I'm impressed with underdog Butler and its coach

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

I know, I don't like the underdog in the NCAA Tournament.

But does a No. 5 seed count as an underdog?

It sure does, especially when talking about little-known Butler.

The mid-major monster is picking teams off at a rapid clip, including No. 1 Syracuse and most recently No. 2 Kansas State to advance to their first Final Four in school history.

Yes, they are no-namers on this Bulldogs squad, but they are obviously making a name for themselves now. They've definitely put Butler (from Indianapolis) on the map.

This club might be a mid-major, but their coach is a major superstar.

His name is Brad Stevens and I hope he's making a boatload of cash, which he probably isn't because he's a mid-major coach. But there's no doubt in my mind that he could lead a power conference program, and perhaps he'll get a shot at a big time school and make big time money after showcasing to the world that he can take a virtually unknown bunch of players from a small school and beat down some of the finer basketball programs in the country.

Stevens, you're legit in my book.

While I'm still not all tingly about a Cinderella story like Butler, I'm buying coach Stevens and I'm actually going to put aside my dislike for the underdog and root for these Butler Bulldogs in the Final Four.

They are fun to watch, they actually play defense, they've got an outstanding young coach, and they play as a team, play for each other and the name of their jersey.

Seriously, what's not to like about Butler?

It's all about March Sadness

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

They call it March Madness, and some call it March Sadness.

It's NCAA college basketball tournament time. You may not follow the college game all season, but it's hard not to have your own bracket team at your office or on Yahoo! Anyone can play and there's no real science to picking each game (but it's wise if you never select a No. 16 seed to beat a No. 1 seed).

Fans just love to see the upset -- a No. 5 over a No. 12, a No. 15 over a No. 2, and so on. But while many enjoy the Cinderella stories, I'm not really an underdog type of fan.

I like the March Sadness part, and it usually gets me pumped to see a mid-major team get hammered by a national power. As far as I'm concerned, there's no way a low seed -- Murray State, UC Santa Barbara, etc. -- should ever win, never mind people thinking they can actually be a giant killer and win the whole tournament, or even make the Final Four.

Like I said, I like the favorites. I know I'm in the minority on this, but I'm not into the Little Engine That Could.

It doesn't float my boat, I would rather see those lesser known and less talented teams sink.

It's all about the top seeds for me -- Kansas, Duke, Kentucky and Syracuse.

I'm going out on a limb this year and I'm picking No. 1 Kansas to win it all. What, did you think I'd be stupid and pick a team like Morgan State?

Interested to find out if you're jacked up for the tournament, and if you like underdogs and who's your pick to win it all.

Let the Sadness (cue the tears) continue.

Let's set the record straight on mid-majors

By Brendan Hall
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

All the hoopla about that Xavier kid dunking on LeBron has me thinking once again about this aberration I came across a while back.

Listen, I'm not taking a dig at Antonio Williams' credentials. When you've got experience scouting the NBA, you know what you're talking about when it comes to evaluating talent. Your words bear more merit than, say, chuckleheads like Skip Bayless or Jay Mariotti.

But where Williams, and a majority of the media, go wrong is in blanketly labeling any basketball team outside the six "power" conferences as a "mid-major". If anything, the fact that a kid from Xavier dunked on LeBron should show the masses that Xavier is a Top 25 program. Just look at their last three coaches -- Skip Prosser (1994-2001), Thad Matta (01-04) and Sean Miller (04-09) -- and remember that this team has been to two Elite Eights and three Sweet Sixteens since 2004. This is a program.

Yet some refuse to classify them as so, chalking it up to rolls of the dice and "good coaching". I fear Memphis will now be shed in a similar light, despite having one of the best young basketball minds in Josh Pastner.

The use of the term "mid-major" can be maddening, because its perspective is different amongst the eye of each beholder. Some people get it right, and count many basketball schools amongst its "major" category. Historically, because of such limited roster spots, basketball offers the most parity of any of the four major college sports. Many talented players slip through the cracks for reasons unknown -- see Elgin Baylor, Nate Archibald, Earl Monroe, Bill Bradley, etc.

Other writers -- primarily, the ones working for recruiting services -- seem to think any school not in one of the six BCS conferences is squabbling amongst the commonfolk for breadcrumbs. These are also the same people who think Alex Oriakhi is from New Hampshire, and every BC High kid lives in Dorchester.

Two years ago, when Rivals.com sent a mid-season award trophy to Xavier's athletic department for being the "best mid-major school", XU promptly refused to accept it. And rightfully so. How can you call Xavier, which has sent nine guys to the NBA in the last 15 years, a mid-major; and South Florida -- which might be one of the ten worst programs in Division 1 -- a high-major, strictly because they play in the Big East and XU is in the A-10?

South Florida might be the Dubai of college athletics (scrap of the Earth a decade ago, Deity in 2009), but they still out and out tank in basketball. You can make the same case about other "power conference" schools who haven't made a dent since the Clinton presidency.

I have a novel suggestion. If you have demonstrated a consistently competitive team at a high level, like Gonzaga or Memphis, then you are not a mid-major. If you’ve competed for a national title in the last 25 years, despite playing in a terrible conference – see: Louisville circa 1980’s, UNLV and Utah in the 90’s – and you haven't gone to shambles, then you’re still a high-major. Period. I don’t care if you play in Mid-Wach D. I actually have a whole argument on why the A-10 is not a mid-major, but that’s for a different day. Right now, let's set the record straight on mid-majors.

The following are examples of what AREN'T "mid-majors": Gonzaga, UNLV, Xavier, Memphis, BYU, Fresno State, Houston, UAB, Dayton, Utah, UMass, UTEP, New Mexico, George Washington, Rhode Island, Nevada, Saint Louis, Charlotte.

The following are examples of what ARE "mid-majors": Central Florida, George Mason, Rice, Davidson, Winthrop, Boston University, Southern Miss, New Mexico St., Siena, Manhattan, Oral Roberts, Butler, Creighton, Drake, Pacific, Wichita St., Holy Cross.

The following ought to be considered "mid-majors", because they are run like one: DePaul, Rutgers, St. John’s, Georgia, Northwestern, Nebraska.

Get the idea?

As for South Florida...the Bulls have made some splashes on the recruiting trail in the Northeast (see: South Kent), but the jury's still out.

I, for one, am not sold. Not until somebody dunks on Vince Carter.

I am the smartest man alive!

By Jim Ingram

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Don't worry everyone, I am not the least bit serious.  I am also not lucky.  I just happened to choose the overwhelming favorite to win the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament.  Yes, the Tarheels are national champs, and I am slightly happy that I picked the winner.  They were dominant throughout the tourney, and averaged just slightly over a 20 point margin per win.  Amazing.  

I'll be glad to see Tyler Hansborough head off to be a mediocre player in the NBA.  Have you ever seen anyone who spends more time with that stupid, wide eyed look than him?  

By the way, Chad (our resident NCAA Men's bball guru) picked Louisville to win it all.  How'd that work out for you, but I digress.  I may have picked UNC to win it all, but I didn't even win our bracket challenge.  I came in 2nd, once again, and still haven't won an NCAA bracket in my life.  To be perfectly honest, I watched a grand total of 5 seconds of the title game.  Since it was opening day in baseball, my interest was elsewhere.

Well, I guess FFS will sign off on the College Basketball season for now.  

If there's anything you think we should be covering, please let us know.  

How are your brackets doing?

By Chad Garner
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff
Is your bracket busted yet?
Not me.
I'm going to credit it more to luck than skill, but I can honestly say my team -- National Chump -- in the private Yahoo! league Fan Fanatic BBall Challenge is alive and kicking.
For how long, who knows? Yes, it could be over very soon. Perhaps in the next round.
So enjoy it while it lasts.
But has this tournament gone basically according to plan? It appears like it ... so far.
All four No. 1 seeds are still chasing March Madness glory. Of the four -- North Carolina, Pittsburgh, Louisville and UConn -- only the Huskies have easily cruised in the first two rounds. Pittsburgh hasn't look good at all, however, with close games vs. East Tennessee State and Oklahoma State. Perhaps their so-so guard play will bite them soon. Maybe against UNC in the Final Four (that's my prediction)?
The Tar Heels shook off LSU in the second round, while Louisville just snuck by Siena. Siena, come on, who are these clowns? ... oops, I mean the Saints. So sorry.
While many people like the underdog, I really hate them. I like to see the best teams advance in this tournament so two elite powers can face off in the Elite 8, Final Four and National Championship Game. These low seeds really don't have a shot at a title, so their title is knocking off a national power.
Big deal, it still doesn't do it for me.
I want to watch the best teams play, not Siena, Western Kentucky, Northern Iowa, etc. I'd rather welcome them to the tournament, give them their free goody bag and send them on their way back home with a quick blowout loss.
Power to the elite programs!
What joke of a team will break my bracket now?
Probably no one because all 16 teams left standing are legit in my book (well, Xavier's probably the weakest so they'll beat Pitt).
Isn't this stat great: The top 3 teams in each region make Sweet 16 for the first time in history.
Take that underdogs. Have fun watching the real programs play now!!!
I really love the tourney this year.
Bye-bye underdogs.

NCAA Final Four

By Josh Bremberg
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff
Final Four:
Kansas vs. Memphis - It will be a great rematch of last year's championship game, with Memphis pulling it out.

Pittsburgh vs. North Carolina - With injuries affecting the startig 5 at UNC, Pitt should remain the Beast in the East, rolling to an easy "W".

National Championship:
Justin Timberlake was so upset & convincing during the ESPY Awards last summer, that I just have to give the nod to Memphis as the National Champion of 2009!

Bye, bye, bye!

Big East Matchup in the NCAA Finals

By Jim Ingram
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff
March Madness is here! To be perfectly honest, March and April are the only two months of the year I watch College Basketball. Of the four major sports, basketball is the one I enjoy and know about the least. With that being said, I absolutely love the NCAA Basketball Tournament. This is the best thing the NCAA does.

It's the time of year college basketball fanatics, casual fans, and the the women at work who picks the team with the prettiest colors or cutest mascot fill out their brackets. Of course I am not different. I have filled out 3 brackets this year, but will only be talking about the Final Four from the bracket that can fill my pockets the most.

The Final Four
Connecticut vs. Louisville
Many people are saying that UCONN has a chance to be bounced, and become the first #1 seed to lose to a #16. I won't have anything to do with that. I also like them because so many "experts" think they won't make it that far in the tournament. As someone you loves to do the opposite of most people, I actually think they'll beat Louisville and make it to the Finals. The Huskies took down Louisville in the regular season and will do so again in the Tournament. Sorry Slick Rick.

Pittsburgh vs. North Carolina
This is Jamie Dixon's year. While I like the talent of UNC, I am not sure Ty Lawson will have that triumphant a return to take them to the finals. Pitts is a strong, physical team that has battled Big East teams all year to this point. As long as the referees don't hand UNC the game, I think the tough, physical style of Pitt will be too much for them to handle.

Championship Game
Connecticut vs. Pittsburgh
The Panthers won the two previous meetings this year during the regular season. While it's hard to beat someone three times in a season in any sport, I predict Pitt will once again top the UCONN Huskies.

Maybe next year I'll fill out my brackets with a dart board and even blindfolded. I bet I could do just as well as I've done in previous years.

Here's to hoping the Pitt Panthers make me look like a genius!

Louisville will cut down the nets

By Chad Garner
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff
The NCAA Tournament is one of pure excitement, this year will be no different. Is there a clear-cut favorite? No. Probably about a handful of teams really can win this thing, but you just never know. That's why they play the games.

Here are my Final Four teams (if you use my picks to gamble in Vegas, don't blame me when you lose your shirt!):

Final Four

Louisville vs. Memphis -- The Cardinals, winners of 10 straight games, have one of the best coaches in the country in Rick Pitino, who makes sure his team is prepared to play at a high level every single night. The Cards don't feature one true scorer, they're just a balanced bunch who likes to run the floor. But defense is where they really shine and wear down opponents. They are one of the best pressure defenses in the tournament and that's where they really flusters teams. I hate to say it, but Memphis will run all over my beloved UConn Huskies to reach the Final Four.

Pittsburgh vs. North Carolina -- Man, Pitt just likes to punch you right in the face with bulldozer DeJuan Blair (15.6 ppg). You just can't move him in the paint, that's why the Panthers always have a distinct advance down low with Blair. You get him in foul trouble, however, and things change slightly. The also handled UConn twice in the Big East, so they are legit. 

UNC has great balance, it can beat you from the perimeter or from the post. Make no mistake, forward Tyler Hansbrough (21.4 ppg) makes this team go. He's an instant spark for the Heels and a tough matchup for anyone. An injury to point guard Ty Lawson (15.9 ppg) worries me a little, but my gut says he's plays later in the tournament. If he's at least 75 percent, watch out. The uptempo style will be too much for Pitt to contend with in the end. Wayne Ellington (15.2 ppg), Danny Green (13.3 ppg) and Deon Thompson (11.2 ppg) give the Heels 5 players who average in double figures.

Championship game

Louisville vs. North Carolina --- Defense, defense, defense. It could be a track meet game, but Louisville's pressure from the opening tip to the final buzzer will eventually leave the Heels huffing and puffing for air. 

National Champion

Louisville -- Will Pitino cry like a little baby. We did after he ruined the Boston Celtics.

Big East owns No. 1 seeds

By Chad Garner
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff
Well, it looks like the Big East is the big dog in the NCAA Tournament. When the March Madness brackets were announced Sunday night, the NCAA committee confirmed that the Big East is the top conference in the country.

Louisville headlines the Midwest brackets as a top seed, while Jim Calhoun's UConn Huskies are No. 1 in the West. The last Big East No. 1 team is Pittsburgh in the East. North Carolina is the final No. 1 seed -- the Tar Heels are in the South region. Early reports indicate that the pundits are picking North Carolina to win the NCAA Tournament.

As everyone knows, a lot can happen from the time the tournament starts with 64 teams to the time it finishes with the champion left standing. Who else has a real shot at postseason glory? There's probably about 50-55 teams that really don't stand a chance. Thanks for playing, enjoy it while it lasts!

Who will wear Cinderella's glass slipper? 

Plan on more March Madness chatter throughout the tournament and expect to see all of our staff Final Four predictions and National Championship winner (you can also vote for the champ on our poll located to the right of the page).

Here is the complete bracket, courtesy of ESPN.com: 

http://sports-ak.espn.go.com/ncb/tournament/bracket