Bradley’s Bracket Fiasco: UGA to surprise, Buckeyes to win
Don't think UGA could beat North Carolina? Let's note that Georgia Tech did. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
The 24th annual edition of Bradley’s Bracket Fiasco — yes, next year will mark our silver anniversary; time flies, huh? — begins with words to commit to memory: The RPI matters. Georgia not only made the NCAA tournament field but made it with room to spare, whereas Alabama, which beat the Bulldogs twice in seven days, wasn’t invited.
But enough about that. We here have a time-honored function, and that’s to pick a Final Four. Here’s mine: Ohio State, Duke, Purdue and Florida.
Regarding Georgia: As a No. 10 seed, the Bulldogs not only avoided having to play a game in Dayton just to get into the big bracket, but they find themselves in a position to do damage. Washington is a nice team — it has a great guard in Isaiah Thomas and some size underneath — but Georgia has good perimeter players and some big guys, too. (And Washington has to travel across country, which never helps. Although Friday’s game will begin at roughly 9:45 p.m. EDT.) Georgia should win Friday in Charlotte, and I see it …
Here I pause for effect.
Upsetting North Carolina in Round 2.
I know, I know. The Tar Heels flew past Duke to finish first in the ACC, and Georgia has spent the past two months losing to most everyone of consequence. But on talent such a game would be no mismatch, and the SEC East was much tougher than the ACC as a whole. I’ve waited a long time for the Bulldogs to play to their gifts, and now we’re down to last chances. Either Georgia makes some noise in Charlotte or it returns to Athens wondering what might have been.
That said, do I see the Bulldogs making a 1983-type Final Four surge? Uh, no. The Bulldogs don’t shoot well enough to unlock the Syracuse zone, and the East is also home to the nation’s best team (Ohio State) and its most improved (Kentucky). A Buckeyes-Wildcats Sweet 16 matchup would be tantamount to an Elite Eight game most years, and I think Ohio State wins it.
Duke is seeded No. 1 in the West, a geographical note that will matter only the second weekend since the Blue Devils likewise start in Charlotte. The only threat I see to Duke in this region is … well, nobody. San Diego State? No. Texas? No way. And UConn, the No. 3 seed, will do as other Big East champs have done — prove in the NCAA that the effort expended in winning a conference tournament wasn’t worth it.
I’m picking against Kansas in the Southwest for a scientific reason: I’m tired of picking Kansas and being wrong. The Jayhawks should reach the regional final, but I’m saying what-the-heck and going with Purdue to emerge here. Matt Painter: Good coach. JaJuan Johnson and E’Twaun Moore: Good players. And don’t the Boilermakers, who are entering yet another Big Dance without Robbie Hummel, deserve a break?
I view Pitt, which is seeded No. 1 in the Southeast, as the Kansas of the East: It’s a team that looks great up until the point where it wrecks your bracket. Florida lost the SEC tournament final to Kentucky, but the Gators got both a better seeding and a softer regional than the Wildcats. Florida has great guards, a nice big man in Vernon Macklin and a coach who knows the way. Make it four Final Fours for Billy Donovan as a coach. (And one, a while back, as a Providence shooter.)
More upsets? So many folks will take Belmont over Wisconsin that it will be no surprise when it happens. Also look for Old Dominion to take down Butler, last year’s takedown artist, and don’t be shocked when the Wofford Terriers take out BYU and Jimmer Fredette. And don’t be totally shocked if Morehead State gives Louisville a rough ride in Round 1. I’m too chicken to pick the Eagles over the Cardinals, but maybe you’re not.
As for the Final Four semis: Ohio State over Duke, Florida over Purdue. Those teams played for the title in 2007 in our fair city, the Gators winning. Not this time. Buckeyes as your 2011 national champions.
Those are my picks. I beseech you to submit yours by clicking here. (You must enter Bradley’s Bracket Fiasco online. We no longer accept mail entries.) Our winner will reap the customary Final Four sweatshirt, plus a 32GB iPad with WiFi and 3G capability; our second- and third-place finishers will receive a 32GB iPod Touch. And, by entering the Fiasco, you’ll automatically be eligible to win a $1 million prize in the national UPICKEM bracket competition.
And that’s it. The best three weeks on the sporting calendar are upon us. Please click the link. Please enter the Fiasco. Please join me as we make the descent into Madness.
By Mark Bradley
For a look at my completed (and completely crazy) bracket, click here.
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321 comments Add your comment
J Clay
March 13th, 2011
10:33 pm
UW fans – what makes you predict such large double digit victories? You may very well win but you are a bit over confident, UGA has played close games all year…Friday will be no different….also expect to see a lot more red than purple
Mark Bradley
March 13th, 2011
10:34 pm
I don’t know the answer about tickets, J Clay. Sorry.
aladawg
March 13th, 2011
10:36 pm
Matt Brock, why don’t you shut your pie hole and go watch the games on TV with the Alabama players. Roll Tide, yea, roll over and die. Aint it great to be a Gerogia Bull Dawg going to the big dance. Your basketball team is just like your football team always playing wussies out of conference.
5150 UOAD
March 13th, 2011
10:40 pm
Sorry that was lost to 1 TEAM (duke) and the second time was in the ACC Championship game.
Taylor
March 13th, 2011
10:44 pm
It looks like you guys are looking at our 3 point shooters. People forget about the raw athleticism and limitless depth. The huskies siimply do not care about fouling, they will simply not let UGA get to the basket and I guarentee you they are looking at these comments and articles and see people talking about playing and beating north carolina with litttle mention of the huskies, I see more about UNC then the Huskies and I am telling you that is what they want because they have a HUGE chip on their shoulders when it comes to perceived lack of respect.
headley lamar
March 13th, 2011
10:46 pm
I guarentee you they are looking at these comments and articles and see people talking about playing and beating north carolina with litttle mention of the huskies
Do you really think the basketball players are looking at the Atlanta newspaper right now?
I highly doubt it.
beatonthebrat
March 13th, 2011
10:46 pm
5 1/2 point spread is pretty big for a 7-10 game. Don’t think the Dawgs put it together against teams better than the ones they have collapsed against for the last two months. Hope I’m wrong.
headley lamar
March 13th, 2011
10:47 pm
Ill be in sunny Orlando getting ready to spend a week with the Braves ( 5th year in a row )
Get to watch the Dogs this year while im down there. Was fun last year watching N Iowa upset Kansas.
Son of Roaring Dan
March 13th, 2011
10:48 pm
Alabama’s problem is that it went off the rails in a 3 day stretch in November (against three decent teams by the way) in the Virgin Islands AND it scheduled all its tough nonconference teams ON THE ROAD. Not sure how UGA would have done playing AT Purdue, Okie State and Providence. It was not poor opponents but choosing to play on the road — the toughest thing to do in college basketball — that killed them. (Almost wonder if Grant just mailed in this season in scheduling like that with the hope of loading up on more home games next season.) Glad UGA got in but the Tide did its trash talk in the conference and on the court – and not on internet boards — in terms of how it stacked up with UGA. Just hope UGA doesn’t lay an egg — the SEC needs to reestablish credibility.
The Grinch™
March 13th, 2011
10:50 pm
FWIW I’m hearing Travis Leslie may be back next year.
Alabama Communist
March 13th, 2011
10:51 pm
No doubt the pick of Georgia over UNC by Brady is the same thing as 1/2 Governor Sara Palin will win in landside in 2012 for the President of the USA
Tdawg
March 13th, 2011
10:51 pm
I am not shocked that Georgia made it because they, dispite their late game collapses deserve to be in the tournament. I just don’t see how in this world they got in ahead of Alabama. When I read that Georgia was choosen over Alabama you could have knocked me over with a feather. In my opinion Georgia belongs in this tournament and Alabama should have made the field also. Don’t know what to say to you Tide fans? I guess it is what it is.
5150 UOAD
March 13th, 2011
10:52 pm
Grinch
Neither TECH or UGA have any underclassmen that should be considering the jump to the NBA. Get your degrees boys and learn some more Basketball.
The Grinch™
March 13th, 2011
10:53 pm
Son of Roaring Dan
March 13th, 2011
10:48 pm
You gotta be kidding. UGA’s RPI was 48 and Bama’s was 80. Tell me about your tough schedule again.
Joe
March 13th, 2011
10:54 pm
North Carolina looking ahead?????? UGA better not look ahead of UW!!!!
42-34 Dawgs Still Run This state
March 13th, 2011
10:54 pm
Proud of Coach Mark Fox for bringing the Dawgs to the Dance!
Sorry Bama, Barners and tekkies – enjoy the extended offseason.
Tdawg
March 13th, 2011
10:55 pm
Mark what happened to my post? There was nothing wrong or obsene about it.
J Clay
March 13th, 2011
10:57 pm
beatonthebrat – good point on the spreads, it is big…in fact the worst spread of all the 10’s and even worse spead than the three 11’s and 12’s posted and worse than one of the 13’s….so vegas definitely does not feel it for the Dawgs…..other games:
FSU/TAMU – pick em
Belmonth +4.5 (as a 13)
Utah St +2 (as a 12)
Gonzaga +2 (11 seed)
Penn St +2.5 (10 seed)
Richmond +1.5 (12 seed)
Mizzou -1 (11 seed)
Michigan St -1.5 (10 seed)
Memphis +5.5 (12 seed)
Marquette +1 (11 seed)
Dan
March 13th, 2011
10:59 pm
Hey GTBob!!! Where’s Tech? You idiot Tech fans crack me up.
headley lamar
March 13th, 2011
10:59 pm
Lines aren’t what they think the score will be. They are designed to keep the money even on both sides.
Jim
March 13th, 2011
11:00 pm
Win-Lose-or Draw, always proud to be UGA Bulldog. Best of luck, guys!
@Haters, etal: Put a sock in it!
crackbaby
March 13th, 2011
11:00 pm
Mark is high on drugs. UGA has a chance against the Huskies but don’t even look past that game.
Nate
March 13th, 2011
11:00 pm
UGA and UNC Grad: Hope the Dawgs do well but UNC/UGA. I would be pleasantly surprised if that game is competitive. UNC should win easily, especially if UGA can’t beast UF at least once.
The Grinch™
March 13th, 2011
11:01 pm
Well from what I’m reading UGA may as well not even show up. The experts released the spread and it shows we’re the underdog.
J Clay
March 13th, 2011
11:02 pm
headley – yes but they are a measure of how far apart teams are seen to be
headley lamar
March 13th, 2011
11:02 pm
UNC should win easily, especially if UGA can’t beast UF at least once.
We did have Florida beat until a miracle three sent it to OT.
J Clay
March 13th, 2011
11:03 pm
I’m thinking we win the game….No predictions beyond game 1…Can dream about beating UNC, but let’s win 1 before we dream…Proud of the team even if they lose, but man just 1 win would do wonders for the program
Producer
March 13th, 2011
11:07 pm
Georgia will disappoint just like they always do. Football, basketball, it makes no difference. There is no hunger or heart and there hasn’t been for 30 years. Georgia doesn’t make it out of the first round.
The Grinch™
March 13th, 2011
11:08 pm
Producer
March 13th, 2011
11:07 pm
Thank you, Paul Hewitt.
seattle_realdawg
March 13th, 2011
11:08 pm
You country folks really think your gettin pass u dub lol. I know that’s a lie. None of ur weak starters would start on uw. But hey anything is possible. But to think your gettin by unc. LOL leave that to the big DOGS WOOF !
headley lamar
March 13th, 2011
11:08 pm
Georgia will disappoint just like they always do. Football, basketball, it makes no difference. There is no hunger or heart and there hasn’t been for 30 years
We had enough hunger and heart to win 90 football games last decade. 7th most in the NCAA.
5150 UOAD
March 13th, 2011
11:08 pm
Headley
Don’t you mean before the REFs took the game from UGA and gave it to the GATORS? Wait that is the reason UGA can’t win a National Championship in Football. Sorry I forgot the refs and cops just hate UGA football and players.
J Clay
March 13th, 2011
11:09 pm
Dawgs game on CBS – as opposed to one of the cable channels…Also #1 team calling it, Nantz and Kellogg…guess it helps to be in same place as Duke and UNC…
headley lamar
March 13th, 2011
11:09 pm
None of ur weak starters would start on uw.
Thompkins and Leslie would both start but thanks for stopping by.
E
March 13th, 2011
11:10 pm
Aw, dangit. My final final four matches Bradley’s, Guess I have to start over.
5150 UOAD
March 13th, 2011
11:11 pm
Headley again and those 90 wins got UGA 2 SEC titles and no shot at the MNC. Winning that means nothing in the long run. UGA is the Dale Earnhardt Jr of the SEC.
Happy for my Dawgs! Lunardi can't pick his nose.
March 13th, 2011
11:12 pm
Relieved and happy Georgia made the field. They made it way too tough on themselves and their fans by blowing the lead to Alabama. Committee really brewed up controversy taking UAB and VCU. Colorado, the Tide or Virginia Tech would have been better choices. I picked 34 of the 37 at large teams correctly – same as Joe Lunardi, who hasn’t left his basement since November while pouring over data! ESPN, I will take less $ to become your new expert – LOL. I had UGA in, BTW, and he didn’t. Go Dawgs!
GT92
March 13th, 2011
11:12 pm
UGA over UNC???????!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Put down the bong, brah.
Can’t wait to enter this final four fiasco.
The Grinch™
March 13th, 2011
11:13 pm
seattle_realdawg
March 13th, 2011
11:08 pm
Granted, Seattle has contributed greatly to overpriced coffee. College Basketball? Not so much.
Son of Roaring Dan
March 13th, 2011
11:13 pm
Grinch: you can play Duke 8 straight times and your rpi is going to be bad if you don’t win. You have to win against tough teams but its a ton easier to do playing at home. Playing on the road is tougher and not captured in the rpi to my knowledge. Based on a strict rpi, the Tide could have beaten UK Saturday and still not been invited. They were done before December by losing to Seton Hall (who had their all Big East player then), Iowa (who beat Purdue, and St. Peters (who is going to the NCAA.
Producer
March 13th, 2011
11:15 pm
7th most wins! Wowwwwww…That’s something to brag about around the water cooler. It actually applies to all Georgia teams pro or college. Losers, all. Rationalize all you want. One world championship in the state’s history. Pathetic. Especially the Braves who had umpteen chances, literally.
The Grinch™
March 13th, 2011
11:16 pm
Son of Roaring Dan
March 13th, 2011
11:13 pm
UGA lost to ND and Temple on the road in close games. Bottom line, UGA’s RPI 48, Alabama 80. Nuff said.
Bullshi
March 13th, 2011
11:17 pm
What?! Are you smoking the pipe again? Georgia should NOT have even been invited! At best this is an NIT team. Not a SINGLE quality player. Record is WAY inflated in a WEAK SEC. They will be blown out by WASHINGTON by the half. No contest.
The Grinch™
March 13th, 2011
11:17 pm
Producer
March 13th, 2011
11:15 pm
As compared to all the championships you’ve won, right? BWAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!
Taylor
March 13th, 2011
11:19 pm
They looked at the papers last year and they will ddo it again this year.
J Clay
March 13th, 2011
11:23 pm
Can’t believe the guy is defending losing to St Peters….you gotta be kidding me….I actually think you belonged in, but are you really defending losing ot St Peters>>>Your non coference RPI was 284, that is why you are not in, road neutreal record of 5-11…
SunDodger
March 13th, 2011
11:23 pm
Looks like you guys are forgetting that you have to play us before you get to UNC. How about you give the Huskies a little bit more respect and give them more than two sentances before pontificating on your chances to beat North Carolina
headley lamar
March 13th, 2011
11:23 pm
7th most wins! Wowwwwww…That’s something to brag about around the water coole
Actually it is. Most in the SEC over that span except for LSU (they had one more win)
J Clay
March 13th, 2011
11:24 pm
So by his logic…UGA would beat Pitt since they beat Tennessee who beat Pitt….
I hate those arguments – so ridiculous, dont you think?
JSS
March 13th, 2011
11:27 pm
VCU had high quality wins and the CAA had a massive SOS with ODU which won a holiday tournament. George Mason beat UCLA in the pre-season NIT…
Alabama got stomped by some bad teams. That is what got them going to the NIT… The RPI would have been offset if they performed better. The Committee looks hard at that… They did the same thing to some other teams left on the outside. Colorado just tried to act like Syracuse use too…