March Madness Round 1

First Round Bracket Boner Picks – Day 2

#3 Duke (-12.5)  vs #14 Mercer (L)

Day 1 of the tourney was not short on storylines.  There was upsets, there was overtimes, and there was Adrian Payne dropping 41 on Delaware.  Today is another day that will not disappoint when it comes to action.  Duke begins tournament play today when they take on Mercer.  Typically I would stay away from a line this big but its Duke taking on Mercer.  Mercer became one of the automatic bid teams after defeating Florida Gulf Coast in the Atlantic Sun Conference tournament.  Duke will be the best team Mercer has been on the court with this entire season and Jabari Parker will be the best player Mercer has been on the court with this entire season.  I don’t see any reason Duke doesn’t dismantle Mercer.

Sugar’s Pick: Duke -12.5

#3 Iowa State(-8.5)  vs #14 North Carolina Central (WINNER!)

Personally, I think this is a lock.  Iowa State plays in the Big 12.  North Carolina Central plays in the MEAC.  I’ve never lied to my readers and I don’t plan on starting now.  Before researching NCC this evening I had never heard of the MEAC or any of the teams in it.  I would argue that unless you are from desolate parts of the Southern East Coast or select parts of the North East, then neither have you. I think Iowa State can play with any team in the country.  They are 4-0 in their last 4 and every team they played is in the tournament.  Carolina Central hasn’t been on the court with a tournament team since December 22^nd when they lost to Wichita.  Every game since has been against teams you and I have never heard of (or want to hear of).  Last weekend Iowa State beat Kansas by 11.  North Carolina Central is going to get blown-the-fuck-out.

Sugar’s Pick: Iowa State -8.5

#2 Kansas (-14)  vs #15 Eastern Kentucky (L)

Embiid might be out right now but there is no way in hell Eastern Fuckin Kentucky has a close game with Kansas.  What is in Eastern Kentucky? (Besides white guys with no teeth, wearing overalls with no shirts on).  Eastern Kentucky plays in the Ohio Valley Conference.  The OVC is very similar to the MEAC; a little shit show conference I recently discovered. (see previous pick).  The difference is: I’ve actually heard of the Ohio Valley Conference before.  Let’s just say, I have more respect for the talent level in my 86 year old grandmothers Senior Shuffle Board League.  East Kentucky got lit up by NC State and Wisconsin early on this year and since then haven’t played another tournament team.  Tonight they take on Kansas.  Wiggins has been goin’ off lately and this is his tournament debut.  Look for Kansas to roll through Colonels with ease.

Sugar’s Pick: Kansas -14

#8 Gonzaga vs #9 Oklahoma State (-3.5) (L)

The Cowboys are in my Final Four.  I don’t expect them to blow out the Zags but I do expect Marcus Smart and his team to win this game by more than 4.  The white boys from Spokane are going to have an early exit courtesy of Oklahoma State. 

Sugar’s Pick: Oklahoma State -3.5