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
Zack pittman
March 14th, 2011
6:29 am
your an idiot. Tired of picking kansas? you mean last freaking year? one effing time? what are you 7 years old? god your a freaking retard… they won it all in 2008 the went to the sweet 16 after losing all 5 starters. had one dud year, and your tired of picking them? KU is the best team in the nation, and proved it against texas who got the shaft at a number 4 seed. Grow up.
From Where I Sit
March 14th, 2011
6:53 am
Yeah, right!
Gators win it all!!!
Enough Said!
Pete
March 14th, 2011
7:05 am
Georgia beats Washington by 10 and loses to UNC.
Luke
March 14th, 2011
7:13 am
If Georgia beats Washington by 10 I will give you my paycheck. I said Washington wins by 5 in FTs at the end. Guard play will just be too much and UGA ends up having to rely on their jump-shot to win, which will be their downfall.
chiefdawg
March 14th, 2011
7:31 am
Hahahahahahahahaha! I can’t stop laughing.
gt
March 14th, 2011
7:32 am
It is a case of nerves with Georgia. Great talent that has not played on a big stage. Say what you will about the ACC but with the exception of Tech they usually play to a packed house, that cares about basketball. Fox is a great coach and his day will come, but this is a learning experience for his team, Carolina has already taken the course. North Carolina is in friendly country too. Kentucky is the only other school with this kind of tradition and they have been under performing in this tournament of late. I think you go through an uninspired league play, places like Auburn or Mississippi, until Fox got to Georgia they were part of the problem too, and then you are suddenly on Broadway forgetting your lines. Basketball was made for cold places, at night near a large population, students are more a part of mix, academic cleverness is in the air.. Football is a weekend excursion, nice weather for tailgating, lots of liquor, lots of non alumni trashing the campus, lots of men and women too old to be acting the way they are acting. A 62 year old man kills a tree, an even older man shaves his head and paints a bulldog on his skull. The Duke crazies would cause people this age to have a heart attack from all the exercise. SEC definitely is a heavier, older crowd not that prone to moving too fast. The ACC has the same problem in football as the SEC does in basketball.
Timbodog
March 14th, 2011
7:37 am
Mark,
Seriously. Stop. We were fortunate to make the tourney. We beat UNC in the same universe where Tech calls Hewitt and begs him to come back.
Timbodog
March 14th, 2011
7:44 am
I’m picking Duke as the winner. You can go with the current darling of Ohio State, Mark, but you’re better off playing the odds.
In football, bet on the SEC champ to take home the hardware.
In basketball, bet on the ACC champ (though #2 could certainly pull it off as well).
Long story short, Mark, the South dominates in the sports that matters.
Tarheel in GA
March 14th, 2011
7:45 am
Cant wait to run your annual UNC slight? You are sad and I think that you are indeed an idiot to think that UGA can hang with the Heels.
Tarheel Dean
March 14th, 2011
7:51 am
Mark Fox is a Choke Artist just like Mark Richt. No worries here.
Bawbie
March 14th, 2011
7:53 am
Wow Diamond Dawgs won 5 in a row. Fire Dave Perno !
norman
March 14th, 2011
7:57 am
Belmont winning? No way!
Alabama Jack
March 14th, 2011
8:00 am
I suspect the dawgs will be one and done, just like their football counterparts, the least of the east. But I do say hats off to Coach Fox. The man knows his roundball.
Timbodog
March 14th, 2011
8:06 am
Thanks, Alabama Jack, but I am not ready to crown Coach Fox like some of my fellow fans just yet…we SHOULD have made the Tournament this year. It really shouldn’t have been a question. We have the talent.
We are the flagship school in one of the most talent-rich states in the country. We SHOULD be good at basketball…Fox cannot seem to coach in close games and makes poor decisions in crunch time. I am giving him the benefit of the doubt for now but we have to improve next year.
Boise Dawg
March 14th, 2011
8:11 am
Mark I love your optimism when covering the local sports teams…. but you really are crazy. I do hope for once that I am wrong and you are right, but I will be shocked to see this Georgia team knock off Washington let alone making a sweet 16 run. 2-9 That is Georgia’s record against teams that made the tournament…. they may have played a tougher OOC schedule than Alabama but they didn’t beat anyone.
bug spray
March 14th, 2011
8:15 am
all these yellow maggots are obsessed over uga’s success this year. yea we could win 2 but we need someone that wants the ball and makes the shot.
GoHeels
March 14th, 2011
8:17 am
You have lost your mind Bradley. We will not lose to UGA or Washington.
YardDawg
March 14th, 2011
8:22 am
I predict a 15 point lead for the Dawgs over Washington . . . . then a loss.
That last loss to Bama was gut wrenching to watch. How many open shots did Price miss right under the basket? Then, Thompkins and Robinson played terrible the last 6 minutes, missing numerous free throws and throwing the ball away over and over.
I’ve watched every televised game this season, and it seems that when we have any lead late in games, Fox has the Dawgs running out clock until it’s too late to make any kind of offensive play, which leads to silly shots thrown up, or the shot clock running out.
I think all of these give-aways are in the players’ heads now. You could see the panic when Bama started making a run. Robinson playing out of control, Thompkins throwing the ball to anyone and everyone but a teammate . . .
Man, I was sitting there watching this team just smoke Bama, up by 14 with 6 minutes to go thinking that UGA had finally figured out how to put a team away, like Auburn the day before, and that we may make some real noise in both tournaments, and . . . oh well.
Good luck, Dawgs – and please play a complete game Friday!
Tarheel in GA
March 14th, 2011
8:30 am
The AJC sports columnist is a blogging fool. But you knew that already
At least the fool part is correct. How on earth are you still employed as a “writer”? No wonder newspaper biz is doomed.
Say what?
March 14th, 2011
8:31 am
Tired of being criticized by Bulldawg nation, Bradley has caved and become an Uga homer.
Heels fans have the better team and a shorter drive.
The site will be almost all baby blue.
They’ll get the calls and probably won’t need them.
This is assuming Uga gets past Washington but that call is a lot more believable.
ATLfan15
March 14th, 2011
8:35 am
UGA is gonna beat the UW Huskies? HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Then, they are gonna beat the Tarheels?!! BWHAHAHAHAHAHA
Mark, buddy, please share some of what it is you’re taking…pills, booze, whatever…don’t be stingy.
Kansas vs Ohio St in the Final…Kansas wins.
Buckeye
March 14th, 2011
8:39 am
Good day to be a Buckeye.
Good day to be Howard ( before I was Trey) and Co.
Perhaps we’ll see a match-up.
GoHeels
March 14th, 2011
8:46 am
Bradley and the rest of the AJC crew never fail to amaze us all. Georgia sports teams suck.
Mike
March 14th, 2011
8:46 am
Not often I disagree with you so completely. These picks are out there MB. No way UGA beats UNC as they’ll struggle to get through Washington in the first place. The Dawgs have had a good season overall but they have been declining for the last few weeks while those teams(Washington, UNC) have both been surging. Also, let’s not forget a complete lack of experience in the tournament for the Dawgs. I think Fox has them going in the right direction but this team never recovered from that overtime loss to the Gators.
Duke won’t make the Final Four, I think Texas is a better pick there. Florida got a cupcake draw but lack the talent to beat Pitt. I think Kansas makes it because of depth and talent but you acknowledged that already.
I’m just glad for tourney time to be here.
DawginLex
March 14th, 2011
8:49 am
Buckeye,
I’m hoping for UK vs OSU in the Regional Final.
that would be awesome to see.
jarvis
March 14th, 2011
9:09 am
If Felton stays on, he doesn’t get along with any of the kids and throws 3 of the 5 off the team.
jarvis
March 14th, 2011
9:12 am
With Hewitt fired, MB is going to have to think of some new material.
Buckeye
March 14th, 2011
9:13 am
DawginLex,
That’s a distinct possibility. We could see Kentucky, UNC and Duke along the way.
I’m not crazy about the target on our back as the # 1 seed but like our chances. Inside game, outside game, we don’t foul and we don’t turn it over. We’ve got 6 guys capable of taking over the game.
Uga can’t run/gun with UNC.
Glad Clemson made it (barely) in. They gave UNC a run for their money.
Howard and Price would present an interesting “big” matchup issue for us. Sullinger and Lauderdale, except for the first five minutes, aren’t on the court at the same time. Body-wise, I see Sullinger and Price but not sure who would take Howard and vice versa. Perhaps Matta would throw a zone becuase I don’t thing Uga scares anyone beyond the three.
Vandy, as a 5, could surprise some folks.
Duke got the Charlotte location but has to travel 2-3 time zones after that.
Can’t wait until Thursday.
74 Dawg
March 14th, 2011
9:15 am
Even a broken clock is right twice a day.
JSS
March 14th, 2011
9:17 am
Anybody (especially tournament fans ) that underestimates either Oakland U or Belmont in their openers are in for 1990 Eastern Michigan-vs-Miss. State or 2005 Bucknell-vs-Kansas bracket buster. You better do some real research. Belmont is for real. Oakland can run, run, and run (they have multiple 6-11, 6-9, and 7-0 footers who can flat out ball and two transfer guards who were at St. Johns and Michigan… They lost by 1 point at Michigan State the same week they dismantle Tennessee in Knoxville… They have a scoring front line to challenge Texas, no doubt… Oh, that crowd in Tulsa will turn on Texas in a dime. There is no love for them there!
Buzz 2010
March 14th, 2011
9:19 am
The Dawgs never made it past Alabama much less Washington..
The Tar Heels, now there is a body of work!!
Paul
March 14th, 2011
9:20 am
If you want to pander to the Dogs so you’re not accused of not supporting the home team, that’s your business. But predicting that UGA is going to beat the regular season ACC Champs is preposterous AND YOU KNOW IT.
I guess it’s all about remaining popular…when are you going to run for office?
DMR
March 14th, 2011
9:40 am
Georgia played a tough schedule. It seems as though the Selection Committee stayed true to form in the way they make decisions. Georgia’s losses were to the likes of Notre Dame, Florida, Kentucky, Temple, Xavier, and Vandy. All losses were to high seeded Tournament teams except for Alabama, who many could argue should be in the Tournament. There were five teams that got in with 14 losses. Bama may have gotten a hose job, but they would be hard pressed to have a better argument than the likes of VA. TECH and COLORADO. Some of the “automatic bids” probably take spots from more deserving teams, but this is the system.
Bobby Knight said it best. As a 10 seed, Georgia has an “OPPORTUNITY”. The expectations are low by most prognosticators, so Georgia should play loose at a high tempo and be aggressive for 40 full minutes.
As for 5 of the best 6 players for Georgia being recruited by Felton, this is true. However, what good is a great recruit if you cannot bring out the best in him or help him develop his skills. Fox has time to recruit. But like all others, you play with the hand your dealt. I think Fox is playing it pretty good so far.
RambleOn84
March 14th, 2011
9:42 am
Notice in the picture of the Tech-Carolina game, there are only two true Tech fans…the girl in the top right with her arms folded and the guy in the bottom right with the black shirt. Both look very annoyed that Tech is winning, and you can just see the thought bubbles forming: “Does this mean we have to keep Hewitt?”
Alphare
March 14th, 2011
9:49 am
I don’t think Ohio State has much of a chance to win it all. Basketball is just like football: champs just repeat themselves. You rarely see a newcomer out of nowhere becomes a champ no matter how pretty she looks.
Having said that, I think Duke/Kentucky/NC has a better chance.
RambleOn84
March 14th, 2011
10:01 am
Good point, Alphare…I expect one of the “usual suspects” to take it home.
Also, I am tired of hearing how great the Big East is. Yeah, they always put a lot of teams in, but that happens when you have sixteen teams…how often do they actually bring home the trophy? My money is on Duke, UNC, Kansas, or Kentucky.
npgator
March 14th, 2011
10:05 am
Both Georgia and Alabama should have made the tournament.
Bill Stanfill
March 14th, 2011
10:08 am
@Paul
If you dislike M. Bradley’s columns so much, why are you even here?
Get a life, buddy.
McDawg
March 14th, 2011
10:14 am
we are in it but we are in the toughest region and the tougest cluster of 8 –dawgs have proven they can play with anyone (and outplay anyone) for 35 minutes of a game-who knows
McDawg
March 14th, 2011
10:15 am
Relax Paul
doug
March 14th, 2011
10:19 am
UGA doesn’t deserve to be in the finals. It would be better for them to be in the NIT in which they would have a chance to go deep and win. Now, they will fly to the west coast and lose in the first round. Which is a better way to go into next season?
KevinM
March 14th, 2011
10:33 am
Bradley on his Fox lovefest for at least one more game….The top team in the Pac-10 beats the team that didn’t even get to the semis in the SECT…not that is really matters huh Mark?
Excellent chance once again for us to prove that we can beat the beat writer of the Dogs….its a shame you didn’t like Hewitt 1/2 this much!
Mark obviously knows little to none ABOUT BBALL
March 14th, 2011
10:41 am
You are going to look pretty dumb at the end of the week!
Ed McCuen
March 14th, 2011
10:42 am
What is the dead line for changing your pick ?
gt4ever
March 14th, 2011
10:44 am
I hate to burst bulldog bubbles….. UGA lost to Alabama twice this season…… How do the bulldogs get in over the Crimson Tide???
Old_Skool
March 14th, 2011
11:40 am
@skydawg:
Speaking of playing patsies until the conference schedule starts, you are the poster child for it. When was the last time the dawgs played anyone the caliber of Ohio State, Texas, So Cal, etc. outside of the SEC
gt4ever
March 14th, 2011
11:44 am
old skool,
and the answer is,,,,,,, NEVER. Kinda like their football team…
Old_Skool
March 14th, 2011
11:49 am
I like Florida and Billy Donovan but I agree that they were seeded to high. How does a team that is not even rated in the top 10 (I think they were 12 ) in the final AP poll get a 2 seed when Texas (10 in the final AP) gets 4 seed?
Old_Skool
March 14th, 2011
11:51 am
@gt4ever
Actually I was referring to their football team, I forgot to mention it. The basketball dawgs actually played someone, that’s how they got in over Alabama.
jp
March 14th, 2011
11:52 am
I don’t think we’ll beat UW. They are just too athletic and well balanced. We really need to slow the game down and hope it’s a half court game otherwise we’ll be in trouble. They like to run and can go deep into their bench. We on the other hand can only go 6/7 deep depending on the day.
Something Fox will have to improve in the coming years is the bench depth.