Guest picker: Kelley

So, you’re picking Kansas to win it all?

I didn’t really want to pick them because we all know they’ve had their share of chokes in the tournament. It’s one of those years where there are a lot of good teams but I don’t think there’s any one great team. There could be a four or five s

eed win it this year. Like Louisville. (Kelley is a native of Louisville and is a huge Cardinals fan)

Obviously I’m a die-hard Louisville fan. Do I think they can win the tournament? No. Can we beat six teams in a row? Probably not. But the way we press, the way we play defense and the way we play as a team, you never know. I’ve got them done after two.

You have 10-seed Michigan State going to the Elite Eight?

I originally went with UCLA (over Michigan State) in the first round, but I had to go back and remember that Tom Izzo gets those boys to the Elite Eight every year no matter what.

I like St. John’s over BYU in the second round, so you’d better watch Jimmer early. The way they played against San Diego State, I don’t think they’re all that good.

Your pick for the Washington Huskies?

I’ve got them winning over Georgia. I’m not big on Georgia. I don’t think Georgia should have gotten in. There are more deserving teams.

I’ve got the Huskies winning, but it’s tough with UNC in the second round. Although, UNC is streaky. The way they’ve been playing in the first half lately, anybody can beat them. But that Harrison Barnes guy is pretty talented.

No true Cinderellas anywhere in this bracket?

I’ve got Wisconsin right now in the Final Four. Would you call that a Cinderella? I don’t know since they’re a four seed.

Michigan State, I’ve got them going to the Elite Eight and they could be in the Final Four. They could beat a Pitt or a Wisconsin or a Kansas State, whoever comes out up there. But I don’t know if you can call Michigan State a Cinderella even if they’re a 10 seed.

What’s your overall bracket strategy?

I work through one section at a time. For instance, I’ll go through the East section and pick who I have in mind in my Final Four and then work backwards off how they get there and how I see it playing out. If I have a strategy at all, that would be it.

The Big East is hands-down dominant, but that tournament they go through is brutal. Everybody is on the UConn bandwagon now with Kevin Walker but I can see them being done early, just being dead next week after playing five games like that.

You claim you’re the biggest college basketball expert with the Mariners?

Nobody really is out there bragging about it or talking about it. Alonzo Powell is pretty good at this stuff, but I’m by far the best. Come on.

My bracket probably will be a mess with a bunch of red Xs, but whose won’t be?

What’s the best bracket you’ve ever put together?

I did one when I was younger. It was 1995 and UCLA won it. I was only 11. It was a pool at my mom’s school and the teachers all did it. I didn’t miss many games. I don’t remember the total, but I ran away with that thing. I think I had the Elite Eight, the Final Four and the final game. I nailed it.

(That Final Four was played at the Kingdome in Seattle)

I’ve been a little sloppy the last couple of years, but there have been a lot upsets the last couple of years.

If there’s going to be a big upset in this tournament, what’s it going to be?

I could see Kansas take an early exit. Even though I’ve got Wisconsin in my Final Four, there could be an early upset with Belmont over Wisconsin. That would kill my bracket.