Time to put up, and so here's my bracket. I used my five tips as a guideline and, in cases where I didn't follow them, something about the matchup that prompted me to go against the trend.
I picked against the chalk, Kentucky. I didn't do it because I don'think the Wildcats can win (or because they are Louisville's hated rival), but rather they'll be the popular pick and going them will pay off if they don't win it all.
There also are practical reasons to fade Kentucky. The Wildcats have been very lucky in close games going back to last year's NCAA tournament run. Stats guys will tell you that there's not much skill involved in winning tight contests and that no team should win (or lose) all such games. I'm thinking Kentucky's luck finally runs out against one of the other two teams in this tournament with a championship profile: Arizona and Villanova.
Good luck in your bracket. Go Cards.
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