Sweet 16

Sweet 16 Final "Color Analysis"

Jeepers, the Spartans took that one a little too close to the wire! But then again, they've been doing the cardiac thing all season, with 15 games settled by one possession, including this one. Tennessee dominated UK start to finish.  Wow did Houston escape with their life on that last second shot! Purdue gaven them a helluva fight. And Michigan looked so impressive in the first half. They couldn't sustain. Tremendous run for Dusty May taking an 8-win team last season this deep into the Big Dance. 

Off we go into the Elite 8 with three #1 vs. #2 games and a #1 vs. #3.  Can't remember anything like this with ZERO upsets in the Sweet 16. Last year the first night of the Sweet 16 had 3 of 4 upsets. We could see a majority of #1 seeds in the Final Four... maybe even 4 of them. If that happens, upsets between #1 seeds will be based on overall seeding, starting with Auburn as #1 overall. 

Meanwhile, Hunter held his ground at the top,  as did Mike and Sam. The cluster from 4th through 9th, which is the rest of the money slots, couldn't be any closer. There won't be much available to make up points in the upset ratio column with 1 or 2 points available per game. So having the crystal ball on #1 seeds falling will settle things. Some serious bumping will be going on in the lane in these final 7 games.

And I can't believe we're reaching this point, but with 7 games to go, we're in range to set new all-time records for wins. The current record is 53, set by Bill Kean many years ago when he went 31 of 32 in the first round. No one else has ever hit 50 wins before. Last year's champ, Ed Peper, set the second-highest mark ever at 49. If Hunter can hit 6 of 7 through the Championship, he'll set the new record. The second highest mark will be eclipsed by multiple competitors likely breaking the 50 mark.

It's been "Curious" tourney for sure. Elite 8 pick form his open. Best of luck. 

Sweet 16 Half-Round "Color Analysis"

The first two games were a bit of sleeper, especially as Alabama rolled its scoring Tide all over BYU. Ouch! The second two games were barn burners and those of us looking for Arkansas to upset again were disappointed by a basket. Arizona gave Duke the toughest game thus far, but the Blue Devils are just a machine. Houston and Auburn look equally strong, so all four #1 seeds making the Elite 8 is quite possible.

A lot of competitors went for 4 for 4 Thursday, but only Hunter at the top of the board did, so he's back on top at the half-round. There's quite a mix among the picks for Friday's games, with some folks looking for Kentucky or Michigan or both to upset. Those outcomes could shake up the standings again. Kudos to Derek who did go 4 for 4 and has now climbed 20 spots from 39th after the round of 64 to 19th - the Comeback Kid in the making.

While the Poolmaster would love to see an MSU-U of M Elite 8 game, for the money in this Big Dance, I did go with Auburn. It will be worth missing a point in the competition if the Wolverines pull it off. Go State! Go Blue!