Welcome back to sports roundtable, State News and Sports Podcast. And today, Maddie's already laughing because we got
Jacob:bracket time.
Jacob:We are picking the March Madness bracket.
Madi:I see PJ out of the corner of my eye just going
Jacob:I told you I was gonna do it for the intro. But, basically, today, we are doing a very, very fun episode, switching up from the norm here on roundtable. And we collectively, me, PJ, and Maddie, are gonna be picking our March Madness bracket. This is the official everything that's gonna exactly happen the way it's gonna go. We're telling you right here, right now.
Madi:This is gonna be perfect.
Jacob:This actually becomes the only perfect bracket. I don't know what we do. We'd probably wouldn't have to go to school or probably work a very long time in our lives ever again.
Madi:Yeah, because we get automatic contracts to work for ESPN.
Jacob:We get all the endorsements. And then we
PJ:get $30,000 a year. They
Madi:create a new position for us and it's called Bracket Specialists and we only pick off of vibes.
Jacob:Bracket Times Specialists. Bracket Times Yeah. Yes, in all serious, this is gonna be a very fun episode. Just to give a little bit of a brief explanation of how this is gonna work, it's really not that complicated. We have three people, so obviously, there's gonna be three picks.
Jacob:We're all gonna give you our analysis on each matchup. Not analysis, but just quick pick. And then whichever one or unless you guys wanna get into it, but Nope. This would be a three hour episode.
Madi:Guys, I don't have much analysis except for Michigan State.
Jacob:That's why you have to pick all
Madi:five. Exactly.
Jacob:We could talk to about Michigan State, but other ones Right. We're gonna have to go go through it quickly. But, anyway, basically, majority is gonna rule. So whichever team gets two or three picks for all the matchups is gonna move on, and we will collectively do the bracket until we get all the way to the championship game and pick a winner, whether all three of us agree or just two of us agree. So it should be a very fun episode.
Jacob:But I guess without further ado, we are gonna start it off at the first matchup coming out of the South Region. Auburn and Alabama State. I want Alabama State. I'm just kidding.
PJ:Yeah. I think we should do Auburn. I think that's the better choice.
Madi:I think that we should too. Auburn's been a wagon this year.
Jacob:Yeah.
Madi:So I think that that is, like, the only logical choice. I read something the other day. I think that there's only been, like, two upsets ever in March Madness history where a number 16 seed has beat a number one seed.
Jacob:UMBC, and it was fairly Dickinson over Purdue a few years ago. So very rare. Mhmm. Auburn is the number one overall seed in the bracket, so they lost. We'd be pretty concerned.
Jacob:Yeah. Think safe to say.
Madi:Just slightly.
Jacob:Then the eight nine matchup right below them is gonna be Louisville and Creighton.
PJ:Yeah.
Jacob:This is a fun one. I don't know too much about these teams, but Louisville is one of the hottest teams in the country ran through the ACC and they are back. Louisville hoops being competitive is also a great site, but, I'm gonna take Creighton in this matchup. I like them a little bit better. What do you guys think?
PJ:So this is kinda like a sidebar almost. The spread is Creighton is plus 2.5 and Louisville's minus 2.5. What does that mean?
Jacob:Like like genuinely like so the Is that Louisville's plus 2.5?
PJ:Craton Craton is plus 2.5. They're gonna win by two or two and a half, like that's the split, like two and a half points or they would lose?
Jacob:Craton is technically not favoring that game if they're plus money. Okay. So Louisville being minus two and a half means that if you were to bet Louisville minus two and a half, Louisville have to win by three points or more because that was more than two and a half. Oh, yeah. If you had creating spread two and a half creating would have to lose or win the game by less than two points.
PJ:Right? Okay. I don't know if negative was better or not. Sorry.
Jacob:It's all good. I did not realize it was a sports betting analysis right there. But yes, that would be it.
Madi:This is just what ESPN Sports Bet is telling us. But I mean, their two guys look like they're matched up fairly well, like the four guys that they're giving us their top players.
PJ:Yeah. Terrence Edwards and Chuckie Hepburn for Louisville and then Ryan Kalkbrenner and Steven Ashworth for Creighton. Yeah, pretty matched up pretty well. Ryan Kalkbrenner seems to be doing oof. Yeah.
PJ:I mean, he's really good with the boys.
Madi:Was gonna say he seems like he's got a little oomph on the other three. But, I mean, when you match up an eight and a nine seed, you're fit for a good game no matter what.
Jacob:This is also the first game of March Madness
Madi:at 12:40
Jacob:tomorrow. Yeah. Always gonna be a good one.
PJ:Yeah. You know what? I'm gonna go with you and say Creighton. Okay.
Madi:I've seen a lot of people because my whole entire TikTok right now is March Madness. I've seen a lot of people also pick Creighton, so I'm gonna go Creighton
Jacob:as well. Great.
Madi:Either way, if I pick Louisville, I'm outvoted.
Jacob:So I
Madi:feel like I should pick Creighton.
Jacob:You know, that's a fair point. I mean, this one definitely will be a really good game as we're saying. Like, eight, nine seeds never fail, so they're they're also probably one of the hardest matchups to pick. Next matchup is a very, very fun one. Yes.
Jacob:Michigan versus UC San Diego. This is UC San Diego's first year eligible to make the March Madness tournament, and they did that. They ran through their conference, and they have 30 wins on the season, 34. They are a wagon as many would say, but Michigan won the big ten tournament, so they're coming in hot as well.
Madi:Yeah. I mean, I don't know. As a Michigan State fan as a Michigan State fan, I would love to see you see San Diego upset. And obviously, there's going to be upsets. It's marked madness.
Madi:Anything could happen. But I know that something we've talked about is Michigan's got two of the best bigs in the country.
Jacob:Mhmm.
Madi:So if they can play on their game, then Michigan is probably fit to make it to 32.
PJ:Yeah. I I I have a really good feeling that Michigan is gonna beat UC San Diego, unfortunately. Yeah. Yeah.
Jacob:This is one of the most popular upset picks in all of America. This one was drawing probably the most, like, twelve five favorability in terms of UC San Diego. I mean, they played at Michigan's weaknesses. Michigan turns the ball over a lot. UC San Diego forces a lot of turnovers.
Jacob:But the thing is, UC San Diego is also very undersized compared to Vladimir Gold and then Danny Wolf down there for Michigan. So this reminds me a little bit of the the Gonzaga McNeese twelve five matchup last year where McNeese was the most popular upset pick and then got washed by about 30 points.
PJ:Mhmm.
Jacob:But for the sake of March, I am gonna take UC San Diego. Okay. But I will let you guys take whatever you would like there.
Madi:I'm also gonna take UC San Diego just because I have seen a lot about like, this is one of the best 12 seeds in the like, this is the best 12 seed in the tournament. One of the best that March Madness has had in a while. I don't know. I love me in upset, picking solely off of vibes. I'm going UC San Diego too.
PJ:Okay. I would go Michigan, but I'm outvoted, so it's okay.
Jacob:Yeah. I mean, it's closed for a reason. It's totally fine to be outnumbered on that one, but, should be a should be a really good game. I have no idea who's gonna win. I flipped that one in my bracket, like, at my personal one about Yeah.
Jacob:Four or five four or five times already.
Madi:So I think that I
Jacob:had UC San Diego upsetting Michigan on both of my brackets. That's that's the right play, I'm telling you. Speak it into existence. The next matchup we have is a very fun one as well. Texas A and M and Yale.
Jacob:Yale knocked off Auburn last year as the same seed, a 13 seed. They are also a very, very good team coming out of the Ivy League. Texas A and M played in a very hard SEC a little bit, struggling as of late, but this one should be fun.
PJ:Yeah. Yale, they won their conference. Right?
Jacob:Yes. They won the Ivy League.
PJ:Yeah. Oh, sorry. Did you say that?
Jacob:No. You're good. Oh, okay. Yeah. Go ahead.
Madi:The thing with Yale, though, is looking at this, they've only played one top 25 ranked opponent.
Jacob:Mhmm.
Madi:So coming into this, I mean, you don't have the experience like Texas A and M does of playing 12 games against a top 10 or top 25 opponents. Sorry. I had to do math and add seven and five together. But, yeah, I have heard that this is gonna be a really interesting game, but I see Texas A and M coming out of this one solely for the fact that they have more experience playing top 25 opponents.
Jacob:I like that analysis. Yeah.
PJ:I agree.
Jacob:So you guys are gonna both roll with Texas A and M?
Madi:I'm gonna go Texas A and M.
Jacob:Yeah. I was gonna pick Yale, because they were a team that had a lot of vibes to me. And also Texas A and M does not have a lot of vibes to me. I watched them like, I haven't watched them play or anything, but, they've had a lot of losses, but they've also played a lot of good teams, so totally reasonable, there for you guys is big.
PJ:A twelve thirteen matchup would be crazy. UC San Diego versus
Jacob:Yes. I know. Scale. We've seen crazier things too, which is Mhmm. Really nuts.
Jacob:But I also picked Yale in my personal one, so I'm really kinda pulling for that. Next matchup we got is a team that had a lot of controversy getting into the tournament. North Carolina as the 11 seed. Won last night in their first first four matchup against San Diego State, so prove they can be here. They're taking on another SEC squad, Ole Miss.
Jacob:I mean, we say all these are gonna be interesting. I mean, this is gonna be a great game as well.
PJ:Yeah. Totally.
Madi:I have a question for you guys. Sorry. That was I feel like that came out very aggressive. I have a question. What are your thoughts on UNC getting into the tournament over Indiana?
Jacob:I would say it's
Madi:Or Indiana just not making the tournament, period.
Jacob:I'd say from looking at it in a perspective, Indiana probably should have gotten in over North Carolina because North Carolina's quad one record is obviously the one downfall pretty much Mhmm. Negating their entire
PJ:Yeah.
Jacob:Reason to be in the tournament. They have one win this year against quad one teams, double digit losses against them. So obviously, they weren't playing that great against the teams that really matter and like the teams are gonna face in this tournament. Perfect in quad two wins, but that really doesn't matter for their competition. Indiana, I think was just a little bit too inconsistent.
Jacob:I know they played in the big 10, so they had a lot of good opponents, but they really never hit their stride, never paired together paired together too many wins in a row or whatever. So I think Indiana was one of those teams where I didn't think should get into the first place. West Virginia on their hand, I think should have.
PJ:Oh, yeah. So
Jacob:what are we feeling? What are we what are we feeling? Guess this
PJ:one. I I think I think Ole Miss is gonna take this.
Madi:I think Ole Miss too.
Jacob:Okay. I was gonna go North Carolina. I promise you I'm not deflating all the upsets, but
Madi:Why?
Jacob:Normally, first four team in March Pantas gets past a six seed and goes on a little bit of a run. I mean, the most recent example I can think of because I was just watching March Madness highlights before this was UCLA in 2021 Mhmm. Where they went to the final four after getting out of the first four. But I think North Carolina has proven they could be here. They're playing with a chip on their shoulder.
Jacob:But I'm totally cool with you guys about Ole No. You know, let's see
PJ:let's see UNC.
Jacob:Okay. PJ, just first change of the pick. Yeah. Alright. I convinced PJ enough to to change the pick.
Madi:Let's do it.
Jacob:What we can do. We can make up our own rules on this show. Of course.
Madi:Next one. First ever bracket Yeah.
Jacob:First one. First annual at that point too. Next one we got is Iowa State in Lipscomb. Mhmm. Three versus 14 seed.
Jacob:Not really much here to dive to deep in. I feel like I would go Iowa State, although I feel like they could be vulnerable in later rounds.
PJ:Yeah. Totally. Totally. But yeah, I think this first round, it's gonna be Iowa State.
Jacob:Mhmm. Clean sleep on Iowa State there. Sorry, Lipscomb.
Madi:Clean
Jacob:sleep. Clean sleep. Okay. Our seven to 10 matchup in this region would be Marquette in New Mexico. Another also really fun matchup.
Jacob:Marquette has Cam Jones, one of the best players in the country. And also in their conference there in the Big East. I like Marquette here. New Mexico also has a very solid squad out of the Mountain West, but I'm gonna take Marquette
PJ:on this one. Yeah, I agree. I think Marquette's has a little bit of little bit of an edge.
Madi:I'm picking Marquette solely off of vibes.
Jacob:That's what helps you out in March madness. Absolutely. And then last one of the region, our favorite matchup, obviously, number two seeded Michigan State versus number 15 seeded Bryant. I think picks are gonna be very obvious here, but I will say Bryant is a very solid squad. Been seeing a lot of buzz on about them online Mhmm.
Jacob:Which is kinda scaring me a little bit. But Michigan State normally handles two seeds pretty well apart from the the middle Tennessee disaster, but I think it would be a like, I'd a fool not to pick Michigan State Totally.
Madi:Yeah. Mister Beat reporter, talk us through this a little bit. I mean, what what does what does I mean, looking at this, what does Michigan State have to take them to the next level that Bryant doesn't?
PJ:Yeah. I mean, I think MSU is going to capitalize on transition offense, which, I mean, Izzo was talking about this the other day. Like, Bryant also does that. They also have a few, not a few. They have, like, a lot of big men.
PJ:They have, like, a ton of six six guards, six six eight. Like, I think they're I no. I was gonna say their shortest one is six six, but I think that's wrong. I think they've maybe one or two a little bit shorter. But, you know, they have a big lineup.
PJ:And I think MSU's defenders, like, I think Carson Cooper, he's shown himself this year that he's a great defender. But I think they utilize their big men a lot. So I think that's gonna be what I think that might be the biggest, like, not difference, but the biggest thing to look out for.
Madi:Like the difference maker, though.
PJ:Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.
Jacob:Great analysis, PJ. Thanks. But I
PJ:think MSU has a pretty big edge.
Madi:Okay. Yeah. I do too. I just wanted to
PJ:Of course. Of course.
Madi:I just had to know, obviously.
Jacob:That game could get frisky a little bit. We'll let's see. You mentioned Brian's length is gonna be something they'll play to their strengths. But Mhmm. Moving on to the West Region, we're gonna have number one seed of Florida against number 16 in Norfolk State.
Jacob:Florida's looking like one of the best teams in the country. Mhmm. They even had a case for getting the number one overall seed. Yeah. Auburn didn't have all those quad one wins, but Florida's looking like one of the best teams in the nation right now.
Jacob:Yeah. Again, we'd be fooled not to take the number one seed here.
PJ:Exactly. Yeah.
Madi:I agree. Florida.
Jacob:And then the eight nine matchup is, I mean, really, really cool as well. Mhmm. Number eight seeded Yukon back to back defending champion Yukon Mhmm. As an eight seed against number nine Oklahoma and Jeremiah Fierce. Very frisky.
Jacob:I like Yukon here just because of their experience. Oklahoma was on the bubble for a long amount of time, and then started putting together some wins as of late and really got themselves into the tournament. I just think Dan Hurley and Yukon's experience is really gonna be the difference maker here. Yeah. They've proven to win recently.
Jacob:I think they'll do it again.
PJ:Yeah. Same.
Madi:That's what I was gonna say too is if they're defending national champions, I mean, you you can't count them out in a situation like that. So, yeah, I go UConn too.
Jacob:Yeah. They have potential to make a run too. Brought back a lot of pieces from last year and have a good amount of freshmen as well. Just had a slow start to the season, but we'll see how that translates translates in March. Another five to 12 matchup, we got Memphis and Colorado State.
Jacob:Michigan State played Memphis this year, so I remember that game very well. Yeah. Memphis' backcourt is very, very strong. PJ Hagerty leads the way averaging 20 a game there. But Colorado State just won their conference, the Mountain West.
Jacob:They've been one of the hottest teams in the country in the last 10 games. 12 seed coming in. They always are a team that makes the March Madness bracket, but what are your guys' thoughts on this one?
Madi:Go ahead.
Jacob:I'm just checking the preview.
PJ:Yeah. I mean, from what I remember from MSU's game against Memphis was, like, they're just Memphis is just killer. Like, I like, they're just so good. Yeah. PJ Hagerty, he was he was balling.
PJ:I don't
Jacob:know why I'm saying this.
PJ:Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I think it's gonna be Memphis. Yeah.
PJ:I mean, let's look at versus top 25. I mean, they've only played four four top 25 matchups, but
Jacob:They have some great wins, though. Ole Miss, Clemson, Michigan State, UConn as well. Fantastic wins.
PJ:Yeah. So, yeah, I I I'm gonna say Memphis. What about you?
Madi:I'm gonna say Memphis too just because they beat us earlier this season. Yeah. That's all I got for you.
Jacob:They're solid squad. No. I doubt about it. Four thirteen matchup in this region. We got Maryland and Grand Canyon.
Jacob:Grand Canyon seemed to pull off the upset before. A lot of March experience, but Maryland is very dominant. Derek Queen and company lead the way there.
PJ:The crab five.
Jacob:The crab five.
Madi:So I was just listen. I yeah. I got nothing for you guys. I was just reading a sports columnist Casper, his or, his column that he wrote earlier about his picks, he had Maryland, or he had Grand Canyon upsetting Maryland.
Jacob:That's an unpopular one too.
PJ:Mhmm. Yeah. He did have that. Yeah.
Madi:So vibes, I go Grand Canyon.
PJ:Okay. Okay. DJ? I'm gonna go Maryland.
Jacob:Okay. So that puts me as the deciding factor. I like the Grand Canyon hype a little bit, but not enough to pick Maryland in this one. Yeah. I could be wrong.
Jacob:There's always like an upset that happens where you really don't expect it every year. So definitely could see it be in this one because Maryland, they played a little bit, kinda questionable down the stretch in the Big Ten. So but I think they have the edge here.
Madi:Yeah. Maryland.
Jacob:The six eleven matchup in this region is a very popular upset pick as well. We got number six seed in Missouri versus number 11 seed in Drake, not Kendrick Lamar. Oh. Kendrick Lamar didn't make the tournament this year.
Madi:Thank you, Jacob.
Jacob:What do we have? What are we thinking for this one? Drake is one of most popular upset picks in the country as well.
PJ:Yeah. What do you wanna go?
Madi:Go ahead.
Jacob:I can help you out, DJ.
PJ:No. No. It's alright.
Jacob:I just wanted to see if she wanted to talk.
PJ:Yeah. I mean, I think Drake I think Drake has it. Looking at their top two players, Bennett Sturts, he's averaging over 19 points per game, four and a half rebounds, five and a half assists, and then Daniel Abruh Abruh, ten and a half points, three and a half rebounds, and one assist. It looks like they're I mean, I don't I don't really know too much about them, but, I mean, it seems like they're carrying Drake. So I don't know.
PJ:Just looking at the matchup between, like, March Mark Mitchell and Caleb Grill, I think it's gonna be a very close game, but I I could see Drake pulling out.
Jacob:Yeah. I like that pick pull out too.
PJ:Pulling out the
Madi:Didn't Drake upset somebody last year? Or am I
Jacob:I don't believe so. I think they were, like, in the same scenario where it was a popular pick, and they didn't do it. Okay. I I'd have to double check.
Madi:I was gonna say, because I think if they didn't upset, they were close.
Jacob:Yeah.
Madi:Because I remember that, like, being a
Jacob:Yep.
Madi:Option. But vibes, I go Drake.
Jacob:Okay. I like that too. I was also gonna go Drake. They've been here before. I think they're better than last year when they they fell a little bit short.
Jacob:They have 30 wins this year, and only one of them being at the tournament team right now in Vanderbilt. But, I mean, this is one of those fun teams in the country. They can shoot. If you have not watched the team turn on their game at 07:35 on or tomorrow on Thursday, they can shoot lights out. So I think they'll they'll have the edge here.
Jacob:We'll pick Drake with a clean sweep. To face them in next round, we got the winner of Texas Tech in UNC Wilmington. I am gonna go Texas Tech here. Texas Tech is one of my most, I guess, like sleeper run picks. I know they're a three seed, but very dangerous.
Jacob:JP Toppin leads the way there. Great team. Very fun to watch. I'm gonna go Texas Tech.
PJ:Yeah. I'm gonna go Texas Tech too. Did they okay. A couple years ago, weren't they the eleventh seed?
Jacob:I think I think so.
PJ:I I don't know why. But they, like, went to, like, the lead eight or something. May maybe I'm I I
Jacob:I know they were like a I know they were six seed, and they had a run a few years ago. Okay. I'm not entirely sure about 11 seed, but they have been they've had plenty of deep runs in March.
PJ:Yeah. So I yeah. I I mean, I trust them. So I'm gonna go with Texas Tech.
Madi:I'm gonna do the same. I had no other choice.
Jacob:Nice to play it safe there against a 14 seed. And then these last two games in this region, battle the coachings coaching trees. Oh my goodness. Number seven, Kansas and Bill South against number 10, Arkansas and John Calipriani. Mattie and PJ are cracking up over there for reasons I cannot hear.
Jacob:But I'll let you giggle monsters over there do the talking for this
PJ:one first. I you know what?
Jacob:PJ loves his previous.
PJ:I really want Arkansas to win.
Jacob:Okay.
PJ:I really don't want Kansas to win. I don't yeah. I so just based off of that, I'm gonna pick Arkansas.
Jacob:Okay.
Madi:I'm also gonna go Arkansas.
Jacob:Yeah. I think we have the Hunter Dickinson fan or hate club over there. I was I almost said fan club ever. No.
Madi:I would never.
Jacob:Doesn't matter, but I was gonna go Kansas with this one. Kansas was the number one team coming in to, like like, the the season, not just the tournament in the country. And then Arkansas has just been very consistent. Both these teams have been very inconsistent. I mean, huge left out for Kansas, but I think they're gonna get by Arkansas.
Jacob:It was a little bit weaker in my opinion, but Arkansas is gonna move on for the sake of this bracket according to you guys. According. And then we got St. John's and Omaha to close out this region. What a season for St.
Jacob:John's. One of the most surprising stories in all college basketball this year. Rick Pettino does what Rick Pettino does and makes his teams win after going there for a few years. But, I mean, Saint John's, I'm gonna take here in this one, not even close.
PJ:Yeah. They're just they've just been incredible this season. So it's I'm really excited to see how they do in March Madness, how far they go.
Jacob:If they lived up to it. Exactly. Exactly.
Madi:I'm gonna do the same.
Jacob:Here we go. Clean sweep. Alright. That's half the bracket done in the first round. Let's move on to the east.
Jacob:We got Duke and oh my goodness. I'm gonna have look who's gonna be the winners of these games because I can't read it, but, it doesn't even give me a preview.
Madi:I was gonna say there's not even
Jacob:Preview option.
Madi:They haven't they don't play till tonight.
Jacob:March Madness, first game.
PJ:You play American?
Jacob:Who are We're gonna see if Google will tell me real quick. I
PJ:said it probably American. University.
Jacob:Oh my goodness.
Madi:That's who I
Jacob:I cannot find anywhere until this.
PJ:Okay. Maybe. I don't know.
Madi:I don't know either.
Jacob:Okay. I did find it. Duke is gonna be playing the winner of American University and Mount Saint Mary's.
Madi:Don't look at me
Jacob:like that.
Madi:I don't need the sass.
Jacob:We're getting we're getting the energy this show. Okay.
Madi:Yeah. We are.
Jacob:I am gonna go Duke and save my talking points for Duke later in the rounds when they face a team that actually matters.
PJ:Exactly. Yep. Perfect.
Jacob:Pretty easy there. 89 game is Mississippi State and Baylor. Baylor is had another disappointing season as well. Mississippi State played in a tough SEC. I am gonna go Mississippi State just because I think they have a little bit more experience.
Jacob:Baylor has a good roster, just not as much chemistry, and it's not put together as well as I think Mississippi State's in Mississippi State's is in, and they can shoot the ball. I'm gonna go Mississippi State.
PJ:Yeah. I'm gonna go Mississippi State too. Yeah.
Madi:I'm gonna do the same.
Jacob:There we go. Alright. Alright. We got another twelve five, the infamous twelve five matchup, Oregon and Liberty University. This one, I don't really know if it's gonna be as good as the other 12 fives.
Jacob:I think Oregon kinda has the pretty good advantage here Yeah. For the sake of that. And I don't really see this one being close. I'm gonna take Oregon.
PJ:Yeah. Exactly. I mean, Schelstad and Biddle are just so good together.
Jacob:Oh, yeah.
PJ:Schelstad, especially, like yeah. The especially, last game that MSU played, Oregon. Yeah. He he was just so he's just always on fire.
Jacob:I think he could be one of the March Madness stars this year just because he can shoot the ball at an elite clip. I mean, the the range he takes him from. Mhmm. Look out for him because I'm I'm high in Oregon. And then Arizona and Akron for the four thirteen.
Jacob:Do you guys think?
PJ:I mean, I'm gonna I'm gonna pick Arizona. They're led by Oh. Sorry. Drumroll, please. They're led by Caleb Love.
PJ:Oh, Love.
Jacob:Yeah. Yeah. That's PJ's guy.
PJ:And Jaden Bradley.
Jacob:They also had Trey Townsend from Oakland last year transfer in who was the pairing of Jack Kolke and Trey Townsend, which helped them beat Kentucky last year. He's there as well. But
PJ:Yeah. So I think I mean, those three guys, I I think they could do it. Mhmm.
Madi:I'm a go Arizona too. Vibes.
Jacob:Yep. This one has some popular up upset brewing potential, but I think Arizona is gonna take care of this one. Their team's too talented for Akron, but Akron had a great season in the Mac. Pull can't kinda came out of a surprise a little bit. So we'll have the boot on there.
Jacob:Another really good upset pick, a popular for America, BYU and VCU at the six eleven. What do you guys think? Are you gonna ride the hype for America, or is it gonna be a BYU pick here?
PJ:I don't
Jacob:know. What is your intuition telling you? Straight vibes?
Madi:My vibes are saying BYU because I think
Jacob:that's who I picked on my other brackets.
PJ:Okay. Okay. I was gonna put VCU.
Jacob:Okay. We got another decision here to make. I was also gonna go VCU because I think they they have experience in March, and they owe they've been a team that's made plenty of deep runs before at a as not a higher seed. BYU, they really got hot as of late, but they didn't have a great start to the season, so I am gonna go VCU. That that one should be very fun.
Jacob:And then another big team we got Wisconsin at the three seed versus force 14 seeded Montana. Not really much else to say here. John Tanjay, Jonathan Blackwell, and company are Yeah. The main reason why Wisconsin had a great season. I think they'll help them win a lot of games in March, not just this one.
Jacob:I'm gonna take Wisconsin.
PJ:Exactly. Yeah. I mean, Tondre is just so he's so good. Yeah. Blackwell, I mean, they're they're gonna go far.
Jacob:Yeah. Yeah.
Madi:I agree. I take Wisconsin.
Jacob:Was ah. Wisconsin. That is one of the hardest teams to pronounce. Wisconsin across the board. Seven seated Saint Mary's versus 10 seated
Madi:Did you just say Wisconsin is hard to pronounce?
Jacob:I I get it wrong a lot. Wisconsin like, sometimes my words stir together. Just tough to Wow. Wisconsin. I also say it with an accent, so it's like it's a tough word.
Jacob:Sorry. My
Madi:this No. It's okay. I forgive you. I was just I have a lot of questions.
Jacob:I mess it up probably more than the average person.
Madi:It's okay.
Jacob:Seventh seed Saint Mary's was 10 seeded Vanderbilt. Saint Mary's always finds a way into the tournament. Vanderbilt came out a surprise, had a great season in the SEC. I wanna look at some of their wins because I know Vanderbilt has a lot. I oh, I accidentally just picked the bike.
Jacob:So Vanderbilt has beaten Tennessee, Kentucky, and Texas A and M. They've lost some of the top dogs in Auburn, Florida, and Alabama, but they have great wins. That's super stack this year.
PJ:Yeah. Vanderbilt's also Vanderbilt's also where AJ Hogarth is. Oh, man. So maybe MSU Vanderbilt finals matchup.
Jacob:We could see my goodness. That would be the craziest, like, universe of all time.
PJ:Yeah. Like, not
Jacob:in this universe. Yeah. No.
PJ:Yeah. I mean, Vanderbilt has had some really great wins this season. So I think I think they may may have an edge on Saint Saint Mary's. But what do you think, Patty?
Madi:I think so too. I mean, even just looking at this, Vanderbilt's played in 11 top 25 matchups. And even Saint Mary's coming in as a number seven seed has not played in any top 20 fives. So I'm taking
Jacob:the upset on this one.
Madi:I'm gonna go Vanderbilt.
Jacob:Let's go. Vanderbilt love. I was also gonna go Vanderbilt for that exact reason. Saint Mary's plays in a league conference. Their only comp or really competitors Gonzaga.
Jacob:So Mhmm. I mean, makes sense there. And then to close out the region, we'll go Alabama and Robert Morris. Don't take Robert Morris now. I'm gonna go Alabama.
Jacob:Yes, Alabama.
Madi:I'm gonna go Bama.
Jacob:Sounds good. Last region of the first round, the Midwest Region, Houston and S I U E. I wish I could tell you what that said.
PJ:Yeah. I'm gonna go Houston.
Madi:I'm a go Houston.
Jacob:Houston across the boards. No one seed upsets this year according to our picks. Gonzaga had an eight seed and nine seeded Georgia. This one can be fun too.
PJ:This is gonna be a fun game. Yeah. Real quick, Gonzaga's led by Graham Ike and Kalief Battle.
Jacob:Oh my I played Kalief Battle in high school. Really? My freshman year.
Madi:Did you
Jacob:Yes. We I was on the bench. I didn't play him myself. I was a freshman. I was warming up, but he went to Trenton Catholic.
Jacob:Because I'm from New Jersey, he went to Trenton Catholic.
PJ:And Wow.
Jacob:We played him my freshman year in the playoffs, and we got
Madi:Did you guys get cooked?
Jacob:Dogged. Yeah. Was that a pre scene? But he's been a he played a butler. He's played elsewhere.
Jacob:He's played a lot in different colleges. So nice to see him playing a good level.
PJ:But Yeah. I have no idea what I was saying.
Jacob:Sorry. I know that was dagger drop.
PJ:I would rather hear about that
Jacob:than me.
PJ:What do you think, Maddie?
Madi:Thanks, BJ, for that.
Jacob:Of course.
Madi:I'm gonna go Gonzaga vibes, and I like their little bulldog mascot.
Jacob:Mhmm. I like that.
Madi:A little dog.
PJ:You know what? Yeah. Yeah. Why not?
Madi:Gonzaga? Gonzaga vibes.
Jacob:BJ's gonna go Gonzaga too. I am also gonna take Gonzaga and make it a clean sweep at the eight nine.
PJ:K. Nice.
Jacob:One of the craziest, I guess, stories of last year, but flops of last year, McNeese, who had a 12 seed last year, has a 12 seed again this year. They're taking on Clemson who's a great squad. Mhmm. I mean, one of the top teams in the ACC even though it was a little bit weaker this year. Are you guys falling for it again?
Jacob:Because I fell for the hype last year with McNeese. I took them over Gonzaga last year and they got they got killed. So Yeah.
PJ:I did not put them over Gonzaga last year.
Jacob:Smart man.
PJ:But I I think Clemson is gonna take it. I yeah.
Madi:I think so too. I think that I feel like I've I feel like I've heard a lot about Clemson and just the success that they've had this past season. So I'm a go Clemson.
Jacob:I'm also gonna go Clemson. I'm not buying the hype with McNeese and Amir Khan or whatever. His name is the manager. They just signed an NLI deal for bringing the boom out for the team. I I predict them to go o for two in their tournament appearances as 12 seed.
Jacob:Four seeded Purdue against third seed 13 seeded High Point. This is also another very popular upset pick for America with High Point trying to take it. To give you guys a little bit insight, we've watched a lot of Purdue being big 10 attendees and fans. Braden Smith and company is a big reason why I think Purdue got this the point that they are, but they really cooled down at the end of the season. They did not look good in their last 10 games or whatever.
Jacob:High Point is, on the other hand, is a team that looked great in their last 10 games. Very hot, can shoot the ball, but their open defense, they don't put as ton of effort on their defensive side and they that tends to lead a lot of opponents to wide open three point looks. So this game could be fun. Mhmm. But for vibes, I'm going high point.
PJ:You know what? I'll I'll yeah. I'll join you.
Jacob:Yes. I'll join you.
Madi:I was gonna go high point.
Jacob:Okay. A clean sweep on a high point. There we go. We love upsets here. Number six seeded Illinois against number 11 seeded Texas and Xavier.
Jacob:I mean, this game has to played tonight at 09:10, but
PJ:Yeah. I'm gonna go Illinois. They're you know, KJ, he's just so good. He hasn't been playing super well these past few games, but I think, you know, I think he he has a lot of experience, like, abroad in here. I think he's gonna lead the team.
Jacob:Yep. Most definitely. I'm gonna go Illinois as well.
Madi:I'm gonna do Illinois.
Jacob:Same with Maddie. Kentucky and Troy. Kentucky lost last year's a three seed to Oakland. That was a crazy scene. Crazy.
Jacob:Troy is not Oakland, though. I don't think I'm gonna take Kentucky on this one.
PJ:Yeah.
Madi:I was gonna take Troy just because
Jacob:Oh.
Madi:Of Oakland last year.
Jacob:And, like,
Madi:I feel like Kentucky is one of those teams that, like, always gets upset for some reason. I don't know. Maybe I'm just thinking of last year after Jack Gulke legacy game. Yeah. But I guess we have to go Kentucky, but I was
Jacob:gonna You know what?
Madi:I was gonna go Troy.
Jacob:I might just pull a PJ and switch it because Kentucky's twenty twenty two. They're twenty two and eleven as a three seed. I know they played in the SEC, but this team, like and this team, like, much like Arkansas, we were saying they don't have lot of chemistry because they just pretty much came together after John Kalapari left last year. So I'm gonna switch it. I'm going Troy.
PJ:Alright.
Jacob:Let's have some fun. Woo hoo. Number seven seed, UCLA takes on number 10 seed, Utah State. I think Utah State always makes the tournament and then just never does anything beyond the first round, so I'm gonna go UCLA.
PJ:Yeah. Was gonna go UCLA also.
Madi:I also was gonna go UCLA.
Jacob:There we go. And then last game of the first round, Tennessee and Wofford. I really don't have much else to say about this one. Didn't Tennessee.
Madi:Alright. Name sounds like Wofford, though. So that's fun.
Jacob:If we were doing a funny names bracket, they they would definitely make a Yeah. So that's the first round. Moving on to the round of 32, we'll definitely probably pick up the pace that'll be here in since we gave you our pretty much very, very fun and brief analysis in the first round for most of these teams. But once you did Auburn, nine seeded Creighton, do we think?
PJ:Auburn. Auburn.
Jacob:I think Auburn as well. Creighton's a good team, but, I mean, Auburn was dominant. Yeah.
PJ:Yeah.
Jacob:Okay. Fun fun here. UC San Diego and four seeded Texas A and M. What do we think?
Madi:I don't know. I mean, we picked them to upset Michigan. Why not upset Texas A and M?
Jacob:Okay. Let's do Why not have a sixteenth seat with the whole thing? Why not?
Madi:They're a 12 seat. It's fine.
Jacob:So you're I mean, there's always this higher seed that makes a run. So are you saying that UC San Diego's gonna beat them? Mhmm. PJ.
PJ:Let's do it. Sure. Let's do it. Why not?
Jacob:Vibes. Good thing to tell you. I was also gonna do the same because I like I said, I didn't have Texas A and M going out the first round anyway. So hammer it home. UC San Diego to the sweet 16.
Jacob:Alright. North Carolina, eleven seed, and Iowa State, three seed. What do we think?
PJ:Yeah. I think Iowa State just has a little bit it's just a little bit better than UNC, so I'm gonna pick Iowa State.
Jacob:I'm gonna go next to put the pressure on Maddie. I am going North Carolina. Uh-oh. Don't think you expect that pressure on this one either.
Madi:No. I wasn't. I was I was thinking Iowa State simply because we have UC San Diego going to the sweet 16 and I don't want to get too frisky here get another low seeded team. Was gonna go Iowa State.
Jacob:Okay. Iowa State's gonna move on.
Madi:Sorry, Jacob.
Jacob:All good. I was just picking what the heart was telling me. It it was it was speaking to me. Seventh seed at Marquette versus number two seed at Michigan State.
Madi:I'm picking what my heart is telling me. I'm going
PJ:miss Barton. Yeah. Was gonna pick MSU also.
Jacob:I'm going mark I'm kidding. Just kidding. I'm going Michigan State. I am not I'm not doing I am not doing it this early, guys. Move it.
Jacob:We'll see what happens. I I I think you guys are gonna probably take Michigan State to go all the way. That's my prediction. No doubt. Okay.
PJ:Okay. We'll see
Jacob:we'll see how it goes. West Region, Florida versus Yukon.
PJ:Yeah. I'm going Florida. They're just so they're so dominant in, like, every category.
Jacob:So Okay. I'm going next to Foot Pressure I'm at again. I'm going Yukon.
Madi:I was gonna go Florida. Okay. Sorry, pal.
Jacob:My strategy is just not working, so I'm probably gonna not resort to that anymore.
Madi:Yeah. Stop pressuring everybody when I already have an answer in my head.
Jacob:There you go. Okay. Gosh. There you go. Let's get hostile, mate.
Madi:Sorry. I'm
Jacob:just kidding. I like the energy. It's good. It's good stuff. It's it's it's March, guys.
Jacob:We gotta get good. Five seeded Memphis and four seeded Maryland. Two teams Michigan State's played. Yeah. I I What's the hard saying, PJ?
Jacob:Maryland. Okay.
PJ:Because just their starting lineup. But, like, here's the thing. Because here's the thing. Their starting lineup is their whole team.
Jacob:They don't have depth.
PJ:They don't have depth. Yeah. But it's won them so many games, which is why I just it's not that I'm confused, but it's just like, wow. Like, they're able to win so many games with pretty much just their starting lineup. Derek Queen, yeah, he's just amazing.
PJ:I yeah. It's just an incredible team.
Madi:I was gonna go Maryland too.
Jacob:Okay. I think
Madi:I I like seeing Big Ten teams go a little bit further.
Jacob:Yeah. And they always do pretty good for how many of them make them. I think this this round is just me disagreeing with you guys. I was gonna go Memphis. Wow.
Jacob:But it's just because I'm just going with just like we said, this whole episode, the heart the hearts tell me But we'll go Maryland for there to move on. 11 seeded Drake, three seeded Texas Tech.
PJ:What do you think?
Madi:Drake. I'm going upset.
Jacob:What do you think? I was gonna say Texas Tech because I think they're very dangerous.
PJ:I was gonna say Texas Tech.
Jacob:Aw. Darn. I'm saying all even though I picked against Drake in the first place. But Texas Tech is gonna move on there. 10 seeded Arkansas versus number two seeded Saint John's.
PJ:Yeah. I think Saint John's is they're just a a little bit of a better team than Arkansas, so I I'm gonna pick Saint John's.
Madi:I was gonna do the same.
Jacob:I am also gonna do the same. I don't think Arkansas is really put together well at all to get past the first round, if that Mhmm. I will say in my personal bracket, have Saint John's losing in this round to Kansas. Wow. But just because they're not here, I'm gonna pick Saint John's with you guys.
Jacob:So Okay. Moving back up to the East, Duke and Mississippi State.
Madi:We we beat Mississippi State in the first round last year.
Jacob:Correct? Yes. First team of the tournament too. Yeah. Yeah.
Madi:I don't know. You go first, PJ. I'm trying to think of the vibes here.
PJ:Yeah. I'm gonna pick Duke. They're one of the best teams. And with if when Cooper Flagg is back, he'll be able to dominate. So I yeah.
PJ:I'm gonna say Duke.
Madi:Is he supposed to be back for the tournament? Yeah.
Jacob:He will be back for the tournament.
Madi:Is
Jacob:he? Yep. It was announced.
Madi:I think I'm gonna go Duke too then.
Jacob:Yeah. I Duke is, like, one of the overwhelming favorites to win this whole thing. Duke is definitely gonna be my pick here. I see them going pretty far. Just not like Mississippi State, I'm sorry.
Jacob:Mhmm. I don't I don't think there's a chance. Five seeded Oregon, four seeded Arizona. This game is this game's fun. Mhmm.
Jacob:This is fun. I'm gonna go Oregon because I think Arizona is oh, they've had a disappointing season for a reason. They win some games, lose some games. They got hot, and then they got cold. I think Oregon's just a little bit better.
Jacob:Their big presence is better than Arizona's. Give me Oregon in this one. I was gonna go Oregon as well.
PJ:I was also gonna go Oregon.
Jacob:Clean sweep on Oregon. I like that a lot. 11 seeded VCU versus three seeded Wisconsin. You want me I'll start
PJ:it off.
Jacob:Yes. Okay. I'm gonna go Wisconsin. I like VCU a lot. I just think this is, like, the worst possible second round matchup for them because I think they really have the chance to be one of the Cinderella teams this year.
Jacob:But I think Wisconsin is just really good.
PJ:Mhmm. Exactly. Mhmm.
Madi:Yeah. I was gonna say Wisconsin too. I think that what they've done this past season has just been great, so I pick them.
Jacob:Wisconsin moves on. Last or no. No. Sorry. Not last.
Jacob:Last one of this region, 10 seed Vanderbilt, two seed Alabama.
PJ:I mean, Alabama has proven itself to be a very good team this season, so I'm gonna pick Alabama.
Madi:I was gonna go I think I wanna go 'Bama.
Jacob:I'm gonna roll with the Tide as well. They just play at such a fast pace. I like that joke there. That was really good.
Madi:Nice. Was really clever. Good.
PJ:That was really good.
Jacob:Keep them tuck in my bag, deep in my bag, but Alabama plays very I got them for days. Don't worry. Alabama plays very fast. They're one of the the fastest playing teams in the country. I think they just wiped the floor of Vanderbilt.
Jacob:They're not gonna get them back in Last region in the second round, Houston and Gonzaga. This is a very popular upset pick for Gonzaga according to America, but what do we think?
PJ:I think it's gonna be Houston. Yeah. Like, I didn't realize that was gonna be an upset.
Jacob:Yeah. I mean, Gonzaga's notorious for playing well in the tournament. Yeah. Houston's notorious for being a top seed and not going as far as they should, but you're gonna go.
PJ:I'm gonna go Houston. At least one more round. Yeah.
Madi:I think I'm gonna go Houston
Jacob:too. I was also going on Houston. I think they're just too good this year. Like, their team is different than the past Houston teams. Yeah.
Jacob:Clemson and one of our fun upsets, High Point, do we see them going any more for Cinderella or no?
Madi:I think that this is where their where their journey comes to an end.
Jacob:Yeah. Yeah. I agree. I'm also gonna agree with that. Clemson will move on.
Jacob:Illinois and Troy. I forgot we even had Troy moving on. Mhmm. They were sneaking down there. Are they gonna do it or no?
PJ:I think Illinois has got a little bit of an edge.
Madi:Yeah. I think so too.
Jacob:Illinois, I believe as well. And then last re or last game in second round, UCLA and Tennessee.
Madi:That's gonna be a good game.
Jacob:Yeah. It's gonna be a great game. I think Tennessee is gonna lose this one in my personal opinion. Tennessee thinking the same thing. Typically underperform in March Madness, as a top seed.
Jacob:No Dalton commit for them this year. I know they went far last year, but, I just I don't think they're as good when they were the one number one team in the country this year for that stretch midseason, they just really, like, play legate, live up to it. I'm taking UCLA.
PJ:Wow. Alright. UCLA it is.
Jacob:Maddie's gonna greet me too. There we go. UCLA. Alright. Sweet 16.
Jacob:Moving back up. Auburn and UC San Diego. Does the dream continue?
Madi:I fear this is where
Jacob:UC San Diego goes bye bye.
PJ:Yes. I agree.
Madi:Good for you. Yeah. I think they would get whooped by Auburn. Yeah.
Jacob:Yeah. The Auburn's way too big for them. Auburn's entire starting lineup is probably bigger than their entire team, so Auburn. Iowa State and Michigan State. Fun one here.
Jacob:I'm gonna take Michigan State. I don't think Iowa State like I said before, I think they're vulnerable.
Madi:I'm gonna go Michigan State too.
Jacob:Michigan State. I think this is just easy. It just it's the great the matchup's great, and I think PGA would definitely agree as
PJ:the big reporter.
Madi:You better agree.
Jacob:Yeah. I was gonna say yeah. I I don't know what I was really hitting that was hitting that. Florida and Maryland, number one versus number four.
Madi:This could be a really interesting game. Mhmm.
PJ:Yeah. I think it would be a really good game. I am gonna pick Florida, though. I just think they they're just so dominant.
Jacob:Yeah. I'm gonna Maddie's smiling. I'm gonna put pressure on. I'm saying Maryland.
Madi:I was also gonna say Maryland.
Jacob:There we go. I'm telling you. I think Florida's gonna lose it early because they're coming in as a big favorite as well. Mhmm. But they haven't been a a one seed now.
Jacob:Don't know how long.
Madi:So Sending the big 10 through.
Jacob:Let's do it. Maryland moves on to the I think that is the elite eight. There it is.
PJ:Yes,
Jacob:is. Texas Tech and St. John's. I'm gonna go Tech.
Madi:I am too. Yeah. I think this is where St. John's comes to
Jacob:an end. Yeah. I think they're good, but the inexperience
Madi:Mhmm.
Jacob:I think is just gonna hurt them. Texas Tech is just a little bit better on paper.
PJ:Mhmm.
Jacob:Duke and Oregon. Now before you run away and pick Duke, I think this game has the potential to be close. I don't think Oregon's gonna do it, but I've actually flip flopped this one a few times in my bracket. I think Oregon's good enough to beat Duke because most of the time when there's a team that's like compiled with so much talent, like Duke is with Cooper Flagg and that number one pick guaranteed going to NBA. They tend to underperform a little bit, but I'm gonna take Duke.
Jacob:I think they last on their own.
PJ:Yeah. I think I think Duke I think Duke is gonna win. I'm sorry to all my Oregon friends. I have a lot of hometown friends that go there. I think you end here.
PJ:So sorry, Oregon. I'm gonna go Duke as well.
Jacob:Duke moves on. Wisconsin and Alabama. Wow. Wow. I mean, these play styles are very similar.
Jacob:These play styles are really similar. We know that Alabama likes to play extremely fast. Wisconsin likes to play really fast. Mhmm. Wisconsin pretty much lives or die on the three.
Jacob:Alabama does that a little bit, but they have a little bit of a more interior presence as Wisconsin bigs like to stretch the three, shoot that as well. I am gonna take Wisconsin here because I think Wisconsin is gonna have, like, a little bit of luck because they play so much by the three. I'm gonna take Wisconsin. I might just do it because they're big time.
PJ:I'm gonna You know what? I'm gonna I'm gonna pick Alabama, but I do agree with your points. I like it. But yeah, I I I'm gonna say Alabama.
Madi:I was also gonna go the Crimson Tide.
Jacob:Roll Tide. Wow. Roll Tide. I like that though. That's a good pick.
Jacob:It it could go either way. Houston and Clemson, number one c versus number five. I think Houston's got this one. Although Clemson, I can see Clemson win this game with ease as well. But I'm gonna go Houston.
PJ:Yeah. Houston. Yeah. I would go Houston as well.
Jacob:Never doubt the one seeds. Illinois and UCLA, a big ten matchup here that we don't really get all the time. Illinois, as good as they've been recently, I think they're a very vulnerable squad. I was gonna plan on taking UCLA here. UCLA was very like, they were quiet for a seat in the Big Ten tournament.
Jacob:I think they've been they've been good this entire season. Better better than their seven seed rank says. I'm gonna go UCLA.
PJ:You know what? I'll I'll go UCLA also. There we go.
Madi:We're going with it.
Jacob:Clean sweep on UCLA to switch it up. We are in the elite eight getting down to it.
Madi:Oh, boy.
Jacob:This is where it gets a little bit interesting for us Auburn versus Michigan State. I'm gonna let you guys go first because I still don't know what I'm doing for this one.
PJ:Yeah. So I've I've been seeing a lot of people's predictions, like professional reporters and nonprofessional reporters. And literally, it's like an even split between who picks Auburn and who picks MSU. Know what? Do it.
PJ:I'm gonna pick MSU. I'm gonna pick MSU.
Madi:I think that they're gonna match up very well to each other, but I think that the depth of Michigan State's lineup is just gonna carry us through as far as it possibly can. So I'm also gonna go Michigan State. Wow. I'm just I feel like I like, yes, I'm being biased because it's Michigan State, but on this one, I feel like I'm not like, I don't feel biased to Michigan State in this situation. I feel like they are fit to make a run, and I I think that's an upset.
Jacob:I I like that as I was gonna go Auburn, but I do really like this pick. Auburn has shown the weaknesses a little bit, especially recently to close out their season, but we are gonna take Michigan State to move on to the final four. Alright. I like it, though. If if there's any year to do it, I feel like it's this Maryland to Texas Tech.
Jacob:This game could be fun as well.
Madi:This is gonna be a fun one, for sure.
PJ:Yeah. I I see Texas Tech edging out Maryland. Yep. I do too. Yeah.
Jacob:I also am gonna go with Texas Tech. Maryland, I feel like we'll be lucky to get to this point.
PJ:Yeah.
Jacob:So I'm gonna go Texas Tech. Texas Tech is deep. We got Duke and Alabama. Really, really good game as well. I'm gonna go Duke just because I didn't expect Alabama to be here.
Jacob:I know they're a two seed, but I think Duke just over matches them. Alabama plays fast, that's about it. Yeah.
PJ:I think Duke is yeah.
Madi:I'm gonna go Duke too.
Jacob:And then last game, Elite Eight, Houston and UCLA. I will just say before you guys pick, I don't know I don't I forget how many years it is exactly, but the past however many years there's been a five seater hire getting to the final four. And I think it's been for about two decades or like a decade or whatever. So just we don't have any in our final four for this matchup. So just to put a little thought into your guys' names.
Jacob:But I'm not gonna go first and put that on you guys just after I said that too. So go ahead. You can go first? Oh. I just thought just put fear in Maddie's face.
Madi:Yeah. You did.
Jacob:Pure fear.
Madi:I don't know. Because now you say that. Don't know. I I think I wanna go Houston. Mhmm.
Madi:I think I'm gonna go Houston. I think that UCLA has a good squad, but I think that Houston just outweighs what they have. So
PJ:Yeah. I very much agree.
Jacob:Yeah. My tempting taunting tactics did not work. I was not gonna go UCLA either, but just to say that if there like anything can happen, it's March. Mhmm. So trends are meant to be broken.
Jacob:Final four. Oh, dear. We got Michigan State and Texas Tech as our first matchup.
PJ:See, here's the thing. I just don't see Texas Tech as a finals team, you know? Like, I don't
Jacob:They did it in 2019, though. Remember that?
PJ:I yeah. But, like
Madi:'ve only played five top 25 matchups this year, and they only won one.
Jacob:Okay. I think I think that's a pretty convincing argument right there.
PJ:Yeah. I mean, just looking at them, MSU has them beat, like I mean, it's very it's very even. It's very Yeah. Let's see how they wow. Wow.
PJ:I mean, yeah, I like, sorry. I'm just, like, talking out loud. This is
Jacob:Peter's just amazed at the even statistics. Exactly.
Madi:It is crazy to me, like, looking at all of these stats for all of these different teams and just seeing, like, the top players from Michigan State are Akins and Richardson, and both average around 12 points a game, and then JT Toppen for Texas Tech averaging 18.1. But then you the depth of this team, like, this is something that we always come back to is the depth of Michigan State's team. I mean, there's probably four or five other guys who average about 12 points a game. I'm gonna go Michigan State.
Jacob:I I really like that too because I I just the matchup standpoint and also PJ's point, don't see Texas Tech really getting here. I feel like they'd be lucky and happy to do so. I think Michigan State I mean, I know we're a Michigan State podcast, but feed it to me. Come on.
PJ:Yeah. I agree. Let's let's do Michigan State.
Madi:Alright. We're going to Texas.
Jacob:Who would they be facing between Duke or Houston? Oh. Wow. The one seeds. I I'm just gonna say I think Duke would pretty not wipe the floor, but have a pretty good advantage over Houston.
Jacob:I I know Houston's a one seed, but I also think they'd be lucky to make it this far. I'm gonna go Duke.
Madi:I think Duke too.
Jacob:Yeah. Duke, sweep. We got Michigan State, Duke. I mean, how many times have we had this matchup and it'd be a good one, especially in that game in 2019 or 20 team, whatever it was. Michigan State Duke in our final, I know it's a little bit home ish, but I'm gonna go Duke.
PJ:Same.
Jacob:Okay. Well Oh, sorry. No. No. No.
Jacob:No. That's good. No. No. No.
Jacob:I saw you because you cut me off. Was like, well, I was gonna see if we had, like, a little bit of Michigan State going.
PJ:Oh. Oh.
Jacob:It was just
PJ:Well, what do you have?
Madi:Obviously, I wanna pick Michigan State, but I don't know. I think Duke's got a little more star power than we do. I think I think it's gonna be Duke. Yeah.
PJ:Yeah. I have in one of my other brackets, I have Duke beating MSU in the finals.
Jacob:Okay. And
PJ:then the other one, I have Duke beating Florida in the finals.
Jacob:Yeah. So Duke seems to the popular pick. Yeah. They're the most picked champion in all ESPN brackets. So, I mean, for good reason.
Jacob:I just You
PJ:never know. You never know.
Jacob:You never know anything can happen. It's March, but I just think Duke matches up a little bit too good like Manny said against us. But that is our bracket.
PJ:Wait. Wait. How many total points will be scored?
Jacob:I just I put 155 as
PJ:I was thinking one fifty six.
Jacob:That's crazy. Oh my god. Do one fifty five point five. Right. But we'll go yeah.
Jacob:Roll one fifty six. I like that a little bit better. That's gonna do it.
Madi:Give me point 5.
Jacob:I want one Unfortunately, that does not does not work. Are we
Madi:going +1 55 or +1 56?
Jacob:Go +1 56. I like it. I like PJ's a little better.
Madi:K.
Jacob:It's in. It's locked.
Madi:Do I enter?
Jacob:Yeah. We want some money with the entries, but Oh. That is our bracket, and that is gonna do it for this episode of sports roundtable. What a fun one, and what a way to end it off with Michigan State at least getting to the final. But, it's March, so please do not take our picks with any grain of salt or take it with a grain of salt.
Jacob:They're not gonna be probably alright, but should definitely be fun to follow along. Mhmm. It's the best time of the year.
PJ:So Exactly.
Jacob:That's pretty much gonna do it here, but it's been a pleasure as always to create a fantastic perfect bracket with the ghost. Perfect bracket, yeah.
Madi:It is. It's perfect. It's magnificent in all of its glory, except Duke wins, so Yeah.
Jacob:We will probably revisit this next week too just to see how it Absolutely. You guys for all tuning in, and we'll catch you next week same time for another episode.