Thought I'd go back to an old favorite, the top 40 rejected sports team names of all time (updated for 2004). Feel free to submit any that you may come up with. Enjoy...
40 Hamburg Ers
39 Plymouth Rock
38 Boston Crab
37 Lincoln Logs
36 Oklahoma City Bombers
35 China Set
34 Little Rock Bottom
33 Miami Vice
32 St Paul Bunyans
31 Bronx Cheers
30 Green Bay Watch
29 Chile Climate
28 Hungary People
27 Florida Keys
26 Newport Lights
25 Turkey Sandwich
24 Havana Gila
23 Manila Folders
22 Corpus Christi Brinkleys
21 Cleveland Steamer
20 Spokane Word
19 Mobile Homes
18 Djibouti Calls
17 Marlboro Reds
16 New England Clam Chowder
15 Jackson Five
14 Maryland Manson
13 Raleigh Caps
12 Greece Monkeys
11 San Jose Canseco
10 San Francisco Treat
9 Louisana Purchase
8 Winston-Salem Cigarettes-Witches
7 Sacramento Reconciliation
6 Maine Event
5 Santa Ana Reindeer
4 Staten Island Fairies
3 Milwaukee Talkies
2 Texas Instruments
1 Oklahoma Sexuals
Monday, March 22, 2004
Wednesday, March 17, 2004
Madness and insanity have arrived
(Bonus if you get the St Patrick's Day related reference above)
It's been a very busy last few days. I finally got into the lab and polymerized some polystyrene, definitely feels good to accomplish something other than mundane schoolwork, for once. Surely cannot complain about being paid to go to school though. For those of you who don't know, and for the much smaller population of you who actually care, I work for Frank Bates and Tim Lodge in the polymer group at the University of Minnesota, where I will eventually (hopefully) obtain a PhD in chemical engineering. On top of my first polymerization, I also had undergraduate separation processes exams to grade, which has led to some long hours the last two days. It naturally follows that I have had little time to look at the NCAA bracket until last night.
Let it be known that this time of the year is easily my sports mecca. If you have not already noticed, I tend to enjoy the NCAA tourney. The real beauty of it is how wide open it is; everyone loves when little Bodank University upsets NBA Draft U (except for those with alot of money on the big school of course). Which brings me to the second beautiful aspect of the tourney...office pools. How could you not enjoy filling out a bracket, trying to predict the outcomes? Anyone can do it, even those with no knowledge of college hoops. Hell, my ex-girlfriend won a pool last year because her brother goes to Syracuse, which proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that anyone can win; she hates basketball.
As for me, despite being a "master bracketologist", I haven't a clue what's going to happen in this tournament. The parity of college basketball has made it such that a team that dominated all year (St. Joseph's) is not remotely a lock to even reach the sweet 16 (although I think they will). In no way am I in any position to offer tips on filling out a bracket. So naturally that's exactly what I'm going to do.
First of all, you have to realize that certain teams aren't any good. Teams in this category (in my opinion, which very well may turn out to be wrong) are Kansas, Syracuse, Seton Hall and Arizona (who ironically are playing each other). Then there is the traditional 5-12 upset, look for Manhattan and BYU this year. Also, remember "Hell hath no fury like a conference scorned"; don't be surprised when a Big 10 team makes the Elite 8 or possibly even the final four. They got dissed on Selection Sunday and now they will prove their worth. Finally, don't buy into the hype on certain teams. Maryland played absolutely horribly before their ACC tourney run, no reason to think that can't return. North Carolina, for all their star power, have not been consistent all year...why start now? That doesn't mean these teams cant make a run, I'm just saying maybe you should think about it before banking on them.
Ok so after all that, what is my final four?
Kentucky
Wisconsin
Texas
Connecticut
There goes my entry money.
(Bonus if you get the St Patrick's Day related reference above)
It's been a very busy last few days. I finally got into the lab and polymerized some polystyrene, definitely feels good to accomplish something other than mundane schoolwork, for once. Surely cannot complain about being paid to go to school though. For those of you who don't know, and for the much smaller population of you who actually care, I work for Frank Bates and Tim Lodge in the polymer group at the University of Minnesota, where I will eventually (hopefully) obtain a PhD in chemical engineering. On top of my first polymerization, I also had undergraduate separation processes exams to grade, which has led to some long hours the last two days. It naturally follows that I have had little time to look at the NCAA bracket until last night.
Let it be known that this time of the year is easily my sports mecca. If you have not already noticed, I tend to enjoy the NCAA tourney. The real beauty of it is how wide open it is; everyone loves when little Bodank University upsets NBA Draft U (except for those with alot of money on the big school of course). Which brings me to the second beautiful aspect of the tourney...office pools. How could you not enjoy filling out a bracket, trying to predict the outcomes? Anyone can do it, even those with no knowledge of college hoops. Hell, my ex-girlfriend won a pool last year because her brother goes to Syracuse, which proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that anyone can win; she hates basketball.
As for me, despite being a "master bracketologist", I haven't a clue what's going to happen in this tournament. The parity of college basketball has made it such that a team that dominated all year (St. Joseph's) is not remotely a lock to even reach the sweet 16 (although I think they will). In no way am I in any position to offer tips on filling out a bracket. So naturally that's exactly what I'm going to do.
First of all, you have to realize that certain teams aren't any good. Teams in this category (in my opinion, which very well may turn out to be wrong) are Kansas, Syracuse, Seton Hall and Arizona (who ironically are playing each other). Then there is the traditional 5-12 upset, look for Manhattan and BYU this year. Also, remember "Hell hath no fury like a conference scorned"; don't be surprised when a Big 10 team makes the Elite 8 or possibly even the final four. They got dissed on Selection Sunday and now they will prove their worth. Finally, don't buy into the hype on certain teams. Maryland played absolutely horribly before their ACC tourney run, no reason to think that can't return. North Carolina, for all their star power, have not been consistent all year...why start now? That doesn't mean these teams cant make a run, I'm just saying maybe you should think about it before banking on them.
Ok so after all that, what is my final four?
Kentucky
Wisconsin
Texas
Connecticut
There goes my entry money.
Sunday, March 14, 2004
For Comparison's Sake:
I just thought it would be interesting to compare my results with other bracketologists. First Joe Lunardi of ESPN.com, who I have the utmost respect for. He correctly predicted 64 out of 65 teams, thanks to his last minute decision to add Richmond to the field. He predicted 31 seeds correctly, as can be seen here .
CBS Sportsline went 63/65 with 34 seeds correct. I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt because their projected bracket is littered with errors and repeated teams. In calculating their totals I made assumptions that actually improved their accuracy.
SportsIllustrated.com correctly predicted 63/65 with 33 seeds correct. You can view their projections here.
I compare favorably with all three as you can plainly see.
I just thought it would be interesting to compare my results with other bracketologists. First Joe Lunardi of ESPN.com, who I have the utmost respect for. He correctly predicted 64 out of 65 teams, thanks to his last minute decision to add Richmond to the field. He predicted 31 seeds correctly, as can be seen here .
CBS Sportsline went 63/65 with 34 seeds correct. I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt because their projected bracket is littered with errors and repeated teams. In calculating their totals I made assumptions that actually improved their accuracy.
SportsIllustrated.com correctly predicted 63/65 with 33 seeds correct. You can view their projections here.
I compare favorably with all three as you can plainly see.
Bracket Fallout
Immediate Reactions:
1. Utah State got screwed, no question about it. It is inexcusable for the committee to leave out a 25-3 (RPI 42) team just because they lost in their conference tournament by one point at the buzzer.
2. No respect for the Big 10. Despite being a "down year" for the Big 10, there is no excuse for seeding the regular season champion (Illinois: 24-6, RPI 21, 12 straight wins until today) a 5, and the conference tournament champion (Wisconsin: 24-6, RPI 16) a 6 seed. Both should be much higher.
3. I'm glad I was wrong about Colorado. Richmond is a much more deserving team. I just didn't think the committee had enough balls to take a school from a smaller conference, given their love affair with BCS schools in past years.
Well I got 63 out of 65 teams right, not bad for an amateur, with 35 teams seeded correctly. My goal was 65 teams with 40 seeds correct, which was lofty, so I am pleased with the result. I even had the Washington/UAB game correct, just with the seeding switched (8/9 games are always a toss up). I was also correct in my assertion that the committee completely ignores sunday afternoon games in completing the bracket, which was actually confirmed by the spokesman on the CBS selection show. Aside from the Big 10 seeding travesty, all teams which I mis-seeded were off by 1, except for Louisville (who the committee seeded way too low) and Seton Hall (who was seeded way too high).
All in all, a good showing, I'll be sending that resume into Sports Illustrated and Fox Sports sometime soon (hell, if Tom Arnold can work for Fox, anyone can)
Immediate Reactions:
1. Utah State got screwed, no question about it. It is inexcusable for the committee to leave out a 25-3 (RPI 42) team just because they lost in their conference tournament by one point at the buzzer.
2. No respect for the Big 10. Despite being a "down year" for the Big 10, there is no excuse for seeding the regular season champion (Illinois: 24-6, RPI 21, 12 straight wins until today) a 5, and the conference tournament champion (Wisconsin: 24-6, RPI 16) a 6 seed. Both should be much higher.
3. I'm glad I was wrong about Colorado. Richmond is a much more deserving team. I just didn't think the committee had enough balls to take a school from a smaller conference, given their love affair with BCS schools in past years.
Well I got 63 out of 65 teams right, not bad for an amateur, with 35 teams seeded correctly. My goal was 65 teams with 40 seeds correct, which was lofty, so I am pleased with the result. I even had the Washington/UAB game correct, just with the seeding switched (8/9 games are always a toss up). I was also correct in my assertion that the committee completely ignores sunday afternoon games in completing the bracket, which was actually confirmed by the spokesman on the CBS selection show. Aside from the Big 10 seeding travesty, all teams which I mis-seeded were off by 1, except for Louisville (who the committee seeded way too low) and Seton Hall (who was seeded way too high).
All in all, a good showing, I'll be sending that resume into Sports Illustrated and Fox Sports sometime soon (hell, if Tom Arnold can work for Fox, anyone can)
All right folks, this is it. I'm gonna assume that the committee ignores the last two championship games (although I think you can argue that they wouldn't affect the seeds anyway, if Texas were to win they still don't deserve a 2 seed, and Wisconsin doesn't deserve a 3 either). So here is the Kevin P. Davis edition of Bracketology, my predictions for what the bracket will look like when it is revealed in a few hours:
East:
1. St Joseph's
16. Liberty
8. Texas Tech
9. Arizona
5. Providence
12. Western Michigan
4. Georgia Tech
13. Illinois-Chicago
6. Memphis
11. Utah
3. NC State
14. Central Florida
7. Vanderbilt
10. BYU
2. Connecticut
15. Vermont
South:
1. Duke
16. UT- San Antonio
8. UAB
9. Washington
5. Florida
12. Manhatten
4. Cincinnati
13. Northern Iowa
6. Boston College
11. Nevada
3. Illinois
14. Louisiana-Lafayette
7. Louisville
10. Seton Hall
2. Mississippi State
15. Eastern Washington
West:
1. Stanford
16. Lehigh
8. Xavier
9. South Carolina
5. Wake Forest
12. Colorado
4. Wisconsin
13. Murray State
6. Depaul
11. Air Force
3. Gonzaga
14. Virginia Commonwealth
7. Syracuse
10. Utah State
2. Oklahoma State
15. Monmouth
Midwest:
1. Kentucky
16. Play in winner (Florida A&M/Alabama State)
8. Southern illinois
9. Charlotte
5. Kansas
12. East Tennessee State
4. Maryland
13. Pacific
6. North Carolina
11. Dayton
3. Texas
14. Princeton
7. Michigan State
10. Alabama
2. Pittsburgh
15. Valparaiso
Thats it. We'll know in a few hours how accurate it is. There's a few things I'd like to point out.
1. Connecticut winning the Big East tourney last night bumped Gonzaga from a 2 seed to a 3 seed, since UCONN moved up
2. A week or so ago, no one knew if Maryland would even make the tourney, now they are projected as a 4 seed.
3. Last team out was Richmond, but I wouldnt be surprised if the committee put them in instead of Colorado (last team in)
Last four in:
Utah State
Dayton
Air Force
Colorado
East:
1. St Joseph's
16. Liberty
8. Texas Tech
9. Arizona
5. Providence
12. Western Michigan
4. Georgia Tech
13. Illinois-Chicago
6. Memphis
11. Utah
3. NC State
14. Central Florida
7. Vanderbilt
10. BYU
2. Connecticut
15. Vermont
South:
1. Duke
16. UT- San Antonio
8. UAB
9. Washington
5. Florida
12. Manhatten
4. Cincinnati
13. Northern Iowa
6. Boston College
11. Nevada
3. Illinois
14. Louisiana-Lafayette
7. Louisville
10. Seton Hall
2. Mississippi State
15. Eastern Washington
West:
1. Stanford
16. Lehigh
8. Xavier
9. South Carolina
5. Wake Forest
12. Colorado
4. Wisconsin
13. Murray State
6. Depaul
11. Air Force
3. Gonzaga
14. Virginia Commonwealth
7. Syracuse
10. Utah State
2. Oklahoma State
15. Monmouth
Midwest:
1. Kentucky
16. Play in winner (Florida A&M/Alabama State)
8. Southern illinois
9. Charlotte
5. Kansas
12. East Tennessee State
4. Maryland
13. Pacific
6. North Carolina
11. Dayton
3. Texas
14. Princeton
7. Michigan State
10. Alabama
2. Pittsburgh
15. Valparaiso
Thats it. We'll know in a few hours how accurate it is. There's a few things I'd like to point out.
1. Connecticut winning the Big East tourney last night bumped Gonzaga from a 2 seed to a 3 seed, since UCONN moved up
2. A week or so ago, no one knew if Maryland would even make the tourney, now they are projected as a 4 seed.
3. Last team out was Richmond, but I wouldnt be surprised if the committee put them in instead of Colorado (last team in)
Last four in:
Utah State
Dayton
Air Force
Colorado
As the great Homer Simpson once said, "If something's hard to do, then it's not worth doing." I've wanted a website for a while, but i'm just too lazy. So I decided on the next best thing: let someone else do the work for you. Even a blog requires a bit more effort than I'd like to give, so don't expect any continuity of posts. Also, don't expect to find anything remotely intelligent here, cause you aren't going to find it. Stay tuned for the Kevin P. Davis edition of Bracketology later today (the real reason I created this thing anyway)
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