After the first round of our SBC Voices NCAA Baptist Bloggers Tournament, there has only been one thing proven beyond a shadow of a doubt. We have no business in the business of picking NCAA brackets.
I had a brutal day yesterday, missing on nearly half of the games. If Baptist bloggers were the sports experts we would like to think we are, I’d be down there in Paul Thompson territory (sorry, man, but you know its true!). In my other bracket challenge, I am squarely in LAST PLACE, where I deserve to be. But in the Bloggers challenge, I’m only 20 points out of FIRST PLACE!
I’ve made terrible picks and you guys are almost as bad as I am. You should be ashamed.
Thank God he called us to minister in his name instead of opining on ESPN!
Some observations from round 1:
1) Three unfortunates chose Duke as their national champions. While two of them (Doug Hibbard and Ryan Perz) are actually tied for the lead right now, they are doomed. If your national championship pick loses, that costs you points every round.
2) There are a lot of people who think Florida will win, 17 of 42 who entered brackets. If they go down (and all people of good will hope they do) a lot of brackets will go down with them.
3) Michigan State, Arizona, Louisville, and Wichita State all have their share of supporters (I’m a Michigan State guy – not because I love them so much, but out of loyalty to the Big Ten).
4) Liberal Baptists have abhorrent, aberrant theology, but evidently some really good basketball. Both Baylor and Mercer won big games. We can all give thanks that Mercer brought down that evil known as Duke. The coaches of both of these teams are evidently strong men of God who put Christ first. After an article I read about the mini-revival among the players on Baylor’s team this year, I’d love to see them get all the way to the Final Four.
5) My favorite name in the tournament is “Juan Shining Moment.” Don’t know who it is, but great name. Not great choices, but great name.
6) The evil that is Duke was slain, but there is still more work for the forces of righteousness to do. If someone could please defeat the evils masquerading under the names North Carolina, Kentucky, Florida and UCLA, it would be fantastic.
Dear David: I didn’t make a single guess as to who would win, thinking that wisdom was the better part of valor in this case. Since this is sort of ironic, I thought you might appreciate a smiley face.:) It seems so appropriate.
I’ll respectfully point out that the teams you mentioned as “masquerading evils”…are teams that have been for many, many years synonymous with college basketball. Throw in Louisville, MSU, and perhaps AZ and those are the real teams….
I guess hatta’s goh hate.
I’m not a DOOK fan by any means…but one reason I dislike them is because they and thier coach are top notch….that’s why it’s a big deal when the lose.
If and when Witchita State or Iowa State, Baylor, mercer, etc… loses….no one will be surprised or even care that much….just sayin’
There’s a reason the teams you’ve mentioned as evils pretty much individually lead almost all other teams combined in merchandising every year….and UNC leads them all. 😉
*top notch and they win too much for my tastes….that’s why it’s a big deal, and cause for celebration when they lose.
Evil is just evil. Plain and simple. UNC, KY, Florida, UCLA – well, evil is evil.
What a travesty. Sir, you insult my son’s alma mater, UNC. I therefore challenge you a duel at 10 paces with oily Elvis Pressley hairs (Bet you never heard of that, young squirt).
Yep. I’m doomed.
I’m always doomed at this, Fantasy Football, and real life Dodge Ball.
But my wife tells me I’m better looking, so I’ve got that going for me.
My bracket has actually given me a good sermon example for tomorrow as I preach through Daniel. God’s prophets were led by divine insight, wisdom, vision, knowledge and revelation. I obviously am not. At least not when it comes to basketball.
So far, the SEC is 5-0 in the NCAA tourney, and 4-1 in the NIT. And, this is supposed to be a “down” year for the SEC in basketball. It looks like they’re doing pretty good to me. Go Vols!
David 🙂
PS. This is for all of you, SEC haters, out there.
I’m hopeful for a Hog NIT win.
Florida in the NCAA will be fine–I just don’t expect it.
I have brackets entered in 3 or 4 contests, and they’re all different.
Except they’re all going to lose.
You left out the 1-0 in the CBI as well…Texas A&M beat Wyoming at Reed.
Greg,
The CB What?
College Basketball Invitational. They named it after CB!!
http://www.gazellegroup.com/events/cbi/index_main.htm
Undefeated who?
SEC! Even when it’s Calipari-helmed Kentucky 🙂
I knew you were going to write this.
In all fairness: being bad at sporting “lines” ought to be something search commitees check on before hiring…
Glad to say I graduated from the devil killer MU. Mind you I got of there with a strong conservative faith instead of abandoning everything but the Jesus Seminar (though that is a different blog).
Picked them to make the Sweet 16. Not many times anything Mercer sports is worth noting on a national scale, but this moment is. #GoBears
BTW-what is it with those 2 “former Baptist” institutions both being Bears?
With Dayton over Syracuse and Connecticut over Villanova, my bracket has spiraled out of control. I had both of those teams going to the Final Four. My bracket is doomed to complete implosion.
I was, however, pleased with my Ducks last night! They played a great game, they just couldn’t hang on in the second half.
GO BIG BLUE!!!
Gonzaga is one of my last surviving hopes in this life… wow… I AM always in need of a redeemer.
Wooooo hoooo! The Vols are dancing in the Sweet 16 after beating Mercer. Go Vols!
And, the under rated SEC, which was supposed to “down” this year, so they only got 3 teams in the tourney, are still undefeated, and all 3 teams are in the Sweet 16! I guess the SEC wasn’t as “down” as some of the experts and SEC haters thought.
David “Big Orange” Worley
You deserve it David, after all that suffering during football season.
True, William, all of us, Vol Fans, needed this. lol. But, the football team is on its way back, as well. Coach Jones is rebuilding the Vol football team brick by brick. Look for good times to return in the Vol Nation.
David
David,
You beat Mercer. MERCER. You got Michigan next. Your celebration might be a little short lived…but enjoy it while it lasts.
That is all.
😉
I am really glad I am not participating in any bracket contests this year. It would have been ugly, though I think the committee that was responsible for the seeding is going to have a lot of questions to answer.
I thought I had signed up… but that ended up not being the case. I have 450 pts… this is the BEST I have ever done! Picked several of the underdog wins… lovin this year!
Hey all my final four picks still in. Had I known Tennessee was a “play-in team,” I’d have chosen them, and I’d definitely be in first place among the Little 12 participants I play with. 🙂 They hate the SEC.
I have Kentucky against Florida in the championship game with Kentucky prevailing. Five freshmen starting, you never can be sure what you get, but can’t trust anyone to beat them. Unless it is the “Vols.” 🙂
Keep it up SEC
Too bad about UT, David, but at least one SEC in FF.