Carey

You told me to pick whoever was playing KSU. I sorta did or didn't. Almost let you down. I picked Sparty to win, but Kansas State to cover. Tough game to pick. It's sad Izzo is done, but great that K Johnson has made it to the regional final to face Tennessee unless the Vols lose

Record Ratings for March Madness (over 9 Million on average) The Michigan State & Marquette helped aid that total with over 10 Million Viewers. Speaking of Michigan State, apparently they were underdogs early over Kansas State. I must have blinked since I never saw it, though they are the higher seed. That's not an easy game to predict. Nor will the other seven (for the most part).... Thursday 03.23.23 Michigan State vs Kansas State Michigan State favored by 1.5 Over/Under 137.5 KSU & Under Arkansas vs Connecticut Connecticut favored by 3.5 Over/Under 139.5 Arkansas & Over FAU vs Tennessee Tennessee favored by 4.5 Over/Under 130.5 FAU & under Gonzaga vs UCLA UCLA favored by 2.5 Over/Under 145.5 Gonzaga outright (over hits) Friday 03.24.23 San Diego State vs Alabama Alabama favored by 7.5 Over/Under 135.5 SDSU & under Miami vs Houston Houston favored by 6.5 Over/Under 137.5 Houston covers & over hits Princeton vs Creighton Creighton favored by 9.5 Over/Under 141.5 Princeton & under Xavier vs Texas Texas favored by 3.5 Over/Under 147.5 Xavier wins outright & over hits Straight up, I'll go: Michigan State, Connecticut, Tennessee, Gonzaga, Alabama, Creighton, Houston, Xavier The FanDuel numbers are from earlier in the week, but not much has changed, even with UCLA & Gonzaga's "rubber match" (2006, 2021) with key Bruins players not really available I think I'm definitely out in terms of my best bracket. Someone I was leading against by one took over from me by one after identical performances, but I had a better Thursday/Friday. Any ground I can gain is covered by the one person that has a lead over me. As for my real bracket, there's still a chance, but not much of one. I have to have Gonzaga get to Houston (Final Four venue), and I can't have Alabama getting to Houston. (end city) Finally, I would need for Houston to win out

So it looks like the KC dominance is going to be lasting for a very long time, at the very least. It could be to the point on which will end first between that or the tenure of the current NFL Commish. In other words, get used to Roger Goodell as the commissioner of the league being the case for years & years to come. If he emulated his successor, he'd be on the way out this year, but IMO I didn't see why that had to be the case

In my main bracket, it's not very good. Arizona hurt big time, Duke losing was not cool either. Fortunately Gonzaga is still around, but it'll come down to the infamous UCLA/Gonzaga game. As long as Houston doesn't lose I'll be okay. Fortunately I got several things correct as has been the case over the years to make up for the future points I'd miss out on. Helps to be correct in several upsets including UVA/Furman. I was incorrect with Purdue/FDU by it really doesn't matter since I didn't have Purdue winning more than 2 games. So that's 3 points I'm not getting since a Sweet 16 loss would max out at 3 (instead of 7 minimum had I picked the Boilermakers to the Regional Final & they got there. If I lose by a couple points more of less oh well. There are several ways to succeed, earn points, and win. My chalky bracket (nothing but the low seeds as in low in number, not prestige) is bailing me out as always. To a lesser extent though no thanks to Arizona, Kansas, and Purdue. That's not to say Alabama & Houston (Final 2) will survive into end city; you just don't want them losing so early. Last year I had Duke & Villanova in my Tournament Final. It didn't work out, but it was great to survive with a chance to win all the way until the Final Four. The smaller the field, the better, especially with 1-2 brackets. For a super-large field, you'll probably need several dozen or hundred since you'd have go perfect within the Final 4, possibly Elite 8 if not the correct 7 of 8, and at least 13-14 in the Sweet 16

Here comes information as it relates to the Regionals. Thursday, 03.23.23 Michigan State vs Kansas State 6:30 on TBS Arkansas vs Connecticut 7:15 on CBS FAU vs Tennessee 9:00 on TBS* Gonzaga vs UCLA 9:45 on CBS* Friday, 03.24.23 San Diego State vs Alabama 6:30 on TBS Miami vs Houston 7:15 on CBS Princeton vs Creighton 9:00 on TBS* Xavier vs Texas 9:45 on CBS* All times are EST I was thinking about UCLA & Gonzaga over the weekend (and even upon the revelation of the bracket). It's been 17 years since that historic game in favor of UCLA & at the expense of Gonzaga. While it didn't need to fall on the exact date in 2006, that's what's happening (FYI, you can use a 2006 calendar in this calendar year of 2023). We'll see if the Bruins repeat history on another March 23rd or if Gonzaga will continue with their pursuit of unfinished business. Texas/Xavier is another matchup from the past (as mentioned elsewhere). 33 years ago the Longhorns were on the winning side. * Tip times are approximate; dependent on the conclusion of the first game at the same venue as it relates to when the first game ends

As long as Marquette loses, that's a safe bet. At least for the regional semis. So far so good!

In my main bracket, I actually had UCLA losing in the second round, but to Boise State. The latter didn't win on Thursday (rather tough pick), so I changed my mind as it related to the Bruins fate. So I went completely winless as it relates to the CBS slate. 0-4 with Furman, Duke, Kansas, and Penn State all losing to SDSU, Tennessee, Arkansas & Texas, respectively. The Duke and Kansas falls were rather painful, PSU & Texas was a coin flip, and Furman was "supposed to lose" meaning they were up against a great team in San Diego State (and their defense). I did think of moving off of my bracket, something I hardly do (IIRC I did last year & was correct in doing so). I had Furman advancing to the Sweet 16, but only off of a win against Charleston. Except Charleston couldn't knock off San Diego State. I should've picked SDSU, but given the abundance of upsets in grand fashion, I chose to hold firm (and I was wrong big time). Duke was tough since they ran over everybody including & especially Pittsburgh, who has looked very good this year until their slump, which preceding a return to dominating great teams (Iowa State). They suffered an injury & they are a different team when not at full strength. Kansas was missing their HC. However, Arkansas is very good & might've escaped even if Bill Self was on the sidelines. Princeton just has that feel that their not here to win one game, so that pick wasn't too hard. Alabama continues to look like the team to beat. UCLA might be underrated but they're managing without Jayden Clark. PITT still has a game to play to open up Sunday's action, but in the event that they get the job done: Texas denied some viewers of an all Pennsylvania matchup with their win over Penn State, who denied some viewers of an all Texas matchup (could've been Texas A&M vs the Longhorns). PSU has come a long way. Should be interesting what's next for them in 2023-2024, but 4 of their starting 5 were seniors. So experienced veterans might not be a thing for them next season. Despite my predictions for CBS, I went undefeated (4-0) for my picks on the Turner networks. Final day of hoops until a 3-day break before things resume on Thursday! Sunday Picks (Round of 32): Xavier Kentucky Michigan State Connecticut Baylor FDU Indiana Gonzaga In my main bracket, I believe I had Baylor & Kentucky losing, but to the teams that didn't make it to the weekend. Thought of sticking to Baylor still losing, but nah. Game times & the networks are the same as Saturday. For the most part. The only difference is that the final TruTV one replaces what would've been the 4th game on CBS. The network has to have 60 Minutes as it's Sunday

Happier than you...because I picked them...to jinx them (tm) LOL!

I would've responded with "100%" but I don't see any quotes of "Penn State better lose tonight!" Not sure about Alabama going down, but assuming they survive, their next game is not going to be easy. I don't care about sports trending toward offense. If someone excels in defense (and is a program that excels during in-game adjustment), that is what makes programs walk away with the championship

I hope not. Actually, I'm neutral for this weekend at the latest. Unless a Cinderella wins out, I'm okay with seeing teams that actually can win the tournament. I'm pretty certain that no one wants to see the hoops version of Georgia/TCU. Saturday Picks (Round of 32): Furman Duke Kansas Princeton Houston Penn State UCLA Alabama

Except for the part where Penn State gets crowned as the 2023 National Champions

Officially safe! You'll have a great weekend, but before it ends come Michigan State

Time For Friday Picks! NC State Baylor Purdue Memphis Kentucky Montana State Michigan State Marquette Drake Indiana Pittsburgh Xavier VCU Connecticut TCU Gonzaga

Well I guess it's official that no one is going 63-0. For what it's worth, if you had time to do 10 quintillion brackets, then you'd be guaranteed a perfect bracket. What hinders that is if one were to do one bracket per second, they'd be able to get, at the max, about 324,000 from the eligible start to the deadline

I couldn't care less for Princeton going forward, unless they make it into the regional final. I do care for UCLA. I feel bad for the most accomplished program for having to lose in back-to-back years against a bunch of people that call themselves a college basketball team

The good news is that several people are not done (unless they actually had Arizona winning it all). NO one picked both Furman and Princeton to win. The best news is if you have a bracket that has Alabama winning. ZONA was their biggest threat

I picked them to lose in the first round. I love Virginia, but their gameplay is so tough to watch. When they lost 5 years ago, that was the team that would be vulnerable to anybody that was on fire. Can't kill the clock in the whole game unless you can hit the 3. But yeah, you're fine if you had UVA losing on Saturday. That's why I'm not too bitter that Maryland won over WVU. Neither team is beating Alabama

Saint Pete will do that to you!

Thursday game picks: Furman Utah St Kansas Alabama Chaleston Arizona Arkansas Auburn Duke Texas Boise State Houston Tennessee Penn State UCLA

The Madness is here! WVU for the win in the first game. I'll get to everything else later

There was something someone in my local media said, something he was wishing for. That was for Aaron Rodgers to get every. Single. Person. He. Wanted, building a "dream team" in New York. With the ending being one simple thing: The Jets just missing. In other words, he's rooting for the Jets to be pretty good, but either to lose in the wildcard or finish in 8th place & miss the playoffs. I actually would love that, but there's one thing I'd rather see more than that: The Packers draft an offensive weapon for Love, and then they win the Super Bowl. For 2023

Dallas acquiring Stephon Gilmore from Indianapolis

Part of me wishes that Green Bay would double/triple whatever efforts they had to force Favre's hand. In other words, just go all-in & announce a competition for the starting Packers job. Love will be there throughout all off-season stuff, Rodgers may or may not be

I think people said Jordan Love over Aaron would be fair enough. For one, what sense does it make for Jordan to sit for a fourth year. Plus, he's younger, and if he can perform well, then you'd have him for several years, not just a couple

It doesn't help having to face Joey Bosa 2X (assuming he is available), Denver's defense, and the AFC East (full of pretty good at worst defenses). Two more big deals, per Adam Schefter. One benefits the Steelers, and the other benefits the Falcons. Both are okay, at least on paper. Since I can't link to them, it's Patrick Peterson going to Pittsburgh, and Jessie Bates heading to Atlanta