Okay, fair warning. I did no real prep for this post. At least nothing like I normally do. But I have a duty to the world to tell you what I THINK might happen over the next three weeks in the annual March Madness extravaganza south of the border. And no more chalk picking in this year of upsets (including a Saturday last month that featured the top six teams losing and seven of the top ten overall .... in ONE DAY!). Anybody who tells you they KNOW who's going to win it all this year is full of leftover hot sauce.
Also, I remind you that simply being one of one million that pick Gonzaga to go one step further this year is going to get you nothing worth anything at all. Nope. Be adventuresome. Like me. I'm calling for two of the one-time top-ranked teams to meet in the final, with the Auburn Tigers doing what Baylor did last year in becoming a first-time champion. But not at Gonzaga's expense. I DO think Gonzaga makes the Final Four, but they have to buy tickets to the final when Purdue upsets them in the West vs East semi-final. Auburn will have to climb over the fastest climber this month in the Tennessee Vols.
Auburn, not Kansas (one of the teams that disappoint me regularly since I last won a TShirt and a Laptop for backing them to the title ... many, MANY years ago), wins in the Midwest. It'll be a largely chalk region with #9 Creighton and #11 Iowa State (going from two wins LAST year to the second round) pulling off the only upsets prior to Auburn dunking Kansas in the regional final. Texas Southern earns their way into the tournament proper with a win over Corpus Christi.
While Gonzaga marches to the Final Four out of the West, it'll be Alabama on a march to the Elite Eight ending a strong season for Texas Tech AND the Hall of Fame coaching career of Coach K and the Duke Blue Devils. I like #10 Davidson's international cast and crew to join with #9 Memphis in other West upsets. Rutgers and Ron Harper Jr. over Notre Dame in the first four.
Why NOT Gonzaga?? It's a weird reason. In addition to Kansas and Tom Izzo, I've had a predilection for picking Florida and being disappointed. And disappointed. And disappointed. And who's the engine that drives the Gonzaga team? Why ex-Florida guard Andrew Nembhard, a Canuck to be proud of. 'nuff said. Really, THAT is the reason.
I also think that Purdue has the size to contend with Chet Holmgren and Drew Timmie along the Zags' front line when it comes to the Final Four. That's because of another good 'ol Canadian boy, Zach Edey. He'll split time with Trevon Williams as he has all year long and hope Jaden Ivey has a game for the ages when it matters (almost) the most. I don't have any issues predicting Purdue over Kentucky just because it's John Calipari and nothing makes me happier than predicting no second week for the Wildcats. It'll take Oscar Tshiebwe getting out-rebounded for the FIRST time all year to happen, but that's what I'm calling to happen. After handling The Big O, I think Purdue will then shock the defending champions Baylor who have shocked by being number one at times this year again and grabbing a one seed. The only other upset will be #9 Marquette over North Carolina.. I'm taking Indiana over Wyoming in the First Four.
I think injuries play a part in the only two upsetting squads in the South. Definitely Ohio State is in tough with #10 Loyola of Chicago, the darlings of Sister Jean. The top-seeded Arizona Wildcats, featuring Canadian Benedict Mathurin, are handling their injuries better, but I had Houston beating them BEFORE I got the injury report. But then again, I DID know of the uncertain comeback from injury by André Curbelo which sets up Illinois to be upset by Houston to set up the follow-up upset of 'Zona. Having run off two higher seeds, Houston will run out of steam against Tennessee. Wright State gets my First Four nod over Bryant just because I can't stand the nation's leading scorer getting another game to make a mockery of the sport. I really, REALLY hate the antics of Peter Kiss.
So, Houston, Alabama and Purdue to spoil OTHER brackets, not mine. And congrats in advance to Auburn and Jabari Smith, along with coach Bruce Pearl.
