Mind of Michael: Brackets are busted

By Michael Leek
Sports Editor

I made three brackets this year for March Madness, and they are all busted going into the Sweet Sixteen. I will reference my bracket that has done the best so far to talk about the Sweet Sixteen matchups.

The problem I had while filling my brackets out is I picked too many upsets. I never thought my bracket would get busted because I put too much faith in underdogs. It’s usually vice-versa.

Kentucky was my biggest disappointment for the tournament. I had them making it to the Elite Eight in my best bracket, but they lost in the first round. Despite them losing, I enjoyed watching Oakland and Jack Gohlke bounce the Wildcats out of the tournament.

Auburn was another disappointment for me, losing to Yale. We just watched Auburn win the SEC Tournament, so I expected that team to win the first-round game, but it lost in the first round, just like Kentucky.

One of my Final Four teams has also been bounced out of the tournament. Clemson beat Baylor and I anticipated Baylor making it to the Final Four to play UConn.

As of right now, it is safe to say UConn is still the favorite to win the whole tournament, and that is who I picked to win.

MSU had a great showing in the first round but had a tough matchup in the second round against North Carolina. In my bracket, I had the Spartans beating North Carolina. I believed Tom Izzo would outcoach Hubert Davis and find a way to slow Armando Bacot down, but MSU was not able to do so.

For the Sweet Sixteen matchups, UConn is going to beat San Diego State with no problem. Illinois vs. Iowa State should be a good matchup, but my better judgment is telling me to go against the Big Ten in this situation.

Alabama should give North Carolina a run for its money and, if the game stays close going into the final stretch, Alabama could win.

I think Tennessee, Houston and Arizona will all win their matchups. Dalton Knecht for Tennessee is one of the best players in the tournament and also one of the best NBA-ready prospects left.

Marquette should beat NC State, but NC State is playing phenomenally right now and is the Cinderella team of this tournament.

The Sweet Sixteen begins today (March 21). As long as UConn, Tennessee and Houston win their games, I will still have three out of four of my final four teams in the tournament.