by Joe Asterio
SportsIntensity.com

originally published 03/02/06

What's Up Sports fans! It's that time again, and whether you are a pure basketball enthusiast, or looking to hit it big playing the odds, there is no better time of year.   The tournament begins Thursday, March 16th , and (cough, cough) I feel a few sick days coming up.

March Madness is the best playoff system in sports today (Take note, College Football).   The chance that a school's entire season can be remembered as a Cinderella or a catastrophic bust makes it an edge-of-your-seat month.

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The most important thing to look at when picking your games is coaching.   Since 1996 the following coaches have won NCAA titles:
1996 - Rick Patino
1997 - Lute Olsen
1998 - Tubby Smith
1999 - Jim Calhoun
2000 - Tom Izzo
2001 - Mike Krzyewski
2002 - Gary Williams
2003 - Jim Boeheim
2004 - Jim Calhoun
2005 - Roy Williams

Even it you aren't among the college basketball elite, chances are you are familiar with these men.   All have established themselves as top-tier, hall of fame coaches.   This year is no different.   With all of these coaches leading their clubs this year, there shouldn't be any surprises.   Jim Calhoun has a club tailor-made for a strong tournament run.   UCONN runs about 8 players deep (huge come tournament time), with the best front and back court balance in college hoops.   

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Picking the final four is the easy part.   Usually it ends up being a battle among #1s and #2s, occasionally a lower-ranked team slips in.   The "upsets", though, are a bit harder.   Last year was flooded with them.   #13 Vermont knocked off #4 Syracuse, #12 Milwaukee-Wisconsin took care of #5 Alabama and #4 Boston College.   Who knew?

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When it comes to picking your teams remember one thing, the beasts are in the east.   Most years, the PAC 10, WCC, and Big 12 don't fare up very well against the Big Ten, Big East, and ACC.   This year is no different.   I'm sure you've all seen the non-stop coverage of Adam Morrison and the Gonzaga Bulldogs.   They've been a top ten club almost all season.   Currently at 25-3, they appear to be a lock to go deep into the tourney.  

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But, as their regular season results dictate, I wouldn't pencil them into my final four just yet.   Although they are 14-0 in conference play, Gonzaga is currently 2-3 versus top 25 teams.   They have trounced teams such as Pepperdine and Santa Clara all year.   It took them three overtimes to defeat an overrated Michigan State team in the Maui Invitational before losing the championship to the Huskies.   I see this team being bounced early.   I could also write the same regarding Memphis, who is in a similar situation.

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Nothing can fine-tune a team for a run in March better than a strong regular season schedule.   Teams in the Big Ten, ACC, and Big East have been playing the best in college basketball every week.   There will be no surprises for them come tournament time.  

March Madness is only a few weeks away, so practice your best sick-voice to use when you call into work, put your pizza delivery guy on speed dial, sit back and enjoy the ride.

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