my countdown on the flip.

The first 32 out will be:

Jackson State (No. 16 seed), Eastern Kentucky (16), Central Connecticut State (16), Niagara (16), North Texas (15), Weber State (15), Belmont (15), Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (15), Miami-Ohio (14), Penn (14), Wright State (14), Oral Roberts (14), New Mexico State (13), Albany (13), Holy Cross (13), Davidson (13), ODU (12), Long Beach State (12), Arkansas (12), VCU (11), George Washington (11), Texas Tech (10), Creighton (10), Villanova (9), Xavier (9), Arizona (8), Marquette (8),UNLV (7), Indiana (7), Notre Dame (6), Louisville (6), Virgina Tech (5).

So who loses? All the 13s, 14s, 15s and 16s. 3 12s. 2 11s. 2 10s. 2 9s. 2 8s. 2 7s. 2 6s. 1 5.

We'll plot the next round later tonight.

< Wednesday Open Thread | Crystal Ball: Gonzo Is Toast >
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  • Display: Sort:
    Good, my darkhorse (Duke) is still alive. n/t (5.00 / 1) (#2)
    by cal11 voter on Wed Mar 14, 2007 at 03:30:57 PM EST


    Why lefty liberals should root for the Gators (none / 0) (#1)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Wed Mar 14, 2007 at 02:29:20 PM EST
    They share similar beliefs, even some political ones that please Noah's passionate views of peace and spiritual strength. And even though it's one photo, one image, you should see how much the players revere the photo of them celebrating the national title last season. The picture is framed and positioned in the hallway toward the players' rooms, just off the kitchen. They see it every morning. They look at it every night. They can't miss it.


    What about conservatives? (5.00 / 1) (#3)
    by Slado on Wed Mar 14, 2007 at 05:08:47 PM EST
    Can we love the Gators too?

    Parent
    Good stuff, Slado (5.00 / 1) (#4)
    by glanton on Wed Mar 14, 2007 at 05:23:21 PM EST
    :-)

    Someone on an earlier, related thread (it may have been you), pointed out that this tournament matters a lot, in large part because of its unifying effect on Americans.  That's a great point.  

    Consider this.  These threads have represneted the only moment I can recall where you and I have had enjoyable, agreeable, snark-free exchanges. Of course that's the nature of political blogs on the internet; if we knew each other we'd probably discover all kinds of things in common.

    In cheerful defense of BTD however I have to  say that politicizing the teams in jest can be tons of fun.  Me, I frequently disparage Duke basketball as an elite bastion of white privileged Republicanism, and I do it with relish even though I don't take it that seriously.

    Parent

    It was in jest of course (none / 0) (#5)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Wed Mar 14, 2007 at 07:59:12 PM EST
    and is a joke intended for kossacks who recall my arguing for the Gators being the dkos team.

    Parent