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
NCAAAAA
March 14th, 2011
12:35 am
Why is UGA cocky? Up until a few hours ago UGA didn’t even know if theyd be dancing.
So I compiled a run down on UW
(all ranks nationally)
Points: 3rd 83.5ppg
Rebounds: 12th 39.3rpg
Assists: 8th 17.2apg
FG%: 25th 0.471
POMROY rankings ranks the Huskies #15 (UNC is #14)
Huskies lost key reserve PF Breshers and McDonalds all America starting PG Gaddy this year to injury, so they only run 9 deep of scholly players.
They have excellent guard play and wing play. All wings are 6′6′, very athletic, long arms, and can score.
Suggs: 6′6″ shoots 45% from 3
CJ Wilcox: 6′5″ shoots 40% from 3
Terrence Ross: 6′6″ shoots 37% from 3
All can put the ball on the floor and slash to the basket or pull up for a high arcing J.
Isaiah Thomas and MBA( 6′9″ PF) were on the ALL PAC10 Team, IT was PAC tournament most valuable player. He dished a record breaking (11+12+7) assists breaking Gary Paytons record. Including 28 points in the Conference Tourny Championship game.
Terrence Ross (fresh), 6′6″ wing made the Freshman All PAC10 team and ALL PAC tournament team
7′0 Aziz is their back up center. He is limited offensively, but is very mobile for a big man and is tenacious on defense. When he is in the game they go big (2 at 6′6, 1 at 6′8, and 7′0) and play a long armed zone defense.
Huskies lead the PAC in offensive rebounds per game.
Huskies have made the Sweet Sixteen in 3 of the past 6 years. They are tournament ready.
E
March 14th, 2011
12:36 am
@ Paul:
Bradley is trying to get hits here. Believe me, As a Georgia fan, the farthest thing from my mind right now is a matchup with the Heels. I am trying to find out as much as I can about Washington first and just glad to be in the tournament.
The Grinch™
March 14th, 2011
12:37 am
JSS
March 14th, 2011
12:16 am
Starting a fight? Nah. Engaging in a fight? Maybe.
Anyway, you made a reference to a hypothetical college game so here’s my take. Jabbar? No impact in college, but Lew Alcindor was hell on wheels. Jordan? The only person who could ever stop him was Dean Smith.
5150 UOAD
March 14th, 2011
12:37 am
Grinch
#7 seed means the Huskies are at best 28th and worst 31st in the NCAA. UGA is at best 40th and worst 43rd. UGA is seeded a little lower than they should be. #12 IMO. The Huskies are seeded a little higher than they should be. #6 IMO. So Huskies are 24-27 and UGA 48-51.
E
March 14th, 2011
12:40 am
@ The Grinch. Don’t forget the great Dan Dakich of Indiana stopped Jordan, too.
JSS
March 14th, 2011
12:43 am
“can’t”
The Grinch™
March 14th, 2011
12:46 am
JSS
March 14th, 2011
12:34 am
“What exactly is Ware?”
Since you asked what, my answer is “tupper”.
JSS
March 14th, 2011
12:46 am
His name was Kareem at UCLA too, he converted in 69. There only 3 people who personally knew him who still called him Lewis to his face… Coach Wooden and his grandparents… But I’ll let you keep your myth alive…
The Grinch™
March 14th, 2011
12:47 am
JSS
March 14th, 2011
12:34 am
Had you asked “who” I would have said Dustin.
The Grinch™
March 14th, 2011
12:50 am
JSS
March 14th, 2011
12:46 am
Better recheck the facts of your “dream”.
On May 1, 1971, the day after the Bucks won the NBA championship, he adopted the Muslim name Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, its Arabic translation roughly “generous/noble (Kareem), servant of (Abdul) the mighty/stern one (Jabbar)
JSS
March 14th, 2011
12:54 am
The Grinch™
March 14th, 2011
12:47 am
JSS
March 14th, 2011
12:34 am
“Had you asked “who” I would have said Dustin.”
No, I asked “what?” A point (he has no handle). a shooter (he can’t create his own shoot), a defense stopper (has he shut anyone down?), or something else? I mean his game is mystifying to watch…
2smartjones
March 14th, 2011
12:56 am
Anybody else watch the “Fab Five” special on ESPN tonight?
What a self-flagellating crock of hoo ha that piece was. I’ll never get that wasted time back, but that’s on me.
Delta Stewardess
March 14th, 2011
12:58 am
JSS it seems the Grinch thinks he is ready to take you on. AHHAHAHAHA. I don’t know who is right but I will do some looking too. Get him JSS
The Grinch™
March 14th, 2011
1:04 am
Delta Stewardess
March 14th, 2011
12:58 am
“Get him JSS”
please do check. You’ll find out I’m right.
Delta Stewardess
March 14th, 2011
1:05 am
Says Lew joined the Nation of Islam in 68, but another says he joined the Nation of Islam in 71-72 and changed his name. When a man joins the Nation of Islam he changes his name at that time. Lew may not have legally done it on Papers until 71-72 but if he was Muslim and a member of the Nation of Islam in 68 that would be when he choose his new name
macrotech
March 14th, 2011
1:06 am
Congrats to the Dawgs…I hope they do some damage to the brackets!
JSS
March 14th, 2011
1:06 am
When he took the Shahadah (the proclamation of belief in the Summer of 1968), his Sunni Iman gave the name Kareem Abdul Jabbar. The name change with the NBA came at the end of the 1970 season. The name change in NY State for tax reasons came in 1971. Are you clear now? Try reading his autobiography: “Giant Steps.”
The Grinch™
March 14th, 2011
1:09 am
Delta Stewardess
March 14th, 2011
1:05 am
He changed his name in 71. That’s a fact.
Walter
March 14th, 2011
1:09 am
Ohio State is not going to win it all Kansas is gonna win it all.
Delta Stewardess
March 14th, 2011
1:13 am
It seems both of you could be correct. LEGALLY is was done in 71 with the filing of papers with the state for an official name change. JSS could also be correct. Lew may have been call Kareem by his Muslim friends and even team mates because he had converted his life to Islam.
LEGALLY it was 71 spiritually it seems to be 68 while at UCLA.
JSS
March 14th, 2011
1:15 am
@ Delta Stewardess…
Never argue with a person who uses “technicalities” to try to reinforce a falsehood. Nell Wooden took a good 5 years of her life getting Coach Wooden to call Kareem by his name. Their is a interview around with them that is so sweet. She was a great woman. He would still call him Lewis, but he would correct anyone would call him that in his (Coach Wooden) presence….
5150 UOAD
March 14th, 2011
1:16 am
Late night EDUCATION on the sports blogs. Who ever would have guessed.
JSS
March 14th, 2011
1:16 am
Excuse me “there.”
SunDodger
March 14th, 2011
1:20 am
J Clay…. Seattletimes.com…. we are doing the same thing you guys are and looking ahead to UNC! Our hornets nest is dying to be punted. Go for it. And to the guy who laughed at my 9:45 start time remark….. play anything past 10:00 at night and your body will wear down much quicker wether you are 21 or 31. Plus at 21 years old at 10:30 on a Friday night your body is wondering why its not drunk
P. Bull Terrier
March 14th, 2011
1:21 am
The Grinch™
March 13th, 2011
11:53 pm
P. Bull Terrier
March 13th, 2011
11:47 pm
“You count the words in your posts?”
Couldn’t find that apostrophe I mentioned could you? Did you go back and count the words in my post? Was I right about more than 200 words? If so, is that because I counted or because I got lucky with a wild guess? Will anyone ever know? Will anyone ever care?
Paul in RDU
March 14th, 2011
1:28 am
JSS,
To go deep in the NCAA tourney a team has to have a good point guard who can both handle pressure and apply it, good defense and rebounding, a go to guy, a good coach and last but by no means least, mental toughness. I can’t see UGA getting past the first weekend.
Fussball Fan
March 14th, 2011
1:30 am
They should remove ALL the names of the columnist that write for the AJC and just put their title….Homer, instead. EVERY article is about how the home team is going to beat someone else. The Falcons are going to beat the Packers, the Dawgs (football squad) are going to beat (insert name of team), yada, yada, and yada. I know he didn’t pick UGA basketball to win it all, but to beat UNC, gimme a break. That is why Atlanta sports fans get so disappointed because they get fed all this croc by the local writers. We are all waiting for the upcoming article on how “you have a feeling” that the Bravos will blow away the Phillies and win the NL East by 20 games. Chop, Chop now.
GreenDawg
March 14th, 2011
1:30 am
A real Dawg (UW, way to bite on our name btw) here to tell you that the Huskies are going to roll the bulldogs. Usually root ya’ll, even though I have never visited your fine state but we are going to travel across the country and end your tournament early. Don’t worry about UNC, we will take care of them for you.
JSS
March 14th, 2011
1:35 am
@ Paul in RDU…
You hit the nail on the head, that is why I brought the Ware question… I’ve known the Robinson kid since he was at Tennessee State (my best friend is the head athletic trainer there), and he’s no point guard. He can be a streak scorer. I know in Tex Winter’s offense you don’t have to have a real point; but you’ve to be able handle pressure adequately, right? Am I missing something about UGA?
The Grinch™
March 14th, 2011
1:35 am
Delta Stewardess
March 14th, 2011
1:13 am
actually, the initial discussion was about his time at UCLA. He played as Alcindor at UCLA. No debate, really.
HOW BOUT 'EM
March 14th, 2011
1:39 am
GreenDawg
March 14th, 2011
1:30 am
A real DAWG…Washington Huskies. LOL.
JSS
March 14th, 2011
1:42 am
@ Delta Stewardess…
See what I mean?
If you get a chance, please read “Giant Steps.” Jabbar goes over the whole period and his association with Hamaas Abdul Khaalis (another fascinating story)…
wcoastjere
March 14th, 2011
1:44 am
a UGA grad i work at stanford/the men’s pac 10 is very weak/look for georgia to take UDUB but i would not get carried away and take them over the heels/just glad we made the tourney as SEC East was beast of land!! go dawgs!
seattle_realdawg
March 14th, 2011
1:54 am
the grinch who stole Xmas. McDonald’s has cheap coffee. Also you guys remind me of the kids who go to the school dance just to sit on the wall. Georgia is in the dance for nothing. U dub will prove that. Also has the Georgia pups put anyone in the NBA… curious
JSS
March 14th, 2011
2:00 am
@ Seattle…
They put Domnique Wilkins, Vern Fleming, Willie Anderson, and a number of others into the NBA… I would include Herb White but I laugh every time I see his picture in a Hawks day glow short short uni!
MikeinAustin
March 14th, 2011
2:03 am
Wow! This reporter CLEARLY has no clue about Washington. 1. Talent-wise, they’re a top 15, if not, top 10 team. 2. They were the unanimous pre-season pick to win the PAC 10 before their starting PG went down and all the controversy started. They lost 3 ugly games in a row immediately after a backup player was falsely accused of sexual assault. 3. UGA has “good perimeter players”? Washington has THREE NBA players at guard: Thomas, Ross and Wilcox. Ross and Wilcox are freshman, yet will be pre-season first or second team all-PAC12 going into next season. 4. Washington is the 2nd highest scoring team in the country. If UGA wants to run, Washington will run them straight off the court.
Delta Stewardess
March 14th, 2011
2:07 am
Roy has been in the NCAA tourney 20 times and made it to just the second round 7 times. Coach Fox has only been a Head Coach for 7 years. The Dawgs may surprise I just don’t know.
JSS
March 14th, 2011
2:10 am
@ MikeinAustin…
You just will let them see for their self… But they (UGA) were sucking fumes at 15:00 point of the 2nd half against Alabama… So?
MikeinAustin
March 14th, 2011
2:13 am
JSS – I’m not even a Washington fan. I just watch a lot of ball on the West Coast, having grown up in Cali. Washington is clearly the most talented team West of Austin. They’ve just been a bit crazy this year. Point being: if they’re firing, they have the talent to win the whole tournament. And there’s only about 7-8 teams that can say that.
JSS
March 14th, 2011
2:22 am
@ MikeinAustin…
I was working in Burbank until last March of 2010 so I still have the PAC-10 (12) basketball package on the satellite. I kept waiting for them to catch fire. You know Arizona, they always catch you with that style and the home court at McHale. But when they come to LA for that tournament, it never fails, Romar pulls a rabbit out his hat… So I know what you mean. It is like people forget that run they (UW) went on last time? And outside of that rebounding machine who did they lose as you said?
SeattleDawginGA
March 14th, 2011
2:38 am
I am a UW grad in ATL and I will say this, I have seen both teams in person this season. First U-Dub is by far the better team, but UGA is capable at playing to the talent level of their opponents. Second, U-Dub will run circles around UGA if they try to play uptempo. Washington scored 100 points 6 times this season and did against, Cal, Texas Tech, and Virginia. Third, U-Dub can shoot lights out. I would take their shooters over UGA’s anytime. Georgia needs to actually slow the game down and get Washington to play their style. Even then Washington’s best defender was suspended for the Pac10 tourney. Venoy Overton is probably a top 5 on ball defender in the country. He simply will annoy whoever has the ball. I. Thomas is going to be driving the lane and kicking out to Wilcox, Suggs, and Ross at times. Those three can shoot lights out. and all are 6′6 or taller. N’diay is a 7 foot center who will create havoc in the lane. I would not over look Washington at all. This is a team that made the Sweet 16 last year and only lost 1 starter from that team. UGA fans you would be wise to realize that this game isn’t a gimme. Blink and Washington will be up 20. They go on spurts that really boggle the mind. They scored 15 in two minutes earlier this season against both UCLA and Arizona.
McDawg
March 14th, 2011
2:41 am
Georgia Bulldogs
ppg rpg apg fg%
173rd 43rd 36th 94th
Washington Huskies
3rd 12th 8th 25th
(With apologies to Sasquatch…)
bamadog83
March 14th, 2011
3:37 am
I know there are lots of teams that did not belong over Bama Marq- Clemson -USC -VCU –ect ect. but for 2 fairley equal teams to have just played twice and the team that won twice to get the shaft and they one that lost to get the golden egg ..well my fellow SEC friends if I were you I would be ashamed………
Mark Bradley`s Booster
March 14th, 2011
3:49 am
Thank goodness most everyone who got in on the action to get Coach Hewitt fired will stay occupied with March Madness. If so, this will allow DRad and his search team to handle the hiring of a new coach without the medling of all the so called experts on the blogs.
Mark Bradley`s Booster
March 14th, 2011
3:54 am
Delta Stewardess: Did you ever really work as a Flight Attendant or did you complete your career as a “Delta Stewardess”? I believe the title was changed back in the 1970`s or maybe earlier. Assume you are drawing Social Security.
Cheech
March 14th, 2011
5:07 am
Mark—have you been in Tommy Chongs stash again? Man, you can’t write comments after you inhale. I’ve told you it makes you say crazy things!
UDUB
March 14th, 2011
5:11 am
Mark, Never have read your columns, being from Seattle and all. But my guess is, you have not seen much of Washington play this season. That tends to happen with us being all the way up here in sports Siberia. We were supposed to do big things this year. The regular season was a little rocky after getting off to a nice start, but things seem to be where we thought they would be at just the right time. yes, Isaiah Thomas is one of our best players, but he is just one guy out of a very deep 9 man rotation. We play fast, have great defenders, and can put up a lot of points. I don’t think it will be very easy for a team that was considered on the bubble, and received a very generous 10 seed, to knock of the Huskies. I actually see this game being won fairly comfortably by UW. Only time will tell.
John B
March 14th, 2011
5:23 am
DawginLex- Your comments are classless. Not surprising your a Dawg fan.
Football Guy
March 14th, 2011
6:15 am
Hahahahahahahahahahahhahahahahahahaha
hahahhahahahahahahahhahahahahahahahaha
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
hahahahaha……………
Stinger
March 14th, 2011
6:20 am
One and Done!!!!!!!!!!!! Count on it.