2011 NCAA Tournament: My Wife Does the Picking

The NCAA tournament is upon us. Millions and millions of people will fill out their brackets in an effort to show their family, friends and co-workers that they are indeed the top prognosticator.

This year, instead of giving my opinions on who I think will win each game, I decided to have a little fun.

My wife has absolutely no clue about college basketball. She'll cheer for the Georgia Bulldogs only because that's where she graduated from. But, if I ask her to name one player on the team, she gives me a puzzle looks.

We've all heard people who say they know someone who has done a bracket, picking teams based on their colors, their mascots or any of a number of other things. I decided to take this challenge on with my wife, giving her mascot names at first, and if she needed more, I would give her the colors of the team. From those two bits of information, she made her pick with an explanation of each. In now way did I persuade her to pick one way or another.

I made one change to the format for her. In the round of 64, my wife didn't pick the games with the No. 1 or No. 2 seeds. I gave her those freebies only in the first round. After that, she was on her own.

Each game will have a comment from her explaining why she pick the team she did.

So, without further ado, here is my wife's tournament predictions based on mascots and team colors.

Teams Advancing

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GREENSBORO, NC - MARCH 13: Ryan Kelly #34 of the Duke Blue Devils fights for the ball against Justin Watts #24 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during the first half in the championship game of the 2011 ACC men's basketball tournament at the Greensboro Co

There are eight games my wife didn't pick in the first round due to teams being one of the top two seeds in their particular region. From there on out, it's all her.

In the first round, I gave her Ohio State and North Carolina out of the east, Pittsburgh and Florida in the southeast, Kansas and Notre Dame in the southwest, and Duke and San Diego State in the west.

East Region: Round of 64

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ATLANTA, GA - MARCH 13: The Wildcat, mascot for the Kentucky Wildcats, performs their 70 to 54 win over the Florida Gators in the championship game of the SEC Men's Basketball Tournament at Georgia Dome on March 13, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by K

Pick: No. 8 George Mason Patriots over No. 9 Villanova Wildcats

Reason: "Patriots have guns."

Pick: No. 5 West Virginia Mountaineers over UAB Clemson winner

Reason: "I like the name better. Plus, I'm thinking about the Mountaineers during the Revolutionary War, popping out of the woods against the British to defeat them.

Pick: No. 4 Kentucky Wildcats over No. 13 Princeton Tigers

Reason: "Orange and black makes me think of Halloween and I hate Halloween."

Pick: No. 6 Xavier Musketeers over No. 11 Marquette Golden Eagles

Reason: "All for one and one for all...definitely one of my favorite movies. Also, wouldn't a Golden Eagle fall out of the sky?"

Pick: No. 3 Syracuse Orangemen over No. 14 Indiana State Sycamores

Reason: "Orangemen are cool and trees don't move."

Pick: No. 10 Georgia Bulldogs over No. 7 Washington Huskies

Reason: "The Huskies colors are too close to a high school rival."

Southeast Region: Round of 64

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LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 12: Jimmer Fredette #32 of the Brigham Young University Cougars gets away from Billy White #32 of the San Diego State Aztecs during the championship game of the Conoco Mountain West Conference Basketball tournament at the Thomas & M

Pick: No. 8 Butler Bulldogs over No. 9 Old Dominion Monarchs

Reason: "Monarchs tend to be corrupted, while Bulldogs are loyal."

Pick: No. 5 Kansas State Wildcats over No. 12 Utah State Aggies

Reason: "Farmers are no match for mountain lions."

Pick: No. 13 Belmont Bruins over No. 4 Wisconsin Badgers

Reason: "No way a badger can stand up to a bear."

Pick: No. 6 St. John's Red Storm over No. 11 Gonzaga Bulldogs

Reason: "Dogs don't like storms."

Pick: No. 3 BYU Cougars over No. 14 Wofford Terriers.

Reason: She just looked at me and laughed when I said "Terriers." So, I figured she was picking BYU, which she confirmed.

Pick: No. 10 Michigan State Spartans over No. 7 UCLA Bruins

Reason: "Spartans are fierce warriors...and, they have spears."

Southwest Region: Round of 64

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NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 09: Kemba Walker #15 of the Connecticut Huskies dribbles the ball against the Georgetown Hoyas during the second round of the 2011 Big East Men's Basketball Tournament presented by American Eagle Outfitters at Madison Square Garden o

Pick: No. 8 UNLV Runnin' Rebels over No. 9 Illinois Fighting Illini

Reason: "Because Illini is a stupid nickname. They just took their state name, shortened it and made it a noun."

Pick: No. 5 Vanderbilt Commodores over No. 12 Richmond Spiders

Reason: "Ugh, I don't like spiders. Commodores all the way."

Pick: No. 13 Morehead State Eagles over No. 4 Louisville Cardinals

Reason: "In a bird death match, an eagle would win."

Pick: No. 6 Georgetown Hoyas over USC/VCU winner

Reason: "Because their nickname sounds like an evil karate chop...HIYA!"

Pick: No. 3 Purdue Boilermakers over No. 14 St. Peter's Peacocks

Reason: She laughed again when I said, "Peacocks."

Pick: No. 10 Florida State Seminoles over No. 7 Texas A&M Aggies

Reason: "Didn't Native Americans kill a lot of Plainsmen?"

West Region: Round of 64

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 12: Darius Morris #4 of the Michigan Wolverines drives for a shot attempt against Jared Sullinger #0 of the Ohio State Buckeyes during the semifinals of the 2011 Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament at Conseco Fieldhouse on March

Pick: No. 8 Michigan Wolverines over No. 9 Tennessee Volunteers

Reason: "Yes, I Volunteer to be eaten by a wild animal."

Pick: No. 12 Memphis Tigers over No. 5 Arizona Wildcats

Reason: "Thus far, I haven't picked any Tigers."

Pick: No. 13 Oakland Grizzlies over No. 4 Texas Longhorns

Reason: "Considering that a Longhorn could end up in a steakhouse with its namesake...not a good sign."

Pick: No. 11 Missouri Tigers over No. 6 Cincinnati Bearcats

Reason: "What's a Bearcat? Is that like a Liger?"

Pick: No. 3 Connecticut Huskies over No. 14 Bucknell Bisons

Reason: Bison aren't orange, they're brown. Somebody mixed that up."

Pick: No. 7 Temple Owls over No. 10 Penn State Nittany Lions

Reason: "What's the Nittany for? What purpose does that serve? They could've just been the Lions and that would've been okay."

East Region: Round of 32

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 13: Head coach Thad Matta of the Ohio State Buckeyes talks with his players during a timeout including Jon Diebler #33 and Jared Sullinger #0 against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the championship game of the 2011 Big Ten M

Pick: No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes over No. 8 George Mason Patriots

Reason: "I knew somebody who once lost an eye."

Pick: No. 5 West Virginia Mountaineers over No. 4 Kentucky Wildcats

Reason: "They likely slayed Wildcats in the olden days."

Pick: No. 6 Xavier Musketeers over No. 3 Syracuse Orangemen

Reason: "D'Artagnan was my first crush."

Pick: No. 2 North Carolina Tar Heels over No. 10 Georgia Bulldogs

Reason: "Because the Tar Heels have baby blue and since my husband doesn't think we'll have any boys, this is to stick it to him."

Southeast Region: Round of 32

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NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 10: The Pittsburgh Panthers mascot walks on the court during the game against the Connecticut Huskies during the quarterfinals of the 2011 Big East Men's Basketball Tournament presented by American Eagle Outfitters at Madison Square

Pick: No. 1 Pittsburgh Panthers over No. 8 Butler Bulldogs

Reason: "Navy and yellow are more vibrant colors than blue and white."

Pick: No. 5 Kansas State Wildcats over No. 13 Belmont Bruins

Reason: "Mountain lions are faster."

Pick: No. 3 BYU Cougars over No. 6 St. John's Red Storm

Reason: "Cougars probably aren't afraid of storms and I think they're color-blind, too."

Pick: No. 10 Michigan State Spartans over No. 2 Florida Gators

Reason: "Again, Spartans have spears."

Southwest Region: Round of 32

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 11: E'Twaun Moore #33 of the Purdue Boilermakers looks on dejected against the Michigan State Spartans during the quarterfinals of the 2011 Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament at Conseco Fieldhouse on March 11, 2011 in Indianapol

Pick: No. 1 Kansas Jayhawks over No. 8 UNLV Runnin' Rebels

Reason: "Rebels can run, but Jayhawks can fly...doesn't get any better than that...does it?"

Pick: No. 5 Vanderbilt Commodores over No. 13 Morehead State Eagles

Reason: "While I'm pretty sure hunting eagles is illegal, Commodores could do it if they wanted to."

Pick: No. 3 Purdue Boilermakers over No. 6 Georgetown Hoyas

Reason: "When making contact with a person, boiling water hurts...as does a train."

Pick: No. 10 Florida State Seminoles over No. 2 Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Reason: "I've seen the Fighting Irish guy and he doesn't look very big. If I were face-to-face with an Indian with a tomahawk, I'd be very scared."

West Region: Round of 32

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 12: Jordan Morgan #52 of the Michigan Wolverines attempts a shot against David Lighty #23 of the Ohio State Buckeyes during the semifinals of the 2011 Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament at Conseco Fieldhouse on March 12, 2011 in

Pick: No. 8 Michigan Wolverines over No. 1 Duke Blue Devils

Reason: "You should never let the devil get a foothold in your life."

Pick: No. 12 Memphis over No. 13 Oakland Grizzlies

Reason: "I think a Tiger could totally mutilate a bear."

Pick: No. 3 Connecticut Huskies over No. 11 Missouri Tigers

Reason: "I gave the Tigers their chance...now, I'm done."

Pick: No. 2 San Diego State over No. 7 Temple Owls

Reason: "This is Sparta." - can't argue with Gerrard Butler from 300.

East Region: Sweet 16

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NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 09: Chris Otule #42 of the Marquette Golden Eagles goes up for a dunk against Cam Thoroughman #2 and John Flowers #41 of the West Virginia Mountaineers during the second round of the 2011 Big East Men's Basketball Tournament presented

No. 5 West Virginia Mountaineers over No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes

Reason: "When I think of Buckeye, all I think about is candy...so, a mere piece of chocolate is no match for a revolutionary era backwoodsman."

No. 2 North Carolina Tar Heels over No. 6 Xavier Musketeers

Reason: She's still sticking with the baby blue on this one to "stick it to me."

Southeast Region: Sweet 16

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KANSAS CITY, MO - MARCH 10: The Kansas State Wildcats bench reacts in the final moments of their 87-75 loss to the Colorado Buffaloes in the quarterfinals of the 2011 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at Sprint Center on March 10, 2011 in Ka

Pick: No. 5 Kansas State Wildcats over No. 1 Pittsburgh Panthers

Reason: "My husband used to cover a school that had colors of purple and gray."

Pick: No. 3 BYU Cougars over No. 10 Michigan State Spartans

Reason: "Now that I think about it, I went to a money-hungry private school when I was younger and they were the Spartans...so, DEATH TO THE SPARTANS!"

Southwest Region: Sweet 16

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KANSAS CITY, MO - MARCH 12: Marcus Morris #22 of the Kansas Jayhawks reacts to a play against the Texas Longhorns in the second half of the 2011 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament championship game against the Kansas Jayhawks at Sprint Center

Pick: No. 1 Kansas Jayhawks over No. 5 Vanderbilt Commodores

Reason: "I'm a patriotic person, so I'm going with the red, white and blue."

Pick: No. 3 Purdue Boilermakers over No. 10 Florida State Seminoles

Reason: "Is it time to test out the theory from the last round."

West Region: Sweet 16

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NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 12: Head coach Jim Calhoun of the Connecticut Huskies cuts down the net after defeating the Louisville Cardinals during the championship of the 2011 Big East Men's Basketball Tournament presented by American Eagle Outfitters at Madis

Pick: No. 8 Michigan Wolverines over No. 12 Memphis Tigers

Reason: "Because he was my favorite X-Men character."

Pick: No. 3 Connecticut Huskies over No. 2 San Diego State Spartans

Reason: "Gerrard Butler's character died at the end of 300. So, must these Spartans."

East Region: Elite 8

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GREENSBORO, NC - MARCH 13: Harrison Barnes #40 of the North Carolina Tar Heels shoots against Mason Plumlee #5 and Kyle Singler #12 of the Duke Blue Devils during the second half in the championship game of the 2011 ACC men's basketball tournament at the

No. 2 North Carolina Tar Heels over No. 5 West Virginia Mountaineers

Reason: "Civil War soldiers had more advanced weaponry than a revolutionary-era soldier."

Southeast Region: Elite 8

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LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 12: Kyle Collinsworth #31 of the Brigham Young University Cougars looks to pass the ball during the championship game of the Conoco Mountain West Conference Basketball tournament against the San Diego State Aztecs at the Thomas & Ma

No. 3 BYU Cougars over No. 5 Kansas State Wildcats

Reason: "First, what is it with all these cat nicknames? There's more gold in heaven, so I'll go with the gold for the cougars."

Southwest Region: Elite 8

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KANSAS CITY, MO - MARCH 12: Brady Morningstar #12, Marcus Morris #22 and Tyshawn Taylor #10 of the Kansas Jayhawks react after a play against the Texas Longhorns during the 2011 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament championship game at Sprint C

No. 1 Kansas Jayhawks over No. 3 Purdue Boilermakers

Reason: "The Jayhawk is the only one so far that can escape the train...by flying over it."

West Region: Elite 8

Chris Trotman/Getty Images

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 12: Kemba Walker #15 of the Connecticut Huskies high fives a teammate after defeating the Louisville Cardinals during the championship of the 2011 Big East Men's Basketball Tournament presented by American Eagle Outfitters at Madison

No. 3 Connecticut Huskies over No. 8 Michigan Wolverines

Reason: "Huskies are cuter."

Final Four

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NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 12: Kemba Walker #15 of the Connecticut Huskies drives with the ball against Mike Marra #33 of the Louisville Cardinals during the championship of the 2011 Big East Men's Basketball Tournament presented by American Eagle Outfitters a

Kansas Jayhawks defeat BYU Cougars

Reason: "Because putting the Jay in front of Hawks makes it so much cooler."

Connecticut Huskies defeat North Carolina Tar Heels

Reason: "If they have too much tar on their heels, they're eventually going to get stuck."

Championship Game

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KANSAS CITY, MO - MARCH 12: Travis Releford #24 of the Kansas Jayhawks celebrates by cutting down the net after defeating the Texas Longhorns 85-73 to win the 2011 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament championship game at Sprint Center on March

Kansas Jayhawks defeat Connecticut Huskies

Reason: Because my husband was a soldier representing the red, white and blue. Since that's Kansas' colors, that's who I'm going with."

After Effects

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KANSAS CITY, MO - MARCH 12: Tyshawn Taylor #10 of the Kansas Jayhawks goes up for a shot against Gary Johnson #1 of the Texas Longhorns during the 2011 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament championship game at Sprint Center on March 12, 2011 in

So, after my wife picked everything, I revealed to her who her national championship team was...and this is what she said...

"That's good, right? I didn't even know who the Jayhawks were. I thought I was picking some lame-o. But, hey, I'm liking that pick even more now.