PFB Picks for the 2016 NCAA Tournament

It’s almost more fun this way. For me anyway. No guilt over having Oklahoma State bounced in the first round. No shameful comments about how I don’t deserve to run a Poke blog when I have OSU getting thrashed by Oregon in the first round. Just pure, unadulterated March Madness bliss.

Here are our picks for the Dance.

Kyle P.

Summary: I have no clue what I’m doing. I don’t watch much college hoops outside of the Big 12 so I inherently think all Big 12 teams are overrated because I see all their flaws (and how they either lost to lowly Oklahoma State or almost did). I mean, Kansas lost in GIA to a 3-15 team and I’m supposed to pick them to win it all?

Anyway, I’m semi-fading the teams I think everyone will pick (OU, Kansas, Carolina) and going a little against the grain. I want to fade Michigan State because it feels like everyone has them winning it, but how am I supposed to go against Tom Izzo and a superduperstar like Denzel in March? Answer: I’m not.

Kyle B.

Summary: I’ve watched more college hoops this year than I have in several years, which naturally means I’m probably in serious trouble here. The only predictable element in March is unpredictability.

Filling out my bracket based off the most manly mascot has gotten me in trouble in recent years, so I’m picking the Jayhawks over the Spartans in the finals. They ran circles around everyone in the Big 12 tournament, and their depth is lookin’ gooooooood at the right time. All Hail Bill Self!

Carson

Summary: Ah, March Madness … the time of year where everyone becomes a college basketball expert despite not watching college basketball. I always find it humorous that radio hosts, my friends and myself make vehement arguments for teams like Xavier even though we watched them play maybe once.

I won all my bracket pools last year[1.Thanks, Sam Dekker!] mainly because I faded the prohibitive favorite Kentucky.[1. These weren’t for money. Just pride. Lots and lots of pride.] But, like Kyle, I can’t do that to Tom Izzo. He’s a machine and he is due. Tommy I. has made the Final Four a whopping seven (!) times but has won a single national title. He wins his second in 2016.