Since part one of my March Madness bracket reveal, things have already become a dumpster inferno. By the time the Sweet Sixteen teams had already claimed their position, my bracket officially surpassed dumpster fire status. The mid-west region was one that I had no reason to pay attention to for the rest of the tournament after my pick, Wofford, was eliminated in a relatively close game. Now I had a new goal to set for my bracket, which was just to remain above 50% according to the ESPN Tournament Challenge that I completed this year. To clear things up, Wofford was an upset pick that I had going to the NCAA Championship game. Yes, like I said before, I'm subject to your judgment. I am a glutton for punishment. Where we left off last time, my ESPN Tournament Challenge accuracy percentage was at 43%. As I type this final chapter of my March Madness disasterpiece, the Final Four is wrapping up. Let's check the cost of the damage.
Sweet Sixteen
Bold denotes team selected to advance
Duke vs Virginia Tech: I happened to be right with my pick taking Duke over Virginia Tech. Duke has not decisively won games in the NCAA tournament like we thought they would have, but Zion Williamson did not flop, scoring 23 points. Duke wins 75-73.
LSU vs Michigan State: This was another pick that I was correct on and Michigan State seemed to cruise to a win here with ease. The youth of the team really collected the win against LSU as Michigan State wins, 80-63.
Gonzaga vs Florida State: I was on a roll in the Sweet Sixteen with teams that weren't busted in my bracket. Gonzaga goes to their fourth Elite Eight in school history after leading the entire game against Florida State, winning 72-58.
Texas Tech vs Michigan: I had Texas Tech selected to make it to the Sweet Sixteen round, but I had Nevada eventually getting into the Elite Eight in this slot. That is why this matchup was a miss for me. Texas Tech took control midway through the first half and never looked back, winning 63-44.
Virginia vs Oregon: Another team that hasn't busted my bracket gets the win here in a low scoring game. Of all of the twelve seed teams that advanced, Oregon made it the furthest. Ty Jerome was the clutch player this game with 13 points, including a three-pointer to swing the momentum in favor of Virginia. Virginia makes their second Elite Eight in four years with a 53-49 win.
Purdue vs Tennessee: Of all the teams that had yet to break my bracket in the Sweet Sixteen round, Tennessee was the only one that lost. This game was a nail-biter that went into overtime. Carsen Edwards put up 29 points to send Purdue to the Elite Eight for the first time since 2000. Tennessee blew an 18 point lead, losing in overtime 94-99.
North Carolina vs Auburn: I had New Mexico State in the Sweet Sixteen round, then also advancing to the Elite Eight. North Carolina and Auburn were misses for me in my March Madness bracket. Going into halftime, North Carolina and Auburn played a very even game. Auburn took over in the second half to win the game, 97-80.
Kentucky vs Houston: I had Houston facing Wofford in the Sweet Sixteen with Wofford advancing to the Elite Eight, so this match up was also a miss. Tyler Herro made a three-pointer with twenty five seconds left in the game to give Kentucky the lead after Houston made a comeback. Kentucky escaped versus Houston with a win, 62-58.
Elite EightBold denotes team selected to advance
Duke vs Michigan State: It's about time I let the cat out of the bag about Duke. I'm not a fan, never have been. I do respect how good of a team they are, but I was waiting for them to eventually disappoint in the NCAA tournament. However, I thought they would have made it to the Final Four. Instead, despite the good news of my bracket, they lost to Michigan State. Cassius Winston put up 20 points and aided Michigan State to the Final Four, winning 68-67.
Gonzaga vs Texas Tech: Gonzaga was the team that I had winning the NCAA Men's Basketball Championship, but clearly that idea is derailed. Texas Tech killed that magic. Jarrett Culver recorded 19 points, sending Texas Tech to their first Final Four with a 75-69 win.
Virginia vs Purdue: This was one of the best games of the tournament. Virginia advances behind Kyle Guy's 25 points into the Final Four with a 80-75 win.
Auburn vs Kentucky: Again, I didn't have Auburn or Kentucky in the Elite Eight. In this spot on my bracket, there was the matchup of New Mexico State versus Wofford. I have been greatly surprised by Auburn however in the March Madness tournament. Jared Harper got hot and stayed consistent through the game, scoring 26 points as Auburn eliminates Kentucky from tournament play, 77-71.
Final FourBold denotes team selected to advance
Michigan State vs Texas Tech: Instead of these two teams, my bracket read Duke versus Gonzaga. Neither of these teams made it to the Final Four. As of right now, the final score reads Texas Tech over Michigan State, 61-51. Matt Mooney scores 22 points as Texas Tech kept on with their good defense throughout the March Madness tournament to reach the NCAA Championship game.
Virginia vs Auburn: While I did have Virginia making it to the Final Four, I had them playing my underdog team to go all the way this year, Wofford. Wofford isn't close to the Final Four and unfortunately, I had Wofford beating Virginia in my bracket anyhow. This game was a miss for me. Upon controversy, Virginia secured the one point win via foul shot after an attempted three point shot. Kyle Guy took the foul shots to secure the victory, but I didn't see the foul from Auburn. In my opinion, Auburn was screwed out of going to the NCAA Championship game. Feel how you want to feel about it however, Virginia escapes with a win, 63-62.
The stage is set for the NCAA Men's Championship game after March Madness has played itself through. Texas Tech will be the underdogs against Virginia. After the way the closing moments of Auburn versus Virginia went down, I can't support Virginia winning the NCAA tournament this year. Good defense wins championships, so I declare my own pick to be Texas Tech to hoist the trophy this year. On my bracket however, I had Gonzaga defeating Wofford. In the end, my March Madness bracket was an absolute disasterpiece. It's something worse than a dumpster inferno now. I stuck to my guns and only completed one bracket, however, but I didn't even surpass 50% on the ESPN Bracket Challenge. Before the NCAA Championship game, I stand here today with a 46% accuracy rating. If anything, I learned that I don't know anything. I hope everyone enjoyed my crash and burn of a bracket and I'll be watching the championship game just like all of you!
Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
