There’s a pretty decent chance that wherever you work there is some type of office pool involving the NCAA Basketball Tournament which officially began last night but realistically doesn’t start until tomorrow. 

Basketballs are seen prior to a game between the Hampton Pirates and the Manhattan Jaspers in the first round of the 2015 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at UD Arena in Dayton, Ohio
Basketballs are seen prior to a game between the Hampton Pirates and the Manhattan Jaspers in the first round of the 2015 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at UD Arena in Dayton, Ohio
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The most common way for those who think they are experts and those who don’t know a Kentucky Wildcat from a Villanova Wildcat to have a stake in the tournament is by filling out a bracket sheet.  Your task is to pick as many winners as possible in the 63-game, 19-day event which culminates with the national championship game on Monday, April 6.

Obviously knowing the teams helps your chances of winning but just like betting horses because of their cute names a lack of hoops knowledge does not preclude you from playing and maybe grabbing a few dollars when it’s all over.

By the way there seems to be some grey as to whether these office bracket pools are legal when there is money involved.  The general consensus is one that involves a small investment is fine as long as the person running the pool pays out all the money…meaning he or she doesn’t keep any for themselves.  Bottom line is nobody is bothering you over a $5 or $10 pool because I’m sure there are many lawyers and police officers playing in ones themselves.

So anyway as a public service to those that know nothing about the 64 teams that will begin tomorrow with the dream of cutting down the championship net let me offer the following:

  •  Kentucky is the overwhelming favorite to win it all and complete the first undefeated season in college basketball since 1976.  As a matter of fact I would take them and give you the other 63 teams and feel pretty good about my chances.On their way to the Final Four the only possible roadblock I see is Wichita State.
  • Sure there will be upsets but they are most likely to occur in the first two rounds and not later in the tournament.  I’m not picking a #12 seed to beat a #5 in the first round but I do like 13th seed Valparaiso to knock off Maryland and would not be shocked if 14thseed Georgia State upset Baylor.  Other high seeds who could make a quick exit include Louisville, Georgetown and Kansas.
  • Regardless of upsets the final four teams will be mostly chalk: Kentucky, Arizona, Villanova and Iowa State.  Watch out for Wisconsin, Michigan State and Gonzaga and yes Duke because I don’t hate Christian Laettner.  If you don’t know what that means you’re not a big fan which means you have a better chance to win your pool than me.

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