Since my bracket is trash…

My bracket for the NCAA Tournament is officially ruined. My Final Four included Duke, Ohio St., Florida and Kansas but with all the upsets not a single one of those teams will be in it. I felt confident in my picks especially since 3 of them were #1 seeds and the other (Florida) was a #2 seed. I know there are big upsets every year but I thought these teams would be able to pull it out. OR AT LEAST SOME OF THEM! I have never been so far off.

Oh well. Congratulations to Butler and Virginia Commonwealth for making a statement and reaching the Final Four in Houston. UCONN and Kentucky were expected to do very well.

My pick for the National Champ? Butler will beat VCU and Kentucky will get passed UCONN. Butler vs. Kentucky? I have to go with the Wildcats.

There goes my bracket…

My bracket is ruined… Thanks Duke! The team I picked to win the NCAA Championship was defeated by #5 Arizona. I did not expect that upset at all!

Oh well…Florida took care of BYU which I was worried about. I really took a lot of time thinking about that matchup on my bracket and eventually went with the Gators and I’m glad I did.

So 3 of my Final Four are still in. Let’s go Florida, Kansas (even though I hate you), and Ohio St. I need you to keep my bracket from looking like trash! Thank you!

Sweet 16

Welcome back!

There is only one thing a sports fan should be discussing in March… I’m talking about the Madness!…DUH!

We are now in the Sweet 16 and my bracket is looking good besides a few minor setbacks like Butler beating Pitt.

Speaking of surprises, can someone please tell me where this Richmond team came from? They are playing as if no one told them that as a #12 seed you are not supposed to make it this far. They are fun to watch.

My final four includes Kansas, Duke, Ohio St. and Florida. All of these teams are playing like #1 seeds. (Florida is actually a #2 seed). I have the championship coming down to Duke and Florida, although the Buckeyes are looking like a well oiled machine. As much as I dislike Duke I have a feeling they will win it all…again.

Some other teams that have a legit shot are Uconn, UNC, Kentucky, and BYU. Kentucky will be the first real test for Ohio St. and Uconn is on fire. BYU easily took care of the always scary Gonzaga, and the Tar Heels are looking good even though Washington gave them problems.

What do you think of my picks? Agree? Disagree? Like Charles Barkley, I may be wrong, but I doubt it.

So Close Mean Green

This is not a happy Jabber.

The Mean Green of North Texas just lost a heartbreaker to the Arkansas- Little Rock Trojans  in the Sun Belt Conference Championship game 64-63. Soloman Bozeman hit the game winning three to send Arkansas-Little Rock to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1990.

UNT seemed in control of the game with a five point lead with just over a minute to play. Sloppy play led to Mean Green turnovers and 2 killer three pointers to ice the game for the Trojans. With 16 seconds to go Matt Mouzy hit a three to make it a one point game before Tristan Thompson missed one of two clutch free throws that left the door open for Bozeman’s unlikely game winner.

UNT had another great season but came up short in their attempt to repeat as Sun Belt Champs.

Oh well.

The Not-So-Hot Heat?

Time to Jabber…

Are the Miami Heat even a good team? Yes, just barely.

The Heat have now lost four games in a row and 5 of their last 6. Is this a crisis in South Beach? YES! The playoffs are right around the corner and the Heat are playing the worst basketball of the season. After losing another close game to the Bulls, they are officially scratched off my list of possible contenders for the championship this season. They have too many questions left unanswered and not enough time to answer them. Granted the Bulls are a tough opponent for any team this year but how can you explain losing at home to the new New York Knicks who are still trying to find their own identity. The Heat should be embarrassed right now. I am embarrassed for them.

I think the playoffs will expose them as a truly weak team. It hurts me deeply to admit that as I am a LeBron and Wade fan but I can no longer ignore the facts. I still believe they are potentially a great team. But not this year.