No way I predicted this.
Maryland plays Kansas tonight in the Sweet Sixteen.
Syracuse takes on Gonzaga tomorrow night with the same chance to advance to the NCAA men’s college basketball tournament’s Elite Eight.
Hover over either gallery photo (Getty Images) for a description. Click on either for an enlarged slide show.
My alma mater and hometown teams both won their first two games in their respective brackets.
March Madness, indeed.
Before Selection Sunday, I was sure Syracuse was not going to make the tournament, so badly did Coach Jim Boeheim’s squad limp to the finish of the regular portion of the season, losing five of its last six games. And then the Orange looked refreshed, beating Dayton in the first round, a 10 seed topping a 7. In the second round, Syracuse ran away from Cinderella, vanquishing Middle Tennessee State, the 15 seed that had shocked No. 2 Michigan State and won much attention in its first-round contest.
As for my Terrapins, this is where I hoped they’d be able to get, a No. 5 seed beating the upstart 12 South Dakota State’s late rally, and then spoiling another underdog darling’s dream, 13-seed Hawaii, in an easy game under Maryland’s terms.
Now Maryland must face Kansas, which the NCAA committee called the top No. 1 seed.
But Syracuse, that 10 seed, will again wear the white jersey of the higher seed, facing 11th-seeded Gonzaga.
I honestly, frankly, cannot and will not predict what will happen.
On my bracket in my friend Steve’s pool, after all, I picked Michigan State to win the national championship. Yup, those Michigan State Spartans, out in the first round.
Who did you pick to win in your bracket? How is your bracket holding up? Who’s more likely to win, Maryland or Syracuse?
Mark Bialczak 
Good luck to your teams. I’m cheer, cheering for old Notre Dame, of course! Did you see that miracle comeback victory on Sunday? I screamed out loud when he tipped in that rebound with 1.5 seconds left to win the game. The Luck of the Irish lives! 🙂
LikeLike
Good luck tonight, Austin! Your Irish are looking good, my friend.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, they barely escaped on Sunday. That game should not have been so difficult!
LikeLike
Uh oh. This is how bad I am. Not only do I not know what a bracket is, I don’t follow it enough to have known — even though I live in Lexington KY — that Kentucky apparently hasn’t made the finals. If there’s a sports fan scale, I must not even be on it 🙂
LikeLike
Yes, Kentucky lost to Indiana. Major fail down there, Leigh. Uh-oh.
LikeLiked by 1 person
lucky for you! 2! wow –
LikeLike
Weird season, Beth, down to the end. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
No comment.
LikeLike
OK, I will be with Maryland, and Indiana, and Wisconsin in spirit, but it’ll be a bruised spirit.
LikeLike
That was one stinkin’ first round, Scott. Ouch. I couldn’t believe it.
LikeLike
Yeah, I don’t blame you, Scott. Really.
LikeLike
It’s been a fun tournament so far. My ball-nut son is home for the weekend, so I expect to be glued to the set.
LikeLiked by 1 person
All those seeds, and it being spring and all, surely something exciting will grow out of it – ha! can you tell I have no clue what you are discussing?
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s all right, Paul, I’m only faking it.
LikeLike
Fans grow straight and true, Paul. Loyal ones, anyhow. 🙂 Your sports lesson for the day from me. Hahaha.
LikeLike
Hey Ross – have you seen Pizza Hut’s TV ads for their “Game Day Meal”? It shows the guys all glued to the TV watching and cheering for an old ladies croquet match – I can just see you there taking in all the excitement while munching pizza. Ha! Have a great weekend with your son!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The game of kings.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great timing for your son’s return home, Ross. Enjoy having hoop-shaped eyes this weekend, my friend. 🙂
LikeLike
I don’t bracketize any more. I just watch the games. This is the best time of year for me. Well one of the best. Good luck to your teams. I’ll be watching too.
LikeLike
Good luck for Indiana this round and beyond if they make it past UNC, Benson. This is exciting!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You do know what Final match up would be cool;don’t you?
LikeLike
Would it happen to be a final rematch? 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Got to root for your Terps now that they are in the Big Ten, I’m still on an emotional high with my Hoo Hoo Hoosiers after beating UK. Hopefully, UNC tomorrow night can’t throw it in the ocean and we can squeak out a win!
LikeLike
I’m all-in for the Big Ten now with my Terps, Skippah, including going for your Hoosiers over the Tar Heels. Shhh. Don’t tell my longtime ACC friends about that one.
LikeLiked by 1 person