March Madness

March 10, 2017

By this time next week if you’re like me you will be watching the NCAA “March Madness” tournament. Without knowing the teams here are some tips before filling out your brackets.

People love this tournament, especially the upsets. Most of these take place in the first round. In the past few years I can only remember one #2 seed losing in round one and no #1 seed ever losing in first round. Take these eight times, put them in the sweet 16 and work backwards.The final four is usually made from this group.

Back to the first round. When making picks the #3 and #4 are tough to pick against. However, each year one or more #5 teams lose to a #12. The winner will most likely lose in round 2. The #6 vs. #11, #7 vs. #10 and # 8vs.#9  games are fairly matched and you can pick either team .My advice is go with mostly favorites who will also probably lose in round 2.

When you finally reach 16 you may want to pick an upset. For the most part not all #1 seeds make the final four or final game. Teams that with good pedigrees Duke, Kentucky, Syracuse probably won’t make much noise this year. The fun team to watch will be Northwestern. Right now my pick is Villanova beating Kansas.

Now just a few words about the Bears:

The Bears finally say goodbye to the most despised man in Chicago sports, Jay Cutler.

They have signed an unproven replacement in Mike Glennon. While he may not be as talented you can rest assured he won’t be as dumb as Cutler. Throwing the ball out of bounds to avoid a sack. Not throwing into triple coverage or an area where this in no Bear receiver in the vicinity. Getting stripped sacked for a turnover. 

Glennon may be a upgrade but only as a stopgap. This year’s draft does not have any good quarterbacks to choose from.  With that said take the best athlete available with the number three pick. I’m assuming this team will be bad enough to be in a good position next year to draft a franchise quarterback.