Madness Predictions, From Start to Finish

There are moments, when men become Men, when the country collectively learns a player's name for the first time, when a team from Southwestern Indiana State University of Los Angeles/Anaheim authors its own Disney fairy tale and dances in the middle of the court while the likes of a Duke hang their heads in astonishment.

These moments happen in March and April, and it all starts again on Thursday ... Saint Patrick's Day.

Inevitably, whether I am in a bar, at work, or on my couch, these games are going to make me act in ways that are generally not considered appropriate for public behavior.

Pillow cushions will be hurled at the television, bar stools will be turned over, fists will be pounded, and vicious taunts will be directed that those foolish enough not to root for the same team as me.

My emotions will be vocalized in yells, screams, cheers, and boos, because sometimes the simple words and phrases of the English language are not enough.

On more than one occasion, I will run around wide-eyed and with mouth agape after seeing a score or a miraculous shot, and I will shake those around me, convinced that somehow they should care as much as I do.

Gunther from accounting, my dog, the girl at the coffee shop, and the cranky old man at the gas station are just a few of the people that will have to deal with my incessant talk of the NCAA tournament. And I will not be discouraged, even when they respond to my monologues with nothing more than blank stares.

Yes, March makes me do crazy things, like a full moon for a young Michael J. Fox.

Suddenly, I'll be leaping off my couch and rushing toward the television, jumping up and down uncontrollably, screaming at inanimate objects, and silently cursing my co-workers.

Because it will be the secretary, choosing teams based on their colors, or Uncle Joe, substituting a spin of an empty Jack Daniel's bottle for bracketology, or your boss's 10-year-old son, who somehow knows more about college basketball than U.S. history, that will win your pool.

You know I'm right.

Regardless, these are the things that make March exciting. Uncle Joe and the empty spirits of a liquor bottle guessing every final four team correct is an upset not unlike a team from Southwestern Indiana State University of Los Angeles/Anaheim putting down North Carolina by double digits.

You not only have to allow for such possible Cinderellas, you have to celebrate them, even if it cost you $100.

As I've said before, I do not extensively follow college basketball through the year. The conference tournaments are generally the time when I start to get pumped up, and this year was no exception.

Over the last week, I've watched a lot of games, and I've come away with a few lessons learned that will guide my tourney picks this year.

1. The success of Duke depends on the success of J.J. Reddick. Personally, I doubt he can carry them through six tough games.

2. North Carolina looked very fallible, flat, and unmotivated. The potential is certainly there for them to turn it on and run circles around whatever opponent happens to be on the floor that day, but it's just a question of whether or not that will happen.

3. Illinois running the table is not only significantly possible, but perhaps the feel-good story of the tournament.

4. The Big 10 could surprise some people. Wisconsin and Iowa are the best candidates besides Illinois to win a couple of games.

5. I don't trust Wake, Boston College, Kentucky, Kansas, or Duke.

6. Florida, West Virginia, Louisville, and Texas Tech are riding hot streaks into the tournament. Winning breeds confidence.

7. Georgia Tech is possibly the most dangerous team in the field of 65. In the last week, they've regained their competitive swagger. They've got that "we've been here before" look in their eyes again.

8. There are legitimately 10-12 teams that have a shot at taking home the title this year.

9. I will not correctly pick the winner.

10. I will not even come close.

For anyone that read my NFL playoff prediction article, you know that my record on these things is not good. However, I will try again, for your amusement, for my embarrassment, and because I have nothing better to do.

Why should I care if my bracket has more red marks on it than my Art History 304 midterm from sophomore year?

Chicago

Round of 32

(1) Illinois
(8) Texas
(5) Alabama
(4) Boston College
(11) UAB
(3) Arizona
(10) St. Mary's (CA)
(2) Oklahoma State

Sweet 16

(1) Illinois
(5) Alabama
(3) Arizona
(2) Oklahoma State

Elite Eight

(1) Illinois
(3) Arizona

Albuquerque

Round of 32

(1) Washington
(8) Pacific
(5) Georgia Tech
(4) Louisville
(6) Texas Tech
(3) Gonzaga
(10) Creighton
(2) Wake

Sweet 16

(1) Washington
(5) Georgia Tech
(3) Gonzaga
(2) Wake

Elite Eight

(5) Georgia Tech
(3) Gonzaga

Syracuse

Round of 32

(1) UNC
(8) Minnesota
(5) Villanova
(4) Florida
(6) Wisconsin
(3) Kansas
(10) NC State
(2) UConn

Sweet 16

(1)UNC
(5) Villanova
(6) Wisconsin
(2) UConn

Elite Eight

(1) UNC
(2) UConn

Austin

Round of 32

(1) Duke
(9) Mississippi St.
(12) Old Dominion
(4) Syracuse
(6) Utah
(3) Oklahoma
(10) Iowa
(2) Kentucky

Sweet 16

(1) Duke
(4) Syracuse
(3) Oklahoma
(10) Iowa

Elite Eight

(4) Syracuse
(3) Oklahoma

Final Four

(1) Illinois
(3) Gonzaga
(2) UConn
(4) Syracuse

Final Game

(1) Illinois vs. (4) Syracuse

National Champion

(1) Illinois

They haven't moved from the top of the polls since they got there, and unlike the other dozen contenders in the nation, Illinois hasn't shown a lack of talent or resolve with the one exception of the Ohio State hiccup.

Inevitably, I'll be wrong, though. And I will subsequently scream at the television and silently curse the person that took Wake all the way.

I love March!