Oakland Region - First Round

At Dallas, TX on Friday 3/17:

(1)Memphis vs. (16)Oral Roberts
I have heard ORU is under-rated and I know the Memphis Tigers are not as good as they think. However, I cannot bring myself to take a 16 seed over a 1.
FINAL: Memphis 94 ORU 78 - Fyodor wins!


(8)Arkansas vs. (9)Bucknell
I'm picking the Bison here. (You may begin to notice a pro-Pennsylvania bias in my picks.)
FINAL: Bucknell 59 Arkansas 55 - Fyodor wins! (Yes! Take that, Packer!)


At Auburn Hills, MI on Friday 3/17:

(5)Pittsburgh vs. (12)Kent St
Got to go with my Panthers even though their offense is suspect.
FINAL: Pitt 79 Kent St. 64 - Fyodor wins! (The short-handed Panthers shoot 67% from the field! If they can shoot close to that, they are a Final Four contender.)


(4)Kansas vs. (13)Bradley
I'll take red-hot Kansas here. They'll be even better next year.
FINAL: Bradley 77 Kansas 73 - Fyodor loses! (WOW. Is it Bill Self's fault? They are going to have to take Billy Packer's belt and shoelaces from him.)



At Salt Lake City, UT on Thursday 3/16:

(6)Indiana vs. (11)San Diego St
I think the Hoosiers will win this one for Coach Davis.
FINAL: Indiana 87 San Diego St. 83 - Fyodor wins! (SDSU should have won this one.)


(3)Gonzaga vs.(14)Xavier
I'll take the Bulldogs over the Musketeers in a too-soon Catholic versus Catholic matchup even though my third favorite former Pitt point guard Sean Miller did a great job coaching Xavier this year.
FINAL: Gonzaga 79 Xavier 75 - Fyodor wins! (I'm beginning to doubt the Bulldogs. Watchout for Xavier next year.)


At San Diego, CA on Thursday 3/16:

(7)Marquette vs. (10)Alabama
Even though they are no longer the Warriors, I'll go with Marquette here.
FINAL: Alabama 90 Marquette 85 - Fyodor loses! (Bad game from the Golden Eagles.)

(2)UCLA vs. (15)Belmont
I have no idea who or where Belmont is. I'll go with UCLA.
FINAL: UCLA 78 Belmont 44 - Fyodor wins!