I guess, once it was down to North Carolina vs a 10 seed, and then Buddy Hield for Oklahoma, that looked like the most "logical" national title game. Villanova only had maybe three Final Four appearances, despite how they qualify for the tournament pretty often.
Well, this season, I filled out three brackets just in time (none for the women, but I think that would be even harder to win, since Connecticut is a favorite to win five times in five years). They all came out differently when picking a champion.
My most conservative bracket had 25 wins in the first round. That's pretty good, but if all you did was predict "chalk" in that round (the higher seed winning every game), you would've been 26-6. That kind of bugs me, because where is the reward for thinking Winthrop could make a run to the Sweet 16? Also, with fewer low seeds winning (only one 12 seed, and none with a larger number), it seems like the second round upsets will have to be 11 beating 3, or 8/9 taking out a #1 seed. The more high seeds that keep advancing, the less "shocking" an upset might be in the later rounds. I think a #10 beat a #1 last year, but the other #1 seeds may have been eliminated by a #2.
That's not to say that the second round hasn't already seen 11 defeating 3 or 8 advancing past #1.
Getting back to that first bracket, it looks like I only have one win in the second round. Four games have gone final, even at a kind of late hour on Saturday (9 PM Eastern), and one is going to have a winner that I didn't advance to the next round. My Sweet 16 could have up to 12 correct predictions. Notre Dame and Villanova won't be in the Elite 8, but the Final Four doesn't have any red lines yet. I have North Carolina getting back to the championship game, but winning this time over Arizona (the game will be played in the Phoenix metro area).
In the second bracket, I was 23-9 in the first round, and I can only place up to 12 teams in the Sweet 16 again. The Elite 8 only took one hit so far (Villanova), so that bracket might have a better maximum score. The Final Four would be Arizona and Kentucky advancing ("rematch" of 1997), with Arizona winning a "home" game.
For the third bracket, I tried to imagine at least one 12 vs 13 matchup in the second round, but it didn't materialize. I only see a 20-12 record in that Round of 64. Even in the second round, I'm not sure why I advanced (14) Florida Gulf Coast past (11) Xavier. My Facebook account is on record saying that Xavier "looked dangerous" in their bracket, but they don't show up in any of my Sweet 16 rounds. Now, assuming that Arizona aren't upset by St. Mary's, and then if Xavier also beats Arizona, that could be a pretty big deal.
That third bracket might have the highest possible remaining score. The Sweet 16 is the same as the other two (up to 12 correct teams), and Villanova are already out of the Elite 8, but everything else looks good. In that third scenario, Duke would beat UCLA in the final.
In the real tournament, I'm looking at each region and trying to guess the strongest Final Four contenders. The West region will be completely filled in (up to the regional semifinals) in maybe another hour or 90 minutes. It's Gonzaga, West Virginia, and Xavier for sure. Arizona is still playing St. Mary's in a really low-scoring game. Assuming Arizona gets through, I think you'd still have to favor them, and Gonzaga looks like a contender, but it really depends if they can beat West Virginia. I'm not sure if Xavier could beat at least two of those remaining teams, but they don't even know their next opponent.
One Elite 8 spot is going to come down to Wisconsin, Florida, or Virginia. I really have NO idea there. I believe Virginia was an Elite 8 school just last year, but also with a #1 seed (only #5 this season). They have an extremely high defensive rating. Wisconsin is another team where you probably need to look at the name and ignore the seed. Weren't they in the semifinals or the title game in the last two or three years? That was with big man Frank Kaminiski, who went to the NBA. Pretty much, between those three teams that I named, you have three different power conferences ("B1G" 10, SEC, ACC). I would probably rank Virginia ahead for now.
Out of the #2 seeds that still need to play, I'd say Duke looks the "safest." Michigan beating Louisville might not be an "upset." I remember that as the championship game maybe in 2013, but with Louisville winning. You can't count out Wichita State (the only #10 to advance?) against Kentucky. I forget if they played recently, or if I'm thinking of Kansas. One season, Wichita State entered the tournament undefeated, but that usually ends badly (St. Joseph's, Kentucky, ...).
Florida State was the first #3 seed to lose, but I don't have a lot of confidence in the #3 seeds this year, other than UCLA. Oregon and Baylor have both been improving in recent seasons, but it's hard to tell when they'll break through to that Final Four level where you'd consider them a championship team.
Did I skip the #1 seeds somehow? Kansas should be able to hold off this year's Michigan State team, but Michigan State makes a lot of sneaky Final Four appearances. Villanova already lost. Gonzaga were ahead by 20 to a team that was in the tournament for the first time in something like 77 years (no prior appearances). North Carolina looks good until they potentially play the winner of UCLA/Kentucky.
If they get to play all the games, then one team will emerge as the winner, but I don't see ANY heavy favorite this year. Meanwhile, how is Chelsea Handler outscoring all three of my brackets? Why do I try to make those comparisons between my guesses and a celebrity playing the Tournament Challenge game?
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WWE 2K18 ROSTER & MATCH TYPES | ||||
If you see multiple of the same name, it just means different versions that can be in the ring together. Names highlighted in blue are Cruiserweights | ||||
1 Up Man Adam Cole Aerostar Aiden English AJ Styles Akam Akira Tozawa Albert Aleister Black Alexander Wolfe Andrade "Cien" Almas Andre The Giant Angelo Dawkins Animal Apollo Crews Ariya Daivari Arnold T101 Austin Aries B Brian Blair Bam Bam Bigelow Baron Corbin Barron Blade Batista '10 Beautiful Bobby Eaton Big Boss Man '91 Big Boss Man '99 Big Cass Big E Big Show Big Show '00 Bo Dallas Bobby Fish Bobby Roode Booker T Braun Strowman Bray Wyatt Bret Hart '97 Bret Hart '98 Brian Kendrick British Bulldog Brock Lesnar Brutus Beefcake Bryan Danielson Buddy Roberts Butch Cactus Jack '92 Cactus Jack '98 Captain Jobber Cedric Alexander Cesaro Chad Gable Chris Jericho |
Chris Jericho '00 Christian Col Sanders Cole Quinn Curt Hawkins Curtis Axel Daniel Bryan Dark Link Darren Young Dash Wilder DDP '92 DDP '98 Dean Ambrose Dennis Condrey Diesel Doc Louis Dolph Ziggler Donatello Drago Drew Gulak Drew McIntyre Dude Love Dusty Rhodes Earthquake Eddie Guerrero Edge El Mago Elias Enzo Amore Epico Colon Eric Young Erick Rowan Fandango Finn Balor Finn Balor Demon The Godfather Goldberg Goldust Gorgeous George Gran Metalik Greg Valentine Hawk Heath Slater Hideo Itami Hurricane Jack Gallagher Jake Roberts Jason Jordan JBL Jeff Hardy Jey Uso Jim Brunzell |
Jim Neidhart Jimmy Garvin Jimmy Uso Jinder Mahal John Cena John Cena '06 John Cena '10 Johnny Gargano The Joker Kalisto Kane Kane '98 Karl Anderson Kassius Ohno Kerry Von Erich Kevin Nash Kevin Owens Kevin Von Erich Killian Dain King Cuerno King Feck Kofi Kingston Konnor Kurt Angle '01 Kurt Angle '06 Kyle O'Reilly Larry Zbysko Lars Sullivan Leonardo Lex Luger Lince Dorado Link Little Mac Luigi Luke Luke Gallows Luke Harper Mankind Mario Mark Henry Matt Hardy Michael Hayes Michaelangelo The Miz Mojo Rawley Montez Ford Mortis Mr.205 Live Mr. McMahon Mr. Perfect Mustafa Ali Necroplasm |
Neville Nick Miller No Way Jose Noam Dar Noob Saibot Oney Locan Optimus Prime Otis Dozovic Papa Shango Pentagon Jr Pete Dunne Primo Colon Prince Puma R-Truth Randy Orton Randy Savage Raphael Razor Ramon Reptile Retro Rick Rey Fenix Rey Mysterio Rezar Rhyno Ric Flair '88 Ric Flair '91 Rich Swann Rick Martel Rick Rude Ricky Morton Ricky Steamboat '91 Ricky Steamboat '94 Rikishi Rob Van Dam '06 Robert Gibson The Rock The Rock '01 Roddy Piper Roderick Strong Roman Reigns Rusev Sami Zayn Samoa Joe Sawyer Fulton Scorpion Scott Dawson Scott Hall Seth Rollins Shane McMahon Shane Thorne Shao Khan Shawn Michaels '97 |
Shawn Michaels '98 Sheamus Shelton Benjamin Shinsuke Nakamura Sin Cara Snoop Dogg Stan Lane Starman Steve Austin '97 Sting Sting '88 Sting '91 Sting '98 Sting '99 Stormtrooper Stunning Steve Austin Subzero MKX Superman Sycho Sid Tatanka Tatsumi Fujinami Ted DiBiase TehJew22 Titus O'Neil TJP Tommaso Ciampa Tony Nese Triple H Triple H '01 Triple H '98 Tucker Knight Tye Dillinger Tyler Bate Tyler Breeze Typhoon Tyson Kidd Ultimate Warrior Ultimo Dragon Undertaker (Classic) The Undertaker Undertaker '00 Vader Vampiro Velveteen Dream Venom Viktor Voltron Waluigi Wario William Regal Xavier Woods Zack Ryder |
WOMEN | ||||
Alexa Bliss Alicia Fox Alundra Blayze Asuka Bayley Becky Lynch Beth Phoenix Bianca Belair Billie Kay Brie Bella Cammy Carmella Charlotte Chun Li Dana Brooke Ember Moon Emma Ivelise Velez |
Ivory Jacqueline Jade Kairi Sane Kharma Kitana Lana Lita Liv Morgan Mandy Rose Mariposa Maryse Mickie James Mileena Naomi Natalya Nia Jax |
Nikki Bella Nikki Cross Paige Peyton Royce Ronda Rousey Ruby Riot Sarah Logan Sasha Banks Sexy Star Shayna Baszler Sonya Blade Sonya Deville Stephanie McMahon Summer Rae Tamina Taya Valkyrie Trish Stratus Wii Fit Trainer | ||
VALETS & MANAGERS Anyone above can be a "manager" plus... | ||||
Bobby Heenan Lana |
Mr. McMahon Paul Ellering Paul Heyman |
Stephanie McMahon Ted DiBiase | ||
MATCH TYPES | ||||
*** ONE ON ONE *** Normal |
*** TRIPLE THREAT *** Normal |
*** FATAL 4 WAY *** Normal |
*** TWO ON TWO *** Normal *** 8-MAN *** Tag Team |
*** 6-MAN *** Tag Team *** HANDICAP *** One on Two Tag |
MATCH MODIFIERS | ||||
Pin & Submission Both, Pin, Submit, Off 2 Out of 3 Falls Iron Man |
Over the Top Rope On, Off K.O. Last Man Standing |
Perform Finisher to Win On, Off First Blood Climb out of Cage (Cage Match Only) DQ |
Rope Break (Automatic) On, Off Ring Out Elimination |
Falls Count Anywhere On, Off Time Limit Entrance Interval (Chamber/Rumble) |
SUPER SMASH BROS. ROSTER & SETTINGS | |||
Akira Alph Austin Powers Bayonetta Bob Ross Bowser Bowser Jr Burger King Captain Falcon Charizard Charlie Brown Chuck Norris Cloud Col Sanders Corrin Dark Pit Diddy Kong Donkey Kong Dr. Mario Dracula Drew Carey |
Duck Hunt Dumbledore Falco Fox Ganondorf Greninja Iggy Jr Ike Jacky Jigglypuff Joker King Dedede Kirby Larry Jr Lemmy Jr Link Little Mac Lucario Lucas Lucina Lucy Ludwig Jr |
Luigi Majora Mario Marth Mega Man Meta Knight Mewtwo Morton Jr Mr. Game & Watch Mr. Miyagi Ness Olimar Pac-Man Palutena Peach Peppermint Patty Pikachu Pit Popeye R.O.B. Retro Rick Robin |
Rosalina & Luma Roy Roy Jr Ryu Samus Sheik Shulk Snoop Dog Sonic Steve Urkel TehJew22 Toon Link Villager Wario Weird Al Wendy Jr Wii Fit Trainer Yoshi Zelda Zero Zerosuit Samus |
BATTLE TYPES TIME BATTLE: All characters battle for a set amount of time scoring one point per KO and LOSING one point each time they are KO'ed. STOCK BATTLE: All characters have a set number of lives and when they run out, they're done. When combined with a time limit whomever has more lives left when time runs out wins. COIN BATTLE: For 2-4 characters ONLY! Coins are knocked out of characters as they battle. After a fixed time limit whomever has the most coins wins. SETTINGS TIME LIMIT: Can be from 1 to 15 minutes. |