Dr. Hoops

Picking up my dribble with nowhere to pass.

If no one is in the gym, does shooting 90% really matter? Just hours away from the Women's National Championship game (UConn, but closer than you think...and when I mean closer, I mean within 18 Pts), I sit down to write my final comments. Based on the clicks and hits Dr. Hoops got this year, I may just write next years blog in a bottle and send it out to sea -- it would get more readers. But, I am an artist and I do this without regard for its commercial success or viability. I have the luxury of writing what I want and not trying to please any studio execs.

Thanks to my two readers and sounding boards: Ed and Dave. While I do it without you every year, your opinions help me shape the blog. I mean, sort of like Glen Beck's opinions -- I disregard them. Nevertheless, it's good to have a variety of views.

Jon, well, Jon I wish you moved to London five years ago. I couldn't be happier.

Henry in Winchester. H, sorry I didn't work you into the rotation enough this year. You are a valuable part of our staff. Your BC/BU/Northeastern/UMASS and Michigan updates were invaluable. I know your mom gets mad when you watch too much basketball and thus I kept your workload to a minimum. One piece of advice while I'm at it: If you want to get back in the good graces of your mom, design an eco-friendly, affordable, chic, sophisticated, sassy -- and of course reusable -- NCAA tournament bracket that doubles as a potholder that's not so feminine that your partner won't use it. Even better if it's tweet-able. Look for a bigger role again next year.

iCarly, your consistent picks and rebounding made all the difference. I am a great shooter -- when given space. Thanks for creating 23 minutes of space for me everyday. We lived life and breathed air and yes, somehow we got there.

Sam, Charlie and Ava: The 1984 Georgetown press ain't got nothing on you. You force me to use all my timeouts in the 1st half of every day -- a talent few teams possess. Especially you Sam. You pick up fouls quicker than Greg Kite. Combined, you are a match-up no team wants to face. Alone, you are a match-up no team wants to face.

Once again, no great endeavor is done alone. While I may be the the bread and the peanut butter, this couldn't have been spread around without my editor and mother of my children, ACS. I've never been more proud of you, or respected you more. Not because you support the entire team hoops or raise the little hoopsters, but because you picked Butler to go to the Final Four. Unbelievable. Let's renew our marriage vows this week while the iron is still hot.

Goodnight one and well, one. We'll see you and the 96 teams next year.

Final Pool Standings

Blue chipper Giefer victorious:

1. Ed: 131
2. Healey: 115
3. Mrs. Hoops: 110
4. Penn: 89
5. Pullano: 70
6. Siobhan: 66
7. Arthur: 65
8. Mr. Hoops: 65
9. Joe: 55
10. Turner: 52
11. Jon: 0

They will remember who finished 2nd

What a game. What a game. As my secretary Dave Penn said tonight - they will remember who finished 2nd, not who won this one. Amazing that Butler missed so many shots and STILL had a chance to win it. Duke was outDUKED tonight. That is, they didn't get any of the calls. I don't remember one dunk, one chest beat - a.k.a. I just made a shot look how much heart I have...was there a fast break? It was like an old school Don Bosco game - poor shooting, team defense and most of the play below the rim.

Can I just pretend that half court shot went in?

Giefer wins pool and has plenty of vacation time to enjoy his winnings

Congratulations to ETG17 for picking Duke and taking home yet another victory in an NCAA pool. Giefer has been dominant in pools the past ten years and may be banned from participating next year.(No link between his "government hours" and prognostication success has been made - although an investigation is underway.)

Giefer, who considers himself a Dukie, said he was "really happy for Coach K and the kids."

At the half

Not the most perfect game thus far - but still shaping up to be a classic. If you are pulling for Butler and you should be - you better worry about Ed Giefer look-a-like Kyle Singler getting hot in the 2nd. Butler letting down Dr. Hoops with so many missed free throws. MAKE YOUR FREE THROWS.

Did Clark Kellog say some of the Butler players went to class today? Wow. How many Kentucky players went to class today...1?

As for Duke - HAMMER IT INTO THE POST and get those guys in foul trouble.That damn dome kills the noise - should be much more intense crowd.

Finally, one more game

I admit it, I'm sick of watching basketball. I would rather be watching House Hunters International and trying to guess which one they pick: "the one close to the market, or the one with the art studio for her." By the way - don't they all love to entertain? Can they please come up with a better joke than, "my clothes will fit in this closet but I don't know where my husband's are going?"  I digress. On to tonight's game:

Butler/Duke: Watching Duke completely destroy WVU Saturday made me think I wasn't even going to watch the game tonight. Duke -- suddenly -- looks so superior to any team in the country why would I pick against them? Well, I am going to. Butler had an answer for Syracuse, KState and Michigan State. As good as Duke? No...but tough match-ups for them. Duke is long and will kill them on the boards, but I don't think Butler will shoot as poorly as they did against MSU AND (I never thought I would say this) there is no one in Indianapolis that can stop Gordon Haywood. Seriously, he will be the best player on the floor tonight. I think his play -- and a whole lot of magic -- brings it home for the Bulldogs.

Pool Standings as of Monday, April 5th

1. Mrs. Hoops: 110 - Kansas over Duke

2. Ed: 99 - Duke over Kansas

3. Penn: 89 - Kansas over Duke

4. Healey: 83 - Duke over OSU

5. Pullano: 70 - None

6. Siobahn: 66 - none (correction from previous week)

7. Arthur: 65 - none

8. Dr. Hoops: 65 - none

9. Joe: 55 - none

10. Turner 52 - none

11. Jon: 51 - no game, I mean none

Yes - her name IS Cinderella

We still talk about Villanova and North Carolina State as Cinderella stories and yet you are hearing "experts" downplay the Butler run. They have the same number of scholarships - they'll tell you. They play a big-time schedule - they'll tell you. They were ranked in the top ten at one point this year - they'll tell you. OK. How many Butler's (smaller schools from non power conferences) have made it to a Final Four the past 25 years. Yeah - you're done counting already. Sure, we had George Mason. Indiana State and Penn come to mind in 1979. Um - let's see..a few more maybe.

Nova and NC State came from the Big East and ACC respectively. Um - good conferences I think. Give Butler their do. If they win it all, it will be the best college basketball story in 40 years. Period. When Coppin State or Winthrop make the Final Four then we can minimize this story.

Which team will find the(ir) basket?

It's time to oversimplify it for my New Jersey readers: You make shots, you win the game. Whichever team can put it in the basket this Easter weekend will be hopping in a celebration parade later next week. Those that crack - like an egg - well, you get the picture. (Pretty clever eh? Hop, Egg, Basket...)

Here is who will hop-a-long to Monday night's Championship game:

MSU/Butler: I have preaching that you don't bet against Tom Izzo. Well - slight change in plans. I think the MSU gritty, tough, we just want it more game plan fails tonight. I think tonight is about skill - offensive a little bit of luck. Butler has the edge in both departments and they also have every non-MSU grad cheering for them. If Butler can adjust to shooting in a dome (I think you find the dimensions at Lucus Oil Stadium are the same as in our gym back in Hickory...) then they play Monday night.

WVU/Duke: I am still working on my apology letter to Coach K for ripping him so much over the years. He'll go down, just behind Wooden, as the greatest college coach ever. Classy, kids go to class and he brought back the gold medal. Duke is going to shoot better than Kentucky and that means Duke is going to Championship game. 

Gus "Gaga" Johnson

I am a Gus Johnson fan. No - not the late Baltimore Bullet and high school teammate of Nate Thurmond. Gus Johnson the announcer. I love the enthusiasm, passion and uncanny ability he has to make a Northwestern/Iowa Wednesday night game seem like the National Championship. Sure, he steps over the line and adds his opinion in a way that would make Curt Gowdy cringe and he has plenty of haters - but I'll take him over Jim Nantz any game. That said, what's with the glasses? As our intern Ed said - "who does he think he is - Lady Gaga?"

"AND NOW - back to the Big Ten's greatest games: Indiana/Minnesota football, Oct. 23rd, 1999."

Tar Heels in Championship

This is no April Fools joke - although it sounds like one. The North Carolina Tar Heels are in the championship game tonight...of the NIT. My, my, my - or as Ted Robinson would say - "You never thought you would hear these words: North Carolina is going to the NIT Championship."

40 long days and nights

Jesus may have had to live in the desert eating grubs and bugs, but did he ever have to give up Pepsi? Sunday can't come soon enough.

Margie from Mesa prays, I mean weighs in

In response to my post about Joe Mauer signing, Margie reacted swiftly and effectively with a cheap shot about my prognostications. She writes:

I have been telling you all your life that prayer works. You should have asked me to pray for your picks as well!

Mom, well played and quick witted. Sad you weren't able to pass those skills along to your daughters.

Recap of Sunday's games

Duke/Baylor: Anti-Duke conspiracy theorists will argue that the Bears got jobbed by the always pro-Duke refs. While I do think history will show that the Dukies usually get the calls, I think this was more a matter of Duke hanging in, staying tough and hitting two huge threes when it mattered most. When I was shooting jumpers last night -- alone -- some guy from Baylor came out of nowhere and blocked MY shot. All of a sudden they had Hakeem Olajuwon in the paint. Wow. Note to Baylor: Don't get a technical in the last minute of the game.

Michigan State/Tennessee: Another game MSU should have lost -- but didn't. They are always tougher than their opponent and only when they meet a much more talented team do they lose. Nobody in the FF will outwork them (not even you WVU) and even with their injuries I would continue to bet Tom Izzo. Tennessee, you just can't go to the Final Four with those uniforms.

No more Palm this Sunday

I know I'm getting old, but I can't stand how much players travel using the carry or palming of the ball. It sickens me. Evan Turner of Ohio State is one of the most egregious violators, but he's not alone. When you watch the games today, think to yourself, "could I have made that move in 1989? Could I have held the ball up in the air for 2 seconds and then crossed over when I played?" The answers will be no and no.

I thought about where some of my friends would be today if they had carried it during their playing days. Here's a look at what might have been:

Joe McNamara: Today he's a respected architect, Washington, D.C. With carry? Running a fishing boat called "Turnaround Floater" off the coast of North Carolina, using his celebrity status as a 15-year Charlotte Bobcat and 4-time NBA sixth man of the year to attract clients.

Tom Turner: Today he's a respected architect, New Jersey/Washington, D.C. With carry? Finishing up 18 year career as a reserve in the Puerto Rican leagues and teaching orthodox theology at San Juan University.

Rich Killeen: Today he's a respected architect, Philadelphia. With Carry? Never a fan favorite, but respected by his teammates, Killeen spent 11 years with the New Jersey Nets as the "bring your lunch pal to work" everyday rebounding machine for Garden State team.

Jon Tiongson: Today he's a respected lawyer and contracts manager in the biotech industry, Windsor/Boston. With carry? Respected lawyer and contracts manager in the biotech industry.

Ed Giefer: Today he's a respected finance professional with the DC Government. With carry? 13 year slasher for the Golden State Warriors and lead spokesperson for the Bay Area group "An elbow isn't an elbow unless the ref calls a foul."

Wow, what could have been.

A day of rest, but not for Hoops

Get your Sunday walks and trips to the market done and then settle into two more tough-to-pick-em games. Here's how I see it today:

MSU/Tennessee: Nice run for Bruce Pearl and the headband bunch, but you are NOT going to get me to pick against Tom Izzo. I think the continued stellar play of Korie Lucious will be the difference, if ever so slight.

Duke/Baylor: Scott Drew is trying to become the Duke of the Southwest and today I think he takes a huge leap with a minor upset of Coach K. Unless Jon Scheyer gets out of his shooting slump in a big way, Baylor seems ready -- in their home state and with Homer in the stands -- to take the next step. Also, I think Drew's no swearing policy for him and his players gives him the karma edge on Palm Sunday. Baylor by a bucket.

Kentucky players join Local 112

After shooting just 12% (known in some circles as the "Turner percentage") from behind the 3 pt line, the Wildcats looked like they were trying out for the Bricklayers Union. Four minutes into their contest against WVU, I was about to sit down and write a 50-page testimonial saying how great Kentucky is and how I've never seen a better freshman than John Wall. I get up to get Mrs. Hoops some dinner and minutes later West Virginia is in charge, never to look back. Now I'm working on my apology letter to Coach Huggins for all those times I called him a terrible coach.

This Butler won't wait on anyone

The Bulldogs kept the little guy dream alive yesterday when they outlasted a physical and athletic K-State team that was playing like a team destined for the Final Four. This Dr. was impressed with Butler's toughness and offensive rebounds. Good news for Butler and their fans -- they will play either a 5 seed in Michigan State or 6 in Tennessee at Lucas Oil Stadium next week. Not exactly David vs. Goliath. They D you up, shoot the 3 and take care of the ball. So simple and so effective.

Healey out of pool -- again

Micheal B. Healey, known simply as "HEALEY!" to his friends, has officially, mathematically and philosophically fallen out of yet ANOTHER pool where the results can be verified. Healey claims to have won such competitive pools as "Lucky Magazine 2002," "Edina Theater 1998," "The Ashland Allcomers Pick Em 1994" and the "Moliére Tour of 2000," however the Hoops staff has never been able to verify the results. Healey, an avid ultimate frisbee player, could not be reached for comment and our calls to his ACORN offices were not returned.

Finally, you can focus on all the games

With just two games today and then again tomorrow, finally you can watch all the games. No more "back to Greg in New York for a look-in." Here how it will play out...I think:

West Virginia/Kentucky: I suspect these are the only two schools left in the tournament that have banjo contests -- except that you mail your vote in, snail mail style. No matter. I think Kentucky prevails. Too much talent and West Virginia has to be getting tired after the brutal Big East tournament and injuries. I was impressed how Kentucky handled Cornell with the world against them. More mature than I thought. Remember, youth doesn't always hurt...Magic (sophomore), Isaiah (sophomore), Carmelo (freshman), "Never Nervous" Pervis Ellison (freshman)...and maybe John Wall (freshman) too.

Butler/K-State: K-State may play harder than anyone in the country. Hey, you would too if you played for that coach. What is he doing coaching basketball? Shouldn't he be leading a team of rangers into the mountains of southern Pakistan on some "unofficial" mission? Damn intimidating I say. Now that I've given him his due -- I'm taking Butler. The story is too good. Not Indiana, not Purdue, not Indiana State, not Notre Dame. Butler to the Final Four. Wow.

New sheriff in town

A few years ago, the Baylor basketball team was deadly off the court. Now they are ON the court -- a much better choice. Scott Drew has worked wonders at Baylor and they're positioned to upset Duke on Sunday. Baylor as a Final Four team...hard to imagine. The school that gave us Vinnie "microwave" Johnson is certainly heating up at the right time.

Tennessee is breaking my HD

My HD can't handle Tennessee's uniforms. Too bright. Note to Evan Turner: When three guys are on you, and you need a three, and one the best (if not the best) three point shooters in the country is standing off to your right, wide open, in probably the most comfortable spot to shoot a three -- the top of the key -- pass him the ball. THAT is what great players do. That way your last shot at Ohio State would not have been blocked and you might be playing Sunday.

Just like Izzo

The way Northern Iowa played last night I thought they were being coached by Tom Izzo -- tough, in-your-grill defense, back down to no one. Very impressive, even in a loss. I think UNI would be in the game 10 out of 10 times. Not one of those guys was recruited by any big schools...the athletic directors and coaches at Iowa and Iowa St. and Minnesota should wonder if they will have jobs on Monday: "If UNI can win and play like that why can't our guys!?"

Correction: Jordan Crawford, not Jamal

Sorry Mr. Crawford, you dunk on Lebron and put up numbers like that - I should get your name right.

Bulldogs good, no ifs, ands or BUTs

Yeah, whatever I said about Bulter last weekend? Wrong. They beat a very good (not great, but very good) Syracuse team. They can beat KState -- and frankly, they could win the whole damn thing. This Indianapolis school could be playing minutes from their campus at the Final Four next weekend. "Hickory, Hickory..."

K-State in a classic

I think Jamal Crawford's OT three (in the first OT) was from about 40 feet. I only saw the last three minutes of regulations and the OTs -- but maybe the best game I've seen in five years.

WVU/Kentucky set

Wow, which coach do I root against? Who is less likable, Darth Vader or Lex Luther? Which one? I think I pull for Huggins and WVU. This week Memphis lost their appeal and had all their games voided the year they went to the championship game. Calipari? He new nothing about it. The troubles at UMass under his watch? He new nothing about it. Charles Rangel would be proud.

Drakkar Noir sales spike in Salt Lake

Analysts are crediting the arrival of Syracuse fans for the sudden spike in area Drakkar Noir sales. Said regional sales manager Dave Sullivan, " We would have hit our yearly numbers in just this weekend had the Orange not lost to Butler." 

New York City/New Jersey readers to get their blog

Due to the overwhelming number of requests from my New York City/New Jersey area readers, I'm pleased to announce we're adding a Dr. Hoops NIT, Collegeinsider.com and College Basketball Invitational (CBI) blog next year so you may follow your favorite teams.

Just like my shooting percentage

It feels like I'm walking down Wall St. at 4:01 pm EST, October 29, 1929. Ouch, what a day. I called my insurance guy to see if any of my picks were covered...a resounding no. Two for 8. And how about Cornell and their virtual cheerleaders, destroying a Bo Ryan coached team like that? Unbelievable.

You can go home now, Mom. Mauer signed an extension

My mother has been at Our Lady the Redeemer of Great Batting Averages in Ft. Meyers for the last month holding a vigil for Joe Mauer. The mere thought of Joe Mauer leaving the Twins sent her running, rosary in hand, to the chapel nearest to Hammond Stadium. According to her, Joe could be the Pope "or at the very least President" if he wanted to. I guess we're all relived the deal is done.

Officially changing name to Dr. Idiot

Good idea Hoops - keep picking Gonzaga. Pick them when they're playing Syracuse in Buffalo. Not good, GREAT idea, Hoops.

Don't lose faith in me yet, it's Sunday

Let's try this again today.

Gonzaga/Syracuse: I desperately need a Gonzaga win to have some shred of respectability after the Jayhawk loss. I'm not feeling good about it.

OSU/Georgia Tech: No one has had an answer for Evan Turner and I don't think that changes today.

Michigan State/Maryland: Two great coaches, two tough teams. If I had to watch one game today, this would be it. Michigan State has been very unIzzolike all year and in a game like this, the team with the best overall player wins. Terps - but barely.

WVU/Missouri: For some reason, I never, ever see Missouri play. They always sneak up on me and find their way deep into the tournament (I have no statistical evidence to back that up). WVU goes home today -- to my and many other's surprise.

Cornell/Wisconsin: The Badgers better be better today than against Wofford. It's ends for the Ivy League today (no Duke fans, you are not an Ivy League school).

Xavier/Pittsburgh: Jamie Dixon is not going to let Jamal Crawford embarrass his team, his school and his state like "great" coach Tubby Smith did on Friday. Pitt sends three guys at Crawford all game. Pitt.

Texas A & M/Purdue: A&M is becoming one of those just outside the top ten programs. Today they'll take Purdue, who will play hard but won't have enough.

California/Duke: Should I pick against the Pac-10 anymore? I have to - Duke it is.

Editors note: It is very possible, in fact probable, that I'll be wrong will 90% of these predictions. Read at your own risk.

K-State

A good day in Dr. Hoops' life is when the Green Bay Packers lose. A great day is when they lose AND the Vikings win. Repeat that in the playoffs and I've found utopia. I suspect that's how K-State fans feel today.

I'm with Ali

By the time this entry airs on the WWW, I'll be in Cedar Falls, Iowa, selling "I'm with Ali" t-shirts. I'm gonna be rich thanks to Ali "don't call me Mixer" Farokhmanesh. (BTW, he's no relation to the other Farokhmaneshs playing DI basketball). When Mr. Ali squared up to launch a three-pointer on a fast break with :33 seconds to go and the lead, I was yelling "No Mike, don't shoot! No numbers." I mean, 99.99999% of the basketball world would have dribbled it around until they were fouled. Instead, like he was shooting around in a gym by himself, thinking "I can shoot from FARokhmanesh." He drilled the three, put his team up by four and in no uncertain terms sent the message to Kansas that they were done -- and to half of America that their brackets were toast. It's safe to say that Ali never buys a drink in Cedar Falls again. Playing to win or playing NOT to lose -- we know Ali's philosophy. And sadly, we know Brad Childress' too.

I guess this is your father's Kansas team

For years, you could count on a highly rated Kansas team to, well, choke. Then Bill Self came along and the Jayhawks won a national championship in ultra clutch fashion. So it wasn't unreasonable for me to pick them to win it all, was it? It may have been in '96 or '98 or 2005 -- but this was a new Kansas regime. Or not.

Gael force wind blows Nova back to Philly

St. Mary's has risen above with players from down under. Littered with players from Australia, St. Mary's  knocked off Villanova. Wow. Who knew Sydney turned out better players than Philly?

Moving forward - Saturday's games

Kentucky/Wake Forest: Kentucky is still too good for its opponents and Wake doesn't have the mustard to pull off the upset.

Washington/New Mexico: You know, I still doubt the Pac-10. And despite his haircut, I'm going with Steve Alford. New Mexico

Butler/Murray State: There can only be one guy in America with the name Danero. That will have no bearing on this game. Butler

BYU/Kansas St.: Sticking with the mission theme - this will not be Mission Impossible for BYU. BYU by 3

Kansas/Northern Iowa: I'm going to really start believing in the Jayhawks if they do what they should today: Hammer Northern Iowa. Kansas

Tennessee/Ohio: "We went back to Ohio." Tennessee

ODU/Baylor: Dave Sullivan has more insight on this game than I do, but he refuses to help. Thus, I'm picking against his ODU team. Baylor.

St. Mary's/Villanova: Which team has the better Catholics? I say Villanova benefits from the 1st round scare and comes to play. Nova.

Enjoy the day.

Just like old times

In the early days of Dr. Hoops, my readers could breeze through this publication and before the tournament even started, know the outcomes. I was that good. Of late, I have been sort of like Michael Jordan in his 2nd return from retirement - overrated, overpaid and downright off most of the time. Until yesterday. Let's take a look:

1. Syracuse - Correct

2. Michigan State - Correct

3  Missouri - Correct

4. Wisconsin - Correct

5. Cornell - Correct

6. WVU - Correct

7. Brooklyn Decker - Very Correct

8. Gonzago - Thank God Correct

9.  Pitt - Correct

10. Duke - Correct

11. Kalifornia - Correct

12. Texas A & M - Correct

13. Purdue - Correct

14. Maryland - Correct

15. Ohio State - Correct

16. Ga Tech - Correct

17. Minnesota - INCORRECT

This is such a rarity that I am going to email it, text it, Facebook it, LinkedIn it, Tweet it, snail mail it and oh yeah - shout it from the mountain top.

GO-home-PHERS

Gee, what a shock. Minnesota is one and done. I guess you have to have one skilled player on the court to win the game. Xavier has a nice thing going with Crawford - Indiana didn't need him. The good news is I can finally open that bottle of champagne I've been saving now that Lawrence Westbrook's career is over. Good luck in Turkey next year, Lawrence.

WOAfford

Um, do I have Wisconsin beating Kentucky in one of my brackets? I may need to rethink that one. I wonder if any of Wofford's 1,400 students were in class today.  Almost guys, almost.

Let's try this again

Ok, I think I got all my missed shots out of my system yesterday. Here's what will happen today:

Cornell/Temple: I like the better academic school in this one. Watch Minnesotan Ryan Whittman, son of 1981 Indiana National Champion player and NBA coach Randy Whittman, lead the way.

Missouri/Clemson: Heads Missouri, tails Clemson. Heads it is.

California/Louisville: Maybe the Pac-10 isn't so bad. Too many bad shots by Edgar Sosa will doom the Cardinals.

Texas A & M/ Utah State: Geez, there are more teams in the tournament from places like New Mexico, Montana and Utah than New York City. Anyway, I like what Mark Turgeon is doing at A & M and look for them to win it in a close one.

Purdue/Siena: Purdue is a beaten up team - but I think they will have enough to beat Siena.

Wisconsin/Wofford: Quick - where is Wofford? Lead by three Minnesota kids, Wofford will not be a pushover - but - top 5 coach Bo Ryan will have his team ready. Badgers.

Maryland/Houston: If Maryland shows up with their respective heads on straight they should beat UH easily. Greivis , just calm down and play

Gonzaga/FSU: Once again I am buying Gonzaga - please don't make me look like an ass the 2nd day of the tournament.

Xavier/M-I-N-N-E-S-O-T-A: Five turnovers, 12 men in the huddle, just lost closer for the season before opening day...come on, this basketball team is all I've got. Against my better judgment: Gophers.

As for the rest...Michigan State, Georgia Tech, Ohio State, Syracuse, Pittsburg, Duke and West Virginia.

Chris has become of fan of...

Charlie is sick, Sammy is cranky and Ava was awake all night. I could use a nice cup of coffee, warm blanket and my Indigo Girls CD. Oh wait, sorry, I meant to post this on my Facebook page.

Wrong-O-Meter exceeding capacity

I had to put a call into EMC last night and buy more storage for the data piling up in my Wrong-O-Meter. Wow. You know, you put yourself out there and you just get hurt...None of you called the Georgetown game. Or at least not the blowout. What did I say about Washington and a weak conference? Not only does Marquette fail to educate their students, they fail those who pick them in the pool...once again. See the Wrong-O-Meter on the right for more Dr. Hoops malpractices. Ouch.

Before you know it, you're out of the running

The first round of games Thursday are sure to bring pain to many pickers. Let's take a look:

Butler/UTEP:  Butler has (like Gonzaga) become the trendy Mid-Major pick.  But I'm not sold. While they have been playing well of late, look for the old Texas Western to give them a scare and possibly advance.

BYU/Florida: Lucky to be in the tournament, Florida will lose to BYU. Tough to beat a team on a mission.

St. Mary's/Richmond: Rich Killeen's Richmond Spiders are always a tough out, but I'm buying into St. Mary's guys, who hammered a good Gonzaga team in their conference tourney.

Notre Dame/ ODU: Watching Luke Harangody makes me wonder why I didn't play Division I basketball. Ugly. But ugly has been winning and the Irish will beat another tough Virginia school today unless ODU alum Nancy Lieberman laces them up for the Monarchs.

Kansas St./North Dallas Forty:  I wouldn't hate you if you picked North Texas in this one.

Georgetown/Ohio: "I go to school at Ohio" - "Oh - the Buckeyes eh," - "No, Ohio University." When you are not Ohio State and you are in Ohio, you lose. Georgetown has Final Fourability (thank you Clark Kellog).

Tennessee/San Diego State: Once they rid themselves of the armed robbers on their team and Lane Kiffin (which is worse?), the Vols have been playing very good basketball. A group of well coached gamers, the Vols will handle Steve Fisher and the Aztecs. 

UNLV/Northern Iowa: Sorry Tom, but Northern Iowa wins this one. Next year we'll be talking about Northern Iowa as we do Butler and Gonzaga.

Texas/Wake Forest: There's something wrong with Texas this year. Well, I guess I could say that every year -- that there is something wrong with Texas -- but I mean their hoops team. The devil in me thinks the Deacons win this one.

Marquette/Washington: The Orange County Interscholastic Athletic Association is a more difficult conference than the Pac-10. Take the Golden Eagles.

As for the rest....I like Kansas, Kentucky, New Mexico, Baylor and Villanova.

And the winner is...

I have no idea. Really. As I sat down to make my picks last night, I was more perplexed than I've been leading up to any tournament start. The choices don't seem obvious. Sort of like a senate race in Minnesota -- I don't feel good about any of my picks. So, as you have for the last 15+ years, read my advice and then forget it.

Welcome back, friends and enemies, to the 2010 Dr. Hoops NCAA Tournament blog. The players and teams have changed, but the jokes remain the same. (I've been asked by Masters Tournament Directer Ben Touhy to respect Tiger and his family and refrain from any jokes about that situation). I'll be updating the blog infrequently and I'm always looking for comments or questions from the 3 readers out there -- so send them in.