Renewal

Today I submit my sports platinum card for renewal. Historically, I consider myself ahead of the game if I get two of the NCAA Basketball final four. It’s going to be even tougher this year. At least half the field has a legit shot at the title. So, without further ado…

East: Home of the defending champion Villanova Wildcats. Will take strong defensive effort in possible games against Wisconsin, Virginia and possible regional finalist Duke. One other team to keep your eye on is SMU. Otherwise, looking forward to a great regional final matchup between the Cats and the Blue Devils. Offhand I would give coach K the nod because he can coach. As the rap song says, …love him, hate him, ‘but you can’t ignore him.’ In this case, however, Jay Wright has grown himself as a coach. Picking Villanova to get a chance to repeat.  

West: On the other side of the country, you have a wide-open West. It seems that every team in this bracket has a story. You got Gonzaga, a team that always has a great regular season only to go down in flames in the tournament. Experts say that the Bulldogs have the easiest path to the final four. I say that there is no easy path to the final four at all. You also have Northwestern making their first appearance in the Big Dance as well as the Terps of Maryland. The team I have not mentioned is another Wildcat: The University of Arizona. They bring the A in athleticism. That’s part of the reason why I’m picking these Wildcats over the Bulldogs in this region.

South: In my opinion, the most competitive bracket of the tournament. From the Carolina Tar Heels to the Bruins of UCLA led by one of the top guards in the company (Lonzo Ball) to pro basketball factory Kentucky, any of these teams in this bracket has a five-game run in them. But at the end of the day I’m going with the #1 ranked Tar Heels in this bracket because of their bench and experience.

Midwest: I’ll keep this decision clear and crisp for you. I’m picking Kansas to win the Midwest (as well as the tournament), beating Louisville in the regional final. Possible party wreckers include Iowa State and Oklahoma State. I still have to mention Michigan State, who always plays well this time of year.

As David Letterman used to say every year, this is an exhibition not a competition, so please no wagering.