March Madness: Round 2 picks

Day One was mostly upset-free, but Day Two made up for it, with two No. 15 seeds taking down their No. 2 matchups (Norfolk State over Missouri; Lehigh over Duke) and plenty of other lower seeds moving on. Here's what to look for in Round 2.

SOUTH
This region had some of the best upsets of the whole tournament, with No. 15 Lehigh moving on, No. 11 Colorado taking down UNLV, No. 12 Virginia Commonwealth (from last year's Final Four) beating Wichita State, and No. 10 Xavier toppling Notre Dame. Will the adrenaline from so many crazy upsets carry into the next round? VCU should have the mettle to keep its head against Indiana, and Xavier (10) and Lehigh (15) will both be facing another team that just came through similar circumstances, but Colorado (11) may be the most likely of the deep seeds to run into reality when it faces the Baylor Bears (3).

Kentucky (1) vs. Iowa State (8): The Wildcats are in it for the long haul and will hold off Iowa State, which knocked off the defending champs, Connecticut.
Virginia Commonwealth (12) vs. Indiana (4): A tough call, with traditionally weak but recently great VCU taking on recently weak but traditionally great Indiana. I pick the Hoosiers.
Colorado (11) vs. Baylor (3): Baylor will end the excitement for Colorado.
Xavier (10) vs. Lehigh (15): Xavier, a strong team that needed a break, gets one and takes advantage by beating Lehigh.

WEST
Not too many surprises in this bracket, until you get to No. 15 Norfolk State upsetting No. 2 Missouri, a pick to win it all for many. Watch out for upsets among some higher seeds that shook the first-round-loss albatross only to run into a tough opponent in the second round (Louisville, Florida).

(1) Michigan State vs. (9) St. Louis: The Spartans continue to roll.
(5) New Mexico vs. (4) Louisville: Except a tighter game in this go-around, but Rick Pitino's Cardinals should be able to slip into the Sweet 16.
(6) Murray State vs. (3) Marquette: Murray State surprised many by making it to this round unscathed, but Marquette should have the depth to handle the upstarts.
(7) Florida vs. (15) Norfolk State: Why not Norfolk State? They had a load of poise down the stretch, and I still don't buy the Gators.

EAST
All the higher seeds won in this region, but that wasn't the news: Syracuse, short its great defensive center Fab Melo, was almost the first No. 1 seed ever to lose, escaping UNC-Asheville by a smidge. The teetering Orange could be looking at a short stay.

(1) Syracuse vs. (8) Kansas State: Syracuse will toughen up and win this round, but no guarantees once the Orange hit the Sweet 16.
(5) Vanderbilt vs. (4) Wisconsin: The Badgers have a clear path to the Elite Eight at this point and should be able to handle Vanderbilt.
(6) Cincinnati vs. (3) Florida State: Florida State, the pride of the ACC, takes care of a strong Bearcats team.
(7) Gonzaga vs. (2) Ohio State: Both teams won their first-round matchups by double digits, but Ohio State as a Final Four contender should take this game.

MIDWEST
This bracket is Upset Village, with No. 12 South Florida cranking past No. 5 Temple, No. 13 Ohio downing No. 4 Michigan, No. 11 N.C. State knocking off No. 6 San Diego State, and No. 10 Purdue pushing past No. 7 St. Mary's. This region has a very good chance of a double-digit seed going deep, although Kansas (2), Georgetown (3), and North Carolina (1) showed they are reading to contest that with double-digit wins. Their paths may have just become easier.

(1) North Carolina vs. (8) Creighton: A Tar Heels romp or a Creighton squeaker? North Carolina is tasting the Elite Eight already.
(12) South Florida vs. (13) Ohio: South Florida cleaned out Temple, but I'm feeling good about Ohio right now.
(11) N.C. State vs. (3) Georgetown: How about the Wolfpack? I'll take another upset.
(10) Purdue vs. (2) Kansas: The Jayhawks have the tendency to choke on the big ones, and the Boilermakers have had their share of disappointments and partial rosters over the last few years with the Robbie Hummel saga. Let's go with Purdue.

March Madness: Round 1 picks

The first round is technically under way, with Brigham Young and Western Kentucky both staging big comebacks to get into the official Big Dance, but the real buffet starts tomorrow.

One big change that's happened since Selection Sunday is the announcement that Syracuse's powerful big man Fab Melo is out for the rest of the season. The 31-2 Orange are a No. 1 seed and were many's pick to win it all after a stellar season, but this development is sure to upset some apple, er, orange, carts going forward.

SOUTH BRACKET
The South regional offers some of this year's biggest heavyweights. The UConn Huskies look to defend their title while the upstart Virginia Commonwealth Rams come off their own run to the Final Four. The Indiana Hoosiers are looking to not only add glory to their illustrious history but also avenge a few years spent in sanctions purgatory, while the Baylor Bears are looking for redemption of their own as the university tries to turn a corner on some athletic program hardships and win big in football and both men's and women's basketball. The Duke Blue Devils, behind a crop of excellent three-point marksmen and an excellent three Plumlee brothers, plan to make a serious dent with star freshman Austin Rivers leading the way. Finally, the class of the NCAA, the Kentucky Wildcats, are aiming to make John Calipari look better than just a guy that's good at flipping kids from high school stars into NBA linchpins in a year or less. These 'cats have the talent to win oodles of games, but stringing six in a row right now is the only task that matters.

(1) Kentucky vs. (16) Western Kentucky: Kentucky wins walking away.
(8) Iowa State vs. (9) Connecticut: UConn comes out ready to fight, the fatigue and inconsistency that stalled much of the Huskies' season non-existent in the first round.
(5) Wichita State vs. (12) Virginia Commonwealth: Wichita State puts up a mighty battle, but Shaka Smart and Virginia Commonwealth know how to get it done again.
(4) Indiana vs. (13) New Mexico State: The Hoosiers continue the tradition to take their opener.
(6) UNLV vs. (11) Colorado: UNLV enjoys its first trip back to the Big Dance, leaning on an excellent team all-around to move on.
(3) Baylor vs. (14) South Dakota State: The Bears end South Dakota State's honeymoon early.
(7) Notre Dame vs. (10) Xavier: Xavier, still smarting over the attention given to crosstown rivals Cincinnati, rampages early in the tournament.
(2) Duke vs. (15) Lehigh: Duke moves on, leaving its NCAA choking to a later round and a more talented opponent.

WEST BRACKET
Plenty of newcomers or no-names fill out the West bracket, with perennial favorites and high seeds Michigan State, Louisville, Marquette, and Missouri looking to dominate early and save their energy for tough Sweet Sixteen matchups.

(1) Michigan State vs. (16) Long Island: Michigan State could win it all, and the Spartans will start with an easy first-round win.
(8) Memphis vs. (9) St. Louis: Memphis has shown it's more than Calipari, and the Tigers continue a strong season by taking down St. Louis.
(5) New Mexico vs. (12) Long Beach State: Long Beach State has cobbled magic together before and can do it again.
(4) Louisville vs. (13) Davidson: Plucky Davidson won't get a bite out of Rick Pitino's Cardinals.
(6) Murray State vs. (11) Colorado State: Murray State enjoys its high(er) seed and takes care of its Colorado foes.
(3) Marquette vs. (14) Brigham Young: Marquette will devour Brigham Young if spotted a lead like the one the the Cougars gave Iona in their come-from-behind win Tuesday night.
(7) Florida vs. (10) Virginia: Virginia pulls an upset for the ACC, taking down Billy Donovan's Gators.
(2) Missouri vs. (15) Norfolk State: Missouri has high hopes this year, and they do not include losing to Norfolk State.

MIDWEST BRACKET
The North Carolina Tar Heels and Kansas Jayhawks are expected to meet in the end for this group with a chance at the Final Four on the line, and few should be able to challenge those two teams, which are full of length, athleticism, and scoring ability.

(1) North Carolina vs. (Round 1 winner): North Carolina, even if an NBA team were the play-in winner.
(8) Creighton vs. (9) Alabama: Let's go with Creighton, because I just don't think you can ever trust the SEC in NCAA tournament play.
(5) Temple vs. (Round 1 winner): Temple has had a strong season and should be able to win its first-round matchup.
(4) Michigan vs. (13) Ohio: Michigan is pushing its way back to relevancy, and a good season should continue into the second round.
(6) San Diego State vs. (11) N.C. State: Another ACC underdog pick: The Wolfpack will make good on their selection and strong year and take down San Diego State.
(3) Georgetown vs. (14) Belmont: Georgetown brings some Big East power into an easy win.
(7) St. Mary's vs. (10) Purdue: The Boilermakers do the Big Ten proud with an upset over St. Mary's.
(2) Kansas vs. (15) Detroit: Kansas takes this one by the half.

EAST BRACKET
With Syracuse's big man, Fab Melo, out, the favorite in this region may now be Ohio State, which has done well in the Big Ten this season and has a stud of its own in Jared Sullinger (plus a defense that makes some coaches salivate). Fellow conference foe Wisconsin will look to continue the Badgers' strong record in March, and Cincinnati and Florida State need to start off strong to live up to their breakthrough seasons.

(1) Syracuse vs. (16) UNC-Asheville: Syracuse, hands down.
(8) Kansas State vs. (9) Southern Mississippi: Kansas State has been playing well.
(5) Vanderbilt vs. (12) Harvard: The Crimson make good on their first NCAA berth and topple Vandy.
(4) Wisconsin vs. (13) Montana: The Badgers make short work of Montana.
(6) Cincinnati vs. (11) Texas: The Bearcats hold off Texas.
(3) Florida State vs. (14) St. Bonaventure: A tough call, but I'll take the upset of the Bonnies over the ACC winner Seminoles.
(7) Gonzaga vs. (10) West Virginia: Gonzaga continues its strong March performances with a win over the Big East Mountaineers.
(2) Ohio State vs. (15) Loyola (Maryland): Ohio State starts its run here.

Return here later for Round 2 picks.

Madness, I say

It’s the most wonderful time of the year again, with college basketball playoffs (i.e. March Madness) starting this coming weekend. That means the amazingness that is watching 48 games over four days, as well as some predictions, of course.

Best conference in the dance: Big Ten

Michigan State (1) and Ohio State (2) should have very deep runs this year, and almost every other team in the Big 10 could have won a game or two had they made it in. This conference has been feasting on itself all year long, with crazy upsets and tight games even from the bottom-dwellers.

In all, the Big 10 grabbed six spots, with Wisconsin (4), Michigan (4), Indiana (4), and Purdue (10) all getting a bid. All have a good chance at making a little run, and look out especially for the excitement around the Hoosiers, who have thrilled their fans by coming back from the dead several seasons earlier than expected.

Usual heavyweight conference that may have some trouble: ACC

I’m just not as impressed by the ACC this year, and not just because Florida State (3) has emerged to be its champion. North Carolina (1) is an immensely talented team, but that talent has gone to waste in some games the Tar Heels should have won in their conference (a double-digit loss to Florida State earlier this season, and an inexplicable tempo change down the stretch to lose their first matchup against Duke). Duke (2) is Duke as Duke always is, but compared to the other Top 10 teams across college basketball, the Blue Devils are not scary. They are full of great shooters, but their lack of ability to clamp down anywhere in the paint, offensively or defensively, and their having only one truly amazing player (Austin Rivers), leads me to think Duke’s high seed is optimistic, and their victories this season truly fortunate.

When you’re struggling to find a way Duke and UNC can make a deep run, that means the rest of the ACC must be pretty good to give the conference a good representation. While Virginia (10) and North Carolina State (11) have been strong this season, Florida State is the only great hope for this group, with North Carolina needing to fight to keep its mojo to avoid an early upset. And while Florida State is very good, and very deserving of its conference championship, its lack of experience making deep runs in the tournament may be a factor in how far the Seminoles go. Expect one or two teams to emerge, including UNC, but not a conference-wide dominance.

High seeds you should always watch: VCU, UConn, Texas

The names sound familiar, and that’s half the reason I’m picking them. For whatever reason they make it into the tournament, they’ve shown an ability to build teams that contend each year. Don’t let a high seed scare you away; unless they’re matched up against another perennial favorite, plan for an upset. These teams know how to win in the big one.

Connecticut (9) is reasonably seeded, but No. 9 is still low for the defending champs, who have had an uneven season. Virginia Commonwealth (12) returns for another sniff after advancing all the way to the Final Four last year. And Texas (11) has bowed out early enough in recent years to get a string of games going its way.

Come on, Cinderella: Harvard, St. Bonaventure, Vermont

Harvard (12) is in its first NCAA tournament in the modern era, and it's no fluke: After a few years behind the now-everybody-knows-his-name Jeremy Lin and former Duke assistant Tommy Amaker, the Crimson is due to make good on its berth.

St. Bonaventure (14) weathered a tough conference schedule and will need plenty of help in its uphill bracket, and Vermont's bid is a play-in game.

Time to capitalize: Syracuse, Cincinnati, UNLV, Baylor, Louisville, Missouri

Are they highly seeded on strength of name and big-time schedule, or are these teams for real?

UNLV (6) looks to recapture the glory of years gone past with one of its best teams in years, both in talent and cohesion. The Running Rebels are due for a second-round matchup with Baylor (3) if both survive. The Bears are on the fast track from atonement to dominance, and they want to continue to make good on what has been a fantastic sports year all-around for the university.

Cincinnati (6) has been saying it's the toast of the Midwest, but the Bearcats have yet to put together a good tournament run to back that up. Louisville (4), always ranked well and with plenty of pressure thanks to being Rick Pitino's posse, needs to get to at least the Sweet Sixteen this year, considering the Cardinals' matchups. This team has folded early before.

Missouri (2) has put together a fantastic season and has a clear path to the Elite Eight if it doesn't overreach, and Syracuse (1) has played dominant ball all season. The Orange should be winning by dozens all the way to the title game.

Check back later for round-by-round picks.

Biblio Recommendo

Which is better: Reading only the Bible, or reading other Christian books in conjunction with Bible study?

I have swung sharply to both sides at different points in my life. At Bible college, right after high school, I decided I wanted to read nothing but the Bible so I could form my own unadulterated opinions from it. I was reading extensively for school anyway, and my tack had its desired effect: I soon found myself linking parts of the Bible I had never pulled together before and felt parts of Scripture coming alive for the first time.

In recent years, though, I have gone back to reading Christian books at my Bible-reading time. Sometimes I even enjoy those books so much that I don't read the Bible at great length (which I would not ever recommend; I'll call it laziness). This I have found very refreshing, in that passages that I had long taken to mean one thing can suddenly mean much more, being expanded by people with deeper knowledge of Scripture, or who have found ways to link verses, concepts, and principles in much the way I did during my first deep dive in Bible school.

Now, in both of these examples, I must note that while at some point I excluded Christian books, at no time did I exclude church, sermons, special messages, seminars, or hours upon hours of talking with friends about the things of God. So, the question is not whether we should read the Bible aside from all other sources of insight or knowledge. If we are practicing Christians, we should be constantly surrounded by those. The question is whether Christian books are an aid or a hindrance.

My thought for several years was that Christian books are indeed a hindrance, but I know now that this was mostly based on the type of Christian books being shoveled toward me. Unimaginative, cliched, or application-heavy texts are prone to discourage or disgust a person seeking God.

Just because rubbish is filled with words that can also be found in the Bible does not mean that rubbish is good or helpful. And I think a good deal of Christian books make it to print despite having nothing to say (or in trying very hard to explain things that can't be said), thus tainting the field for those books that can actually help.

But, after casting all of those books aside (to each person his own, for what may help some could just frustrate others), I now want to advocate for using solid Christian texts along with Bible study.

C.S. Lewis, Tim Keller, Paul Miller, and Rob Bell are the latest fellas to bring me around, and I think their work exemplifies the best of Christian writing: practical thoughts and grand ideas spawned off the greater concepts and concrete truths of the Bible.

Bell works with principles and proverbs long taken to mean one thing and nudges his readers to see them a different way. Keller strings age-old truths into modernity, buttressing his ideas with ties to literature and reason. Miller weaves the humble walking of daily life with Bible truths many have imagined but few have lived. And Lewis, well, Lewis can in paragraphs describe entire Christian doctrines, in sentences give you a perfect example of a hard-to-live principle, and in words compel you to see both the beauty and fact of truths ever-much-more living.

Those four are my favorites right now, and they have done for me what I could have never done through Bible study alone. They deconstruct the verses I have known all my life and help me see real, living examples of how those words should shape my life. They help link together the broader themes of Scripture and show how individual directives fit into them. They make stories and commandments come alive.

The backlog of Bible learning I've compiled my whole life gets made into moving pictures when I read these Christian authors, and I am better equipped to go back to Scripture and continue studying on my own.

I would argue that what these Christian writers are doing is much what a good pastor or community group would do. We are all spreading the Bible's truth to each other, encouraging each other with it and trying to use the wisdom God has given us to help others see it better. The unique nature of alone time with God in Bible study does not mean this has to stop. We can continue to tap into what God has shown others, just in the quiet of reading.

If we read just the Bible, our understanding of it is laid only against what we already have in our heads. No matter how great our Christian background, our knowledge is incomplete. And many of us were raised by Sunday School teachers who meant well but told us stuff that's just not true.

Most of us also are constantly working through the pain, guilt, or bitterness that comes into life through sin. Our experiences color our education, and whether we see it or not, the world as we've come to see it will shape how we study the Bible. Outside sources help us fight this and instead continue to see truth for what it is, and God for Who He really is.

On top of that, we are all madly selfish creatives, and especially in modernity, quite engrossed in what is orbiting around us. Self is king no matter how many times we slay it, and the only antidote is truth. God, Christ, the Holy Spirit help us see outside of ourselves, and fellow Christians are part of that ministry.

Finally, learning from others is part of our constant journey to true understanding and seeing the world how God sees it. Bible study, the "renewal" of our minds (Romans 12:1-2), the reframing, is nothing if not God replacing eyes that look in sin with minds that understand through His view. He shows us the way as we study, and to different people He shows different illuminations of His truth. We'd be crazy not to tap into that.

This is an incomplete discussion that could use much more reasoning and better examples. I still support time just spent in the Word, and I certainly fight for prayer alone and time alone with God. But when it comes to the time set aside for just Bible study or reading, I also suggest a solid Christian book, even if it be a page or paragraph a day.

If repetition, guilt, cynicism, hopelessness, or depression have ever been part or your walk with God, it's likely you were too far inside yourself to see Him. A different snapshot of God can make all the difference in starting a walk toward full truth.