One Shining Broment- Picking My Bracket

Sam Lunardlee's Bracketology:

Sam Lunardlee is my alternate name I use whenever the calendar flips to March. Just wanted to make that clear to everyone reading this.

Every year I already have in mind a couple of contenders for the National Championship. In 2011, it was Kemba Walker and the UConn Huskies, which proved to be one of my best predictions ever. Last year, it was Michigan State, who was stunned by Middle Tennessee State in the first round. Both years, and every year since I started doing brackets, I always have great confidence in my pick to win the title. This year, however, I was found myself struggling. Because I felt there are multiple legit contenders, I did not have the confidence I usually have when filling out my bracket. 

When filling out brackets, I always have a system:

• First Bracket
• The one I rely on the most. Always done old fashioned style- on paper.
• Coin flip bracket
• I have flipped the correct champion 3 of the last 4 years (2013: Louisville, 2014: UConn, 2015: Harvard (LOL), and 2016: Villanova). Pretty amazing, huh? Arkansas, don't let me down!
• Upset Bracket
• A bracket with some probable and somewhat farfetched upsets. I usually do not pick crazy picks such as a 16 seed advancing as far as the Sweet 16. Because we all know that won't happen... right?
• Duke Bracket
• Always have to have a bracket with your favorite team winning it all right? 
• Other brackets include other possible teams I feel can win it all. 

My Pick to Win the Big Dance:

I've got the Duke Blue Devils. It feels right, because they are playing out of their minds their past four games, but feels wrong because it is my favorite team, and this comes off as if I am biased. 

Breaking Down My Bracket

East Region

This region is stacked with talented teams that are capable of making Final Four runs. Teams of this bracket consist of the last two teams win the National Championship in Villanova and Duke, to Baylor, Florida, Virginia, SMU, Wisconsin, and Virginia Tech. Each of these teams came into the tournament with impressive resumes. Which will come out on top? 

Wisconsin as an 8 seed is wrong. Minnesota, a 5 seed, finished fourth in the Big Ten Conference. Wisconsin finished second. How does that make sense? The Badgers put the first three letters in their team name to close out the season, after starting the season 21-3. They ended the regular season losing 5 of their last 7. 

This team has experience in the postseason. Bronson Koenig and Zak Showalter are among players that were on the 2015 team that lost to Duke in the National Championship game. Nigel Hayes and Ethan Happ have been vital factors to this team's success this season as well as last season. Picking them over Villanova may be pushing it a little bit, but in March, one must make bold picks. It should be a relatively close game since both teams have experience and play similarly.

Midwest Region

Nothing too crazy here. Rhode Island is coming into the tournament pretty hot and playing a beatable Creighton team. Is the #11 over #6 the new #12 over #5 🤔? Michigan is another hot team in this region that is coming in hot, however, I think they will lose to an experience and underrated Oklahoma State team. Kansas has one of the better complete teams in the country and I expect them to play like it and reach the Final Four. Oregon, Louisville, and Iowa State are teams that Kansas could run into and cause them trouble. 

West Region

Again, nothing too crazy. This is either Gonzaga or Arizona's year to reach the Final Four. Both have had great teams but have failed to reach the tournament in a while, or at all (in Gonzaga's case). I do have #11 Xavier in the Sweet 16. Florida State started the season off hot, and looked like one of the better teams in the nation. However, they began to play with some inconsistency. When the Noles would have an off game, it would be a REALLY off game. I expect them to bring their inconsistency to the dance and fail to reach the Sweet 16. I wanted to pick Notre Dame over Gonzaga because of Notre Dame's recent success in March, but Gonzaga has them outmatched greatly in rebounding, and that will be the difference in the game.

South Region

This region, along with the East region, may be the toughest one to predict correctly. UNC, UCLA, and Kentucky are the favorites to reach the Final Four, and all have great potential to win the National Championship. I would put my money on a team in the South Region to win it all out of any of the other regions. UNC, with the exception of Kansas, Gonzaga, St. Mary's, Duke, Wisconsin, and Villanova have the most complete and experienced team in the nation. Carolina has most of their team from just a season ago, where they finished as runner-ups to Villanova in the championship. Despite these reasons, UCLA has been the team I have felt most of the season to win it all. I think they have what it takes to knock off Carolina. 

I noticed I put Wake down to beat Cincinnati in the first round because I really thought they were going to beat Kansas State. In place of Wake, I will have Kansas State winning over Cincinnati, since I technically did not have to pick a winner to the Wake Forrest-Kansas State play-in game. 

I have Wichita State reaching the Sweet 16 over Kentucky, which may be stretching it. I believe Gregg Marshall will remember how it felt in 2014 to lose in the second round as an undefeated team, to a scrappy Kentucky team that had just barely made the tournament that year, and eventually went as far as the championship. The tables have turned, and now Kentucky is in a similar situation as Wichita State was in in 2014. The Shockers will live up to their name and tame the Wildcats.

Final Four

Duke vs Gonzaga & Kansas vs UCLA. This will probably be wrong, but hey, it looks nice. If these are the matchups, Duke would have to be on their A-game rebounding the ball. Gonzaga is tied for 13th in the nation in rebounds per game. Kansas is a more experienced team than UCLA, and I feel like that is the advantage they have over UCLA. 

As I mentioned earlier, Duke won four games in four days to snatch the ACC Tournament Title. They played like the team everyone thought they were going to play like all season. Luke Kennard shot 50% from the field this season and has been the backbone of the team. His consistency has been one of the vital factors to Duke's success this season. Jayson Tatum has been the most impactful freshman out of the highly recruited freshman class that enrolled into Duke this year. The other freshman has had good seasons as well, but in particular, Tatum has had the best scoring the ball and playing consistently. With Kennard, Tatum, and Allen all scoring the ball efficiently lately, I do not see a team that could stop them. I do worry about their rebounding. That is perhaps their weakest link. This is where players such as Harry Giles will have to step up.

I was unable to submit this bracket online in time, so this is my way of submitting my picks to the world, you know, in case I am right and I could say, "I told you so." Kidding. Unless Duke does indeed win it all 👀. Good luck to my audience and your brackets. May the Madness bring about Gladness (unless you picked UNC to win it all ;)).

Under the Table, Table Runners

WE ARE HERE

Finally, we are here! We have arrived at the best time of the year, March Madness. The results of the regular season and conference championships have provided us a good idea on who to pick in the tournament. We have seen each teams strengths, weaknesses, if they are entering the tournament hot or cold, and which players/coaches have stepped up this season. While most teams have received national attention from the media, there are some teams in the dance that have not. Teams such as Middle Tennessee State, Bucknell, and Florida Gulf Coast have people scratching their heads when filling out the bracket. Most people are unaware of these teams strengths, weaknesses (other than playing in a non-power conference), and players that can light it up scoring. Even though these teams usually do not go as far as the Final Four, they may knock out a team that is expected to go to the Final Four, and maybe your pick for National Champions. 

Table Runners

I tried to catch as many college basketball games this year on TV as I could. If I missed games, I at least tried to keep up with each team in each conference. About every week or two, I would glance at the nation's leaders in rebounding, points per game, etc. A couple of teams and players caught my eye, and I would check up on their game-to-game performances and how each player played. All of this keeping up will hopefully help me out but could be useless if those teams/players are done after the first round. Some obvious table runners include Lonzo Ball from UCLA, Luke Kennard out of Duke, ACC Player of the Year Justin Jackson, and Kansas guard Justin Jackson. Here is a list of guys who are underrated "under the table" table-runners: 

Mike Daum, #16 South Dakota St

https://mgtvwcmh.files.wordpress.com/2016/03/url-11.jpeg

The "Dauminating" sophomore has led his Jackrabbits to the NCAA Tournament for the second straight season. Daum has done had a "daum" good season. In player efficiency rating, he ranked third. He was second in the nation in scoring, averaging 25.3 points per game. The Summitt League Conference Player of the Year scored 30 points or more in 12 games this season, including one game which he dropped 51 points in a win over Fort Wayne. 51 points were the most points scored in a Division I Men's basketball game all season. Daum also led the nation in free throws attempted and made. It is no secret he can score, but can he lead his Jackrabbits to a win over one of the nation's best teams in #1 seed Gonzaga? No #16 seed has defeated a #1 seed, could Daum and the Jackrabbits be the first?

Conner Frankamp and Landry Shamet, #10 Wichita State

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Ever since Ron Baker, Fred VanVleet, and coach Gregg Marshall put Wichita State on the map in 2013 by reaching the Final Four, I have kept track of them. Baker and VanVleet were two of my favorite players to watch in college basketball. Gregg Marshall is one of the better coaches in Division I Men's basketball. Wichita State has developed into a powerhouse basketball school.

There really isn't a true star to this Shockers basketball team. The case can be made for Shaq Morris or Landry Shamet, but overall they play together as a solid, consistent basketball team. However, I think these two lethal shooters will step up big for the Shockers. Frankamp, a former Kansas Jayhawk, has experience in the NCAA Tournament with both Wichita State and Kansas. In a second round tournament game in 2014 vs Stanford, Frankamp hit 4 three-pointers, including two clutch 3's in the final 30 seconds. Unfortunately, the video only shows one of his clutch three's. I can see Frankamp being a Ryan Arcidiacono 2.0.

Shamet, a true freshman, has shown flashes of stellar shooting. The Missouri Valley Conference Freshman of the Year ranked 3rd in field goal percentage (47.5%) among all guards in the conference. He was tied for 5th in overall offensive efficiency with 133.7, which ranks higher than players such as Luke Kennard and Lonzo Ball. Both Frankamp and Shamet shot 45% from the three. During a 5 game stretch in the season, the two combined for 27-47 behind the arc. If these scrappy guards shoot the ball the way they have during the regular season, they may just sneak into the Sweet 16. 

Devontae Cacok, #12 UNC-Wilmington

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The Seahawks from UNCW find themselves dancing for a second straight season. Coach Kevin Keatts has received much of the attention for their success, as he should. He has revamped the UNCW basketball program into a successful program that has great consistency in scoring the basketball. His Seahawks ranked 10th in the nation in scoring with 85.2 points per game. This wouldn't be possible by the contribution of sophomore Devontae Cacok. 

The Forward flirted with averaging a double-double in points per game and rebound per game with 12.3 PPG and 9.6 RPG. Despite coming close to averaging a double-double, Cacok penciled in 12 double-doubles of the season. Of those double-doubles, two were video game-like performances. He recorded 24 rebounds in one, and in another, he put up 34 points and 19 boards. Cacok has had one of the best seasons of any college basketball player this season. His 79% field goal percentage and 146.5 offensive efficiency rating ranked first in the nation. Okay, we get it, he's an offensive machine! How is his defense 👀? Just as good; he was named the Colonial Athletic Association's Defense Player of the Year. UNCW is favored as a potential #12 over #5 seed upset since there has been at least one in recent year's tournaments. Could Cacok and the UNC Dubs keep dancing into the Sweet 16 or Elite 8? 

Angel Delgado, #9 Seton Hall

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The nation's leading rebounder comes into the tournament with a vengeance. Angel Delgado and his Pirates lost a heartbreaker to the defending national champs Villanova, on a missed layup at the buzzer in the Big East Conference Tournament. Some say he has been the "Angel" to the Seton Hall Pirates this season. In 32 games played, he recorded 26 double-doubles. Of those games with double-doubles, there were 12 in which he recorded 15 or more rebounds. Not only does Delgado lead the nation in rebounds, he also leads in offensive rebounds. There have been rumors surrounding Delgado and Dyson Vacuums regarding a potential sponsorship, because of his vacuum-like ability to suck in rebounds. We shall see if the human vacuum can be top of the line, such as Dyson Vacuum Cleaners are. 


These student-athletes have great potential to make a name for themselves, for their teams, and for their schools in the next couple of days. Will these players come through for their teams and do the unexpected? Don't say I didn't warn ya!

Sources:
http://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/seasons/2017.html
http://www.ncaa.com/stats/basketball-men/d1/current/team/145
http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/statistics

ACC Tournament Predictions

Is There a True Favorite?

The Atlantic Coast Conference is one of the top conferences in Division I basketball. Each season, around 6 or so teams are selected to dance in the NCAA Tournament. The talent is rich in the conference. Teams such as UNC, Duke, UVA, Miami, and Notre Dame have been the most consistent participants from the ACC to play in the NCAA Tournament. Every season or two, a surprise team will arise from the conference and become one of the top teams. This season it was Florida State, as they improved from going 8-10 last year in the ACC, to 12-6, finishing in 2nd place.

Upsets tend to happen in every conference. They are decently consistent in the major conferences (PAC 12, Big East, Big 10, Big 12, SEC, etc). In the ACC, they are quite common, especially this season. Teams such as Georgia Tech, Wake Forrest, Syracuse, and Miami all have multiple, quality victories against some of the top teams in the conference. 

- #11 seed Georgia Tech has defeated UNC, Notre Dame, and Florida State.
- #10 seed Wake Forrest has wins over Louisville and Miami
- #9 seed Miami has dubs against UNC, Duke, and UVA
- #8 seed Syracuse has upset Duke, UVA, and Florida State

The playing field in the ACC is nearly even. You can trace last-place Boston College to first-place UNC. In fact, let's do that real quick:

- Boston College defeated Syracuse.
- Syracuse defeated Duke.
- Duke defeated UNC.

The funny thing is, that is not the only path that can be traced to Boston College and UNC! Now, am I saying Boston College can beat UNC? Ye- hold up. There is NO WAY Boston College can defeat the ACC Regular season champs. Have you looked at the calendar to see what month it is 👀? 

As crazy as the ACC is and the month of March is, this scenario is very unlikely to happen. Boston College would first have to win 4 games in a row against teams they have lost to some more than once this season. It would be amazing to see, but highly unlikely. Here is what the 2017 ACC Tournament Bracket look like:

http://raycomsports.com/sports_labs_docs/m-baskbl/2017_mbb_bracket.pdf?utm_source=all&utm_medium=post&utm_campaign=mbb&utm_content=17tourney

First Round

#12 Clemson vs #13 NC State

Clemson has had a frustrating year in the ACC. Eight of their 12 ACC losses have been decided by 5 points or less. Do not sleep on the hunger of the Tigers. I see them knocking off an out of sync NC State squad and move on to face Duke in the second round.  

#10 Wake Forrest vs #15 Boston College

Wake Forrest is playing some hot basketball right now; Roll Deac's!

#11 Georgia Tech vs #14 Pitt

I've got an upset in this one. I'm picking Pitt to upset Georgia Tech. I feel the veterans on Pittsburgh will have a big day scoring the basketball and lead their team into the next round. This may burst Georgia Tech's chance on dancing in the NCAA Tournament if they lose here.

Second Round

#8 Cuse vs #9 Miami

This may be the best matchup of the tournament. Tough pick for sure, but give Syracuse in a close one!

#12 Clemson vs #5 Duke

I rather have Duke lose in their first round of the ACC Tourney than in their first round of the NCAA Tourney. Clemson will give them a hard time, but I'm taking the Blue Devils.

#10 Wake vs #7 Va Tech

I'm feeling aWake right now, despite it being late, and a Wake win. This potential matchup also has the makings of being the best of the ACC Tourney. It has high potential to come down to the wire. It's hard to go against Virginia Tech, and I'll honestly probably regret it.

#14 Pitt vs #6 UVA

Pitt has taken down UVA before, earlier in January, but not so recently. UVA avenged themselves on London Perrantes' senior night. The Cavaliers shouldn't have a problem, unless Jamel Artis, Sheldon Jeter, and Michael Young are all feeling it.

Third Round

#1 UNC vs #8 Syracuse

UNC has taken care of Syracuse their last couple of matchups. They'll probably do it again. If Syracuse defeats Miami and losses here, I still believe they will sneak into the NCAA Tourney.

#4 Louisville vs #5 Duke

A potentially solid matchup. A strong guard matchup between prolific scorers and playmakers Donovan Mitchell and Luke Kennard. I'm going to have to go with the Blue Devils here, and I am leaving bias out of it. 

#2 Florida State vs #10 Wake Forrest

I want to go with Wake because they are a hot team right now, especially if they go as far as I have picked them. Florida State has been a weird team this season. They looked as if they were the team to beat in the ACC early on, but they have bad losses to Georgia Tech and Pittsburgh and can be inconsistent at times. However, it's Bacon time! I expect Dwayne Bacon to step up in the ACC Tourney, and against the Demon Deacons.

#3 Notre Dame vs #6 Virginia

This is another matchup that may go down as the best the ACC Tournament will see this season. I have more faith in a coin deciding this game than me choosing it. I'm going to pick Notre Dame because I feel they have more weapons on offense than UVA's efficiency to stop them from scoring.

Semifinals

#1 UNC vs #5 Duke

Well, well, well, what do we have here. A tie breaker to see who wins the season series between Carolina and Duke? This would be epic, and I hope this happens for the sake of the ACC, fans, and so I would be correct. The likelihood of this happening seems to be more in favor than not in favor, I believe. Really trying not to be biased here, I am going with the Blue Devils. Grayson and Kennard will shoot as good as they did when they first played Carolina.

#10 Wake Forrest vs #3 Notre Dame

Yeah, I know I mentioned Florida State would win and it was "Bacon time," but I feel like there is going to be one team that reaches the semifinals that is not ranked as a top 6 seed in the ACC Tournament. As crazy of a run, this would be for Wake Forrest, it would end here. Mike Brey's squad is going to click on every cylinder and they will move on to the ACC Championship.

ACC Championship: #5 Duke vs #3 Notre Dame

Notre Dame wins the 2017 ACC Tournament for the second time in three years. I predict they beat Duke only by 5 points or less. Notre Dame has one of the highest potentials of any team in the ACC not just in the ACC Tournament, but also the NCAA Tournament. Mike Brey has had recent success in the month of March the past couple seasons. He has the majority of the players he had last year, and I believe that same core will once again lead him to an ACC title. 

I am excited for the ACC Tournament and plan to watch as many games as I can. This week starts the beginning of the madness this month brings. I am overjoyed with the hype college basketball brings this time of year every year!