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NCAA March Madness is here! image

NCAA March Madness is here!

NCAA Report With Don and Russ
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5 Plays13 days ago

Don and Russ talk NCAA basketball brackets and give their picks from the opening round to the Elite 8!

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Transcript

Introduction by Devin Tynan

00:00:00
Speaker
This is Gateway Sports. Ladies and gentlemen, I've got a couple of questions for you. Do you love college sports as much as I do? Are you always wondering where you can find the latest NCAA reports?
00:00:13
Speaker
Will come to the right place? Welcome, sports fans, to Q Sports Presents, the NCAA report with Don and Ryan. Gee, that sounds kind of interesting....
00:00:29
Speaker
Ready to win the game.

Exciting Basketball Commentary

00:01:02
Speaker
Look at the air, look at the hang time, look at the flying motion. Look at his head above the rim.
00:01:43
Speaker
To infinity and beyond!
00:02:15
Speaker
Call on the field
00:02:23
Speaker
stand. Touchdown!
00:02:30
Speaker
You've got to get it done!
00:02:44
Speaker
Pay attention, son. This is for your own good.

Special NCAA Report Introduction

00:02:47
Speaker
The moment you've all been waiting for, here they are, your favorite hosts, Don Glenn and Russ Robinson.
00:02:57
Speaker
All right. This is the NCAA report. I want to thank Devin Tynan for that wonderful introduction as he always does. And this is a, a but I won't say it's a special show because it's on at this regular time, but it will air a little earlier than normal. Normally i try to air this on Friday morning.
00:03:15
Speaker
This will hopefully be out. If I have anything to say, say about it by noon on Wednesday, because we are talking NCAA brackets. Okay. As always, to my right, or actually, if you if if you could see the screen on Zoom, he'd be above me, but ah it is the ah the inevitable Russ Robinson from Missouri. How are you doing, Russ?
00:03:41
Speaker
I'm doing fine, Don. It's good good to be back with you again. I always enjoy having having a good conversation with you about NCAA sports. It's always fun. And I want to let everybody know that I told you last week we were having a little reconstruction going on. So the NCAA report is now a proud part of Gateway Sports.
00:04:04
Speaker
Go check out gate some of your old favorites are still there. We still write the articles. We're bringing in some new new ideas. So check it out. Gatewaysports.net.
00:04:17
Speaker
All right.

NCAA Tournament Pairings and Selections

00:04:18
Speaker
Okay, Russ. Well, the pairings came out Sunday. And, you know, I looked at them. Of course, I was waiting to see where Illinois was going to end up.
00:04:29
Speaker
no And, you know, where some of the Big Ten schools were going to land. you know And then they said, and I heard that the 14 schools out of the SEC made the tournament. That was the big thing they were talking about. Yeah.
00:04:45
Speaker
A couple of the other big things, and we'll kind of touch on them and then we'll get to the brackets, is the supposed snub of Indiana by letting allowing nc are in excuse me North Carolina as the last team in They're in a play-in game.
00:05:06
Speaker
And, you know, people were saying, I've heard Indiana got slighted. I've heard West Virginia got slighted. ah there's been a couple other teams out there that have staked their claim to why we, why they weren't in as as opposed to North Carolina.
00:05:23
Speaker
What's your take on all that?
00:05:26
Speaker
Well, I guess there's always going to be schools unhappy and some, and some with justification. um Hold on just a second. I'm sorry.
00:05:38
Speaker
um Yeah, somewhat with justification that, you know, the that yeah it's always going to be that way. And I think, you know, probably Indiana and West Virginia may very well have a have a legit complaint. But, you know.
00:05:57
Speaker
With the 68 schools in there, it's always going to be someone unhappy and probably always someone who has a reason to be unhappy. you know the The committee isn't perfect.
00:06:07
Speaker
right so ah i you know i didn't I know North Carolina made a good run in the ACC tournament. Didn't they get by Duke in the championship game? they I want to say so. i'm trying to look i'm tra actually trying to look that up now.
00:06:24
Speaker
Oh, come on now. Standings.
00:06:30
Speaker
Okay, here we go. I'm going to check this. I can probably get to it through the standings. Let's see. acc North Carolina. There we go. That's all i'm looking for.
00:06:41
Speaker
All right. um
00:06:47
Speaker
You know, they lost to Duke in the final. Oh, yeah, they lost Duke. They got lost 74-71 to Duke in the final. But they did beat Notre Dame and Wake Forest. Notre Dame was the 12 seed. Wake Forest was the 4 seed.
00:07:01
Speaker
Mm-hmm. So, um yeah, and they lost to the last game the regular season to Duke as well. So they lost back-to-back, if you want to think about it.
00:07:12
Speaker
They lost two games in a row to Duke. So that probably didn't help their status any. Although you losing to Duke is no shame. I can't i can't imagine anybody saying it's ah you get a bad mark for losing to Duke. ro You know what I'm saying?
00:07:29
Speaker
But, you know, they didn't win the s the ACC. I think Duke won the ACC. So, so they yeah, then they play San Diego State, which a lot of people are saying is, and I've seen this on a number of different analyst boards and stuff like that, um that San Diego State could be a dark horse, not necessarily to win the tournament, but to, you know, at least make it past the first weekend.

Team Performance Analysis: Texas and Big Ten

00:07:59
Speaker
Right, right. so Yeah, you know and you know, and Texas is on the run. They've kind of been on little bit of a run. They won two games in the SEC tournament. They did have to start in the first round, but they did win that one, and i think they won the second one. They got to the they got they beat Texas A&M, and that's what it was impressive.
00:08:20
Speaker
ah So, you know, anyway, they they were on a roll, so I guess, you know, they took that into consideration when they did. I just never thought Texas. I didn't think Texas was going into the tournament was was deserving.
00:08:32
Speaker
And they always were by the find by the people, you know, the Joe Linardi's and people like that thinking that they were probably a borderline team.
00:08:45
Speaker
They were the first four out or something like that until they got to the tournament. So, yeah, it's a hard call to make on that. Well, I mean, and and i get I get what some people are talking about when you look at, and I'm just pulled up the SEC standings right now here.
00:09:01
Speaker
I mean, Texas was 19-15, which is not a bad record. Oklahoma was 20-13. Arkansas, 20-13. Georgia, 20-12. Vanderbilt was 20-12. Mississippi State was 21-12. But every one those teams a losing conference
00:09:13
Speaker
vanderilt was twenty and twelve mississippi state was twenty one and twelve but every one of those teams had a losing conference record Texas was 6-12 in conference. Oklahoma was 6-12. Arkansas, Georgia, Vanderbilt, and Mississippi State were all 8-10 in conference.
00:09:31
Speaker
So when you look at it that way, I can see some of the people's concern. But I mean, yeah i can pick any conference here, and there's I'm probably going to find some losing conference records in the tournament in any conference I look at.
00:09:46
Speaker
And I'll just go to my the one that I follow a lot. Big Ten. and And right here we've got, let's see. Actually, the Big Ten, no. they The last team, that is, that's that's just crazy.
00:10:04
Speaker
The last team in on the Big Ten is Illinois with a twelve and eight conference 21-12 overall. Ten and 19-13 overall. Uh-huh. indiana was ten and ten in the big ten and nineteen and thirteen overall ah So that's surprising. I would have thought, I would have thought different on that.
00:10:22
Speaker
Uh, for sure. Now Utah or excuse me, Kansas, Kansas state. Wow. I, the sec looks like the only one that got sub 500 conference teams in. Yeah. They, they, uh, the thought was then going into this, uh, Don going into the season that, uh,
00:10:43
Speaker
that if you had an 8-10 record this year in the SEC, and this is before this conference season started, right a lot of people felt like would be pretty strong, that if you had an 8-10 record going in, you would get

Mid-Major Teams and Selection Grievances

00:10:54
Speaker
in.
00:10:54
Speaker
no You know, and and I think it surprised some people that a 6-12 record would get you in, but it's probably like the old ah ACC was before it was when it was the dominant basketball conference. I guess so they probably Things like that probably happened to them. so well i mean you look you look You look at some of the mid-majors that may have a gripe, and I'm looking at Bradley right now. 26-8 overall, 15-5 in conference in in the MVC, and you know they're nowhere to be found in the tournament.
00:11:34
Speaker
but You know, I mean, you would have thought, I mean, Drake got in because they won the NBC conference tournament. Right. And they're still deserving. I mean, they but they won the regular season, 30-3 and a 17-3 in conference.
00:11:50
Speaker
Yeah. But, you know, you you you ignore a Bradley over a Texas, over a North Carolina, right? or excuse me under i guess like i guess would actually be yeah you know north carolina texas are over those two schools or those schools so i i i can see you know i don't know i i it's it's ah it's a good question that the that uh we'll see how everything plays out and the the committee may have to answer for it down the road we don't know they might have to um um
00:12:22
Speaker
Yeah, they they may have to. They always do. i mean, it's always there's always teams that probably should have gotten in that didn't. So yeah that continues this endless argument about, you know, who should have gotten in and who should not.
00:12:36
Speaker
I'm empathetic to people who are who think that the 6-12 conference shouldn't get you in. But You know, they looked at other things besides that. They look at non-conference teams

Bracket Predictions and Match Analysis

00:12:48
Speaker
and everything like that. Well, yeah, and, you know, your SEC, your Big Ten, your ACC, ah they're going to play a tougher schedule than than Missouri Valley or the MAC.
00:12:57
Speaker
I mean, it's this that's a standard fact. You're just not going to have the same level of competition. All right, well, let's go ahead and get into the brackets. We're going to start. We'll start with the South since that's the first one that shows up on my screen.
00:13:11
Speaker
okay and I just, you know, I'll go with the flow, man. All right. So we got the first the top team, Auburn, against either Alabama State or say says it St. Francis of Pennsylvania.
00:13:28
Speaker
And the last I did see, I did have that game actually pulled up on on the my on my CBS tracker here. ah Right now, That is a one-point game with eight minutes to go.
00:13:46
Speaker
Okay. Eight minutes to go in the game. That is a one-point game. ah And the next game that's going on tonight is UNC South Dakota State. That tips off at 8 o'clock. And right now it's 721 Central Time.
00:14:01
Speaker
okay So Auburn, i you know I don't think there's any any consternation on this. I think Auburn is your obvious choice over either either of those two schools.
00:14:13
Speaker
Sure. Yeah, i mean, I don't know. There's not any debate there. don't No, I can't debate that at all. ah Louisville, Creighton. ah Louisville's the 8th seed. the 9th seed.
00:14:26
Speaker
I have heard a lot of mixed stuff on this, but I think And I've looked at and I've watched Creighton play. I haven't watched Louisville. I'll be honest. I have not watched Louisville. I've watched Creighton play.
00:14:38
Speaker
ah They look pretty good. I'm wondering why they're a nine, but they look pretty good. ah They've got some decent wins against North Carolina, Clemson, Pittsburgh.
00:14:49
Speaker
Actually, they beat Clemson twice, ah but they've lost to Duke twice and Tennessee once. um I don't know um if they are the ones can take down um
00:15:07
Speaker
Creighton. Excuse me Louisville is that. Excuse me, i probably should have said that before. Creighton, on the other hand, ah they've beaten Kansas. They've beaten UConn. They've beaten Marquette.
00:15:18
Speaker
Actually, the beaten UConn twice. um And if you look at some of the other things they've got going here,
00:15:31
Speaker
Right now, the odds makers have Louisville as a 61% chance over Creighton. I'm going the other way myself. I've got that on a lot of my brackets. Um...
00:15:42
Speaker
Like said, I filled out nine so far. Yeah. yeah But i've I've pretty much, in I think only in two instances have I gone contrary and taken Louisville. I've taken Creighton.
00:15:54
Speaker
um I'm probably in the minority, obviously, on that. ah One little, I guess, tidbit fact. Since 1918, the number nine seeds eight versus the eight seed and um Creighton is the nine seed.
00:16:15
Speaker
Okay, yeah. Yeah, well, I tell you, these eight nine seeds are the are the games within between the eight and nine. These should be the interesting games. ah You know, you you don't expect to hear much from all expect that much interest out of Auburn and Alabama State or whoever, but I like the idea of Louisville. I picked Louisville myself only because they're the eight seed.
00:16:37
Speaker
Yeah. Yeah. You know, yeah you can go either way. And I didn't see a lot of Louisville games this year, but, you know, I'll go with the eighth seed on this one. Some I might switch. um Some of the later ones I might switch over. but that well i'll ah ill I'll go contra. I'll stay with Creighton. I'll stay with Creighton. Okay.
00:16:57
Speaker
ah So next you got Michigan versus UC San Diego. Again, I don't think this one's got any debate to it. A a lot of people said UC San Diego is somebody you can't take lightly.
00:17:10
Speaker
ah But I just, I don't know. For some reason, I i don't like Michigan that much. Don't get me wrong. ah Because they, I mean, but they have beat the in in the in in the Big Ten tournament.
00:17:24
Speaker
They beat Purdue, Maryland, and Wisconsin. Yeah. So, I mean, you really can't. yeah It's one of those, you know, hard. And and they and they lost to Michigan State in the you know in the final game.
00:17:39
Speaker
In this one, I just, i can't i can't I can't not pick Michigan. I'll just put it that way. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, in the same way. Yeah. Absolutely.
00:17:50
Speaker
Yeah. and Okay. And, whoops, I just lost what did do? I just lost it. Oh, crap. Pardon me, folks. I got to get back to where I was at.
00:18:03
Speaker
It shouldn't be that hard to do, though. There it is. Okay. So anyway...
00:18:13
Speaker
So that's okay. So that's, we're going to go Michigan there. All right. I got to redo my picks now. Cause I, I inadvertently clicked out of the page for some reason. Okay. So the next one is Texas A&M Yale.
00:18:24
Speaker
And I have seen ah a number of people, well, not necessarily number, but a decent amount of people picking Yale in this game. Really? but Yes. And I kind of looked it over a little bit.
00:18:38
Speaker
Um,
00:18:44
Speaker
And it says, ah you know, as far as Texas A&M, they've beaten Texas Tech, Purdue, and Texas, and Auburn. But they've lost to Florida, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Alabama.
00:18:59
Speaker
ah Yale, as far as outside of the Ivy League, ah really they have no wins. um So I'm not sure why there are people that are on the Yale bandwagon.
00:19:15
Speaker
um But I guess they do rebound very well, and Texas A&M struggles, and they shoot the three good. So that's, I guess, maybe why some people are picking, um at least then all the experts are picking Yale.
00:19:31
Speaker
But as far as the betting public is going, it looks like Texas A&M is 78% favorite to win versus Yale's 22%. versus yale's twenty two per cent And so ah I think I've split myself on a number of these boards on this one.
00:19:48
Speaker
um So I think what I'm going to do is I'm going to take the i'm gonna take the the Yale or the Texas A&M on this one, I think. I think that's as good. Oh, yeah. I mean, Texas A&M is a really good team. I'm not exactly sure what's going on there with the Yale, but I've seen Texas A&M play plenty of times. I i don't see, I don't see how you could go against them, but you know, Don, there is going to be a big upset in the first trial.
00:20:20
Speaker
yeah Oh, you have to. Someone's going to get taken out. Yeah. Yeah. There's, there's always going to be that one big upset. Oh, and, and there's going to be all the smaller ones too. I mean, we'll and we'll, but we'll probably pick a couple of those as we go down, as we go down this list here.
00:20:36
Speaker
Um,
00:20:43
Speaker
Okay. So we got Texas A&M for that. Ole Miss e against either San Diego state or UNC. This is what we were talking about earlier. Um, I've taught, I've seen a lot of things.

Ole Miss vs. San Diego State/UNC Discussion

00:20:56
Speaker
Nobody's believe in UNC.
00:20:58
Speaker
and Everybody's going with San Diego state coming out of that one. And a lot of people have San Diego state making the second weekend, making that field of 16. Really? Well, okay. Well, I'm, uh,
00:21:12
Speaker
Once again, I picked Ole Miss only because I've seen them play and I feel like they're decent team. um You know, to deserve to be there. ah You know, I'm going to tend to go with the higher pick on a lot of these, Don, because, you know, we we don't have time to watch a lot of these games.
00:21:30
Speaker
Right. We could delve into the analytics. Right. And the analytics sometimes can tell you something that, you know, we don't see. But I'm going with I went with Ole Miss on this, mainly because I've might be my SEC bias or something. Yeah, well, I think I'm going to take San Diego State just just because we got an 11-6 matchup that I think, um you know, like you said, there's going to be um
00:22:02
Speaker
the upsets as they come along the way. So I think that's what I'm going to try and do is I'm going to take this as an upset. The next one is Iowa State Lipscomb.
00:22:14
Speaker
Now Iowa State was revealed their top point guard is out for the tournament. Their best player is done. I don't see that as being a problem against Lipscomb.
00:22:29
Speaker
I do see it a problem as they continue on though. Yeah. so i'll take I'll take Iowa State over Lipscomb, but i don't I don't trust how far they're going to go. Well, that'll be interesting to see. ah You know, if you lose your point guard, that's a that's the guy who controls the offense. So and that'll be interesting to see. I'm like you. I picked Iowa State even without the point guard.
00:22:51
Speaker
ah You know, so I would see them getting through with a backup point guard getting into the second round. That's just the way I see it. Marquette, New Mexico. i don't know much about either team.
00:23:05
Speaker
i mean, we did play Marquette last year and um we might played him this year. I can't really remember. But um yeah, I just think that's going to be the team that's going to go that pick.
00:23:21
Speaker
Yeah, oh yeah. And then Michigan State, Brian, again, that's that's kind of like Auburn. the the auburn There's no discussion on that. We know who's winning. Absolutely, yeah. ah So going to continuing the first round, going into the West region, Florida versus Norfolk.
00:23:36
Speaker
A lot of these number one seats, I don't see an issue. i don't see anybody that's I don't see a 16 taking out the number ones this year. ah The next the eight nine game, and this one's really interesting as well, is you've got UConn, Oklahoma.
00:23:50
Speaker
Uh-huh. Uh-huh. I'm not sure why Oklahoma's seeded as high. I think they're way over-seeded for this. Yeah. I think UConn's going to take this one without any doubt. I have UConn, too. But Oklahoma...
00:24:04
Speaker
They can be dangerous. And I've seen them play. I've seen them play. You know, that's oh this game, depending on the bracket, which one I pick.
00:24:17
Speaker
On this bracket I'm looking at, Don, I picked UConn. And, you know, and and I think Oklahoma is ah is a pretty good team. I question whether they should be there. But, you know, that'll be interesting game to watch.
00:24:30
Speaker
Like you, I picked UConn for this one. The next one is Memphis, Colorado State. A couple teams I haven't paid or paid any much attention to. Well, I would go with memphi Memphis on this game.
00:24:43
Speaker
Okay. And then the next round is when you begin to question whether Memphis can go any further. Exactly. But they've got a good team. I don't know anything about Colorado State. You know, that could be the upset game. Who knows? But I've got Memphis.
00:24:58
Speaker
Yeah. Maryland Grand Canyon. I did watch one thing. It was a CBS thing and I remember who it was. Former coach picked Grand Canyon in this game, um which I don't understand because Maryland, I'll tell you what, we've played them twice and they have, and it in it's in it's fact, they have the best starting five in terms of scoring and defense and rebounding in the entire NCAA conference.
00:25:26
Speaker
The problem with Maryland is they aren't very deep. Yeah. they might go sick They might go six, seven if they're lucky. Okay. And, you know, they get into a game where you're you're facing a deep team and and they get into foul trouble. They're two bigs and they could get hurt.
00:25:45
Speaker
But i don't see them I don't see them having a problem against Grand Canyon myself. Well, i'll see them going going forward

Missouri vs. Drake Matchup Analysis

00:25:51
Speaker
too, Don. Yeah. Missouri Drake. Yeah. Well, I could go on for 30 minutes about that game, but I'll just give you a brief what I've read since these two teams have been paired up.
00:26:03
Speaker
Missouri's got the fast game. they They really like to run. They like to shoot. they they They play a switch off on defense but between those man to man in a and a oh in a zone, now but Drake plays a slow game.
00:26:21
Speaker
they They tried to slow it down. So that should be an interesting game. ah You know, if you're wanting to look at a seven, what is that? A seven and 10, six and an 11 game. Is that what it is?
00:26:32
Speaker
Yeah. Six. of them Yeah. Six, 11. You might want to see how that goes. That Drake coach, Ben McCullough, I think his name came from division to Northwest Missouri state.
00:26:44
Speaker
And he's he's really done a good job with Drake. Brought in a bunch of Northwest Missouri State players, and he's making a go of it. So that would be an interesting game. I'm a little nervous about it, but I think Missouri, when they're fully loaded, and they will be ah that night, I think they'll win.
00:27:01
Speaker
But, you know that could be ah that could be a tough game. Yeah, so, yeah. it's but it' three I think ah right now Mizzou is a 70% favorite in the game as far as the odds makers go or the people that are betting go.
00:27:18
Speaker
um You know, and just ah as to i kind of highlight them, they do have a win over Alabama. They do have a win over Florida. They'd have a win over Kansas. um Drake, on the other hand. um They should have wins over Kansas State and Vanderbilt.
00:27:36
Speaker
but Yeah, and Miami. Oh, did they beat Miami? Okay. it beat miami and And they got two wins over Bradley, too. So, you know, i yeah, they're not going to be a slouch by any stretch of imagination, but I don't see them as a stopping as stopping Missouri advance. um Texas Tech, you north you North Carolina, Wilmington.
00:27:58
Speaker
I'm just going to go with that because the higher side. Right, exactly. Kansas-Arkansas, I think that's to me, that's one of the games that I think is going to be very interesting to watch.
00:28:09
Speaker
I do too, Don, and I have picked Arkansas only because and I've seen both teams play. And Arkansas has gotten kind of it has turned it on in the last part of the conference season.
00:28:20
Speaker
I think they're a real danger to taking out Kansas. And he's going to be fully loaded. He's got one of the players, better players, has been hurt for some time. going to be healthy for this game.
00:28:31
Speaker
So um I have picked Arkansas most of my brackets. That should be fun to watch. It really should be. yeah I've kind of split on a couple of different brackets, but I think the more I keep looking at it, the more I keep listening and and watching and reading other picks, I think I am going to take the upset in this one and go and go with you. I'm going to go with Arkansas on this one.
00:28:50
Speaker
right St. John's Omaha. I don't think there's any question who's winning that game. Yeah, I don't think we need to waste a lot time on that one. We're not going to waste any time on that one.
00:29:01
Speaker
Yeah, St. John's has played. Yeah, same with the next game. Duke against either American or Mount St. Mary's. um I see. Where are we at? We're on the we're on the East region now.
00:29:12
Speaker
Yeah. I don't see any any reason to discuss that game. um Mississippi State, Baylor. This is another one that's got a lot mixed reviews.
00:29:26
Speaker
Yeah, eight, nine. they' They're very close. I'd flip a coin. now I went with Mississippi State only because of my SEC buys. yeah i think i want to know I think on one of my other brackets, i might have actually gone with Baylor.
00:29:39
Speaker
But this one, yeah i'll yeah I've seen Mississippi State play. you know that That'll be a game to watch. That'll be game to watch. Yeah, I think I've gone with Baylor in most of mine. i'm ah i'm I'm the opposite of you. I've gone with Baylor in most of mine, but I have hedged my bets in a couple and gone with Mississippi State.
00:29:56
Speaker
So I think for purposes of this bracket, for the NCAA bracket, report bracket, I think all I'll side with you this time go Mississippi State. How's that? okay Oregon Liberty. Yeah.
00:30:09
Speaker
You would think this is not a big game, but there's actually some people that say Liberty might have a chance to knock Oregon off. And it's a 12-5 game. And those games are always very ah controversial or not controversial, but but suspect when you get into that twelve five category.
00:30:28
Speaker
Yeah, I've heard the same thing about Liberty. i've heard they're a very good team. And yeah. I haven't seen Oregon play this this year. I know they still have Dana Altman. Is he still their head coach there?
00:30:40
Speaker
I believe so, yes. ah He's a good coach. But, yeah, this is one that you may want to watch. Mm-hmm. if If it's on and there's nothing else on, on if if one of my SEC teams isn't playing, I'll probably tune into this one just to see what Liberty's about.
00:30:56
Speaker
Yeah. yeah But I pick oreggan i pick the organ just yeah just i've picked I I haven't really bought into the whole Liberty thing. I think I picked Oregon. might have went one game Liberty just for the sake of saying being different. But I'm looking at what looking at Liberty right now.
00:31:15
Speaker
I mean, youre as far as impressive wins, I mean, they've beaten one... tournament team in uh uh mcneese they beat in mcneese state but the other teams they've beaten are like uh louise la tech uh middle tennessee uh they did beat kansas state i'll give them that um but then you look at oregon and they've got wins over maryland which is one of the few teams that they've got win over alabama they've beaten wisconsin so
00:31:48
Speaker
You know, I think I'm with you. I don't I don't so know. There's maybe a big hullabaloo somewhere, but I'm taking Oregon, right Arizona versus Akron. I'm taking Arizona just because I don't like the coach at Akron. John Gross, former Illinois coach, who is a joke as an Illinois coach.
00:32:05
Speaker
So I'm picking I'm picking Arizona no matter what you tell me. Okay, well, that's fine. I'm picking Arizona, too. Okay. I just think that they're I mean, Akron's coming out of the MAAC. And, again, it's it's one of those that could be an upset game, but I just don't see it i just don't see it with Arizona. Maybe another team, possibly, but i don't see it with Arizona. Right.
00:32:28
Speaker
VCU-BYU, the alphabet game. Yeah, and I've watched that game. I've watched that game. VCU
00:32:38
Speaker
Daggum, I forgot the coach's name, but he is going to be up for some Is that Shaka Smart? No, Shaka Smart's down at Marquette. He's at Marquette. Shaka Smart started at He started at VCU. That's right. That's right. ah And, you know, and Don, I can't think of the VCU coach's name right offhand, but he's He's going to be in line for some for promotion if if he decides to leave ECU.
00:33:04
Speaker
But that's game I'd watch. i've got be I'm going with BYU only because they're the higher seed. But I think that's an interesting matchup.
00:33:15
Speaker
Yeah, I think it's going to be an interesting matchup myself. i I'm taking VCU ah only because I've heard, I've watched, a like again, i'm I'm kind of going with some of the analysts and the experts that are saying VCU's really got the opportunity to to make some hay in this game. So I'm going to take the VCU.
00:33:36
Speaker
uh okay uh avenue on this one uh wisconsin montana i know of only one expert that says montana has a chance in this game uh i'm god you i mean i think wisconsin's it they got john tonjay and i know what a good player he is and that they really look good uh i don't see how montana can take out but I don't either.
00:34:01
Speaker
i don't know what that guy was smoking, but he was smoking something good, I can tell you.

St. Mary's vs. Vanderbilt Close Game Prediction

00:34:06
Speaker
St. Mary's Vanderbilt. There's another seven ten I think it's going to be a very interesting game. Yeah, St. Mary's traditionally is out of the what's at the West Coast Conference. Yes, West Coast. Vanderbilt's had a good year. I think that's ah that's a good game to watch if you you come up on it yeah and you want to watch a good game. I think it will be. I think Vanderbilt's a good team.
00:34:29
Speaker
And St. Mary's always seems like they're just not quite as good as Gonzaga. Right. There's that one step down. Yeah, that one tier down. So, yeah, I'll pick St. Mary's.
00:34:39
Speaker
I am, too. I think I'm taking St. Mary's in that game. Alabama, Robert Morris, I don't think there's any discussion who's winning that game. I don't see Robert Morris even being competitive in that one. Same thing for the next game in the Midwest.
00:34:53
Speaker
ah Houston versus Southern Illinois, Edwardsville, I don't.
00:34:59
Speaker
i'd love to see one I'd love to see the Salukis advance, but not against Houston. They ain't doing it. No, no. Gonzaga, it's Georgia.
00:35:10
Speaker
I think this could be an interesting game, but i i i I have a hard time picking the upset in this game. I do too, and and I went with Gonzaga.
00:35:22
Speaker
I'm a little surprised Georgia's up that high, but they did run through the SEC conference, so know they're They've got a decent team, but, you know, I went with Gonzaga because of history.
00:35:33
Speaker
You know, that's the reason I went with Yeah. right. I tell you what, let's take a quick break. i've I've kind of missed our break. I was going to break there after the first two. So let's take our quick break now and then we'll come back and we'll finish off the West and then hopefully maybe, maybe or the Midwest, excuse me.
00:35:50
Speaker
And then if we got some time, maybe we'll run through the second round real quick and see what we can come up with there. We'll be right back after this. I would like to talk to you about hydration, Herb.
00:36:02
Speaker
Dehydration, both. Did you know that our bodies are made up of 50 to 70% water? The average loss of water due to dehydration is about 3 to 5% per day. Now, obviously, the higher the activity level, the higher the level of dehydration.
00:36:17
Speaker
If dehydration levels get around 8 to 9%, it starts to affect your body. You feel thirsty. You feel tired. These symptoms increase as your dehydration increases. If you lose 15% of your body's water, that's enough to put you in the hospital.
00:36:30
Speaker
And I've been there. That's not a really fun way to do it. So hydration is a serious issue. And water alone sometimes just isn't enough. And I coupled that with the fact that most people only drink 50% of the recommended amount of water they need per day for proper hydration and good health.
00:36:48
Speaker
Now, one solution is hydration multiplication. Now, you get that from a product called Liquid IV. Liquid IV is one of the most popular sports drinks in America. It delivers two times faster hydration than water alone.
00:37:01
Speaker
And it has three times the electrolytes of traditional sports drinks. It uses a process that's called cellular transport technology, which acts as a hydration multiplier designed to deliver more rapid absorption of water into the body.
00:37:16
Speaker
It also delivers key vitamins like B3, B5, B6, B12, and even vitamin C. It's non-GMO, doesn't contain any soy or dairy, and gluten-free. Good for everybody. I use liquid I be myself.
00:37:29
Speaker
I like the electrolyte formula for when I'm out working in the yard or just... you know out doing a daily routine. I've used the energy hydration formula those times when they'll quick pick me up and don't want to drink coffee.
00:37:42
Speaker
There's also an immune boosting formula that's packed with vitamin C. They have a kombucha blend for better dietary health. They even have a formula for better sleep. Their hydration contains melatonin.
00:37:54
Speaker
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00:38:06
Speaker
No alcohol, though. It also comes in sugar-free that uses an amino acid blend instead of artificial sweeteners. There's even hydration flowing for kids in flavors they like. Concord grape, crisp apple, tropical punch, banana, and cotton candy.
00:38:20
Speaker
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00:38:34
Speaker
So long flights get you dehydrated. That's what causes jet lag. Coffee and tea don't help. Alcohol doesn't help. Just ask for a bottle of water, drop in a stick of liquid IV, shake it up, and you've got instant hydration and fighting the jet lag.
00:38:50
Speaker
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00:39:09
Speaker
They care. So right now, go to liquidiv.com, use the promo code GCS at checkout, and get 20% off. You can also shop better hydration using my link, zen.ai slash Talking Sports on the Bleachers and get 20% off anything you buy.
00:39:27
Speaker
Check out hydration multiplication. Try Liquid IV. Go to liquidiv.com. Use the promo code GCS at checkout. And we are back. This is Don Glenn with my partner, Russ Robinson. It's the NCAA report brought to you by Gateway Sports.
00:39:42
Speaker
We've gone through three of the regions and we were just started on the Midwest and I needed to take a quick break there for the yeah the commercial messages.

Clemson vs. McNeese State and Illinois's Potential

00:39:53
Speaker
So we're going to continue on and right now we're at the Clemson and McNeese State game. It's a five twelve matchup. um I've heard mixed reviews on this one.
00:40:08
Speaker
um I'm not sure. I've kind of gone both ways on it. I think my leaning is toward Clemson, but what do you think? Clemson is a way I go only because I know absolutely nothing about these two teams.
00:40:23
Speaker
ah yeah So i went with the favorite, usually did that unless I knew something. Now McNeese State is coached by Will Wade, who used to be the coach at LSU. And he was doing a really good job there, but he got run off because of NCAA issues that now wouldn't be so bad.
00:40:42
Speaker
yeah And so he's probably going to jump to a better job. I don't think there'll be any show causes on him or anything like that. So he's probably, so that might be one reason to keep an eye McNeese State this tournament. So that's only thing I've got to add to that.
00:40:58
Speaker
right. Next up is Purdue, the four seed against High Point, the 13 seed. And i while I don't, again, this is another one, I don't necessarily buy into it, and I picked it in a couple just for the heck of being obstinate.
00:41:13
Speaker
ah But there are a few people, analyst-wise, that have said High Point could pull the upset here. And Purdue... Their logic is kind of because Purdue really has not, other than the last year or two with Zach Eadie, they have not fared well in the first weekend of the tournament.
00:41:37
Speaker
No, they haven't. They've gotten beat by some lower-rate teams. I went with Purdue on this one mainly because I have a cousin who's Purdue grad, I think he'd be mad at me if I went with that point.
00:41:48
Speaker
So a massive fan.
00:41:51
Speaker
He's a massive Purdue grad. So I went with Purdue. i You know, I don't know anything about high point, but like you're exactly right. Purdue, other than last year, just has not had a, just hasn't shown up very well in the NCAA tournament.
00:42:05
Speaker
Yeah. Yeah. So, yeah, i I'll go with Purdue also just because it's it's Big Ten, and I really can't afford to go against Big Ten in the first round if I can avoid it. ah Illinois is the next one versus Texas or Xavier.
00:42:21
Speaker
um We talked about Texas earlier. They kind of caught a little bit of fire in the SEC tournament. ah Xavier, I don't know much about. Yeah. Illinois has been, and I want, I loved how one analyst put it. was watching one of the programs and one analyst put it as a high adventure pick.
00:42:41
Speaker
Yeah. Yeah. Because you don't know what you're getting with Illinois. Yeah. I mean, yeah, we got beat by Duke blasted us by 45 points. And you know then we turned around and we rattled off ah big wins against Purdue. And and ah who was other came around wisconsin i think and and you know we won three in a row and then went into the big 10 tournament won the first game in the big 10 tournament and then maryland waxed us by 35 points yeah um you just don't know what you're going to get with that team but
00:43:18
Speaker
I, I, and there's one guy that did pick whichever team plays Illinois is the upset, which I think was kind of disingenuous to Illinois. um i think they probably would fare better against Xavier than Texas, to be honest with you.
00:43:33
Speaker
ah But I don't think either team's going to keep them out of the next, the second game. Right, right. um I went with Illinois primarily out of respect that they beat Missouri in a good close game and also a respect for you.
00:43:49
Speaker
so Well, thank you. um Yeah, so if Texas ends up playing Illinois in this game, I will watch it because I think Texas is like was somewhat of a controversial draw and an interesting draw, so let we'll see.
00:44:03
Speaker
We'll see, but I'll pick Illinois. Okay. uh kentucky and troy i don't know much about kentucky or excuse me about troy i've seen briefly a few pieces of games at kentucky um you know they don't look like a they are a lot like illinois you don't know what you're going to get with them you know they've had some games yeah they've had some games they've played games they haven't they've stunk the place up so you know I was surprised they got a 3C, but they played a really tough schedule.
00:44:34
Speaker
um This is not one of the elite Kentucky teams, but they're still pretty good. I picked them over Troy only because I feel like he should. Yeah, you should. Yeah. uh, UCLA, Utah state.
00:44:47
Speaker
Uh, my first inclination on my first few boards I picked was UCLA without a doubt. Um, but then I heard a couple again, um and this is what I get for trying to do too much research, I guess. I heard a couple say that, you know, Utah state is a type of team that could give UCLA trouble, you know, and could, they raise you know, yeah, they've got a good coach and I think, you know, he may, uh,
00:45:12
Speaker
ah that could be a good game, to have a good 17 game to watch. I'll wait with UCLA. Oh, yeah. Because I've seen them play a few more games. Right. And, you know, I think, you know, there's eventually going to be someone we pick run that's going to get beat.
00:45:28
Speaker
And, I mean, maybe even big upset. We're not going to be perfect. I guarantee you that. yeah ah Okay, we've got Tennessee Wofford. I think that's I don't think we that that's Tennessee. I just we played against those guys, and they are tough.
00:45:45
Speaker
They're good. They're really good. Very good teams. and I don't see that. I don't see Wolford giving them any kind of a game. All right. So let's run back up to the top here. And we've got our second round games.
00:45:58
Speaker
ah Auburn Creighton. I think Creighton could give them a game. I don't know if they can actually pull off the upset.
00:46:10
Speaker
Mm-hmm. i just I just picked Auburn because i've I've already made up my mind about them. and I think I've got them going all the way through to the to the Final Four. so you know I had Louisville winning that game and against Creighton, so I still picked Auburn over Louisville.
00:46:29
Speaker
I don't think much and don't think much about it, really. Okay, I've got and and i should i should I should remember that I did go contra in a couple of picks, so I'll just tell you what I've got on my side and you can tell me.
00:46:41
Speaker
That's fine. So what I've got next is Michigan, Texas A&M. um And as much as I'd like to see Michigan make that run, I just i just can't trust them.
00:46:57
Speaker
And so I'm taking Texas A&M in this game. I did too. I picked i had them both, and I picked Texas A&M. I think this Michigan-Texas A&M lineup might have been one of my other brackets. I switched it around, but right now, on most of my brackets, I picked Texas A&M. Yeah. I've seen them play, and they're good. Yeah. yeah So if we get at whoever we took the San Diego State. I think you took the other the other versus Iowa State.
00:47:27
Speaker
Uh-huh. yeah And I think with Iowa State being without their point guard, I think they they're a one-and-done team. So you think San Diego State? One win and they're done.
00:47:39
Speaker
Yeah, okay. so I'm going to take San Diego State over now, if UNC ends up doing this, I don't see them playing Iowa State, but we'll we you know for purposes of what we pick, that's what I've got. So I'm going to take San Diego State over Iowa State.
00:47:57
Speaker
Okay, well, I have Iowa State and Ole Miss in this game, and I picked Iowa State. I didn't know about the point guard until you pointed that out to me. ah I don't think that Ole Miss is a sweet 16 team. I really don't.
00:48:09
Speaker
But, you know, if they get If they get Iowa State without their good without their point guard, they might take that game. So I might have to go back and change this at some point in time before Thursday. So we'll see i'll put that i'll make I'll think about that one. yeah Marquette, Michigan State, that's going to pit that's goingnna pit a couple good coaches. and You were talking Shaka Smart and Tom Izzo going head-to-head on that game.
00:48:34
Speaker
um Boy, I tell you what, um Michigan State has really looked good these last couple weeks, even though they they didn't win the conference tournament. Absolutely. I'm going to have to go Michigan State.
00:48:48
Speaker
Oh, me too. Me too. I have a lot of respect for Shaka Smart and what he's accomplished at BCU and and kind of brought Marquette back. so But, ah yeah, you go with Michigan State, I think.
00:49:00
Speaker
Next game is Florida-UConn. And as good as Florida has been, We know what UConn can do. I mean, they showed it last year. And they pretty much got the the team that they got from last year back.
00:49:16
Speaker
I mean, I'm i'm a 50-50 flip the coin on this one. And I think I'm going to take the big upset and go UConn. Well, I got to, Don. I don't think this game will be close. I went with Florida. I saw Florida play the SEC tournament.
00:49:30
Speaker
And they're really, really good. and Yeah. They can do a lot of different things, and Todd Golden is a really good coach. I know the guy at UConn is a good coach. He won back-to-back national championship games, but I think it'll be over with when they when they face Florida.
00:49:47
Speaker
I don't think it'll be that close. Actually, okay. ah based I tell you what, based on that, and I know you you watch a lot of SEC, so I'm going to go with it. I'll switch over to Florida on okay Uh, Memphis, Maryland. Uh, I, I don't, I haven't seen a lot of Memphis.
00:50:06
Speaker
I've seen more of Maryland than I want to see. Yeah. I'll be honest with you. Uh, and I had, I tell you, I, I, I have to go with Maryland in this game. I mean, I just think they, that, that duo underneath of of queen and Reese are just,
00:50:24
Speaker
they're tough. And unless you've got a really deep team, and I don't think Memphis does, unless you've got a really deep team, you're not beating Maryland.
00:50:36
Speaker
I don't think. Well, I've seen Memphis play a few times this year, watched them on TV. I find it interesting that they, and I pick Maryland too. I don't think this Memphis team is a sweet 16 team. They're a good team.
00:50:48
Speaker
And maybe they put it together. They're one of these teams that really looks good, like ah like not They could be a sweet six-team some games, and some games it is laying egg. right um So I'll go with Maryland on this game. you I'm pretty comfortable about it.
00:51:03
Speaker
All right. Mizzou, Texas Tech. And i' I don't know about you, but um I'm taking the upset here. I'm taking Mizzou. Well, I did too, only about my loyalty. Texas Tech really has a good team.
00:51:16
Speaker
What I'm counting on on some of these teams that are facing some of these SEC teams, they haven't played them. And they don't know what they're going up. but They haven't had to play them.
00:51:26
Speaker
And they don't know what Missouri can do when they when they're when they're running. And Texas Tech's a good good team. So I'm hoping too Missouri gets to the Sweet Six team. I really do. And I did pick them. um so Okay.
00:51:41
Speaker
Pick them for the upset. St. John's, Arkansas. I think Arkansas's um Cinderella run stops. I do, too. I don't see them taking St. John's down at all. Me neither.
00:51:53
Speaker
No. ah Duke, Mississippi State is what I've got next. That's what I have. That's another one I don't see an upset in that making anywhere shape shape or form.
00:52:07
Speaker
Yeah, me too. Me too. i didn't i didn't have to think much about that. Yeah, right. Oregon, Arizona is the next one I've got. And, boy, I don't know about that one. I mean, i've seen oregon when when Oregon is right and when they're on, they're really damn good.

St. Mary's vs. Alabama and Houston's Final Four Potential

00:52:28
Speaker
But so is Arizona. Yeah. I think, im again, it's one of those I'm going to have to go against my Big Ten ah bias, and I'm going to have take Arizona in this game.
00:52:43
Speaker
I will, too. just Just because of the seeding slightly, but i think it's a good game. yeah But I'm waiting with Arizona, too.
00:52:55
Speaker
yeah ah VCU Wisconsin's the next one up. At least on my side. You went with BYU. Yeah. yeah Still yet.
00:53:07
Speaker
I still think Wisconsin's coming out of that game, no matter who they play. I do, too. I do, too. I think Wisconsin so will get to a sweet 16. I do. Right. ah St. Mary's, Alabama. This could be one of my big upsets. I really like St. Mary's.
00:53:25
Speaker
I really like the way they've played. You can't ignore what Alabama's done in the SEC. They're a really, really good team. We played them, and and they're they're damn good. ah But St. Mary's is on a really tough run. ah And,
00:53:41
Speaker
you know, call me crazy, but I'm taking the upset. I'm taking St. Mary's over Alabama. Well, you know, and Alabama is had to has had some injury problems. i'm I'm going with Alabama mainly because I don't think St. Mary's can stand playing two SEC schools back-to-back, not wearing themselves down.
00:54:03
Speaker
I think Vanderbilt will be hard enough for them. I think Alabama will take the game. That's just me. Well, I'm kind of banking at Vanderbilt's far enough down the down the the pecking order that they won't be that tough on them, so we'll see what happens.
00:54:18
Speaker
All right. Houston, Gonzaga. As much as I love Gonzaga and you know, where they've come from over the years and how tough they've played people.
00:54:29
Speaker
Excuse me. Yeah. I really have a hard time picking them over Houston. I did. Me too. I think Houston, this is Houston's year. I think they'll go to the final four. I do. I just don't see, I don't see Gonzaga stopping them. don't. Right.
00:54:45
Speaker
Right. ah Clemson, Purdue. That's me. I, I, I, I'm, I'm, I don't know. Purdue is a good team. Don't get me wrong. They, they, they are a good team.
00:55:01
Speaker
I, I just can't wrap my head around them being a sweet 16, but by the same token, I can't do that with Clemson either. feel exactly the same, Don. Uh, I did pick Purdue in this game only because of the reasons before.
00:55:17
Speaker
Uh, and, uh, You know, it could go either way. So, yeah, it's hard for me to see Purdue being a solid sweet 16 team. But, you know, I just went with Purdue. so okay Illinois, Kentucky, um you know, my My Illinois bias is telling me to pick Illinois, and and I have in a lot of my brackets. I've got Illinois at least in the Sweet 16 because Kentucky, down the stretch, Kentucky didn't play well.
00:55:50
Speaker
No, they didn't. And Illinois, I've got Illinois in this game. oh You know, mainly because I'm just not sure Kentucky's a Sweet 16 team this year.
00:56:01
Speaker
ah Yeah, you know, I picked Illinois. Illinois. It might have been, I think in one of my other brackets, I switched it around on, but I think this is Illinois. So what I'm, yeah, since I really think that's, that they can pull this out. Kentucky's a three seed seems a little hard to me anyway.
00:56:19
Speaker
Yeah. UCLA, Tennessee, Tennessee's the two seed, UCLA's the seven. I can see UCLA actually, because I've seen them play. I can see them winning this game, but it's going to have to be,
00:56:35
Speaker
their best game. Yeah. I think to, to, to take down Tennessee. So and that's fair I've gone with Tennessee and I'm in the majority of my brackets on this one. Yeah, I did too. I went with Tennessee and I think they're a sweet 16 team, but you know, if, but if UCLA wins the game, it won't be a stunner to me, but it's certainly, yeah, but Tennessee's the way I'm going on this one.
00:56:56
Speaker
Okay. ah We want to try and broach the second weekend here or not. Well, what it depends. It's 8 o'clock. What do you think? Well, it's only going to be, the eight what, eight games? so we can We can buzz through it here um real quick.
00:57:13
Speaker
And then we can do the final four and stuff on our next show. Okay, this is to be the Sweet 16. This will be the Sweet 16 going into the Elite Eight. Yeah. no Okay.
00:57:25
Speaker
All right. So we got Auburn, Texas A&M. Mm-hmm. Yeah, I'm in Auburn. i think Auburn's going all the way, even though, you know, if Texas A&M pulled an upset, I wouldn't be shocked. I wouldn't be shocked.
00:57:40
Speaker
No, I wouldn't be shocked. um And I think actually I've got Texas A&M in a couple of my brackets over Auburn. I'm just not convinced Auburn's a Final Four team.
00:57:51
Speaker
i think they're I think they're an Elite 18 for sure, but I don't believe they're a Final Four team. So I'll go with you, and I'll go with Auburn in this one. San Diego State or your or North Carolina versus Michigan State. um You know, again this is hard to go against Izzo in this game.
00:58:11
Speaker
I mean, you got Ole Miss, I'm pretty sure. I got Iowa State in this one. Oh, you Iowa State, yeah. Yeah, you had to convince me about, convince me with the point guard of Iowa State. Yeah.
00:58:21
Speaker
Either way, I'm going with Michigan State on this one. Okay, yeah. I think i think that's the that's the logical pick for that one. Florida, Maryland, i'm goingnna you know um i may be playing a Big Ten bias here because, again, I'll be honest, I haven't seen Florida play.
00:58:37
Speaker
I've heard a lot about Florida. um But i think I think Maryland pulls the upset. Okay. Well, that's fair. I haven't seen Maryland play. I've seen Florida. Like I said, I've got Florida.
00:58:52
Speaker
going to the lead eight because I'm just a believer in what they've got. yeah Gotcha. No problem with that. yeah ah St. John's, Missouri, as much as I'd love to pick Missouri, screen I just can't see a reason to do it.
00:59:06
Speaker
No, I think it's a sweet 16. I, you know, that'd be doing pretty good. I can't see them overcoming St. John's yeah ah with Patino, you know, and all that Patino. i just don't see it. So yeah I would hope, but I've got St. John.
00:59:20
Speaker
yeah Yeah. It wouldn't break my heart. If you bust my bracket with Missouri winning, I'll put it. Yeah. It wouldn' obviously wouldn't hurt my room hurt my feelings too much. ah Arizona Duke.
00:59:31
Speaker
um you know, there's been a lot of people make a lot of hate. Now, Cooper Flagg is going to miss the first game, but they say he'll be back by the by the by Sunday or at least by the second round.
00:59:42
Speaker
But I guess their other guy on the inside is a little banged up. And duke's got our Arizona's got a pretty good inside game. I've heard ah a number of people that have picked Arizona over Duke.
00:59:56
Speaker
um yeah But then I've also seen the other people saying Duke, but just because the Cooper flag will be there, is going to be the the team that that moves on. I don't know.
01:00:06
Speaker
ah I'm kind of split. I think I've got it going both ways in different brackets. ah what do you What's your inclination? Well, I'm going with Duke, and I pretty well go with Duke in this game in all my brackets. and Okay.
01:00:19
Speaker
You know, a sweet 16 game, you could see an upset. But, you know, with Cooper, I saw them play in the without him in the ACC tournament, and, you know, they did okay.
01:00:30
Speaker
Yeah, they didn't do bad. but no So I went with Duke, you know. Okay. I'm just kidding. All right. Wisconsin-St. Mary's. um you know Again, i like Wisconsin, ah but this is a game. or now i don't know you made Did you take St. Mary's? No, I took Alabama. You took Alabama.
01:00:49
Speaker
If it's Alabama, I guarantee Wisconsin ain't winning. Yeah. If it's Alabama, they ain't winning. Yeah, I got Alabama winning that game. Yeah, but it could be, you know.
01:01:00
Speaker
and i and i think and And I actually think St. Mary's is the type of team that could pull an upset. So I'm gonna i'm saying wisconsins Wisconsin run-ins.
01:01:11
Speaker
So I'm taking St. Mary's. To the Elite Eight. To the Elite Eight. ah Houston, Purdue, I don't think that's any question. I think Purdue's done at that point. Me too.
01:01:22
Speaker
I think Houston's going to win. Like I said, I think they're going. I think they're i think they're they're going to be Final Four material for sure. That leaves the last game as Illinois-Tennessee.
01:01:34
Speaker
um I've got this picked a couple different ways. um If Illinois is on their game, because we only lost to Tennessee by two points when we played them.

Final Four Predictions and Social Media Handles

01:01:45
Speaker
So if Illinois on their game, I think they can take Tennessee. But then again, that was early in the season, and Tennessee's gotten better.
01:01:54
Speaker
Yeah. Although they were, not although they were number one when we played them. So yeah they've dropped spots, but yeah, they, you know, they, uh, they dropped a few spots when they went into the SEC schedule and, um, Tennessee's a good team. I've got them beat Illinois. I just think they will.
01:02:13
Speaker
Uh, Like I said, Don, getting a sweet 16, anything can happen. yeah Right. so But I got Illinois. I got Tennessee advancing. Yeah. I'll ah i'll ah ah i ah'll play along with you on that one, and ill I'll take Tennessee only because I've got that actually in a couple different brackets anyway. so All right. So that takes we've got everything down to the Elite Eight.
01:02:34
Speaker
So by that time will be our next show for the final we'll do one for the Final Four, so we'll have the Elite Eight going into that. or the Elite Eight will already be done by that. And like said, my final four, if we're looking at what we've got left, is probably going to be, I'm going to say Michigan State takes Auburn.
01:02:58
Speaker
And I think Maryland, I think St. John's probably going to be in there. I think Duke and ah Houston will be my final four at this point in time until we we until we meet again in two weeks.
01:03:11
Speaker
Yeah. mouth Yeah. My final four is Auburn and Florida on one side and Duke and Houston on the other side. And I think I had Florida going and Duke going to the championship game.
01:03:23
Speaker
Okay. All right. I've got St. John's in a couple, three of my I've got St. John's winning it in two of my brackets for sure. Okay. ah So, you know, it Because I really, i mean, what I've heard and people I've i've listened to, um you know, i so I'm becoming a believer in two teams in this tournament, and that's St. Mary's and St. John's. So we'll see how much how much my belief helped my belief holds. It's okay.
01:03:51
Speaker
All right. Well, ah Russ, um where can they get a hold of you, buddy? Well, I'm on Twitter. I'm a... Uncle Frank at FR1957.
01:04:04
Speaker
ah Blue Sky, I'm Russ at SKY. And um and um you can find me over some of the Mizzou Facebook groups. So that's where you can find me.
01:04:17
Speaker
All right, and you can find me on on X at TSOTBGCS. ah You can also go to Facebook and find the Talking Sports on the Bleachers podcast. I do i post this podcast there as well.
01:04:33
Speaker
I also now am on Blue Sky, DGlenn3461 at Blue Sky. And I'm going to try and start posting um this this and Talking Sports on the Bleachers and my articles on Blue Sky and see if it works, too. So you might be able to look at us there.
01:04:50
Speaker
You can always find this show on Twitter. or excuse me, on um Spotify. Excuse me.

Gateway Sports Network Shows and Episode Conclusion

01:04:57
Speaker
You can find it at the newgatewaycity.net,
01:05:02
Speaker
where you can find a host other podcasts. uh, podcast. The, a lot of them returning from the, uh, fuel sports, uh, uh, group, uh, this show, the talking sports on the bleachers.
01:05:15
Speaker
Uh, you've also got the two for three with Moose Michaels, uh, the team of rivals with Ron, Pete, and Elliot city soccer with ron and Chris. Uh, there's a couple new shows coming up, but you always are going to have the tried and true Derrick King sports show with the one and only Derrick King.
01:05:35
Speaker
So, for my partner Russ Robinson, this is Don Glenn. I want to tell you guys and wish you have ah have a good day. Stay safe. Have fun. And we're going to see you in a couple weeks. We'll talk the Final Four on the NCAA Report.