This year, Stiletto Sports is participating in the CBSSports Bracket Challenge and we’d like to extend an official invite to all the Stiletto Sports fans!

The bracket challenge is totally free to sign up, super easy to play and even easier to win!

Never done a bracket before? No problem! Check out our posts about Bracketology and then go have fun!

Yeah, there is some research to do, but I promise it’s lighthearted easy reading!

• Girl’s Guide to March Madness: How Brackets Work
• Bracketology 101: 11 Common Ways to Pick Brackets
• Advanced Bracketology: 5 dos and don’ts for filling out brackets
• Mascotology: what happens when a memphis tiger meets a missouri tiger (or in the 2010 version, a Clemson Tiger meets a Missouri Tiger)

If you really want to take the time to analyze all the stats and stuff, feel free. But…. if you would rather pick your teams based on the mascots, hot boys and school colors… then you have come to the right bracket challenge!

And if it’s your first time doing a bracket, feel free to ask us any questions! Shoot an email, leave a comment below or send a tweet on twitter to @stilettosportsJ.

The whole point is to get everyone involved in playing!

Oh… and the prizes!

The winner will get a custom designed shirt from Stiletto Sports in their favorite school colors! Plus a mug, keychain and bumper sticker!

How to Play:

Head over to: Stiletto Sports Bracket Manager (http://stilettosports.mayhem.cbssports.com/e)

Password: rockchalk

OR…. you can play with us on Facebook! Stiletto Sports Facebook Bracket Challenge

Oh, and anyone who picks KU to win it all, gets a cookie!*

*okay there is no cookie, I’ll be too busy watching the games to bake but you will be held in the highest regard!

This year, Stiletto Sports is participating in the CBSSports Bracket Challenge and we’d like to extend an official invite to all the Stiletto Sports fans!

The bracket challenge is totally free to sign up, super easy to play and even easier to win!

Never done a bracket before? No problem! Check out our posts about Bracketology and then go have fun!

Yeah, there is some research to do, but I promise it’s lighthearted easy reading!

• Girl’s Guide to March Madness: How Brackets Work
• Bracketology 101: 11 Common Ways to Pick Brackets
• Advanced Bracketology: 5 dos and don’ts for filling out brackets
• Mascotology: what happens when a memphis tiger meets a missouri tiger (or in this 2010 version, a Clemson Tiger meets a Missouri Tiger)

If you really want to take the time to analyze all the stats and stuff, feel free. But…. if you would rather pick your teams based on the mascots, hot boys and school colors… then you have come to the right bracket challenge!

And if it’s your first time doing a bracket, feel free to ask us any questions! Shoot an email, leave a comment below or send a tweet on twitter to @stilettosportsJ.

The whole point is to get everyone involved in playing!

Oh… and the prizes!

The prizes will be announced soon! The winner of the whole pool will get something fabulous! And also, whoever is ahead after rounds 1 & 2 will get a SWEET prize for the following rounds!

How to Play:

Head over to: Stiletto Sports Bracket Manager (http://stilettosports.mayhem.cbssports.com/e)

Password: rockchalkjayhawk

Oh, and anyone who picks KU to win it all, gets a cookie!*

*okay there is no cookie, I’ll be too busy watching the games to bake but you will be held in the highest regard!

Of course not!

But just becauase this big dance is all about basketball games, doesn’t mean the fashion has to be basketball jerseys and jeans!

In fact, since the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament (aka March Madness) is colloquially called “The Big Dance” I thought it would be fun to find dresses and flirty fashion looks that were casual enough for game day, yet cute enough for fashionistas!

I will admit the number one march madness look is a college team jersey. Why? Well it shows team spirit AND girls look hot in jerseys! But I pair my one and only jersey with a short flippy, cheerleader inspired white skirt instead of jeans:

Don't I look cute?

But if you hate rocking  jerseys, check out these other March Madness inspired looks! Click on any photo to get ordering info!

My Super Sweet Sixteen

Sixteen Super Sweet mix-and-match pieces that are casual and fun. Comfy hoodies and flirty graphic tees and tanks make the perfect layered look. Pair them with cropped jeans or flirty skirts. Put away your stilettos (gasp!) and trade them for some spring inspired wedges, boldly colored flats or fashion athletic shoes! And don’t forget to accessorize!

More Aeropostale…

Going Dancing!

Irony never goes out of style! Instead of focusing on the teams or the basketball theme of March Madness, highlight the dancing! A unique “dance with me” or even a DWTS tee with leggings and ballerina flats give a quirky, lighthearted spin to the tourney and basketball fashion! Guaranteed to make everyone smile! Oh and it’s a great excuse to add a pop of hot pink to the tourney!

More Forever 21…

TEAM RELATED LOOKS

Now, I couldn’t do a look for every team in the tourney (remember there are 64 teams…..) So I just picked a few for examples. The key to March Madness team looks is color palatte. You gotta rock the team colors! But just because your team is bright orange and blue, doesn’t mean you have to look like you dressed in the dark!

Rock Chalk Jayhawks!

The Kansas Jayhawks are seeded No. 1 in the country and many fans (and experts) think that no other team can take them down this year. And I’m not just saying that becaue they are my personal favorite college team!

So how do you be a Rock Chalkin’ Jayhawks fan? Think red and blue. Think Dorothy. Think plaids.
I love the idea of wearing a red and blue plaid dress and adding a Victoria’s Secret Jayhawk’s sweatshirt over it when it gets chilly! VS also has cute tees with hearts all over them and in the hearts are the team logos.

More Victoria’s Secret…

Go Green! Go White!

The Michigan State Spartans took the 2009 Men’s Tournament by storm and became the Cinderella Story of the year. And what girl doesn’t love a good Cinderella story? Show your green and white spirit with a casual green sundress layered with a white cardigan. Super casual but the accessories really pull the look all together!

More Lee Angel…

Hook ‘em Horns!

Texas is all about going big and bold! And bright orange is about as bold as it can get! Ranked No. 8 this year, the Longhorns battle with No. 9 ranked Wake Forest is sure to be a great game! Show your team spirit in fashion forward casual look!

More Puma…

Go ‘Cuse!

Syracuse’s 6 overtime battle with UConn in the Big East Quarterfinal in 2009 was one of the best sports moments of the year. No, it wasn’t part of the actual March Madness tournament but it was still an amazing game! This year the Orangemen are seeded No. 1 and they are ready to win again!

More Forever 21…

Kentucky Wildcat

Show your inner Wildcat by supporting Kentucky in the tourney! I can’t say I’m a big UK fan, but I do love Coach John Calipari! These looks range from super casual to bold and in your face. The wild geo-metric design dress is sure to draw all eyes on you instead of the big screen!

More Victoria’s Secret…

Angelic Blue Devil

Forget Devilish! Show your blue blood with angelic looks like babydoll dresses and patent leather flats in Duke blue!

More Aldo…

UNC Tar Heels

UNC’s arch rivals Duke may be the elite private university, but when I think of the Tar Heels, I think of preppy chic. I think baby blue and white stripes. I think argyle. Maybe because their basketball team is one of the most storied programs in the NCAA.
But… sadly….UNC did not make the tourney this year. For the first time, like, ever. But that’s no reason to not give love to the 2009 champs!

More Eddie Bauer…

Stiletto Sports “I Watch Basketball….Players”

Looking for more great March Madness looks? Check out HalftimeDesigns by Stiletto Sports contributing writer Megan Wood

And coming ASAP, the Stiletto Sports Official March Madness looks!

Those days that are grey, cloudy and raining when you just really needed a little ray of sunshine. Or those April snow showers that really make you wonder if there will ever be May flowers this year.

We feel the Mondays even harder when the chips are down.
When our hearts are broken, our shoulders burdened, and our footsteps heavy with the weight of our situations.
When we feel that hope packed up and left town months ago.

We’ve all been there, in one way or another.

But not today. Today, despite the rain, the snow, the hardship and worries, the despair and depression, there is hope. There is a cure for the case of the Mondays that has plagued so many of us for so long.

There is hope.

The Michigan State Spartans have breathed life back into the city that was grey, dismal and down. Over 70,000 Spartan fans flooded to Ford Field Saturday night. The 2009 Final Four had the largest attendance in NCAA history.

And tonight, they play for the NCAA National Championship. They have become the source of hope and joy for so many people. Like James Braddock and Seabiscuit during the Great Depression.

Tonight, the Spartans play for Detroit. They play for us.

Even the fans that bleed Carolina Blue should bleed a little Green tonight.

Eminem NCAA Final " Love Letter to Detroit "

Unfortunately, it takes a lot of time and research so I only do it once a month, if that. And this month, we had over 1600 different search terms. Obviously, not going to report on all them but I did pick out my faves.  There were still so many for college basketball and march madness that I decided to create it’s own special F.A.Q section!

In most of the Q&A I provide a link to one of my own articles to reference for more info and details. If you still have a burning question, shoot me a comment or an email and I’ll be happy to try to find the answer for you!

The F.A.Q. is long so if you don’t want to scroll through it all, just click on the link that most relates to your question.
The Stiletto Sports March Madness F.A.Q.

Questions like what is March Madness or Other NCAA Basketball Technical Stuff
Questions about the college basketball Players
Questions about Macotology & School Colors
Questions about Bracketology Other Fun, Fascinating or just plain weird facts

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What is March Madness & other NCAA basketball stuff:

Q: 10 Reasons to watch NCAA

Stiletto Sports Jen: 1. Hot boys. 2. more Hot boys. Okay fine, I actually have 20 other reasons: 10 to watch NCAA and 10 to watch March Madness.

Q: What is March Madness?

Stiletto Sports Jen: It is the modernized term for the frenzy that sweeps the nation during the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament that typically runs from the middle of March until the first Monday in April. People become so immersed in the tournament, the brackets, the games, their side bets, and the players that it really does turn into madness. The first weekend of the tournament packs in 48 action packed games in only four days. Many end in buzzer-beating shots and overtime suspense.

For more about March Madness, see the Stiletto Sports Getting Ready for the Big Dance Guide

Also check out The Origins of the term March Madness
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Q: How many teams are selected for NCAA March Madness?

Stiletto Jen: 65. The 64th and 65th teams play each other to determine who will take the 64th place.

Q: Why do they have a wild card game in March Madness?

Stiletto Jen: The Wild Card, or “Play In” game determines the No. 64 team for the tournament. Personally, I think one year the Selection Sunday Panel were unable to pick between two teams for the final spot so they made the teams play to win. In reality, in 2001, the Mountain West Conference was added to the NCAA and rather then mess up their 64 team system, the bottom two teams have to play for it—kinda like the dance-off on DWTS.

For more about Selection Sunday and the Wild Card see the Stiletto Sports Getting Ready for the Big Dance Guide
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Q: What is the Cinderella Metaphor in March Madness about?

Stiletto Jen: Who doesn’t know the story of Cinderella–the ultimate underdog turned fairy princess who got to go to the Big Dance and got the prince? Sports are filled with Cinderella tales just hers–but especially in March Madness.  In sports, a “cinderella team” is the come from behind team that wows everyone. No one expects them to be great or fabulous, and suddenly, there they are, taking over the dance and stealing the guy. Um. I mean, winning games and taking down the Big Bad Wolves Teams with the better players and better records.

This year, I pick MSU as my March Madness Cinderella

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Q: Why is the name for the NCAA Tournament, The Big Dance  (also googled: what is the meaning of The Big Dance for March Madness)

Stiletto Jen: You know, I have no idea. It just is. I really had never thought about it till I saw this google.
It actually took me so long to find the answer that I had to do a post about it. Came up with a few theories of my own along the way but I also discovered who first coined the term! Want to know? You gotta read the post! Dancing with the NCAA: Why is it Called The Big Dance?

Q: In March Madness, what does “go dancing” mean?

Stiletto Jen: Teams get to “go dancing” when they secure their place in the tourney, aka The Big Dance. Some get their dance card with they win their Conference Championship. Others have to wait until Selection Sunday to get voted into the Big Dance Show that is March Madness. Also, as the rounds progress and build towards the National Championship, teams “go dancing” when they make it to the Final Four in the tourney.

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Q: How many games will be played in the Big Dance before a Champion is announced?

Stiletto Jen: The National Championship is the 65th game of the tournament, including the Wild Card/Play-in/Opening Round Game.
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Q: What are last 8 teams in the 2009 March Madness called?

Stiletto Jen:  The Elite 8. The teams for the 2009 Elite 8 were: UConn, Villanova, Michigan State, UNC, Oklahoma, Pittsburgh, Louisville and Missouri.

Q: How many games do you have to win to get to the Elite 8?

Stiletto Jen: Um. Well. Technically, you have to have a really good winning season to even get to March Madness. But if you are talking about the rounds in the tourney itself, teams have to win three games to get to the elite 8: Round 1 (The Sassy 64), Round 2 (Trendy and Tenacious Top 32) and the Sweet 16. The No. 64 ranked team had to win four games because they had to win the play-in game.
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Q: How many people watch the Elite 8 basketball games?

Stiletto Jen: A lot.
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Q: What are the last 4 teams in the 2009 March Madness called?

Stiletto Jen: The Final Four. The 2009 Final Four  are: UConn, Villanova, Michigan State and UNC.
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Q: Big Dance Sweet Sixteen Names 32

Stiletto Jen: Could I get that in the form of a question? Let’s see what I can do. Sweet 16 = the final 16 teams left in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, also known as The Big Dance. Round 2 of the tournament has 32 teams, but they do not have a cool nickname. I call it the Trendy and Tenacious Top 32. But it hasn’t caught on yet for the NCAA to trademark it.

Q: Has #16 ranked team ever won a March Madness game?

Stiletto Jen: Nope. No. 16 takes on the No. 1 and there has never been an upset. Though a lot of 16 seeds have come close.

Q: What is the number of fouls that puts NCAA basketball into the double bonus?

Stiletto Jen: Teams hit the double bonus at 10 fouls. From 7-10 they shoot one-and-one, meaning if they make the first free throw, they get to try for another. If the miss the first, they are done. In the double bonus, they shoot two free throws even if they shoot an airball on the first. For more NCAA rules and details please see Girl’s Guide to Basketball: The NBA vs. NCAA

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Q: Teams to watch NCAA basketball?

Stiletto Jen: Can’t go wrong with UNC, Duke, Oklahoma, Louisville, Memphis—er, I guess I should say Kentucky now….. And this year, Michigan State has definitely been the team to watch.

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All About the Players and Coaches

Q: Things college basketball players should know:

Stiletto Jen: If you tell a girl you play ball, she will automatically think you are hotter than she did 10 seconds ago.
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Q: Sexiest, cutest, most attractive, hottest, physically attractive, sexy, college basketball players of NCAA march madness

Stiletto Jen: That wasn’t the actual google, that was just the mix of all of the different googled variations about good looking college basketball players. I am sad to report that I never had a chance to do a piece about NCAA as a whole, but I did pick my hotties of the tournament! I have a huuuuge crush on Mr. Chris Kramer from Purdue and think he is F-I-N-E. A big YUM to Blake Griffin!

My Super Sweet 16 Hotties of March Madness

• Part I: including Chris Kramer, Jeff Adrien, Leo Lyons, Tryeke Evans….
• Part II:  including: Tyler Hansbrough, Blake and Taylor Griffin, Preston Knowles, Jonny Flynn and Delvon Roe

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Q: Who are the top NCAA basketball players of 2009/top 10 college basketball players in country 2009

Stiletto Jen: Ask 10 different fans, 10 different analysts and 10 different sports writers and you will get 30 different answers to that question. This year, it’s almost unanimous across the board that Blake Griffin is the Player of the Year–even to anti-Oklahoma fans. After that, the Top 25 tends to get a little muddled. The same players will show up on everyone’s list, just ranked differently. College Hoops has a great ranking system and a really useful list to reference. Here is their Top 10 picks.

1. Blake Griffin, Oklahoma
2. Tyler Hansbrough, UNC
3. James Harden, Arizona State University
4. Stephen Curry, Davidson
5. Ty Lawson, UNC
6. Luke Harangody, Notre Dame
7. Hasheem Thabeet, UConn
8. DeJuan Blair, Pittsburgh
9. Jordan Hill, Arizona
10. Jeff Teague, Wake Forest

A few more: Sherron Collins, Kansas; Jodie Meeks, Kentucky; Darren Collison, UCLA; Kyle Singler, Duke; Gerald Henderson, Duke; Tyreke Evans, Memphis; Kalin Lucas, Michigan State. For the complete breakdown and their picks for Top NBA Prospects, check out CollegeHoops.net.
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Q: Who are the best college basketball players that you haven’t heard of?

Q: Stiletto Jen: Glad you asked. I actually did a piece about this for The Bleacher Report back in January. By now, though, some of these players have made a name for themselves but, it’s still a pretty good list.

• Into to the Top College Basketball Players that You Need To Know But Probably Don’t
  
• Part I
• Part II
• Part III

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Q: Crazy name college basketball player 2009:

Stiletto Jen: Who is…. Arinze Onuaku? Or who is…. the entire team from Robert Morris with names like Bateko Francisco, Mezie Nwigwe , Ifeanyi Ehirim, and Khalif Foster? Announcers were praying they wouldn’t advance too far in the tourney.

Q: Who is Tyler hansbrough’s sister?

Stiletto Jen: This is a trick question! He does not have a sister! Tyler has a brother named Ben who plays NCAA basketball also. But he plays for Notre Dame I believe.

Q: Who is Blake Griffin Dad?

Stiletto Jen: Tommy Griffin. Tommy coached both Blake and his older brother Taylor in high school basketball in Oklahoma.
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Q: Wayne Ellington is hot

Stiletto Jen: Yes, yes he is. I even picked him as a Bonus Pick on my Hottie Team.


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Q :Who is the college basketbal player with crazy curly hair:

Stiletto Jen: I’m going to go with Matt Bouldin from Gonzaga. He has the best mop of hair!

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Q: Kyle Mcalarney shirtless pic

Stiletto Jen: Oh yummy! He is delish! I couldnt’ find him without a shirt but I found some really hot shots!

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Q: Who is the 4’6 college girl basketball player?

Stiletto Jen:  Tiffara Steward from Farmingdale State University in New York.

Besides being veritcally challenged for basketball, Tiffar is also blind in her right eye, has 50% hearing loss in both ears, has severe scoliosis–her spine is not fully fused since she was born very premature and only weighed 2 pounds–and she has a discrepancy in her legs.

But none of this held her back from becoming a huge star of her team and an inspiration to people all over the world.

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Q: Rick Pitino Christopher Walken

Stiletto Jen: Yes, Christopher Walken would be a great choice to play Pitino in the Disney production of  Louisville basketball.

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Mascotology

Q: Bracket guide by mascot

Stiletto Jen: Ah yes, the beloved mascotology approach to brackets. I created quite a few guides for the tournament to help you do NCAA tournament picks by color and mascots. I’ve listed the guides next to some of my favorite FAQ er, I mean Googles.

• Radford Mascot: Highlanders, Guide to the South Regional Bracket
• E. Tenneessee State Mascot: Buccaneers, Bucky the Pirate and Pepper the Parrot. Guide to East Regional Bracket
• Morehead School Colors: Blue & Gold, Guide to Midwest Regional Bracket
• CS Northridge colors mascot: Red & Black, the Matadors, Guide to West Regional Bracket
• What 2 universities claim “vikings” as their mascot? In the 2009 tournament they were the Cleveland State Vikings and the Portland State Vikings. Mascotology, Missouri Tiger Meets Memphis Tiger
• Tar Heel Sooner Mascot Matchup: see the Elite 8 Matchup Guide

Q: What is Rock Chalk Jayhawk Mascot

Stiletto Jen: Kinda answered your own question there…. the Jayhawk is the Rock Chalk mascot! Rock Chalk, Jayhawk belongs to Kansas University. The live action mascots names are Big Jay and Baby Jay.
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Q: LSU Clemson Memphis Missouri are all Tigers [so what do I do!?!??!?!??!]

Stiletto Jen: Yes they are! Have no fear, we actually covered this topic in Mascotology: What happens when a Memphis Tiger meets a Missouri Tiger! Mascotologists have special means for determining the winner of those kind of mind-stumping match-ups.  (oh yeah, and I totally added that part in the brackets of the googled question, could you tell? )
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Q: Kansas Jayhawk Pic

Q: What the hell is Rock Jock Jayhawk Chant?

Stiletto Jen: It’s actually “Rock Chalk Jayhawk.” It’s the frenzied chant by the fans of Kansas University used to taunt the other teams.

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Q: What are the Kansas Jayhawk Rock Chalk Lyrics

Stiletto Jen: “Rock chalk… Jay-Hawk… KU” They sing it twice veeerrrry slooooowwwlly. Then three times really quick building momentum and frenzy

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Other random facts

Q: NCAA baby ESPN guy

Stiletto Jen: Dick Vitale. Even if the google was not in the form of a question–nor was it even really a complete thought—I have read the Dick Vitale dictionary and am able to decipher such encrypted messages.
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Q: Big Dance Best Cinderella Team Ever

Stiletto Jen: Oooohhhh tough call! Great question! It’s hard to say because every year, there always seems to be a team that breaks out and stuns us all—and makes us love them. And to choose, well, that’s like pitting the Disney Princesses against each other and asking who is the fairest of them all!

But I asked around and was told that it probably has to go to Villanova in 1985. Yeah, they were from the Big East so some don’t count that as Cinderella, but hey, I just argued that MSU is 2009′s Cinderella and they are Big 10 and a No. 2 seed.
In 1985, ‘Nova was a No. 8 seed and they went up against reigning champs Georgetown. G’Town Hoyas had only lost 2 games all year and were boasting their big man Patrick Ewing. It looked like a sure thing. But the Villanova Wildcats won the game and to this day, they are they lowest ranked team to ever have won the National Championship.

Also on the list of Best Cinderella’s are NC State in 1983-83, Kansas in 1988, Gonzaga in 1999. But that is for another day!
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Q: Awesome basketball shot March Madness 2009:

Stiletto Jen: Again we may have to give this to Villanova. Scottie Reynold’s buzzer beating shot advanced ‘Nova over bracket favorite Pittsburgh in the Elite 8.
Another amazing shot during the tourney was from Missouri’s Marcus Denom. Sure, it was a (more than) half-court buzzer beater shot. But, the 65 foot three pointer came as they were heading into halftime, not the end of the game. But I’m sure it hurt Memphis no matter when it was shot!

I’m going to refrain picking my shot until it’s all over!
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Q: Mario Chalmers 3-pointer

Stiletto Jen: …came in the 2008 National Championship game between Kansas and Memphis. Chalmer’s three-pointer with 2.1 seconds  remaining, sent the game into OT. KU went on to win,  75-68,  giving them their first championship in a long time. I should know, I’ve liked them for 15 years and for 15 years they have come close only to fall apart come tourney time.

Watch the Mario Chalmers shot on YouTube

Q: Stiletto website girls NCAA tournament:

Stiletto Jen: Hey! That’s me! Stiletto Sports! Yay!

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Bracketology

Q: What is the point system for college basketball brackets?

Stiletto Jen: Um. No idea. I just filled out a whole lot, was rocking out on them and then came the Sweet 16. All I know is my  brackets went to hell in a handbasket  quicker than Mario Chalmers can shoot a three (or in girl speak, quicker than Julianne can shake those hips).

Well actually, I do know a little. I know that each round has a certain point value per game. Say, Round 1, you get 2 points for every team you guess right. Then in Round 2, you get 5 points for every team you guessed right. The Sweet 16 would be like 10 points per team, and so on. The points go up, the closer you get to the championship.
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Q: How to pick NCAA brackets girls

Stiletto Jen: First I will refer you to Advanced Bracketology which gives some of the most common methods for filling out brackets. I also recommend The Stiletto Sports Official Rulebook for Team Selection aka “the picks” which also helps when it comes down to the intense match-ups. Personally, I use a method that incorporates Mascotology, School Color-ology, and Hot Boy Factor.
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Q: What are the do’s and don’t of brackets?

Stiletto Jen: We covered this question during Bracketology 101: The Do’s and Don’t of Brackets.
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Q: What are the odds of guessing all of the elite eight teams in the brackets:

Stiletto Jen: Eh…. well, the odds of guessing every single team in the 64 team bracket is 9.2 quintillion to 1. So, guessing the Elite 8 is less than that. Ugh, I haven’t had to do a mathematical permutations like this in like, 10 years. If you are picking from the Sweet 16 teams that have already been determined, there are 256 possible combinations to create your Elite 8.
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Q: 65 top teams in order of ranking in march madness

Stiletto Jen: I didn’t really rank them like that. I broke it down by match up per region: East, West, South, Midwest.

For a ranking of the 2009 NCAA men’s basketball tournament, head to CBS Sports.
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Q: “what are the odds that any div. 1 school will make it into the tournament A 1-16 seed will make it to the sweet sixteen..a sweet sixteen team will make it to the elite eight….and elite eight team will make it to the final four”

Stiletto Jen: No joke, someone actually typed all of that into google

And apparently got me. I’m sorry to say, I don’t have a freaking clue and my advice would be, head to your local high school and ask the kids in the senior math Probabily & Statistics class. They would LOVE this kind of problem—plus that kind of math is right in the top of their young brains and ready to be utilized.
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The Stiletto Sports’ Complete Guide to the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament has links to everything from why you should watch March Madness and some of the key (and hot) players to the guides for bracketology and the Final Four–all in one easy to search guide!

What is March Madness and why you should watch it:

• Top Ten Reasons Why NCAA Basketball is so “Awesome, Baby”
• Elite 8 Reasons to Watch NCAA March Madness
• Getting Ready for the Big Dance: What is March Madness
• Dancing With the NCAA: Why is it called The Big Dance? I’m sure you have lot of theories, I know I did! But it took hours to finally found the answer and I can’t wait to share it!

Fun March Madness Commercials and tributes:

• There are no Cinderellas & CBS’s Little Girl/Cinderella Story Series: Cinderella Story was the funniest commercial I’ve seen!
• March Madness: Where Amazing Happens:
• March Madness Tribute Video: One of the best compilations of March Madness highlights that I’ve ever seen.

Girl’s Guide to NCAA college basketball players

• My Super Sweet 16: The hottest, sexiest, cutest, most attractive players of the NCAA tournament
  • Part I: including Chris Kramer, Jeff Adrien, Leo Lyons, Tryeke Evans….
  • Part II:  including: Tyler Hansbrough, Blake and Taylor Griffin, Preston Knowles, Jonny Flynn and Delvon Roe
• Top College Basketball Players That You Need to Know, But Probably Don’t
  • Part I
  • Part II
  • Part III

Girl’s Guide to Bracketology

• Intro to Bracketology: The Structure of the Bracket
• Bracketology 101: The do’s and don’t of brackets
• Advanced Bracketology: The Theories behind the common bracket methodologies. aka–tips on how to pick your teams.
• Mascotology: What happens when a Memphis Tiger meets a Missouri Tiger?
• The NCAA Division I Conferences: Quick NCAA reference guide of all the teams in the conferences

• Guides to the 2009 Brackets:
  • Midwest Region
  • West Region
  • East Region
  • South Region
  • Stiletto Sports’ Personal 2009 Bracket
• 2009 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Match-ups, Round by Round + my amazing insights!
  • Round 1 Update (Sassy 64)
  • Round 2 Matchups (Trendy & Tenacious Top 32)
  • Sweet 16 Matchups
  • Elite 8 Matchups
    • Tyler Hansbrough vs. Blake Griffin: Elite 8 Matchup of Oklahoma and UNC
  • The Final Four
    • And Starring in this year’s production of Cinderella…MSU

Girl’s Guide to Basketball

Unfortunately this section is still incomplete on my site. I’m a busy girl, what can I say! But I did write up a piece about the differences between NBA and NCAA basketball, from the different rules, fouls, and game play situations. More to come soon!

Other NCAA related info

• Caught Between Calipari, My Rock and a Hard Place: Thoughts on Memphis Head Coach John Calipari accepting Kentucky’s offer

Welcome back to My Super Sweet 16, the hotties of the tournament! Yesterday I gave you my first eight picks and now it’s time for part II. Study up because tonight’s games will definitely be filled with these players and you need to be prepared! The games are aired regionally so check and make sure CBS is broadcasting the hottie you want! Otherwise, find a better bar or boot up the laptop!

Enjoy the show!

Oh and if you have any other players you think should be on the list, please, let me know! I’m all for looking up more hot basketball players and promoting them!

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Arizona

#9 Nic Wise, guard

Nic was a huge standout in high school and lead his team to the Texas state championship. His college stats have been solid, but not up to what people expected. But this past year, Little Nic became part of what is known as the Big Three–the dominating force behind Arizona’s success.

When Nic and his fellow Big Three buddies, Chase Budinger and  Jordan Hill are all on and working together, they are  absolutely fabulous. He’s tiny, only 5’10, but he can run the floor, drive to the basket and hit the sweet shot. That’s Hot!

Game Day Stats: averages 15.1 points, 2.4 rebounds, 4.6 assists per game

Personal stats:

• 5’10, 177 pounds
• Birthday: 9/8/1987
• Parents: Greg Wise

Louisville

#10 Preston Knowles

Gotta give props to Preston! He chose to go to Louisville because he knew Coach Rick Pitino would be great for his personal growth and could really make him a better person. And in return, he has given back to the team in a huge way.

Game Day Stats: averages 6.1 points, 2.1 rebounds per game .He leads the Big East in three-point shooting percentage and could be a deadly threat at the end of a game–he is just a bit inconsistent still. Personally I feel he makes up for that with his yumminess. Boys do not usually agree with that fact.

Personal Stats:

• 6’1, 170 pounds
• Born March 26, 1989
• Parent: mom Kym Gipson
• Siblings: sisters Ashley Jamilla Conner, two younger brothers Tavon Lay, Anthony Lay
• Major: psychology with a minor in business and marketing, currently a sophomore
• Likes: He has a soft, sensitive side and likes reading poetry and daydreaming. And cuddling with his puppy! How cute!

also worth mentioning: Will Scott

I just wanted to give a quick mention to Will. I felt that Preston gave a bit more to the team and that’s why he ultimately got a spot in my Sweet 16 but I was really struck by Will.

After reading an article about all of Will’s accomplishments, I was a bit wowed. He’s not your “typical jock stereotype.” This kid has looks, skill and brains all together. He was recently accepted into Oxford’s exclusive and elite program to study Chinese, hoping to one day be a Chinese diplomat.

He already has his bachelor’s degree in marketing with a minor in Chinese and is currently working on his master’s in business administration. Through it all, even while being apart of Rick Pitino’s elite squad, he has maintained a 3.9 GPA.

“I think that’s tremendous. I’m real proud of Will. He’s been a delight to coach. He transferred from Cornell [University] because he wanted to be a part of big time basketball. He’s never had a bad day personality-wise and he’s always upbeat. Regardless of if he plays or not, it doesn’t matter [to him]. He’s been a shining light for our program for the time he’s been here.” ~Rick Pitino from The Louisville Cardinal

Syracuse

#10 Jonny Flynn, guard

Jonny’s leadership and drive has been a huge part of Syracuse’s tournament success this year.  In his freshman year, he was thrust into the leading position and he ran with it. He became the Big East Co-Rookie of the Year. His sophomore year has been even more impressive as he has continued to grow and develop as a player and a leader. There is much speculation about him joining the NBA draft at the end of this year and if he is actually ready for that.

He is a little guy, even by point guard standards but he is quick and can really handle the ball. He has a really sweet three-point shot–when he can make it. He’s not the most consistent. And his major downfall is that he wishes he was a little bit taller. He tends to try to power into the basket only to get tied up by the bigger, badder defenders. But it’s super hot to watch him take it to the basket and be able to dunk the ball, then step back a few plays later and sink an outside shot!

Game Day Stats: averages 17.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, 6.7 assists per game.

Personal Stats:

• 6’0, 185 pounds
• 2/6/1989, Niagra Falls, NY
• Parents: Rev. William and Deirdre Flynn.
• Siblings: sister Tabitha
• Major: communication and rhetorical studies, currently a sophomore

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Oklahoma

#11. The Griffin Brothers

It would be impossible for me to mention one without the other, especially given my history of loving basketball-playing-brothers. These two represent everything that is great and wonderful about basketball: hottie brothers playing it, and playing it well!

Yeah okay, there are other great things about basketbll but who can really deny hottie brothers double the pleasure and double the fun? The NY Times printed a fantastic article about the brothers!

Meet: Blake Austin Griffin, forward

Blake is the younger of the two Griffin boys but this baby bro is the star of the team. There’s really not much more I can say about him that hasn’t already been said. He is in the Top 10 Big Names, if not the Biggest Big Name, of college basketball right now, meaning Sportscenter and every announcer, sportswriter and analyst sweats him.

And for good reason! He is hot! Just kidding….sort of….

The Sooners have always been known for their football prowess (mmmm Sam Bradford…….yum….) but Blake’s amazing talent really put Oklahoma on the basketball map too. Players all over the country began to sit up and think, “I want to go to Oklahoma! I want to play with Blake.”

He is super talented and fiercely competitive. He will do anything for the win.  Other teams are calling him The Terminator because he goes into game mode and nothing affects him. He just plays. This poor guy is constantly being injured and beat up on the court with other teams physically attacking him and he just stands up, shakes the dirt off and goes on. His retailiation? Winning the game. During the first weekend of March Madness,    flipped him over in this crazy Wrestle Mania type move and slammed Blake on his already injured back.

Rumors and speculations are flying about the upcoming NBA draft. Even though Oklahoma has managed to recruit some stellar players in the last two years, there is no denying Blake is the epicenter of their success.

Just a warning, sometimes he looks really weird looking. The camera doesn’t always love him. But watch him play and you will totally appreciate it! He is fantastic.

Game Day Stats: averages 21.9 points, 14.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game.

Personal Stats:

• 6’10, 250 pounds
• Birthdate: 3/16/1989
• Major: pre-health and exercise science, currently a sophomore
• Parents: Gail & Tommy Griffin.

Meet: Taylor Griffin, forward

I feel bad because no one can talk about Taylor without talking about Blake. The funny thing is that if it wasn’t for Taylor, there would be no Blake. Taylor sparked that fierce competitve streak in Blake from the time they were little boys. Over the years, that brotherly love and competition really drove Blake to be the player he has become.

Taylor is even the one that convinced Blake to head to Oklahoma instead of the elite ACC teams like Duke. Even if it meant that Taylor would never be the star of his own team. He was just happy to play with his bro again. Their father Tommy coached the boys’  high school basketball team that they played on together before Taylor went to college.

Taylor is two years older and will be graduating this year.

Game Day Stats: averages 9.6 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game.

Personal stats

• 6’7, 238 pounds
• Birthdate: 4/18/1986
• Major: pre-health and exercise sciences, currently a senior
• Father Facts: Dad Tommy coached the bros during high school.

***I don’t know what they are putting in the water in Oklahoma but they are just attracting hotties! Cade Davis is also worth checking out. Such a little cutie pie!

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Kansas

#12. Sherron Collins, guard

First off, I have to confess, I am a sucker for short point guards who rock the #4. Just a thing I have. Second, I have a thing for Kansas point guards. But even if those weren’t the case, Sherrell is actually worthy of my Sweet 16 nomination!

Sherron was a shining star last season in the National Championship game against Memphis. He didn’t start but wound up playing most of the game and racked in 11 points, 6 assists and 3 steals. His clutch three-point shot with 1:46 remaining in the game brought KU back from being down nine. Who can forget Mario Chalmers’ game-tying three pointer with 2.1 left? Well, it was Sherron that got the ball to Chalmers for that shot.

His skills and floor presence have been developing rapidly and he has become the solid foundation of the team.

Game Day Stats: averages 18.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 5 assists per game. The teams lead scorer.

Personal Stats:

• Full name: Sherron Marlon Collins
• 5’11, 200 pounds
• Parents: mom Stacy Harris
• Major: African and African American Studies, currently a sophomore
• Others: he was also a wide receiver AND star pitcher for his high school. Talk about your well rounded athletes.

Michigan State

#14 Delvon Roe, forward

This kid has a whole lot of potential and I can’t wait to watch him grow into it! He was a star in high school until his senior year when he was sidelined after the first game because of his knee surgery. That first game boasted impressive numbers and a dunk that was listed in the Top 10 plays on ESPN.

In February, Delvon was named Big 10 Player of the Week after his solid performance against rivals, Michigan. He pulled down 14 points and 10 rebounds, 11 of the points coming in his explosive first half performance.

game day stats: averages 6 points and 5.3 rebounds per game

Personal Stats:

• 6’7, 215 pounds
• Birthdate: 10/3/1989, Ohio
• Parents: Delvon and Tracey
• Major: Criminal justice, currently a freshman

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Gonzaga

#15 Steven Grey

Here’s another little guy on the brink of setting NCAA basketball on fire! Despite being injured for the first half his freshmen season, he broke out and really began to shine last year. He was nearly lethal with his 46% 3-point shooting percentage. He even held his own going into the 2008 tournament but unfortunately, the Zags came up against Davidson and pitted Steven Grey against Stephen Curry, who was having a huge breakout run of his own.

This year has been a little bit quieter for Grey. He’s been coming off the bench and all the analysts say he looks a little unsure of himself. He has the potential, he just needs to believe it a little big more and he will definitely be a shining star.

Game Day Stats: averages 9.3 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.0 assists per game

Personal Stats:

• 6’5, 208 pounds
• 4/8/1989
• Parents: Robert and Lorraina. Robert was ball player for University of Kentucky
• Siblings: sister Brittany who is baskeball star for Gonzaga women’s team

also worth mentioning: Matt Bouldin, guard

People will definitely think I’m crazy but I have a slight thing for this floppy, curly haired boy. What can I say, dark hair and curls get me every time! He is one the team’s leading scorers and playmakers. His great instincts and natural ability have been a a huge part of Gonzaga’s success.

And it’s just fun to watch his hair while he runs! Well, until it gets really sweaty. Ew.

Game Day Stats: average 13.7 points, 4.1 rebounsd and 3.5 assists per game.

He’s 6’5, 224 pounds of floppy hair!

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UNC

#16 Tyler Hansbrough, forward

Once again, there isn’t much I can say about this guy that hasn’t already been said. He is the Mr. Big Name. And apparently, this poster of him shows that he is also Mr. Teen Beat.

I definitely need to warn everyone, he does not always look so perfect and air-brushed. He can be a hot mess. But his body is hot and his play is top-notch, so even in those moments when his nose gets smashed in–again—he still works it.

Game Day Stats:

Accolades:

• Atlantic Coast Conference All Conference Team: 2006. 2007, 2008…etc….
• ACC Freshman of the Year, 2006
• ACC Conference Player of the Year, 2008
• Sports Illustrated and Sporting News National Player of the Year, 2008

He’s so good that his number will actually be retired when he graduates.

Personal Stats:

• Full Name: Andrew Tyler Hansbrough. Wow. As if Tyler wasn’t hot-boy name enough! Andrew is another Hot-Boy Name! Double the hotness! (For the record, I have concluded that “Nick” is the ultimate Hot Boy name.)
• Birthdate: November 3, 1985
• 6’8, 240 pounds of hard muscle….
• Parents: Dr. Gene Hansbrough and Tami Wheat (ironic for me because my friend Nick—who is the hottest guy I know and helped me conclude that the name Nick is a Hot Boy Name—has the nickname Wheat).
• Siblings: Ben Hansbrough, also a college ball player.

Also worth mentioning: Wayne Ellington

I have to at least through a quick yummy to Wayne Ellington because this photo is just….well, yeah. Yum.

Did you miss the first half? Rewind and take a look of the hot boys from the first day of the Sweet16 match-ups!

]]> http://www.stilettosetsports.com/my-super-sweet-16-hotties-of-the-ncaa-tourney-part-ii/feed/ 0 http://www.stilettosetsports.com/my-super-sweet-16-the-hotties-of-the-ncaa-tourney-part-i/ http://www.stilettosetsports.com/my-super-sweet-16-the-hotties-of-the-ncaa-tourney-part-i/#comments Thu, 26 Mar 2009 19:44:06 +0000 Stiletto Jen http://www.stilettosetsports.com/?p=4394 Once a year, usually around the first week of March, this amazing phenomenon occurs. Some call it March Madness but to me, it’s so much more than that. It’s actually quite similar to what happens during those late, crazy hours at the bar when you are just so attracted to a member of the opposite sex that you take them home with you only to wake up the next morning with a splitting headache and a very ugly person next to you. People call this crazy phenomenon the case of  the “beer goggles” (or if it was really bad, a case of Lasik Eye Surgery).

See, every year during March Madness I look for the hottest guys on the team. Hey, look, if I’m going to watch 65 basketball games you better believe I want some eye candy, okay!  I have always had a thing for basketball boys, especially when they are on the court playing. And every March I find dozens of hot men to cheer for, only to wake up in April and go, um, “why on earth was I screaming my head off for Purdue? I don’t even like Purdue!”

During March Madness it seems that I pull out, what I like to call, my trusty “basketball goggles.”

I’ve had a bunch of requests for a piece on the hottest and sexiest college basketball players but kept putting it off  because unlike football players with their rock solid physiques or baseball with, well,  Derek Jeter, basketball players are usally really tall, lanky and often, very goofy looking—especially in college ball when these youngin’s are not fully developed.

See, the funny thing about some of these oh-so-hot-guys on-the-court is….well….I wouldn’t look twice at most of them if they were walking down the street by themselves or worked in an office. But throw them on a basketball court where I can watch them play and look out.

On the court they just possess this amazing skill and  precision. There is power and agility combined with their dedication and leadership. And if they can hit a three-point shot, or run the point and direct the court, well forget it, I’m half in love already. And off the court when they are rolling with the whole team to the bar or strutting around campus (shutup, I know I’m not actually in college anymore. I have a great memory though) it’s their attitude, their swagger that just has most women hooked.

My very long-winded babbling point is: do not judge a basketball player by his pictures. They often look so much better when they are playing on the court and you have your basketball goggles fully in place.  I’ll admit, some of the players I picked for my Super Sweet 16 look very odd in pics. But get them on the court and well, HOT DAMN!

I am giving you my list by Sweet 16 matchups, not necessarily in order of hotness. Athough by pure luck the first game is Purdue-UConn which puts Purdue as my first hottie and he is by far my favorite!

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Purdue

#1 Chris Kramer, guard

THIS is the reason I will wake up in April and say “why on earth was I cheering for Purdue?” There is no denying that this man is ridiculously hot. He definitely makes my hormones boil. Get it, Purdue Boilermakers….yeah okay lame.

Not only is he hot, but he is actually pretty good! A rare combo. In his freshmen year, he shattered Purdue’s record for steals in a season and in his sophomore season he was named the Big 10 Conference Defensive Player of the Year.

Personal Stats:

• Full Name: Christopher Scott Kramer
• 6’3, 207 pounds
• 4/4/1988 (happy almost b’day!)
• Academic Major: Organizational leadership and supervision. Currently a junior
• Parents’ Names: Jon and Susan Kramer
• Siblings: Has one brother, Matthew.

UConn

#2. Jeff Adrien, forward,

Power, strength and damn fine body. Yum!

Game Day Stats:

He averages 13.2 points, 10.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game. Leads the Big East Conference in double-doubles with 33 (as of last UConn team homepage update). He is the powerhouse behind UConn’s success and one of their leading scorers. He definitely brings it on the court!

Personal:

• 6’7, 243 pounds
• Born February 10, 1986 in Naples, Fla.
• Major: Liberal arts major, currently a senior.
• Parents: mom, Linette Adrien
• Siblings: Has a sister, Judith.

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Xavier

This is what I had to choose from:

I have to confess, these boys in blue didn’t do too much for me. Blue Blobs is an appropriate mascot……Okay that was mean. I’m going to go with

#3 Jason Love, forward/center

I’m not going to say he’s the McDreamy of basketball but his moves on the court are pretty sweet plus his last name is Love. Bonus points for that. Head Coach Sean Miller had a lot to say about his big man:

“Jason Love is one of the most responsible, hard-working, dedicated kids that I have ever coached. He improves by leaps and bounds every off season because of his approach to becoming the best he can be.” ~Xavier Official Athletics Website

Game Day Figures: averages 7.1 points, 5.9 rebounds per game.

• 6’9, 255 pounds
• Birthdate: 9/15/1987, Philadelphia, PA.
• Major: undecided, currently a junior.
• Family: father Wendell Love
• ——————————————————–

Pittsburgh

#4 Jermaine Dixon, guard

He’s quick and has a raw, natural skill about him. Gotta love the little guy that can shoot from way out yet knows how to power to the basket. He’s a fierce competitor and is driven by his NBA playing brother to succeed.

Game Day Stats: average 9 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists per game.

• 6’3, 195 pounds
• Birthdate: 4/15/1987, Baltimore, MD
• Major: currently a junior. Went to junior college in Tallahassee, FL
• Parents: Juanita Dixon and Robert Cooper
• Siblings: Phil III, Juan, Nicole. You may know his brother Juan. He plays in the NBA for the  Detroit Pistons player and was part of the Maryland’s 2002 National Champion team.
• Other: His aunt, Shelia Dixon is the current mayor of Baltimore.

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Missouri

#5 Leo Lyons, forward

In his junior year, Leo burst out and really began to shine. He was named to the Big 12 All-Improved Team after jumping from 7.4 ppg and 4.3 rpg in his sophomore year to averaging 13.1 points and 5.7 rebounds during his junior year. And that’s nothing! He hit the conference play section of the season and really began to shine. He ranked #10 in the Big 12 for both scoing and rebounding last year (conference play)

Game Days Stats: average 14.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists per game

• 6’9, 244 pounds
• Birthdate: 5/25/1987 Kansas City, KS
• Parent: Georgia Lyons
• Family Man & Mama’s Boy: Loves spending time with his fam, talks to his mom before this games and his fave food is mom’s chicken with hot sauce.
• Major: not sure but he is a senior and known to be a really talented muscian who writes and performs his own music and hopes to one day own a record label.

Memphis

#6 Tyreke Evans, guard

If I didn’t worship Head Coach John Calipari and needed another reason to advance Memphis through my brackets, here he is:

This guy is sizzling. Not every college basketball player gets hot photo shoots like this one. Because, like I said, most are kinda goofy looking. But Tyreke has a drool worthy body and really impressive skills.

Game Day Stats: 16.6 points per game, 5.5 rebounds and 3.8 steals per game. He is the Tigers leading scorer and the go-to guy.

Oh and did I mention he is just a freshman?

He’s received the Freshman of the Year accolade from The Sporting News, CBSSports.com and FoxSports.com and USBWA (US Baketball Writer’s Association), which means he has won the consensus National Freshman of Year distinction.

Right now he is a finalist for National Player of The Year honors for both the 2008-09 Wooden Award and the Oscar Robertson Trophy–and is the only freshman in the finalists.

Personal Stats

• 6’6, 219 pounds
• Full Name: Tyreke Jamir Evans
• Birthdate: 9/19/1989
• Parents: John and Benita Evans
• Major: undeclared, freshman

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Villanova

#7 Scottie Reynolds, guard

This former Big East Rookie of the Year has been an explosive and deadly force for ‘Nova. He can play both guard positions with a mastered skill that many hope to achieve. In other words, he can shoot the sweet three that I love so much, lead the floor and still manage to drive himself into the basket. There is nothing sexier than a little guy that can do all of that! Well, unless he has a brother that can do it too

Game Day Stats: averages 15.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.6 assists per game and is the team’s second leading scorer. Was awarded the Most Outstanding Player of the Year award at the 2008 Villanova awards banquet.

• 6’2, 190 pounds
• Birthdate: 10/10/1987
• Parents: Pam & Rick Reynolds
• Siblings: as two brothers, Eric and Ross, and three sisters, Kelli Platt, Susie, and Daihilia

Duke

Forget Kyle Singler, Gerald Henderson and even Jon Scheyer. I want this guy:

#2 Greg Paulus, guard

He might not have the fame, stature and stats of his teammates but make no mistake, this little guy is one of the top three-point shooting threats in the country. He is ranked #12 in the ACC career record book–as in, of all time in the ACC…. you know, the super big name schools…. for three-point field goal percentage/attempts with 41.5 percent. And he is ranked #4 in the Duke career books too.

Plus, in the previos three seasons, he lead the team in assists. Okay so maybe he’s not having the best senior season but whatever. He is still hotter than the other guys!

Game Day Stats: 5.1 points, 1.4 rebounds and 1.3 assists

• 6’1, 185 pounds
• Full name: Gregory Russell Paulus
• 7/3/1986, orginially from Syracuse
• Parents:  Dave and Denise Paulus
• Siblings:  Has four older brothers: David, Matt, Dan and Chris. Younger brother, Mike, and a younger sister, Sarah
• Major: political science with a certificate in markets and management studies. Currently a senior.

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Continue on to Part II

By Monday I was exhausted. Although by Monday night I felt very sad and lonely without any games! Thank goodness there was Dancing with the Stars!

Oh and did I mention how much I rocked at my brackets? Currently I am 42-6–give or take one or two depending on the pool I’m in! I’m telling you, that Stiletto Sports Official Guide to

The teams have been whittled down from 64 to the sweet 16 where they will battle it out to become the Elite 8. Games begin at 7 p.m. Thursday and will last till mid–night each night so be prepared. If you are going out to eat, do it early! Or make sure you are at a place where they will keep bringing you food. Anyone else dying for Buffalo Wild Wings after the million commercials on CBS? (Note: this is the worst/best time of year to go there. It will be a zoo.)

Here are the matchups, broken down by day and time:

Thursday:

7:07 p.m.

#5 Purdue (24-9)

• Big Ten
• Location: West Lafayatte, Indiana
• Mascot: Boilermakers
• What is a Boilermaker?: It’s actually an old slang term for engineering. Pretty interesting story
• School Colors: Old Gold and Black
• Coach: Matt Painter
• Players:

#1 UConn (27-4)

• Big East
  
• Location: Storrs, Conn
• Mascot: Huskies
• School Colors: National Flag Blue and White
• Song:” UConn Husky”
• Coach: Jim Calhoun
• Players: Jeff Adrien,
• Big Name Alumni: Ray Allen, of the Boston “Three-Party” Celtics

My amazing insights and picks: Still a little ticked off at Purdue for it’s close game with Washington. I’ve never been a Purdue fan but decided to break down my old hard feelings and pick them, and then they make my heart stop throughout the tourney. Bad. However, this is tough because I happen to have a huge crush on Chris Kramer. He is really hot and I named him to my Super 16 Team.

But despite UConn’s shortage of hot men, I am still going to go with them. Rule #2d of the Stiletto Sports Official Rulebook for Team Selection clearly says you can go against the hotties if you really and truly have good reason to. I’ve been a UConn fan for awhile. I think it is safe.

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7:27 p.m.

#4 Xavier (25-7)

• Atlantic 10
  
• Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
• Nickname: Musketeers
• Mascot: “D’Artagnan the captain of Musketeers of the Guard” and also, The Blue Blob. Um. Okay.
• School Colors: Navy Blue, Grey, White
• Coach: Sean Miller
• Players: B.J. Raymond, Derrick Brown, C.J. Anderson, Jason Love

#1 Pittsburgh (28-4)

• Big East
  
• Location: Pittsburgh, PA
• Nickname: Panthers
• Mascot: Roc the Panthers
• School Colors: Blue and Gold
• Coach: Jamie Dixon
• Rivals: West Virginia
• Fanatical Fans: The Oakland Zoo. Pitts fans have been ranked the top in country and labeled “phenomenal” and “formidable.” Oakland refers to the neighborhood in Pitts where the college is.
• Players: Sam Young, DeJuan Blair, Jermaine Dixon, Levance Fields, Brad Wannamaker

My Amazing Insights and Picks: I still hold a grudge against Pitts for that whole winning the Super Bowl thing. I’m kinda anti-the whole state of Penn actually if you throw in the World Series winning Phillies and the fact that my hottie doctor boy decided to do his residency there and not in Florida…..

Oh, yeah focus. I like Xavier. They are the only Ohio team I currently support. But I’m still giving it to the Panthers. The Blue Blob and lack of hot men thing really gets me with the X.

—————————–

9:37 p.m.

#3 Missouri (28-6)

• Big 12 Champs
• Location: Columbia, Missouri
• Mascot: Tigers
• School Colors: Old Gold and Black
• Nickname: Mizzou
• Coach:  Mike Anderson
• Arch Rival: Kansas
• Players: DeMarre Carroll, Leo Lyons, J.T. Tiller, Matt Lawrence

#2 Memphis (31-3)

• Conference USA Champs
• Location: Memphis, Tennessee
• Mascot: Tigers
• School Colors: blue & grey (which I find odd. How do you have blue and grey tigers?)
• Coach: John Calipari (!)
• Players: Tyreke Evans, Robert Dozier, Shawn Taggart, Antonio Anderson
• Biggest Rival: Louisville
• Claim to Fame: They made it to the Final Four last year and into the Championship game where they lost to Kansas.
• Fun Fact: They have a live Bengal tiger as a mascot! He appears at football games. Well, actually, he died in October. But still, pretty cool.

My Amazing and Insightful Thoughts and Picks: In case I haven’t mentioned it enough, I heart John Calipari. I don’t know what it is but I have loved this man for well over 10 years since he was at UMass. His boys may always struggle to be the best but I definitely have a soft spot for them. Don’t get me wrong, I’m so happy KU won last year (FINALLY), but I’d like to see Memphis get another shot at it.  Even if some really believe Missouri can totally take them down.

———————————————

9:57 p.m

#3 Villanova (26-7)

• Big East
  
• Location: Villanova, PA
• Nickname: Wildcats
• Mascot: Will D. Cat
• School Colors: Blue and White
• Coach: Jay Wright
• Rivals: Part of the Philadelphia Big 5, which is the rivalry between the schools of the city. “The Holy War” is the battle between Nova and St Joseph’s.
• Claim to Fame: When the famous Liberty Bell cracked, a new one was made called “the Sister Bell.”  Nova proudly houses the bell on their campus
• Players: Dante Cunningham, Scottie Reynolds, Corey Fisher, Corey Stokes—I like to think of them like as the Two Coreys (for those of you who are not children of the 80s, that means the bromance team of Corey Haim and Corey Feldman)

#2 Duke (28-6)

• ACC Champs
• Location: Durham, North Carolina
• Nickname: Blue Devils
• School Colors: Royal (Duke) Blue and White
• Coach: Coach K, Mike Krzyzewski
• Fanatical Fans: The Cameron Crazies. You do not mess with these people. They will f&%$ you up.
• Rivals: UNC. It’s known as the Tobacco Road rivalry and is quite possibly the most famous war in sports.
• Players: Gerald Henderson, Kyle Singler, Jon Scheyer, Nolan Smith, Greg Paulus

My Amazing and Insightful Thoughts and Picks: So not to incriminate myself, I plead the 5th here.

See, there is a big of a problem with this game. Mark, one of my best guy friends of all time, is a huge Duke fan. I call him the Mayor of my Pink Bubble World because he stops me from making all sorts of bad decisions and tends to know me better than I know myself. His best guy friend Shelton, is a huge ‘Nova fan. I’ve also known Shelton since high school.

Therefore, I am stuck between two of my favorite guys (hmmm maybe that isn’t so bad afterall. They are both super hot….). I feel I can not vocally declare allegiance to either team because the possible reprecussions of said allegiance could destroy my bond with the boys. Although I have picked a team to cheer for. Shhhh…..

________________________________________________________________________

Friday:

7:07 p.m.

#14 Arizona*** (19-13)

• Pac-10
• Location: Tuscon, Arizona
• *** NOT to be confused with Arizona State University. In fact, fans would really not be happy if you mixed them up. There is a very intense and heated rivalry between the two schools
• Mascot: Wildcats
• School Colors: Cardinal Red and Navy Blue
• Coach: Lute Olson
• Players: Jordan Hill, Chase Budinger, Nic Wise, Jamelle Horne, Kyle Fogg
• Fun Facts: Remember the hit movie Speed with Sandra Bullock, Keanu and the scary bomber guy Dennis Hopper? While Sandy’s character is driving the out-of-control bus, Hopper calls her “Wildcat” because he can see the college logo on her outfit.
• Record: The Wildcats have had 25 consecutive appearances in the NCAA tournament and is the longest current streak. However, they have only won one championship in that time….. But it was a doozy! In 1997, Arizona became the only team to ever defeat 3 of the 4 #1 seeds en route to the championship (it’s impossible to play all 4)

#1 Louisville (28-5)

• Big East Champs
• Location: Louisville, Kentucky (wonder if that’s close to Morehead….)
• Mascot: Cardinals
• School Colors: Red & Black
• Coach: the Rick Pitino
• Players: Edgar Sosa, Terrence Williams, Preston Knowles, Earl Clark, Samardo Samuels
• They aren’t just a #1 seed, they are THE #1 seed. Their season and conference play was so impressive that the committee picked them as their fave!

My Amazing and Insightful Thoughts and Picks: Sorry boys, I’m jumping from my Arizona loving ship. Hey, I showed my love for the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals through most of the tourney by picking Arizona AND Arizona State even though they hate each other! If you weren’t following me through the NFL playoffs —(first, why not? and second you totally missed out. Go back and read all my stuff!)–I fell in love with Kurt Warner and the Cards. So much so that I felt it necessary to continue to pick Arizona teams in every other thing (I also have friends in AZ whom I love dearly–and another one should be born any day now…..).

However, who doesn’t love some Rick Pitino? Even my dad who cast off March Madness with a dismissive shrug saying he just doesn’t get it, decided to cheer on Louisville because he saw his buddy Rick was the coach.

If you look, it’s actually kinda ironic for me. Arizona versus the Cardinals! So I don’t feel wrong picking the Cards. I’m not a full traitor

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7:27 p.m.

#3 Syracuse (26-9)

• Big East
  
• Location: Syracuse, NY
• Nicknames: Orange, Orangemen
• Mascot: Otto The Orange
• School Colors: Orange….. are you noticing a theme here?
• Coach: Jim Boeheim
• Home Court Advantage: The Orange play in the Carrier Dome–I’ve even heard of it! It’s the largest domed college stadium in the country. My school had a dome. It was small.
• Players: Jonny Flynn, Arinze Onuaku, Eric Devendorf, Paul Harris
• Fame: VP Joe Biden

#2 Oklahoma (25-7)

• Big 12
  
• Location: Norman, Oklahoma
• Nickname: Sooners
• Sooner than what damnit!: I’ve been curious about their name for a long time! It’s actually a throwback to the early days of land settlement. People were given markers and allowed to claim their land, but a “sooner” was someone who snuck in before they were officially allowed to and staked their claim anyway! (Far & Away with Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman when they were still together and he wasn’t crazy, shows a great example of this….)
• Mascot: Sooner Schooner. LOL! It’s actually an oldtime wagon (think Oregon Trail game….) pulled by two horses, Boomer and Sooner
• School Colors: Crimson and Cream
• Coach: Jeff Capel
• Arch Rivals: Texas. It’s called the Red River Shootout. And also Oklahoma State.
• Facts: All I know is that Sam Bradford is the QB for the Sooners football team that almost won the NCAA Football thingy and he was the Heisman Trophy Winner.
• Players: Even better, the basketball team features the Griffin Brothers, Blake and Taylor. Anyone who knows me know that I truly believe there is nothing better than hottie brothers playing basketball together. Oh wait….it can actually get better if hottie brothers playing basketball play shirtless.

My Amazing and Insightful Thoughts and Picks: Please please please PLEASE do not make me pick this one! Here’s my deal. I’m from upstate NY. I know a lot of people that went to ‘Cuse. They year they won the tourney was the year my bracket won in the pool with all my male friends much to their dismay. I have love for the Orange.

But in 2009 during college football season, I found some serious love for the Sooners and his name is Sam Bradford. Once again, if you didn’t follow my heartache during the college BCS, go read! Even when they went up against Gator Nation –a mere three hours from my place here in sunny Florida–I still repped for Oklahoma. And then I got know the Griffin Bros. Well not personally, I wish. They stand for everything I love about basketball: Hottie Brothers Playing It! That’s how I got my start loving the game and I feel it would be disrespectful to go against that!

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9:37 p.m.

#3 KU: Kansas University (25-7)

• Big 12
• Location: Lawrence, Kansas. Allen Fieldhouse
• Mascot: Jayhawks
• School Colors: Blue and Crimson
• Song: Rock Chalk, Jayhawk (totally worth clicking the link and hearing the story. Could be most peculiar Fight Song of the tourney)
• Coach: Bill Self
• Players: Sherron Collins, Cole Aldrich, Tyshawn Taylor, Marcus Morris, Brady Morningstar,
• Fame: The father of basketball James Naismith himself, actually founded and ran the first basketball program at KU.  The basketball court at the Allen Fieldhouse is the James Naismith Court.
• Finally: After years of being seeded high and failing to go all the way, the Jayhawks broke out and won the 2008 Championship! Rock Chalk boys, rock chalk…

#2 Michigan State (26–6)

• Big 12
  
• Location: East Lansing, MI
• Mascot: Spartans
• School Colors: Green and White
• Coach: Tom Izzo (for shizzo)
• Players: Kalin Lucas, Raymar Morgan, Goran Sutton, Durrell Summers, Chris Allen (not to be confused with cutie Kris Allen from American Idol….)
• Claim to Fame: They have won 2 Championships. The most notable was the 1979 game that pitted Spartan Ervin “Magic” Johnson against Indiana’s Larry Bird. Perhaps you have heard of them? That win fueled the rivalry that extended into the NBA with Magic on the Lakers and Bird ont he Celtics.

My Amazing and Insightful Thoughts and Picks: Mich state YOU ARE GOING DOWN! HA!

I pick Kansas. I heart Kansas. I am cuckoo for KU! The first love of my life got me into KU and he currently lives right near it. And I will be rocking my sweet old school KU jersey to the bar Friday night when my boys take on my buddy Erik’s boys from Mich State. It’s a matchup we have been waiting two years for.

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9:57 p.m.

#4 Gonzaga (26-5)

• West Coast Champs
• Location:  Spokane, Washington (You have no idea how long I’ve wondered where it was. I always assumed it was in the Southeast)
• Nickname: Bulldogs ( I really wish it was Gonzo from the Muppet Babies). Players are also called Zags***
• What is a Gonzaga?: I feel kinda bad because it really always has reminded me of the Muppets but the school is actually named for the young Jesuit saint, St. Aloysius Gonzaga.
• Mascot: Spike the Bulldog
• School Colors: Blue, White, and Red
• Coach: Mark Few
• Players: John Heytvelt, Matt Bouldin, Austin Daye, Jeremy Pargo, Steven Grey

#1 UNC (28-4)

• ACC
• Location: Chapel Hill, North Carolina (University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill)
• Nickname: Tar Heels
• What is a Tar Heel: Been wondering that for years. In short, North Carolina was big on producing tar way back in the days of wars. Also, someone with “tar on their heels” is said to be someone who stands their ground and doesn’t back down.
• Mascot: Ram named Ramses
• School Colors: Carolina Blue and White
• Arch Nemesis: Duke Blue Devils
• Coach: Roy Williams (!)
• Players: Tyler Hansborough, Ty Lawson, Wayne Ellington. And a whole lot of other players that no one can remember the names of becaue those big 3 dominate the headlines.
• Fame and Fortune: home of the great Michael Jordan, amongst many, many others.

My Amazing and Insightful Thoughts and Picks: It breaks my heart a little bit to do this but I’m going to have to pick UNC. Secretly, though, I am pulling for the Zags. I am just in awe of how far they have come since their first attempts at the tourney back in the day—when everyone was like “who the hell is Gonzaga?” Now they seem to always get invited to the Dance and are beginning to run with the popular crowd.

But even so, it seems a bit silly to say they can defeat the powerhouse UNC. Besides, if I am pulling for Duke to win (which I neither confirm nor deny….) then I have to pull for UNC because it would be swell if they met up in the Final Four. It would take the tourney to a whole new level.

However, what happens, when a Memphis Tiger meets a Missouri Tiger? Or a Connecticut Husky meets a Washington Husky? How do Mascotoligists determine who the winner will be?

I cannot pretend I’m the Tom Cruise of Mascotology or anything but I do have my own formula!

I’m going to back up a few steps from the Sweet 16 to give you the bigger picture because this year in the tournament, there were 4 eagles, 4 tigers, 3 bulldogs, 2 wildcats, 2 huskies, 2 vikings, and 2 Aggies. I’m going to pit them head to head and see who would come out the winner according to Mascotology.

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Eagles: Amercian, Boston College, Marquette, Morehead

Boston College

Marquette

American

Morehead

For the record, Marquette is actually the Golden Eagles.

Here we have four very fierce and proud Eagle mascot logos. Even those in profile show a fierceness that most top models can’t achieve. This is probably the hardest decision to make out of all of the competing mascots. You have to really look closely and I think it really comes down to personal tastes.

To me, Boston College looks a little perplexed. American, I feel, lacks depth and looks like any other Eagle representing America or the U.S. that I have ever seen. Lacks orginality

That brings me to the battle of Morehead and Marquette. Both gold and blue, both regal and give the feel that they would totally peck your eyes out. I love the way Morehead’s Eagle seems to jump off the page at me. The little details like the shine on the nose really make this one pop. But, Marquette’s Eagle manages to look strong and fierce in profile, a very difficult thing to achieve.

You’ll have to decide this one!

[poll id="25"]

Tiger: Memphis, Missouri, LSU, Clemson
Ah, the Tigers. Very interesting category. Personally I’m a Memphis fan in the brackets. But, if I were using just Mascotology I’m not so sure I’d advance them. Let’s take a look:

Memphis

Missouri

LSU

Clemson

Right off the bat, I’m going to toss out Clemson. I mean, the paw with the little hook cut out of it at the bottom might be a licensed and registerd tradmarked patent for Clemson only and made from an actual Begal Tiger, but really, that could be the pawprint of any cat-like animal. I’m sure it’s a furry-ocious catlike animal but yeah….

As for Memphis, this poor tiger is cartooned up and down and looks like its trying to jump out and hug someone. Not scary at all.

LSU’s tiger is good. I like all the realistic detailing. The only problem is he is showing no fierceness. He is actually using the smiling with the eyes approach instead of the angry but pretty method to modeling. It makes his roar look like a meow.

Missouri on the other hand nails this one. Even in profile there is a startling ferocious fierceness. I believe that roar! Makes the other cats look like little kittens.

[poll id="26"]

Bulldogs: Mississippi State, Butler, Gonzaga

Mississippi State Butler Gonzaga

Poor Miss State, their bulldog looks more like an old man with saggy jowls, wandering around campus in his alumni sweater. Not scary at all.
Butler makes a pretty mean bulldog. It even looks like he could hypnotize with those eyes in the still photo. Creepy.
But I have to give this one to Gonzaga. The studded collar and the lip snarl definitely make this one the meanest and baddest dog in the junkyard.
[poll id="27"]
Wildcats: Arizona, Villanova

Arizona Villanova

Hands down going to give this one to ‘Nova. ‘Zona’s cat sure is pretty but she looks an awful like my little kitten. Granted she can be a furry monster but she is scared to death of everything around her. Unless she is going up against a lizard, forget it. ‘Nova’s cat looks straight up deranged like it has rabies.
[poll id="28"]
Huskies: UConn, Washington

UConn Washington

This is where things get really tough. I don’t want to say it but I’m going to have to give this to Washington. Their Husky’s sleek profile gives him a regal look that says at least he is trained. UConn’s looks like a shaggy dog with its tongue hanging out running to meet its master after a day all alone.
[poll id="29"]
Aggies: Utah State, Texas A & M
For those of you who haven’t read my Girl’s Guide to Bracketology: West Region, an Aggie is just a slang expression for someone who goes go an Agricultural school.

Utah State Texas A&M

Personally I think both teams fail to really represent their nickname. Texas A&M’s logo is just a T with an A and M, no creature on it. Their mascot, is a tongue-waving, tail wagging puppy. Utah State has a proud bull that looks like it’s saying “yeah, what” on it’s logo. Neither really tells me what an Aggie is.

However, the bull could totally eat that dog in like one mouthful so we are just going to give this one to Utah State.
[poll id="31"]
Vikings: Portland State, Cleveland State

Portland State Cleveland State

The Vikings. The noble savages that sweep through, pillaging the towns and plundering the women. Big, hulky scary men that can throw you over their shoulder and carry you off into the sunset where you will live happily ever after…..

Oh sorry, got a bit carried away there. Anyway, Vikings strike fear into the heart of the townsfolk. Strong and dominating, they take whatever they want, without asking and accept no excuses.

Or, they are weird little green cartoon characters that look like a cross between a Smurf that was dyed green and a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle, who took its shell off and uses it as a blocking shield in front.

In other words, Portland State’s Viking would totally beat the crap out that wussy cartoon from Cleveland State.
[poll id="30"]