~One Shining Moment~

As I blare “One Shining Moment” from my office speakers it could only mean one thing. Yes, it is that time of the year again as Frank from Accounting has all the answers to your bracket. For 11 months out of the year this gentlemen is a no-name but comes out of nowhere to win your office pool. How the hell does this happen every year, when you are the wizard of college basketball knowledge?

Weather you get your advice from Dicky V or you simply go with who’s the dominate mascot it doesn’t seem to matter. I will be the first to admit; I have been doing brackets since I was a 6th Grader and have only won 1 time (THANK YOU KENTUCKY). So sit back and enjoy the madness, along the way I will offer a few suggestions, but you are probably better off having your dog Sparky pick the teams then listening to my advice.



Mid-West Bracket


Teams with the most potential:

-#1 Kansas is loaded with talent from top to bottom. Collins and Aldrich alone can take this team on a deep run but it is Henry and Morris that will win them a national championship. In a bracket primed for upsets Kansas, has the most experience to guide them through.

-#3 Georgetown-Guess we will find out how tough the Big East truly is with a looming match-up of Ohio State in the Sweet 16. When Monroe and Freeman are playing well this team is unstoppable and could make a very nice run.

-#5 Michigan State-Where did this team fall off too? It seemed like they were going to be one of the tops teams in the nation, but then hit a wall. I will never count out a Tom Izzo team in the tournament though. OSU might have the star player in Turner but the Spartans have the experience in Lucas & Morgan.




Thanks for coming, better luck next year:

-#4 Maryland-Grieves Vasquez is the Gerry McNamara of the ACC. Vasquez is An outstanding player that can carry a team, but not this year. Runner-up in the ACC regular season was the Terrapins but it was a league that was average at best.

-#10 Georgia Tech- A trip to the finals of the ACC tournament probably got them into the tournament but an early exit is staring them in the face. The Yellow Jackets have outstanding Big men, but the speed and pressure of Oklahoma St will kill them. Find a ball handler quick or your trip to the dance will be short lived.



If the slipper fits:

-#13 Houston- If you like Cougars (and no I am not talking about middle aged women) this is the team for you. They put a bundle of points up, but rarely like to play any defense. Maryland is a great match-up for their up-tempo pace. One upset is possible but I think Michigan State in the Second round might be a little too much to ask for.

-#11 San Diego State-What do I know about the Aztecs...good question barely anything, but I do know they are a hot team coming into the tournament. With wins over New Mexico and UNLV in the Mountain West tournament San Diego State can play with anybody. Balance scoring is the key for the Aztecs, but they must also be able to stop a very streaky VOLS team.



Upset Alert on High:

-#13 Houston over #4 Maryland-I was never sold on the ACC and I think Houston can score with anyone in the nation. If the game in played in the 70's Maryland wins, if the Cougars score over 80 they win.

-#5 Michigan State over #1 Kansas-Last year the Spartans got blown out in the national championship game but I think they can take a few lesson on that game. Kansas has been picked to win it all by almost everyone, but look out for Sparty.



A Star is born:

#12 Aubrey Coleman Houston Cougars-Turner, Freeman, Lucas, Collins and others may be the best players for their respective teams but Coleman will be the one lighting up the scoreboard. You won’t see this guy pass up a jumper. If the Cougars look to continue to try and two-step their way through the tournament, it will be on the shoulders of #12 and Mr. Coleman.





GET the ladder out please, thank you:

-#1 Kansas-Experience! They are too talented in so many areas that I don’t see anyone except maybe Michigan State upending them. Collins is a first 10 pick in the NBA draft next year but must show he can be Mr. Clutch like another Kansas Star a few years back. When it is all said in done, I think the Jayhawks will chalk up the title in a tough Mid-West region.








*WEST BRACKET TO COME SOON*
Sac