[Lathum]

[quote]

Originally Posted by sterlingice

Every year, there are a few trap games that make or break brackets. My thoughts on ones for this year:

North Carolina-Gonzaga: That bottom half of the bracket is a mess and this one is for the F4.

I pretty much agree, unless OK can revert back to the way they were before the Griffen injury.

Louisville-Michigan St: Like I said above, they just seem like they're on a collision course in the midwest.

I just don't get the MSU love. Yes Izzo is a great coach, but I think the Big 10 is overrated and the times I have seen MSU play they have a tendancy to let teams hang around. I see alot of teams on their side giving them problems. KU and USC are athletic and WVU has come together of late and wont be intimidated by anyone.

Memphis-Mizzou: If UConn survives to the E8, I think the winner here takes them out

I think with the D Memphis plays they are in good shape to win this bracket

Arizona St-Syracuse: Winner has a good shot at the E8.

I think the potential AZ st- 'Cuse matchup is a great one. Az State has 2 amazing players and 'Cuse is a good team with great guardplay, alot of good matchups.

Utah-Arizona : For some reason, I just see Wake primed for an upset and that's if they get past Cleveland State.

I think with the number of scorers Arizona has they can give most teams problems, the problem is they have underachieved all year.

Also, a couple of thoughts based on "common knowledge"

1) VCU is no lock to beat UCLA. I don't like any of the 11s over 6s this year.

I think UCLA will blow them out

2) People have fallen in love with Florida State and Syracuse after their conference tourney performances. I think Syracuse, in particular, is badly overseeded. But the problem is I could see that half of the South bracket fall apart as I mentioned above.

Good guardplay seems to get rewarded

3) The more and more I want to mark UConn down for an early exit, the harder I have a problem seeing who can do it. That part of their bracket is just fluffy. I would pick their 8/9 over any other and is anyone scared of Purdue or Washington?

I have watch alot of UW basketball being a student there. They could actualy give UConn problems. Jon Brockman is a beast inside and can get Thabeet into foul trouble and UConn isn't the same team without them. They also have alot of guys who can score and a deep bench. The problem is they may not get past Perdue. I can see Perdue slowing the game down and UW and their freshman PG getting impatient

4) If Lawson is really gimpy or unable to play, aren't you scared of putting North Carolina even past the winner of LSU/Butler?

no