Atlanta Region - First Round

At Greensboro, NC on Thursday 3/16:

(1)Duke vs. (16)Southern
I have to go with Duke over the SWAC champs, but Duke's bench is thin this year.
FINAL: Duke 70 Southern 54 - Fyodor wins!

(8)George Washington vs. (9)UNC-Wilmington
If Pops is 100%, UNCW is in trouble. I'll pick GW, but my heart's not in it.
FINAL: George Washington 88 UNC-Wilmington 85 - Fyodor wins! (Great comeback by the Colonials.)


At Jacksonville, FL on Thursday 3/16:

(5)Syracuse vs. (12)Texas A&M
Despite the fact the Orangemen (I know.) are "on a roll", I'll pick 'em here.
FINAL: Texas A&M 66 Syracuse 58 - Fyodor loses! (Never bet "momentum", kiddies. Syracuse was a 12 loss team. When will I ever learn? Plus, Boeheim and McNamara are a couple of whining little babies.)

(4)LSU vs. (13)Iona
LSU is inconsistent and Iona is underrated. But I think the Tigers won't lose just yet.
FINAL: LSU 80 Iona 64 - Fyodor wins!


At Auburn Hills, MI on Friday 3/17:

(6)West Virginia vs. (11)S Illinois
I would love to pick the Salukis here because West Virginia has not played well in a month. But I'm afraid the Salukis will go down. Hard.
FINAL: WVU 64 S. Illinois 46 - Fyodor wins! (Salukis went down hard.)


(3)Iowa vs. (14)Northwestern St
I know nothing about Northwestern St. (Though I think they are from Texas.) Iowa looked good beating Ohio St., so I'll go with the Hawkeyes.
FINAL: Northwestern State (from Louisiana) 64 Iowa 63 - Fyodor loses! (Billy Packer is going to have to get a job with al-Jazeera.)

At Dallas, TX on Friday 3/17:

(7)California vs. (10)NC State
I'll take the up and down Wolfpack over the Bears in a mild upset.
FINAL: NC State 58 California 52 - Fyodor wins!


(2)Texas vs. (15)Pennsylvania
The Longhorns have never seen an offense like Penn's. Penn keeps it close, but loses.
FINAL: Texas 60 Pennsylvania 52 - Fyodor wins!