Notes for Round 2 of the Tourney

- I know the game tips off right about now, but I fully expect the VCU/Michigan game to be the best game of the day.  Burke and Hardaway are two great college guards, and could handle the havoc defense.  If they can't, and there is a significant difference if field goal percentage (both very realistic) then VCU could win.  I like VCU 82-77.

- How about those upsets?!?  Fla. GC, Harvard and LaSalle, plus a bunch of 12 seeds.  I am very impressed by the play of the underseeded teams.  Oregon and Cal have great chances to move on, and Ole Miss matchup with LaSalle, guaranteeing that a double digit seed makes the sweet 16.  His shot selection is downright scary, but Marshal Henderson will be the X-Factor.

- Not a great few days for top 5 draft picks.  Marcus Smart couldn't take over against Oregon.  Ben McLemore was very passive against Western Kentucky.  Shabazz Muhammad shot poorly, and lied about his age (turns out he is 20, not 19- This will cost him his #1 ranking on the board, dropping him to 3.  If McLemore can play well, he will be #1.  If not, Noel is the guy.)  Otto Porter showed glimpses of greatness, though his Hoya squad lost to #15 Fla. Gulf Coast.  Anthony Bennett had a double double, but looked overmatched at times.  Zeller and Oladipo were solid, but against a 16 seed, they should be.  Keep an eye on McLemore especially moving forward.  If he can show he can be dominant, watch out.  If not, look for VCU/Michigan (I picked VCU) to upset Kansas at the round of 16.

- Is it too much to ask for a buzzer beater?  There was potential, but all were missed.  Vander Blue had a clutch lay-in with a second to go to finish off Davidson's collapse, and there were a flurry of other chances missed.  Expect one or two in the next few days- I'll say the best chance will be Allan Crabbe against Syracuse.

- Brackets-be-damned, this is the best time of the year.  Root for your team, the underdogs, and get pumped about March MADNESS.  I love it, and you can guarantee I will be a couch potato for the next few days.  That said, my bracket is in the 79th percentile on ESPN after round one- My final four of Louisville, Ohio State, VCU and Indiana are all alive, for now.