Hoops and Horses: March Madness Brackets, Part I
Image:
Description:
For college hoopsters and horse fanatics alike, it’s March Madness!
The key players have been established and the competition will be fierce.
Who will be left standing when the dust settles?
Will it be a favorite, a mid-priced player or a bomb of a longshot?
Only time will tell, but the matchups sure are fun to watch!
Using their résumé, talent and their unique qualities, Triple Crown guru Joe Kristufek and college hoops whiz Derek Cooley match horse and hoop contenders!
Check out Part II here for the East and South Regions.
MIDWEST REGION
#1 Kentucky (DC’s overall #1)
Dortmund
Well-coached, gritty and extremely talented; chance for history with unblemished record.
#16 Manhattan (DC’s overall #64)
Rock Shandy
Raw and athletic to make you work, but won’t beat you.
DORTMUND, LIKE KENTUCKY, LOOKS LIKE A GIANT
Photo by Eclipse Sportswire
#8 Cincinnati (DC’s overall #35)
Bold Conquest
Has faced some tough foes but appears to be a notch below the best. Pounds the glass hard
#9 Purdue (DC’s overall #29)
Bolo
Elite interior on the upswing, but unproven under the circumstances — tough to gauge.
BOLO, LIKE PURDUE, IS TOUGH TO GAGUE
Benoit Photo
#5 West Virginia (DC’s overall #14)
Prospect Park
Stayer with press defense; forces opponent’s mistakes. Sneaky finisher.
#12 Buffalo (DC’s overall #47)
Frammento
A maiden run in the NCAA Tournament but well-coached. Ultimate sleeper.
BETTER SLEEPER? PROSPECT PARK (below) OR FRAMMENTO
Photo by Eclipse Sportswire
#4 Maryland (DC’s overall #15)
Ocean Knight
Can drive and get to the line. Great guard play but needs more overall consistency.
#13 Valparaiso (DC’s overall #51)
Araqeel
Has magic in its family’s blood, but lots of catching up to do.
CONSISTENCY THE KEY FOR OCEAN KNIGHT AND MARYLAND
SV Photography
#6 Butler (DC’s overall #27)
Metaboss
A real wild card with the toughness to compete with anyone.
#11 Texas (DC’s overall #34)
Ami's Flatter
Has the ability to get hot and make a run. Top shot-blocking team in the nation will make you work for position.
BUTLER HAS A HISTORY OF PLAYING SPOILER, CAN METABOSS TAKE THAT ROLE?
Vasser Photography
#3 Notre Dame (DC’s overall #8)
Itsaknockout
High-octane offense; extremely efficient with lots of upside.
#14 Northeastern (DC’s overall #57)
Defondo
Came out on top in close competition, but inferior opponents in comparison with the big dance.
LOOKING OUTSIDE THE OBVIOUS FOR UPSIDE? TRY THE IRISH AND ITSAKNOCKOUT
Photo by Eclipse Sportswire
#7 Wichita State (DC’s overall #21)
Lord Nelson
A proven, battle-tested winner with excellent leadership. Experienced and will surprise some people.
#10 Indiana (DC’s overall #43)
Unrivaled
Live and die from the outside; will need to be perfect to make a real impact. Tab for later.
BOTH WICHITA STATE AND LORD NELSON ARE TESTED
Photo by Eclipse Sportswire
#2 Kansas (DC’s overall #10)
Daredevil
The forgotten-about favorite. Top coach and historic bloodlines, but will be short-handed.
#15 New Mexico State (DC’s overall #56)
Bluff
A good-sized team that lacks the pure talent and experience — not in the cards.
DON'T SLEEP ON DAREDEVIL
Photo by Eclipse Sportswire
COOLEY REGION RATING - MIDWEST
#1 Kentucky (DC’s overall #1)
#3 Notre Dame (DC’s overall #8)
#2 Kansas (DC’s overall #10)
#5 West Virginia (DC’s overall #14)
#4 Maryland (DC’s overall #15)
#7 Wichita State (DC’s overall #21)
#6 Butler (DC’s overall #27)
#9 Purdue (DC’s overall #29)
#11 Texas (DC’s overall #34)
#8 Cincinnati (DC’s overall #35)
#10 Indiana (DC’s overall #43)
#12 Buffalo (DC’s overall #47)
#13 Valparaiso (DC’s overall #51)
#15 New Mexico State (DC’s overall #56)
#14 Northeastern (DC’s overall #57)
#16 Manhattan (DC’s overall #64)
WEST REGION
#1 Wisconsin (DC’s overall #3)
Carpe Diem
Smart, experienced and well-coached. A true stayer who can surprise you when least expected — definite contender.
#16 Coastal Carolina (DC’s overall #62)
Cozmic One
Comes from a beautiful background, so there’s that.
EDGE ON EXPERIENCE TO CARPE DIEM ... AND WISCONSIN
Photo by Eclipse Sportswire
#8 Oregon (DC’s overall #30)
Eh Cumpari
On a good run, but lots to prove outside their comfort zone. Don’t nap on them.
#9 Oklahoma State (DC’s overall #40)
Tiznow R J
Limping into the tourney, and hasn’t looked like the team of a couple months ago.
IT'S NOT HOW YOU START, BUT HOW YOU FINISH FOR TIZNOW R J
Photo by Eclipse Sportswire
#5 Arkansas (DC’s overall #19)
Mr. Z
A roster with star-power that has played against the best in the country but often falls short.
#12 Wofford (DC’s overall #48)
Conquest Typhoon
Proven and battle-tested, this NCAA mainstay will always keep it close.
CAN MR. Z TAKE THAT NEXT STEP AND SECURE A BIG WIN?
Photo by Eclipse Sportswire
#4 North Carolina (DC’s overall #11)
Firing Line
Athletic and built, has the size to run with anyone and the ability to bang down low in the trenches.
#13 Harvard (DC’s overall #52)
Classy Class
Extremely smart given the background and pedigree, but doesn’t have the pure talent to match.
FIRING LINE BOASTS ABILITY AND DETERMINATION
Photo by Eclipse Sportswire
#6 Xavier (DC’s overall #26)
Imperia
Capable of better than shown as of late, needs results against the bigger foes.
#11 BYU (DC’s overall #38)
Bayerd
Lights out from the outside; high-octane and fast starter. Can score in bunches and cause others to press themselves.
NOW OR NEVER FOR IMPERIA AND XAVIER
Photo by NYRA/Adam Coglianese
#3 Baylor (DC’s overall #13)
Mubtaahij
Possess athleticism and toughness to dominate down low — flying under the radar.
#14 Georgia State (DC’s overall #53)
The Truth Or Else
A pure stayer who will more than likely stay back. It’s a bad omen when your coach tears an Achilles while celebrating.
KEEP A CLOSE EYE ON MUBTAAHIJ AND BAYLOR
Photo by Dubai Racing Club
#7 VCU (DC’s overall #33)
Unbridled Juan
A presser who will be short-handed going into the tournament. Will emulate their coach and perhaps compete with anyone down the road.
#10 Ohio State (DC’s overall #25)
Gorgeous Bird
Hit or miss. When clicking on all cylinders, this squad can look special.
DOES GORGEOUS BIRD HAVE POTENTIAL TO BE SPECIAL?
Photo by Eclipse Sportswire
#2 Arizona (DC’s overall #4)
International Star
Peaking at the right time and extremely well-rounded inside and out.
#15 Texas Southern (DC’s overall #58)
Madefromlucky
Has been in the money, but will need more than luck to make an impact on this road.
INTERNATIONAL STAR, LIKE ARIZONA, IS IN TOP FORM
Photo by Eclipse Sportswire
COOLEY REGION RATING - WEST
#1 Wisconsin (DC’s overall #3)
#2 Arizona (DC’s overall #4)
#4 North Carolina (DC’s overall #11)
#3 Baylor (DC’s overall #13)
#5 Arkansas (DC’s overall #19)
#10 Ohio State (DC’s overall #25)
#6 Xavier (DC’s overall #26)
#8 Oregon (DC’s overall #30)
#7 VCU (DC’s overall #33)
#11 BYU (DC’s overall #38)
#9 Oklahoma State (DC’s overall #40)
#12 Wofford (DC’s overall #48)
#13 Harvard (DC’s overall #52)
#14 Georgia State (DC’s overall #53)
#15 Texas Southern (DC’s overall #58)
#16 Coastal Carolina (DC’s overall #62)