SEC pretty much rips up my brackets

By By Jeff Byrd / sports editor
March 27, 2003
So much for my belief in the SEC. The only two teams to reach the Sweet 16 are Kentucky, they were expected; and Auburn, they were not.
When filling out my bracket, I took a chance with the SEC schools. I was actually there in person in New Orleans watching the SEC Tournament play out over the four day period.
The teams that impressed me, other than Kentucky, were LSU and Mississippi State. I saw LSU beat a Florida team that was considered a possible Final Four team.
LSU was too physical for them and I thought that lack of toughness would get them in the second round against Michigan State.
That one side of the South bracket was where I had everything pegged on the money. Florida, Michigan State, Maryland and Xavier all won in the first round.
I then, correctly, had Maryland beating Xavier and Michigan State knocking off Florida. The only surprise was the margin by which Michigan State whipped the Gators and their $8 million coach Billy Donovan by.
On the top half of the South, I had U Conn winning both of its games to reach the Sweet 16. For some reason, I thought LSU would not only beat Purdue but would also beat Texas. What was I thinking?
Actually, what it was, was watching the Tigers play three times. I really liked the physical toughness and quickness of Jamie Lloreda inside. Unfortunately, the Tigers didn't show up against Purdue and were bounced by a whopping 24 points.
In the round of 16, I had U Conn then beating LSU. Maryland would beat Michigan State setting up the South Regional final. Maryland would then have the chance to defend its national championship at the Final Four in New Orleans.
So while I'm still alive for one Final Four team, my gut feeling now is that Texas will be the one that goes to New Orleans. Playing in San Antonio, is a big advantage for the hook'em Horns.
I saw another Big East team in Syracuse reaching the Elite Eight, also in its home state. My feeling was State would win both of its games in Birmingham. That didn't happen because Butler went zone and State's poor shooting came back to haunt them.
The Sooners were the pick to win the top half of the bracket which meant I had them beating State in the Sweet 16. Oklahoma-Syracuse is a tough pick, but I have the Sooners going to the Final Four. At least that's another one that still has a chance.
Duke and Kansas advanced as expected. So did Arizona. And I also had Gonzaga winning its first game creating a second round matchup with the Wildcats.
The one I missed was Notre Dame beating Illinois. The beasts are really from the Big East this year. The Big East teams are 8-0 in the tournament to date.
I had Illinois winning out the West based on the fact they won the Big Ten Tournament. That will have to be their consolation prize since they aren't going to New Orleans.
With the four teams left, I wouldn't be surprised to see Duke make it out to the Final Four. The Dukies always seem to find a way to get there and this time may be no different.
Had Wisconsin not gotten lucky against Tulsa I would had the Midwest Final Four nailed down to a T. Instead it will be Kentucky-Wisconsin while Marquette battles Pitt.
Pitt may be the only team in the field that can physically match-up against Kentucky's triangle power defense. Pitt, though, doesn't shoot free throws well, and just about any weakness can cost you against Tubby Smith's Wildcats.
Kentucky's 18,000 fans get to head back to New Orleans for another round on Bourbon Street.
At the Final Four, Kentucky was to beat Illinois. Now it, will probably be Duke. On the other side, it's Oklahoma and Maryland, the two teams that should've played for the championship last year had the tournament been re-seeded after the Final Four. Instead we got Maryland and Indiana.
Oklahoma beats Maryland setting up a Kentucky-Oklahoma final. The Wildcats contain Hollis Price, much the same way State did the last time the Sooners were down in New Orleans back last December.
Of course, all this is subject to change.