Have we gotten to the point where upsets in the NCAA Tournament aren’t really upsets anymore? The seeding is basically built to set up matchups appealing to local and TV viewers, not that the teams are any better.
We’ve seen Villanova lose to N.C. State
When it comes to sports, BSP rarely uses the word “choke” because “choking” assumes players aren’t playing to their ability. BSP contends players have ups and downs to their abilities. A player may be tired, may be thinking about something else, may lack focus or concentration. People want to treat them like robots, but BSP realizes a player isn’t a machine.
Except at tournament time, where choking is full fledged. We see guys missing free throws (and by the way, since when is a foul an instrument to getting back into a game — and what is the benefit of this “1 and 1” nonsense). We see guys unable to play. We see officials … oh, those college basketball officials … getting caught up in the games, especially when the underdog is challenging the better team.
Here’s some “upsets” for you today:
(2) Virginia to fall to (7) Michigan State
(2) Kansas to lose to (7) Wichita State
(5) West Virginia to take down (4) Maryland
Let’s face it, some of these seeds shouldn’t be where they are.
I think it’s interesting the tournament has all these games, and while Cinderella is fun considering, it’s not realistic. The better teams almost always win the tournament, and almost always make the Sweet 16. Kentucky is going to win the title, because they have nine guys who can play at the NBA level.
Here are our picks for the Final Four:
Midwest: Kentucky
West: Arizona
South: Duke
East: Michigan State
3-0 in those “upset” picks, not bad.