The Postmen’s NCAA Tourney Extravaganza: Part 1

March 14th, 2007 | Posted by The Postmen

We both compiled our picks for this March Madness thing or whatever they call it. If you care to read it, E’s picks are below. R’s run tomorrow or maybe later today.

Sweet Sixteen: Florida vs. Maryland, Notre Dame vs. Georgia Tech, Kansas vs. Southern Illinois, Pittsburgh vs. UCLA, UNC vs. Texas, Washington St. vs. Georgetown, Ohio State vs. Virginia, Louisville vs. Creighton

Elite Eight: Florida vs. Georgia Tech, Kansas vs. Pittsburgh, North Carolina vs. Georgetown, Ohio State vs. Louisville

I admit, there aren’t that many surprises in my Sweet Sixteen, but let’s address the notable exceptions.

First: Georgia Tech. I think Tech can make it past Wisconsin, who haven’t looked themselves since Brian Butch was hurt. Second: that Creighton-Lousiville tilt in the South is probably a long shot, but I think Louisville is legitimately good enough to make it past to the round of eight, and Creighton is underrated in a lot of ways this year. This wouldn’t feel so wrong if it were Washington St. and not Texas A&M, in the South, but hey: you’ve got to take some chances, right?

In the Elite Eight, Georgia Tech can handle Notre Dame if they get past Wisconsin. I’m counting on Aaron Gray to have a big tournament for the Panthers - who, keep in mind, were derailed by a sizzling Georgetown team. Everything else, I think, is self-explanatory.

Final Four: Florida vs. Kansas, Georgetown vs. Ohio State

National Title: Ohio State vs. Kansas
Winner: Ohio State

My philosophy on all of this was articulated in my conversation with R last night, but here’s a shot at greater coherence. It is hard, extremely hard, for me to see Ohio State being challenged once on their way to the Final Four. If they somehow draw Tennessee, and Tennessee can speed the game up sufficiently, then maybe, but they have the easiest road to Atlanta of any of the No. 1 seeds. Also, the Buckeyes have lost three games this year, all on the road to either the No. 1 or No. 2 team at the time. That is an unbelievable record. Third, Greg Oden just sort of seems to be getting into full strength. He’s been playing with one hand the entire season and playing well; now, with sufficient use of two hands, he’s starting to look all the more a monster.

For simple aesthetic purposes, I’m salivating over the Georgetown-OSU semifinal, but I think Hibbert will have trouble with Oden (who wouldn’t) and Conley and OSU’s guards are equal to the G-Town task.

On the other side of things, I think Kansas and Florida will play a tight game, but that Kansas’ athletic ability provides the Jayhawks a unique chance to stop both Florida’s interior play and to outrun the Gators on the break. In either case, I think Ohio State - with, again, Greg Oden at full strength - takes down the net regardless of who wins the opposite semifinal. It pains me say it a bit, but Hail to the Buckeyes in 2007.