NCAA Basketball First Round, Take Two!

So class, what did we learn yesterday? That nothing is ever certain, and even the mighty can fall. All this from a few basketball games. Yes. It’s March.

I had a long talk with my dad this morning about the Big East teams. His exact words: “everyone said, ‘the Big East is so great. The best league in the country.’ They were one point away from having no one win yesterday.” So astute, if not completely accurate. And can we talk about Wake Forest beating Texas? I didn’t even think Wake should be in the tournament, although, that is how an 8-9 match-up should play out. The Washington-Marquette game was probably the best I got to watch yesterday, so even though I had Marquette winning two games, I can’t hate on Washington. And if you try to tell me you picked Ohio over Georgetown, I’m going to punch you right in the face.

Today promises to be nothing short of yesterday, and again, I wish I could be at every single game. We tip-off today at 12:15 p.m. EST with Morgan St. and West Virginia. I have West Virginia winning it all, and as messed up as my bracket is today, my entire tournament is resting on the Mountaineers.

I also have two big upsets picked for today: Cornell over Temple and Siena over Purdue. I think Hubert Davis picked Cornell this morning on Sportscenter, so if it doesn’t happen we can commiserate together. Our two number one seeds, Syracuse and Duke, tip-off in prime time.

Everybody ready? It’s gonna be another great day of basketball.

Scoreboard: Friday, March 19

Update, 10:39 a.m. EST: FACT: If at least three games are decided by three or fewer points, 2010 will set a record for most games decided by three or fewer points since the field expanded to 64 in 1985. And with two more overtime games, 2010 will set a record for most OT games in the first round since the field expanded.

FACT: All the upsets have caused havoc in ESPN’s Tournament Challenge, where just 56 perfect brackets remain out of the 4.8 million entries. Georgetown’s loss ruined many brackets — 97.6 percent of all brackets had Georgetown advancing past Ohio, and 41.8 percent had the Hoyas in the Elite 8.

FACTS courtesy of ESPN

Update, 12:14 p.m. EST: Take me home country roads! Let’s go WVU!!

Update, 12:23 p.m. EST: West Virginia down 10 early, but I still have faith.

Update, 12:54 p.m. EST: West Virginia takes a 5-point lead over Morgan St.; Xavier-Minnesota is a 2-point game; Cornell up 11 on Temple.

Update, 1:02 p.m. EST: In 24 hours I’ll be watching the second round games in Providence. I’m not crafty enough to convey my excitement in words. There is nothing greater than the exclamation point.

Update, 1:09 p.m. EST: WVU takes an 11-point lead into the locker room at half time; Xavier up 1; Cornell up 7.

Update, 1:46 p.m. EST: WVU now running past Morgan St., 56-32; Xavier up 4 early in the second half; Cornell up 6.

Update, 2:34 p.m. EST: WVU, Xavier and Cornell all win. So far, so good. I would really love Siena to upset Purdue.

Update, 3:20 p.m. EST: Siena is up three at halftime, but Clemson is up 7. Come on Mizzou!

Update, 3:43 p.m. EST: Purdue as gone ahead by 10. Come on Siena! Pretend you’re playing at home!!

Update, 4:15 p.m. EST: Purdue up 11 on Siena, but I still think the Saints can pull it out. Clemson-Missouri still close with 14 minutes left to go, and don’t forget Wisconsin-Wofford, tied with 16 minutes left.

Update, 4:26 p.m. EST: Siena cuts it to 5 3! Missouri takes the lead!

Update, 4:35 p.m. EST: I appreciate the effort by Siena. Nice try.

Update, 4:56 p.m. EST: Wofford-Wisconsin still VERY close with 2 minutes left.

Update, 5:06 p.m. EST: Missouri-Clemson and Wofford-Wisconsin STILL close with SECONDS left.

Update, 5:08 p.m. EST: Thanks Mizzou – I needed that win! And to you as well Wisconsin.

Update, 5:13 p.m. EST: It could get a little dicey for me in these night games. But all in all I’m pretty pleased with the day. Homeward bound folks. See you on the flip side.

Update, 9:23 p.m. EST: I’m really conflicted by this GT-OK St. game, because I love Paul Hewitt and his pinstripe blazers. But I have Oklahoma St. in my bracket.

Update, 9:55 p.m. EST: Why is everyone getting punched in the “you-know-where”? It’s just mean and weird.