Today, I give my vote for All-Americans (remember, the votes were due before conference tournaments) and give you my picks on first-round upset specials. Tomorrow, I will look more in depth at players who can change the course of the tournament and have my list of must-see games. Thursday, I look at the each region and give my picks for big games and Final Four and then find the key to winning in March from some who have actually been there.
Before I get into the regular part of this column, I just wanted to express my utter disdain for Digger Phelps. I think he's only watched two or three basketball games outside of games he's done for TV, and those games were all replays of Notre Dame's win over Boston College. I can't really understand the picks he makes, like his prediction that Pittsburgh and Georgia Tech will meet in the round of 16.
Honestly, has he ever seen a basketball game that didn't involve someone from the Big East or ACC? I have to admit; I do think Digger is right on with his final four picks of UNC, Notre Dame, Boston College, and someone who played Notre Dame.
All-Americans
Dee Brown, Illinois — This vote was obvious, as I think he's the best player for the best team in the country (at least he's had the best year). I loved his style of play the very first time I saw the Illini live and that was at the ACC/Big 10 Challenge against Wake Forest. He is a playmaker (see Michigan, where his three steals secured their great comeback win. I know it's been said before, but that was the best minute and a half of college ball this year) and a great scorer. He's a team player and doesn't try to be bigger than the team. If I'm starting a basketball team, he's one of the first guys I take.
Chris Paul, Wake Forest — It's hard to ignore a player who's going to get a lot of consideration for POY. The reason he makes my list is because he has matured a great deal since last year and is going to have a fantastic tournament. There was talk that he wasn't the best player on that team (many "experts" thought Gray was better), but that just isn't the case. Paul has bulked up some and is starting to play great defense, which are great attributes to go with his innate ability to score and get the ball to people at the right time. Just a great leader.
Andrew Bogut — A complete player and probably will win POY. There isn't much that needs to be said of his game, other than he plays his best basketball under pressure and is the best big man in college basketball.
Chuck Hayes — Chuck is one of my favorite players in college basketball. He's undersized at 6-6, but what he lacks in size he more than makes up in heart (see another one of my favorite players, Washington's Nate Robinson). He does everything he needs to do for his team to win and is the ultimate competitor. I think Kentucky's play-by-play broadcaster, Tom Leach, said it best when he said the greatest part of Hayes' game is simply his will to win.
Wayne Simien — Many see this is a questionable pick, but Simien is one of the strongest players in the country. I think he's the best post player in the country and that there are very few players who can really contain him. He is the backbone of that great Kansas team; a team I think is going to the championship game.
Upset Specials
Every year, there are upsets that most people don't pick and it ruins their brackets. This year, I'm going to help you out and give you my picks for first round upset specials, free of charge.
Ohio over Florida — I'm not going to lie, this may be a stretch. My biggest problem with Florida is that they have somehow deceived everyone into thinking they are a great team. They aren't. They found the key to beating Kentucky and basically parlayed that into a four-seed. Ohio will give them trouble down low with MAC freshman of the year Leon Williams. Florida usually chokes, and if they do, this will be one of those games that makes you look like a genius, while risking very little.
Even if Florida wins this one, they are out the next round to Villanova. Allan Ray and Curtis Sumpter are too much for the Gators and first-round picks are usually more for flare over substance, what's really important is getting the Sweet 16 and deeper rounds right.
NC State over Charlotte — Most people don't consider a No. 10 over a No. 7 a huge upset, I'm just putting this in here because I think NC State is primed for a run. Julius Hodge was a legit POY contender early in the year, but ran into a few mental problems. Now that he has himself together and his team is playing strong, look for Hodge to go off and for NC State to upset an overrated UConn team in round two. More on this Thursday.
Note — Ztay away from taking Old Dominion over Michigan State, Tom Izzo will have his team ready. Also stay away from Vermont over Syracuse. It's intriguing on paper, but Boheim's team has too much experience and will get past the first-round.
George Washington over Georgia Tech — This is a big-time shocker, as it seems everyone is all over Georgia Tech right now. I understand they played a strong tournament in the ACC, but I think that GW matches up well with the yellow jackets. The Colonials will run and they know what it takes to beat quality teams (Maryland and Michigan State). I like their depth and I think that Pops Mensah-Bonsu will be the key to the game. I understand the love affair with Georgia Tech, but something just screams GW in this game. Maybe it's the fact that everyone and their brother have Georgia Tech in the Elite Eight or beyond.
Wisconsin-Milwaukee over Alabama — The thing that concerns me is that Alabama's biggest win is against Charlotte. I've seen tape of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's Ed McCants (cousin of Carolina's Rashad) and he will be the key to this upset. There is seemingly nothing he can't do, and I think that Alabama just won't be together mentally in this one. I like 'Bama's team, I really do, I just think that McCants will shock them and they won't respond well to going down early by 10 or more.
Mark Chalifoux is also a weekly columnist for SportsFan Magazine. His columns appear every Tuesday on Sports Central. You can e-mail Mark at [email protected].
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