While I don't want to take anything away from Bradley's back-to-back victories against power conference big-names Kansas and Pittsburgh, the real winner here is me, for I predicted the 13-seeded Braves would win their first two games. (Here's proof.)
While that's my name on the front of Blogcritics Sports, by no means am I a prognostication wizard. In my company's NFL pick'em contest, I was fourth to last in a field of about 80. And last year, I was wrong about every MLB playoff series. Every. Freaking. Series.
Somehow, some way, I got it right with this Bradley pick, but I haven't the foggiest idea why.
I mean, who's Bradley? How were they able to beat a basketball powerhouse with 12 Final Four appearances (Kansas) in the first round - and have enough gas in the tank to strike a Big East team (Pittsburgh) between the eyes?
(Shrug.)
Bradley hails from the Missouri Valley Conference, a sparkling mid-major conference that has captured college basketball's heart. BU didn't win the conference, and they were a lowly fifth in the standings. But they made a run in The Valley's tournament all the way to the championship game. And since they were given an at-large 13 seed, they were one of the last teams — if not the last — at-large school to be given an invitation to March's biggest party.
Another Valley team, Wichita State, is also making a statement in the tournament. The No. 7-seeded Shockers plowed through Seton Hall and 2-seed Tennessee.
So the Missouri Valley has two teams in the Sweet 16. Neither the Big Ten nor the Big XII can say that this year.
But back to the important stuff: me and my correct prediction. (How did we get off topic?)
I was aware of the MVC's power surge. So I knew one of those teams had to make it.
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Article comments
1 - Mark Sahm
Picking Bradley must be your cosmic balance for thinking North Carolina would make it to the Final. Although I'm sure some people out there just lost this month's paycheck on account of George Mason.