2006 NCAA Brackets
 

This is the year that I win sportsbook.com’s 2006 NCAA brackets contest. I have it dialed in. Is there anything more difficult than picking this thing? Maybe I won’t be able to win the 10 million, but I’ll settle for the five grand for first place. Nothing like a free chance at cash. Just another example why March remains the greatest month of the year. Spring training and NCAA hoops.

America’s work force has officially stopped producing today. For the next four days, projects, conference calls and documents will be put on hold. Supervisors will surprise cubicle workers with walk-by checkups and observe a handful of 40-something women closing windows on their computer where they’re reading about Winthrop’s top scorers.

This is what the tournament does to people. These 64 games transfix a nation, and perhaps even the world. People who care little about college basketball, decide that it’s a point of reference in the office. It’s an access point for an important conversation with an intimidating boss.

“How’s the bracket looking George?” you ask at the water cooler.

“It’s looking pretty bad. I need help,” the boss says.

“I need a vacation. Can you approve two weeks in May?”

All right, a little bit of an exaggeration, but the tourney brings folks together and prolongs more lunches on Thursday and Friday than bosses would like. At dinners and family parties, there’s always someone excusing himself or herself to check scores.

I’ll be writing a daily dose with picks in every game. There are a bunch that I’ll stay away from. But for the most part I’m going to have a little action on every contest. So while you all dig into your bracket and search the web, I’m thinking about NCAA strategy. I’m thinking about who can cover and who can’t. I’m thinking about those five immediate factors that decide games in March and sway my predictions:

1. Guard play

2. Free throw shooting

3. Neutral court performance

4. Coaching

5. Conference performance

Remember, it’s Monday. So don’t spend all your time researching the 32 games at the end of the week. Who cares about the other 63 games when we have the play in game on Tuesday night? I’m fixed on Hampton and Monmouth.

Nothing quite like Dayton on a Tuesday night. I like Monmouth (-5.5) over Hampton. Here’s why:

1. Hampton didn’t play a good team this season and finished fourth in its conference before making a great tourney run.

2. Hampton shoots 62 percent from the free throw line

3. Monmouth played a tougher schedule and even beat Southern Illinois early in the season.

4. Monmouth shoots 66.5 percent from the free throw line.

5. Hampton is happy to be here, Monmouth expects to win and will be inspired to play Villanova, a team that has players who Monmouth guys played in high school.