Take this advice and run with it
Did this shocking thing happen to anybody else Monday?
While leafing through my e-mails, I received one with an attachment from my buddy. I opened it up to discover a copy of the NCAA Tournament bracket.
Apparently he wanted me to predict the winners of the games, post my picks on a Web site and send him a little money to take part in some sort of prognosticating competition.
Frankly, this was the first I've heard of such a thing. Same for you?
Initially, I was appalled at the very idea.
These fine young men, who neither ask for nor receive one thin dime for their sweat and toil, are going to play some games and we're going to bet some dimes on how their contest goes?
Sad.
Why can't we, in the immortal words of Marge Simpson, simply vote for all the student-athletes to have a good time?
This NCAA Tournament concept better not be replacing dead pools as America's No. 1 form of betting-pool entertainment.
It's far more sporting for us to gamble on the future of old people. After all, they're professionals, not amateurs.
But if this NCAA Tournament betting dealie is here to stay, I feel it's my responsibility to use my college basketball knowledge to help our loyal readers do their best prognosticating.
It seems weird to try to predict how the tournament will go, but here goes …
East regional
• Fact No. 1: North Carolina is the best team in the country.
• Fact No. 2: North Carolina doesn't have to leave North Carolina to play any of its regional games.
I don't know about you, but these statements lead directly to …
• Fact No. 3: North Carolina will win the East regional.
I'm guessing everyone who fills out a bracket will choose the Tar Heels, too, so you've got to differentiate yourself with the other games.
Here are the two ways to do that: 10th-seeded South Alabama gets to play No. 7 seed Butler in Birmingham, Ala.
While the Bulldogs are 29-3 and ranked No. 11 in the nation, they played exactly one NCAA Tournament team this year. South Alabama will take down Butler.
Also, third-seeded Louisville will knock off second-seeded Tennessee to reach the Elite Eight. The Vols don't play enough defense, especially in the post where David Padgett roams.
Midwest regional
Bill Self has led four teams to the Elite Eight. He's still waiting to coach a Final Four team.
The former Illinois coach's wait will end this year as his Kansas Jayhawks will live up to their No. 1 seed.
This is the bracket where I've picked a few early-round shockers just to shake up things.
For example, I foresee Big Ten champion Wisconsin -- the nation's sixth-ranked team with a 10-game winning streak -- going down in the first round to Cal State Fullerton.
The Titans are the perfect storm for the Badgers. They're small, they're guard-oriented, they can drill 3-pointers, and they love to run.
Fullerton averages more than 82 points. North Carolina, Tennessee and Duke are the only more prolific teams in the NCAA field.
Oh, and pick 10th-seeded Davidson to shock Gonzaga and Georgetown. The Wildcats, who have won 22 in a row, get to play in Raleigh, N.C., which is just down Tobacco Road from their home.
South regional
I think Memphis goes down in the regional semifinals. There, I said it.
After watching Illinois miss approximately 3,000 free throws this season, including virtually all of the ones in clutch situations, I envision the Tigers' terrible free-throw shooting doing them in against fourth-seeded Pittsburgh.
Second-seeded Texas gets my nod here because it will get to play the regional in Houston.
West regional
Provided that UCLA's aching bodies (such as that of All-American center Kevin Love) heal in time, I say the Bruins go to the Final Four for the third year in a row.
I almost pegged Xavier to knock out Duke in the Sweet Sixteen, but I chickened out.
I don't know much about this prediction game, but I hear Duke's coach is supposed to be good.
What's that? His team lost in the first round last year? Oh. Never mind.
Final Four
Yes, San Antonio will be within yahoo-ing range of Texas' campus and fan base.
But I picked UCLA and North Carolina 1-2 on my preseason Associated Press ballot -- and I'm not switching now.
Well, except for the fact I think the Tar Heels will claim their second title in four seasons.
Ty Lawson will edge Darren Collison in a battle of unbelievably speedy point guards, and the Tar Heels will win by 5.