By this point in the tourney, we’ve all watched well over 1,000 commercials since there seems to be a commercial break every 20 seconds at the end of a close game.—and there have been a lot of really close games! For this week’s Sunday Funday, it’s time to look at the best and the worst commercials and ad campaigns of the NCAA Tournament!

The Best:

Miller Lite

Hands down, Miller Lite wins the NCAA March Madness Best Commercial Shootout. No one else even comes close! Even though we have seen the commercials no less than 50 times in the first four days of the tourney, they have yet to get old. In fact, we find outselves cracking up laughing more each time it airs. The campaign is based on man’s inability to express their real deep emotions….except when it comes to the important things in their lives: like beer.

My absolute favorite commerical is the Miller Lite “Ditto” one where the guy and his lady are in a picnic in the park and he is gushing about how much he loves his Miller Lite but when she asks why he loves he, he can barely articulate it. The actor totally makes the commercial. And the “I love all your teeth” is priceless!

Honorable mentions for best March Madness Ad Campaigns/Commericals:
HP/Beats Audio

Featuring Dr. Dre and some British/Aussie Guy. Truly hysterical. Every time the British/Aussie guy goes “Bitty Bitty boo, yeah, yeah” we laugh till our sides hurt.

ETrade Babies:

They will always top my commercials list. I love their Super Bowl ads and they make me laugh every time.

The Worst

Southwest

Southwest, on the other hand, totally dropped the ball. Considering they are a huge sponsor of the tourney and their ads have aired during almost every commercial break during every single game for four days, you would have thought they would have poured some money into their campaign.

Instead we are stuck watching the exact same commerical over and over and over….And yes, it was funny the first three times we saw it. But it got old real fast. They should have come up with a few variations and it would have had so much more impact!

Honorable mention for Worst March Madness Campaigns/Commercials:
Coke. Maybe it’s just me, but for the last year or so, it’s starting to seem like the ad directors for Coca-Cola are actually on Coke. Or acid. The commercials get weirder and weirder. And are starting to make me think if I drink Coke I’m going to start having crazy hallucinations.

Planter’s Peanuts: Same thing as Southwest. If you are planning on showing the same commercial over and over and over to promote a great feature or a brand new product, you better make sure it’s damn funny. Not just “funny the first time you see it”

Taco Bell “New Shrimp Taco:” First let me just say that it’s not just the commercial that sucks. The whole idea of a shrimp taco from Taco Bell is totally nauseating.  I can’t think of anything I’d like to eat less than that. And I eat a lot of weird stuff. In addition to my notes for Planter’s Peanuts, if you are going to launch a new product and show the same commercial over and over to promote it, you might want to make sure the product isn’t absolutely disgusting and makes people want to vomit every time they think about it. (For the sake of all my viewer’s stomachs I will not be posting this video. Makes me queasy just thinking about it.)

Capitol One: But then again, I haven’t liked a Capitol One commercial since they started using those Viking people as they “mascot.” Totally don’t get the commercials. At all.

Do you agree? What are you fave commercials of the tourney or is there one that you truly can’t stand? Leave me a comment below or send me a tweet @StilettoSportsJ

How did you do in your brackets? I didn’t do as well as I did last year when I went 28-4 going into Saturday’s games but, considering I did my brackets in literally, 5 minutes, I’m not mad.

Now, it’s on to Round 2! For the Lucky 32 I’ve given a complete breakdown of all the teams and their matchups. Oh, and I threw in my bracket picks too so you can see how I’m doing!

Who do you have advancing to the Sweet 16? Leave me comment or send me a tweet @StilettosportsJ and let me know where you stand!

NCAA March Madness Round 2 Matchups: South Region

No. 1 Duke vs. California/Louisville

#2 Duke

• 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.

California

• Pac-10
• Location: Berkley, CA
• Nickname: Golden Bears
• Mascot: Oski the Bear named for Okskee-wow-wow yell:
  “Oski Wow-Wow!
  Whiskey Wee-Wee!
  Olee! Muckie-eye!
  Olee! Berkeley-eye!
  California! Wow!”
• School Colors: Yale Blue and California Gold
• Coach: Mike Montgomery’

In My Brackets: Duke. One of my fave people in the whole wide world, Mark, is a huge Duke fan. I never root against Mark. Unless Duke meets KU….

No. 5 Texas A&M vs. No. 4 Purdue

Texas A&M

• Big 12
  
• Location: College Station, Texas
• Mascot: Aggies
• What the heck is an Aggie?: I always get the mental image of a witch. I have no idea why. But I was sad to find out that an Aggie is just slang used to describe someone that goes to an Agriculture College, ie Texas Agriculture & Mechanical College
• School Colors: maroon and white
• Coach: Mike Turgeon
• Howdy Partner: The official greeting of Texas A&M is “Howdy.” Seriously.

Purdue

• 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: Chris Kramer. Yum.

In My Brackets: Chris Kramer is so hot that he’s actually made me like Purdue. I didn’t think that was possible!

No. 11 Old Dominion vs. No. 3 Baylor

Old Dominion

• Colonial Athletic Association
  
• Location: Norfolk, VA
• Nickname: The Monarchs (not like the butterfly as I originally thought. It’s more like the Monarchy, elite royalty)
• Mascot: Big Blue
• Why is it called Old Dominion?: It’s actually an the nickname for the state of Virginia!
• School Colors: Slate Blue, Silver, Cerulean Blue
• Coach: Blaine Taylor
• Famous Alums: Ben Bailey, aka the host of Cash Cab!

Baylor

• Big 12
  
• Location: Waco, TX
• Nickname: Bears
• Mascot: Bruiser and Judge. also have two black bears named Joy and Lady
• School Colors: Green and Gold
• Why you may have heard of them: In 2003. Player Patrick Dennehy was murdered bya  former player becuase of a shocking illegal recruiting/drug scandal.

In My Brackets: Eh….. Um….. Eh….Well, since I picked Notre Dame to go to the Sweet 16, I’m kinda screwed no matter what.

No. 10 St. Mary’s vs. No. 2 Villanova

St Mary’s College of California

• WCC
• Location: Moraga, CA
• Nickname: Gaels (formerly the Saints)
• Mascot: Gael Force One
• School Colors: Red and Blue

Villanova

• 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

In My Brackets: ‘Nova. Even though they don’t deserve it after they way they played in Round 1. But my boy Shelton, also one of my fave people, is a huge Villanova fan. And him and Mark are BFF. Those of you who tuned in to Stiletto Sports this time last year may remember the controversy that developed  as the Duke-Nova game approached. Well, I’m hoping for a rematch this year. With a different outcome.

How did you do in your brackets? I didn’t do as well as I did last year when I went 28-4 going into Saturday’s games but, considering I did my brackets in literally, 5 minutes, I’m not mad.

Now, it’s on to Round 2! For the Lucky 32 I’ve given a complete breakdown of all the teams and their matchups. Oh, and I threw in my bracket picks too so you can see how I’m doing!

Who do you have advancing to the Sweet 16? Leave me comment or send me a tweet @StilettosportsJ and let me know where you stand!

NCAA March Madness Round 2 Matchups: East Region

No. 1 Kentucky vs. No. 9 Wake Forest

Wake Forest

• ACC
  
• Location: Winston-Salem, North Carolina (bout an hour down the tobacco road from Duke & UNC )
• Mascot: Demon Deacons
• What the heck is a Demon Deacon?: WF used to be the Fighting Baptists but back in 1923, after a game against Duke, a newspaper said WF “fought like Demons.” They felt a Deacon gone Demonic was far more intimidating than a Baptist that was fighting.
• School Colors: Old Gold and Black
• Coach: Dino Gaudio
• Famous Alumni: NBA stars Tim Duncan and Chris Paul! Also Tyrone “Mugsy” Bogues who was the shortest player ever in the NBA and is currently an announcer!

Kentucky

• SEC
  
• Location: Lexington, KY
• Nickname: Wildcats, Big Blue
• School Colors: Blue and White
• Fanatical Fans: Called “Big Blue Nation” and “Big Blue Mist”
• Coach: John Calipari
• Fame: The winningest program in college basketball. Also credited with beginning Midnight Madness, the night that kicks off official start of NCAA college basketball practices.

In My Brackets: Kentucky. I don’t care about all the crap surrounding John Calipari. He is one of my favorite coaches and has been for years. I don’t really like Kentucky, but I like him!

No. 12 Cornell vs. No. 4 Wisconsin

Cornell

• Ivy League Champs
• Location: Ithaca, NY
• Mascot: Big Red (apparently, from looking at the logo, Big Red is a scary Teddy Bear)
• School Colors: Carnelian Red and White
• Coach: Steve Donahue
• Funny Facts and Legends: “According to legend, if a virgin crosses the Arts Quad at midnight, the statues of Ezra Cornell and Andrew Dickson White will walk off their pedestals, meet in the center of the Quad, and shake hands, congratulating themselves on the chastity of the University.” -Wikipedia

Wisconsin

• Big 10
  
• Location: Madison, WI
• Nickname: Badgers
• Mascot: Bucky the Badger
• School Colors: Cardinal and White
• Coach: Bo Ryan
• Claim to Fame: Was ranked “#1 Party School” in 2006 by Playboy!
• Fanatical Fans: Known as the Grateful Red. Quite possibly because they sucked for a long time but don’t anymore.

In My Brackets: Wisconsin…… maybe…… I hate to turn my back on Upstate NY. And Wisconsin could barely handle Wofford…..whatever the heck Wofford is….

No. 11 Washington vs. No. 3 New Mexico

Washington

• Pac-10
  
• Location: Seattle, Washington
• Nickname: Huskies (used to be the Sun Dodgers because as Twilight fans will tell ya, that area is the rainiest, least sunny area in the country!)
• Mascot: Harry the Husky. Also, Dubs, an Alaskan Malamute similar to a husky is known to make an appearance….
• School Colors: Purple and Gold
• Fan Section: The Dawg Pack
• Coach: Lorenzo Romar
• Claim to Fame: The Huskies like to take credit for the invention of the ultimate crowd reaction “The Wave.” Rumored to have been created in October 1981 in a game against Stanford.

New Mexico

• Mountain West
  
• Location: Alberquerque, NM
• Nickname: Lobos
• Why?: Lobo is Spanish for wolf. So are you team vampire? Or team Lobo?
• Mascot: Lobo Louie or Lobo Lucy
• School Colors: Silver and Cherry
• Coach: Steve Alford
• Stadium: The Pit
• Tradition: Their chant is “Everyone’s a Lobo. Woof, Woof, Woof…” yeah…….

In My Brackets: Very very very interesting. Am I team Edward or am I team Jacob? Yes. I can make this about Twilight. New Mexico is the Lobos, as in wolves. Washington is from Seattle, very close to Forks, the rainiest place around so vampires can live and roam freely. Hmm…..And I’m almost finished with Breaking Dawn……. Normally I’m team Edward but in this case, I’m team Jacob. Let’s go Lobos!

No. 10 Missouri vs. No. 2 West Virginia

Missouri

• Big 12 Champs
• Location: Columbia, Missouri
• Nicknames: Tigers, Mizzou
• School Colors: Old Gold and Black
• Mascot: Truman, after former President Harry S. Truman. He’s been voted best mascot in the country multiple times
• Coach:  Mike Anderson
• Arch Rival: Kansas
• Fame: Mizzou is credited with having the first Homecoming ever! It was way back in 1911. Alumni were invited back for a big football game against rivals KU. And since then, the concept it has spread to nearly every campus and high school in the country.

Western Virginia

• Big East
• Location: Morgantown, West Virginia
• Mascot: Mountaineers
• School Colors: Old Gold and Blue
• Coach: Bob Huggins
• Roll out the red, er, blue and gold carpet: The team gets to walk down their very own VIP carpet during home games! Oh and John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads” is like an unofficial school song.

In My Brackets: Mizzou. Not sure why but since last year I’ve kinda been into the Tigers!

How did you do in your brackets? I didn’t do as well as I did last year when I went 28-4 going into Saturday’s games but, considering I did my brackets in literally, 5 minutes, I’m not mad.

Now, it’s on to Round 2! For the Lucky 32 I’ve given a complete breakdown of all the teams and their matchups. Oh, and I threw in my bracket picks too so you can see how I’m doing!

Who do you have advancing to the Sweet 16? Leave me comment or send me a tweet @StilettosportsJ and let me know where you stand!

NCAA March Madness Round 2 Matchups: Midwest Region

No. 9 Northern Iowa (UNI) vs. No. 2 Kansas

KU: Kansas University

• 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
• Fame: 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…
• This year, KU isn’t just  seeded No. 1 for their region, they are the No. 1 team in the entire tournament!!!!
• Why You Should Cheer them on: Because they are MY team!

Northern Iowa

• Missouri Valley
  
• Location: Cedar Falls, Iowa
• Mascot: Panthers. The actual mascot, TC (The Cat) Panther is award winning. But I have no idea what awards….
• School Colors: Purple and Old Gold
• Claim to Fame: Been ranked “best in the Midwest” by the Princeton Review a lot
• Coach: Ben Jacobson
• Fun Tradition: ” The UNI campus comes alive Friday night of Homecoming week each year. At the stroke of midnight, students flock around the tower to sneak a kiss from a long time lover or someone you just met.” Wikipedia

In My brackets: Do you even have to ask? I suppose if you are new to Stiletto Sports you don’t know that I”m a huge Jayhawks fan! Not much waivers my loyalty to KU. I’m always all about Rockin’ Chalk! I feel bad because three of my favorite people are from Iowa and are big UNI fans. And they are all very hot guys. But not even that can sway me from the Jayhawks!

No. 5 Michigan State (MSU) vs. No. 4 Maryland

Michigan State

• Big 12
  
• Location: East Lansing, MI
• Mascot: Spartans
• School Colors: Green and White
• Coach: Tom Izzo (for shizzo)
• Players: Kalin Lucas, Derrell Summers, Delvon Roe
• 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.
• A Cinderella Story: Last year MSU were the Cinderellas in the Big Dance. They made it all the way to the championship against UNC!

Maryland

• ACC
  
• Location: College Park, Maryland
• Mascot: Terrapin. In other words, a freaking turtle.
• Slogan: Their rally cry is “Fear the turtle.” Well, I suppose they are fearsome. Snapping turtles do bite. If they can catch you.
• School Colors: Red, white, black and gold
• Coach: Gary Williams
• Famous Alumni: Jim Henson, creator of the Muppets!

In My Brackets: Despite my love for all things Maryland right now, I’m all about MSU! Even though they played like crap in the opening round. Considering I’m watching all march madness games at Senior Correspondent Erik’s house and he is a diehard Mich State fan, it’s in my best interest to root for his team. Plus, when MSU wins and KU wins, they will be playing each other next weekend and Erik and I look great in photos with our warring jerseys!

No. 6 Tennessee vs. No. 14 Ohio

Tennessee

• SEC
  
• Location: Knoxsville, Tenn
• Nickname: Volunteers.  That’s just plain weird. Also shortened to just Vols
• Why?: Because Tenn is known as the volunteer state. The people are historically known to jump in and fight any war, from the Revolutionary War to the Civil and even the Alamo. Which was in Texas.
• Mascot: Smokey IX the Bluetick coonhound
• School Colors: Orange and White
• Coach: Bruce Pearl
• Song: the official fight song is “Down the Field” but the most popular request for The Pride to play is “Rocky Top.”  I personally would request “Tennessee” by Arrested Development. Or “Tennessee Line” by Chris Daughtry

Ohio

• MAC
  
• Location: Athens, OH
• Nickname: Bobcats
• Mascot: Rufus the Bobcat. Who has been described as a “fierce but friendy looking bobcat”
• School Colors: Green and White
• Coach: John Groce (who used to the the assistant coach for Ohio State)
• Fan Section: “The O-Zone”

In My Brackets: Tenneessee. My best friend was raised there and again, I hate all things Ohio. But……. considering Ohio really didn’t even have a place in the tourney except they happen to win their conference Championship game, yet they took down Georgetown in Round 1….. they could be the Cinderellas this year. But I don’t really want a Cinderella from Ohio. That would greatly upset me.

No. 10 Georgia Tech vs. No. 2 Ohio State

Georgia Tech

• ACC
• Location: Atlanta, GA
• Nickname: Yellow Jackets
• Mascot: Buzz & Ramblin’ Wreck
• School Colors: Old Gold and White
• Coach: Paul Hewitt
• Rivals: Georgia (The Clean, Old Fashioned Hate) Clemson, and Auburn
• Fame: Garth Brooks, yee haw! Also, Stephon Marbury, Chris Bosh
• Song: “Ramblin’ Wreck from Georgia Tech” It’s, by far, the best College song lyrics I’ve ever seen:

“A helluva, helluva, helluva, helluva, hell of an engineer.
Like all the jolly good fellows, I drink my whiskey clear.
I’m a Ramblin’ Wreck from Georgia Tech and a hell of an engineer.

Oh! If I had a daughter, sir, I’d dress her in White and Gold,
And put her on the campus to cheer the brave and bold.
But if I had a son, sir, I’ll tell you what he’d do–
He would yell, ‘To hell with Georgia!’ like his daddy used to do.

Oh, I wish I had a barrel of rum and sugar three thousand pounds,
A college bell to put it in and a clapper to stir it round.
I’d drink to all the good fellows who come from far and near.
I’m a ramblin’, gamblin’, hell of an engineer!”

Ohio State

• Big Ten
• Location: Columbus, Ohio
• Mascot: Buckeyes
• What the heck is a buckeye?: It it Ohio’s offical state tree. Hmmm….
• School Colors:  Scarlet and Grey
• Coach: Thad Matta
• Facts: Ohio State fans scare the bejeezus out of me. They are CR-Razy and die hards. They rival Florida’s Gator Nation for “peeps you don’t want to hear you talking smack about their team.”

In My Brackets: I picked Ohio State. Yes, I know I hate Ohio but my roommate got me into watching OSU football last year. And it would be fun to see them meet up with KU down the road. I promised him we would go to Wild Wings for some beer and wings. But after hearing Georgia Tech’s School Song, I may have to switch sides!

How did you do in your brackets? I didn’t do as well as I did last year when I went 28-4 going into Saturday’s games but, considering I did my brackets in literally, 5 minutes, I’m not mad.

Now, it’s on to Round 2! For the Lucky 32 I’ve given a complete breakdown of all the teams and their matchups. Oh, and I threw in my bracket picks too so you can see how I’m doing!

Who do you have advancing to the Sweet 16? Leave me comment or send me a tweet @StilettosportsJ and let me know where you stand!

NCAA March Madness Round 2 Matchups: West Region

No. 1 Syracuse vs. No. 8 Gonzaga

Syracuse

• 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 : 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:  Arinze Okanadu (Jonny Flynn, last years key player is now a player in the NBA on the Minnesota Timberwolves)
• Fame: VP Joe Biden

Gonzaga

• Western Athletic Conference
  
• 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
• Player to Know: Matt Bouldin

In My Brackets: I am very much Go ‘Cuse in my brackets being an upstate NY girl. But I do have a soft spot for the ‘Zags so I won’t be mad if they come and bust my bracket

No. 5 Butler vs. No. 13 Murray State

Butler

• Horizon
  
• Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
• Mascot: Bulldogs
• Student Fan Section: The Dawg Pound
• School Colors: Blue and White
• Coach: Brad Stevens
• Claim to Fame: The final championship in the 1986 movie Hoosiers was filmed in Butler’s basketball arena!
• *** This is a great little team to root for. Once a virtual unknown, in the last decade, they have really made a name for themselves as a regular in the NCAA tourney!

Murray State

• Ohio Valley Conference
• Location: Pittsburgh, PA
• Nickname: Racers (They used to be the Thoroughbreds. Which was shortened to T-Breds. And then Race Horses. And finally… Racers)
• Mascot: Racer One & The Dunker
• School Colors: Navy Blue and Gold
• Coach: Jamie Dixon
• Rivals: Western Kentucky & Austin Peay
• Fight Song: “The Old Grey Mare”
• Fame: According to wikipedia: Murray State has had 14 appearances in the NCAA Tournament and has been recognized as one of the top 30 basketball programs in modern history by ESPN. …..cept no one seems to have a clue who they are…
• Upset Watch: in the past Murray State has almost knocked of Michigan State when they were seeded No. 1, Duke when they were a No. 2 UNC when they were a No. 3.

In My Brackets: Well, since I didn’t pick Murray State to make it past Round 1, and I had Vanderbilt moving on a bit….my brackets are little screwed! I think I’m going to go out on a limb and pick Murray State to be the Cinderellas right now. Mostly because Erik told me to. I do think Butler is a great little team to root for, but I’m a sucker for a potential Cinderella story!

No. 6 Xavier vs. No. 3 Pittsburgh

Xavier

• 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: Chris Mack
• Rivals: Cincinnati Bearcats. They play each other in the Skyline Chili Crosstown Shootout

Pittsburgh

• 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.

In My Brackets: Technically I think I have Pitts. But here I’ll admit how torn I am. See, I hate the state of Ohio where Xavier is from. But I also hate all things Pittsburgh. And over the years Xavier has wormed its way into my heart much like Gonzaga has. Even though, on paper brackets I think it’s going to be Pitts, I’m going to put this in my upset alert category and align myself with Xavier.

No. 7 BYU vs No. 2 Kansas State

BYU

• Mountain West
  
• Location: Provo, Utah
• Mascot: Cougars
• School Colors: Blue and White
• Coach: Dave Rose
• Players: CBS called him “The Biggest Secret in the NCAA Tournament” Except he really is top secret. No one really knows he is. Even Senior Correspondent Erik Sweetland had to look him up! Jimmer Fredette. He’s a junior guard from….Glens Falls, NY! Right up the road from where I’m from! He’s good people!
• In Case You Didn’t Know: Brigham Young University is a Morman College owned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
• Random Facts: That means that they have very strict codes of conduct including: dress code, no sex before marriage and no drugs or alcohol. Um…. well that certainly takes away from the whole college experience now doesn’t it (**I mean no disrespect in any way. I actually have friends that went to BYU and they loved it. My college, on the other hand, was a little….looser…..on their codes of conduct).

Kansas State

• Big 12
  
• Location: Manhattan, KS
• Nickname: Wildcats
• School Colors: Purple and White
• Coach: Frank Martin
• Rivals: Kansas. They even have a Sunflower Showdown between the two teams
• Famous Alumns: Michael Beasley, Miami Heat

In my Brackets: Same thing as Xavier-Pitts. In my real brackets I have Kansas State. Mostly because there is very vague chance they could meet Kansas down the road. But I’m very interested to see what BYU and Jimmer Fredette can do. It’s not like I actually like Kansas State (impossible since I’m a KU girl!) but I think they will most likely win. But I’d like this to be an upset.

I don’t really know why I bothered writing this one. Instead, I should just type in really big letters:

I PICK KANSAS

Not gonna lie, I thought about putting “My Pick: Kansas” for every matchup…….

But I didn’t.

Here are my real picks for the MidWest Region

1 Kansas vs. 16 Lehigh

My Pick: Kansas

8 UNLV vs. 9  N. Iowa (UNI)

My Pick: UNI

Don’t get me wrong, I love Las Vegas! But, three of the most amazing and fascinating people I know are from Iowa. And they are all very hot. Floor it, UNI!

5 Michigan State vs. 12 New Mexico State

My Pick: MSU

They the Cinderella story from last year’s tourney, and you know I’m a sucker for Cinderella stories. I didn’t even mind that they beat my team! Plus, Senior Correspondent Erik is a diehard Spartan fan and since I’m going to his house to watch the game….I think I better Go Green! Go White! And I can’t wait for a KU/MSU rematch!

4 Maryland vs. 13 Houston

My Pick: Maryland

I am obsessed with Maryland lately, especially since I went there for my neice’s wedding and she just moved up there. Athough I would like to make a plea for them to change their names from the Terrapins. I mean come on. It’s a freaking turtle!

6 Tennessee vs. 11 San Diego State

My Pick: Tennessee

Because my best friend was raised there. And Chris Daughtry’s “Tennessee Line” is my fave song.

3 Georgetown vs. 14 Ohio

My Pick: G’town

Because  I hate the state of Ohio.

7 Oklahoma State vs. 10 Georgia Tech

My Pick: Georgia Tech

I have no idea why, I just felt compelled to pick them. I think I’ve been brainwashed by my Twitter friends.

2 Ohio State vs. 15 UC Santa Barbara

My Pick: Ohio State

Okay so when I say I hate all things Ohio, the exception is Ohio State. And that is only because my roommate lives and breathes Ohio State during football season. I don’t just think I’ve been brainwashed by him; I know I have been. And I’m looking down the bracket and thinking, hmmm…. next week his team could take on my team….. that could be very, very interesting.

My Pick: Kansas

But don’t worry, as the rounds go on, there will be more about team colors, mascots and of course, the hot players in the tourney!

Here are my picks for the South Regional Bracket:

1 Duke vs 16 Arkansas Pine-Bluff –

My Pick: Duke

Because one of my favorite people in the whole wide world would never forgive me if I didn’t pick the Blue Devils!

8 California vs 9 Louisville –

My Pick: Louisville

Despite some of his personal drama, ya gotta love Rick Pitino! And it’s the only college basketball team that my dad actually knows… only because Pitino used to coach the Boston Celtics and dad hearts the C’s.

5 Texas A & M vs 12 Utah St –

My Pick: Um……

4 Purdue vs 13 Siena –

My Pick: Siena

Gives me great joy to pick Siena over Purdue because I do not like the Boilermakers. Again, goes back to the days when UMass actually made the tourney and I learned to hate Purdue. And I grew up like 2 minutes from Siena’s campus. In fact, I have a Doremus Bennerman basketball card from when he was on the Saints a very very long time ago!

5 Notre Dame vs 12 Old Dominion –

My Pick: Notre Dame

I know I’ll get backlash for saying this but I really like Notre Dame! Maybe it’s because of Rudy. I don’t know.

3 Baylor vs 14 Sam Houston –

My Pick: Baylor

Because Sam Houston is the dumbest name of a school that I have ever heard. Not that Baylor is all that cool sounding either but still… Would be so much better if it was Sam Adams.

7 Richmond vs 10 St Mary’s –

My Pick: Richmond

*Shrug* Honestly? Because 7 is better than 10. This is another “I don’t give a crap” about either pick that will probably be a great game to watch!

2 Villanova vs 15 Robert Morris –

I stand corrected. Robert Morris is a dumber name than Sam Houston. Wouldn’t it be cool if it was Zach Morris??? Oh! Right, my pick: VILLANOVA!

Remember how I said one of my fave people in the world loves Duke? Well, another one loves ‘Nova. And some of you may remember this from last year, but those two people happen to be BFFs and it caused quite a stir last year when the two teams played each other. And I would love a rematch this year!

I feel like I have been waiting forever for the tourney to start! March Madness is seriously my favorite time of year. I love the excitement. I love the drama. I love watching like 48 hours of basketball in like 4 days… And I LOVE doing my brackets and my picks!

I apologize that these aren’t as in depth as last year’s regional analysis but I’ve been really sick all week and didn’t even have a chance to look at the brackets until very late Wedsnesday night! So I did my picks on the fly. Didn’t even do any mascotology! But as the teams whittle down, I’ll be doing more extensive team breakdowns! Good Luck to all! Here are my picks for the West Region Bracket (and why):

1 Syracuse vs 16 Vermont –

My Pick: Syracuse

Even though my dad currently lives in Vermont, we were all born and raised in upstate NY. I can’t say I bleed orange and blue or anything but most of the time I’m Go ‘Cuse!

8 Gonzaga vs 9 Florida State –

My Pick: FSU

I do have a soft spot for the ‘Zags in the tourney. They always seem to be somewhere in the middle of the bracket and make a lot of noise. And I remember way back, when they first started to show up in the brackets and everyone going “What the heck is a Gonzaga!?!” But, unfortunately this year I have to go FSU. I’ve been to Tallahassee before and that’s where I met Chris Daughtry for the first time so I have a lot of love for everything related to that town! Plus a friend of mine went to school there. And….. even though I know it’s not going to happen, I would LOVE for FSU to meet Florida next week!

5 Butler vs 12 UTEP –

My Pick: sometimes Butler sometimes UTEP

Depends on what bracket you look at that I did because I truly don’t care! I think it will be a fun game to watch cuz UTEP is going to be scrappy and this has a potential to mess with people’s brackets. But if it was a regular season game… doubt anyone would bother turning on the TV!

4 Vanderbilt vs 13 Murray St –

My Pick: Vanderbilt

Soley because I have no idea who, what or where Murray State is….. although the announcers seem to love them.

6 Xavier vs 11 Minnesota

My Pick: Minnesota

I tend to despise all things Ohio sooooooo kinda leading towards Minnesota here. But Xavier is kinda like Gonzaga to me. Little soft spot for them.

3 Pittsburgh vs 14 Oakland –

My Pick: Pittsburgh

It actually pains me to pick them since, much like Ohio, I hate all things Pittsburgh. Still very bitter about the Steelers Super Bowl XLIII win over the Arizona Cardinals.

7 BYU vs 10 Florida –

My Pick: Florida

My love of the Florida Gators actually does not extend to their basketball team. I’m not Lil Miss Gator Nation. But I do live in the heart of it!And like I said, I’m hoping for a FSU-Gators battle. That would make this state CRAZY!

2 Kansas St vs 15 North Texas –

My Pick: Kansas State

Because, even though it most likely won’t happen, there is a chance for Kansas State to play Kansas in the Final Four and that would be some serious madness.

Again, apologies for the lack of in depth analysis like last year but I didn’t even get to look at the brackets until late Weds night this year!

Good Luck to all!

1 Kentucky vs 16 East Tennessee St –

My Pick: Kentucky

I heart Coach John Calipari. Enough said.

8 Texas vs 9 Wake Forest

My Pick: Texas

The name Wake Forest makes me crinkle my nose….well like Edward and Jacob when they smell each other. I am not a Demon Deacon fan. Goes way back to the days when UMass was actually a tourney contender…..

5 Temple vs 12 Cornell

My Pick: depends on the bracket. Most I choked on my bile and went with Temple.

I do not like Temple. At all. But logic wore me down a few times and I did pick them a few times over Cornell. But in my heart I really hope Cornell pulls off the upset.

4 Wisconsin vs 13 Wofford –

My Pick: Wisconsin

Because, again…. never heard of Wofford. And that is a seriously weird word to say.

6 Marquette vs 11 Washington –

My Pick: sometimes Marquette, sometimes Washington

A little indifference because I semi-like both teams. Meaning I have no real loyalty to either but usually pick both of them to win in the first round if they are in the tourney. So it was weird to have them against each other.

3 New Mexico vs 14 Montana –

My Pick: New Mexico

Because my hottie neighbor lives in New Mexico most of the year. And he is really, really, really good looking. And charming.

7 Clemson vs 10 Missouri –

My Pick: Missouri

See Mascotology: What happenes when a Clemson Tiger  meets a Missouri Tiger for a detailed explanation of how I deduced this win.

2 West Virginia vs 15 Morgan St –

My Pick: WVU

Because I had to pick someone…..

To say he was a bit, down, about the game is probably the understatement of the year.

But, he is proud of his Spartans and their amazing season and offered to share his live photos again!

It might be too soon to tell him this since it’s still very bitter-sweet but Erik  is one of the luckiest people right now. First, he got to see a Final Four in his hometown with his home team. Since the tourney was expanded to 64 teams in 1985, that has only happened two other times.

In 1988, Kansas played Oklahoma in Kemper Arena. Kemper is actually in Missouri, but it’s only 40 minutes away from their homecourt Allen Fieldhouse and is known to be the “Allen Fieldhouse East.” Then in 1995, Duke played Arkansas in Charlotte, NC. But that game was 2.5 hours away from Durham and loyalties in North Carolina are very divided! There were probably just as many people hating the Blue Devils as there were lovin’ them!

But if that wasn’t cool enough, Erik had the créme de la créme of NBA legends. He got to see Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and Michael Jordan all in the same spot in the same night. Larry and Magic presented the Game Ball, in honor of their 1979 famous Championship match that pitted Mich State against Indiana. And Mike was inducted into the Hall of Fame along with John Stockton and David Robinson.

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The brave Green soul that rose up from the heart of the Carolina Blue section

And ran like hell to get out of there!

Magic Johnson and Larry Bird with the 2009 Final Four Game Ball

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Warm-Up

Tip-Off (Take 1)

And the game is over, before halftime.

Festivities at the half:

David Robinson inducted into Hall of Fame

John Stockton inducted into Hall of Fame

And finally…

Michal Jordan inducted into the Hall of Fame.

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The Second Half:

Going.....

Almost rallying but really...Going......

Gone. UNC wins.

To see Erik’s photos from the Mich State-UConn match-up check out Live from Detroit, It’s Saturday Night Final Four Photos!

Also, check out my other NCAA Championship posts:

One Shining Moment 2009: March Madness Compilation Video

North Carolina Becomes Best College Basketball Team in Nation

UNC Tar Heels National Championship Gear