The State News

Opening remarks:

The Boss: OK, so last week the flipping-the-coin method didn't exactly work for me so I'm back to my regular hatchet-job picking. And you can take these to the bank!

Tomahawk: While it's nice to have some non-coin-flipping competition for once, couldn't you come up with a better nickname than "The Truth," Conley? I mean, if you're going to take someone's XFL name, why not "He Hate Me"?

The Truth: Glad to see the higher-ups finally decided to give Tomahawk a real progs partner. The State News must have lost a bit too much credibility with The Boss tanking it every week in this space.

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MSU vs. George Mason

The Boss: Here we go, gang, NCAA Tournament time.

I'm interested to see how the Spartans will handle this game. The Patriots will be without one of their best players, which could give MSU some anti-motivation. On the other hand, this is a team that underachieved all season long and has a lot to prove here.

MSU 91, George Mason 71

Tomahawk: Patriots guard Tony Skinn will be suspended for this game after he punched an opponent in the, ahem, groin last week. The Spartans undoubtedly breathed a sigh of relief with the news that their child-making capabilities will be a little bit better protected.

The Patriots aren't the kind of team that has bothered MSU this season.

MSU 74, George Mason 60

The Truth: I honestly have no idea what to expect from this MSU team. An early exit, like in '04 against Nevada? A surprise run to the Elite Eight, like '03? I'm tempted to pick George Mason to pull off the upset. It just feels like an off year for the Spartans. They'll win, but it'll be close enough to put any MSU fan's antiperspirant to the test.

MSU 72, George Mason 64

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North Carolina vs. Murray State

The Boss: Murray State, meet Vermont. North Carolina, meet Syracuse.

I'm smelling it here (no, I'm not sniffing glue, I really am.)

Murray State's got to be one of the most underrated teams in basketball.

Let's call this a hunch.

Murray State 68, North Carolina 64 (OT)

Tomahawk: I'll tell you why I can't buy into a long run by the Tar Heels. Yes, they're really talented, but they're also really, really young. I just can't overlook that. Putting them in the Final Four on my bracket would feel like dating a high schooler.

But the Tar Heels do have more than enough talent to get by Murray State. In fact, Bill Murray would probably have a better chance in this one. By himself.

North Carolina 78, Murray State 58

The Truth: Come on, Boss, you're giving the high-scoring Tar Heels just 64 points against a No. 14 seed from the Ohio Valley Conference? Are you sure you abandoned the coin-flip method? Never underestimate the power of good coaching (and recruiting). Four players from last year's championship roster went in the first round of the NBA draft, yet despite the exodus, head coach Roy Williams has No. 3 North Carolina back in the tournament.

North Carolina 82, Murray State 63

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Wisconsin vs. Arizona

The Boss: Here we have two teams that criminally underachieved this season and have a chance to redeem themselves on the biggest stage of them all.

The Badgers have been a tough nut to crack this season. All the talent is there, yet they go ahead and lose to North Dakota State.

Arizona hasn't been anything special though. Eh, go Big Ten, go.

Wisconsin 59, Arizona 55

Tomahawk: This might look like Big Ten bias to the untrained eye, but the Wildcats are a tournament disaster waiting to happen. They're possibly the most undisciplined team in the field, which explains why they're 1-7 against the Top 25 this season.

Arizona will lead early until Bo Ryan does what we all expect him to do — spontaneously grow horns and a tail, then cast the Wildcats to hell.

Wisconsin 67, Arizona 60

The Truth: I'm more intrigued about seeing Lute Olson and Bo Ryan coaching at the same time than I am about the actual game. How often do you get to see two guys who look like wax sculptures scream for 150 minutes straight?

Since Olson may or may not be dead already, I'll take Ryan to once again will the Badgers into the next round.

Wisconsin 63, Arizona 58