SPEAKER_01 0:33

Welcome to the Five Arms and a Lucky Fin podcast. I am your host, Brandon McCormick, with my co-host, aka. He is for the people. The people are for him. Mr. David Soloway in the studio. David, we have a March Madness preview edition of Five Arms and a Lucky Fin tonight. Recording on 3 15 at 816 Central and 9 16 Eastern. The brackets have been released. The best moment in all of sports and the best sporting spectacle and event is now happening right before our eyes, David. It is that time of year again.

SPEAKER_00 1:11

It's March, baby. Let's go.

SPEAKER_01 1:14

It is March indeed. We are going to run through the opening bracket. So bear with us as we run through this. We will move quick and fast and to the point. So buckle in as we break this down. But if it's a one versus a 16, not going to talk about it too much. If there's a five and 12, probably going to talk about it a little more or games that are more intriguing to us and worthwhile on talking about. So on the east side of the bracket, David, let's kick us off. We have Duke versus Sienna.

SPEAKER_00 1:45

Book that one Duke.

SPEAKER_01 1:47

Yeah, book that probably probably gonna be Duke. On to the next one, we have Ohio State versus TCU, an eight and nine. Ohio State's an eight seed. TCU is a nine seed, David. This one should be a great game, David, featuring TCU of the Big 12 conference and Ohio State from the Big Ten Conference. Ohio State has been hot as of lately. And TCU finding their way after they beat Texas Tech on the road, David. And so this game should be very intriguing to me. Who do you have in this one? Which way are you leaning? And what players do you think will make a splash in this game?

SPEAKER_00 2:24

Uh yeah, I like I actually like TCU. Um, I think TCU comes out of the the conference that has uh I wouldn't say more depth, but a lot more higher end depth. You know, the the Big 12s one through seven, I think, is a lot better than the Big Ten's one through seven, even though Purdue, Purdue was what, the seventh seed in the Big Ten, six or seven? Yeah, so I mean obviously there's still depth there, but we know that the top of the Big 12 is as good as it gets in the sport. And TCU, well, they didn't knock off those teams consistently, they did have a win against Iowa State. Um and then they they played a couple other close games, including against Kansas in the Big 12 tournament last week. And uh, I think TCU just has a little bit, a little bit more well-rounded of a team to pull this off. And they play really good defense, which Ohio State kind of struggles against. I also think people think Ohio State has been hot lately. Really, the end of their schedule was just they they did knock off Purdue, but then they beat Penn State and Indiana. Indiana, one of the worst teams in the country over the past two months. Penn State, one of the worst teams in the Big Ten. Um, and then obviously they debate Iowa in the Big Ten tournament, but I think their their hot streak might be a little bit overstated just because the way the schedule broke.

SPEAKER_01 3:40

Fraudulent. I hear you say a little fraudulent.

SPEAKER_00 3:42

Oh, I didn't say fraudulent, a little overstated.

SPEAKER_01 3:44

A little overstated. Okay, true. I think Bruce Thornton is gonna command this game, David. I think he's gonna go off for Ohio State. I just see Ohio State cruising in this game. I just think Thornton is gonna hit that another gear, and this is his time to shine. I think he's gonna be one of those highlight players that we're gonna talk about for years to come. I seriously think he'll have a 30-point game. I just see him throwing haymakers left and right. I just see Ohio State all over this one, and I'm pretty excited to watch it as well. But yeah, I got Ohio State in that one. What is the spread currently for this game, David?

SPEAKER_00 4:19

That game is Ohio State minus two and a half, and another note on this game, it's the very first game of the tournament. So kicking it off with a really good game to start.

SPEAKER_01 4:28

Wow, electric. I love it. Yeah, punch it. Watch that one, guys. That'll be that'll be really fun to watch. On to the next one, David, St. John's versus Northern Iowa. Another good one, in my opinion. I believe St. John's got missseed, in my opinion, but they play Northern Iowa, which I in my head kind of thought they would upset someone. I don't think they're gonna do it against the Johnnies, though. What's your opinion?

SPEAKER_00 4:53

Yeah, I love St. John's here. Um, I think that uh they're getting hot at the right time. After they lost that game 72 to 40 against Yukon uh back in early March, where they they didn't score for basically the entire second half, they have been great since then. They they rebounded very nicely from that, ran through the big uh yeah, big East tournament, including that win over Yukon in the final. And they look great. Northern Iowa was the sixth seed in the uh MVC, Missouri Valley. So yeah, I mean they come in with a decent looking record, and and we know about Northern Iowa of passed Ali Frukmanesh, you know, the same coaches there, Jacobson, but this isn't that same Northern Iowa team, and St. John's is legit, and I agree, under seeded based on winning the Big Ten regular season outright and the big not big ten, big east regular season outright and the big east tournament.

SPEAKER_01 5:44

I knew what you're saying. I was gonna interrupt you, but I was gonna let you fix it. No, definitely. I it's just a bummer, man. I just I thought Northern Iowa would have an easier opponent, but the Johnnies, I think, will definitely roll on that one. Kansas versus uh California Baptists, David. I don't see this one getting upset, in my opinion, but you like California Baptists? Is that whoa?

SPEAKER_00 6:11

I I think that Kansas is a little bit up and down. Okay, Kansas lost games this year to UCF, West Virginia, Cincinnati, and most recently Arizona State, which they lost that one by 10. They were down 20 at one point in the second half. Kansas is not your most consistent four seed. I actually think they're a little bit overseeded. You know, you could have swapped them in St. John's very easily here.

SPEAKER_01 6:37

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 6:37

Uh, but Kansas, we know that if they play to their highest potential with Darren Peterson, they could make the final four run. But I I think this is a sneaky offset watch.

SPEAKER_01 6:49

Okay, you heard it, folks. Upset watch on California Baptist versus Kansas. Keep your eyes on that, keep your eyes peeled on that. On the next one in the on the east side of the bracket, we have six versus eleven, six Louisville versus 11, South Florida. This is a tough one, David. This is a tough one for me. South Florida obviously winning the the American conference, but Louisville's been on this recently winning tear that they've been on, so it's hard not to go against Louisville, in my opinion. But this one's kind of a toss-up for me. I lean Louisville, so I'm gonna take Louisville in this one.

SPEAKER_00 7:24

I love South Florida. Louisville has not been playing great lately, actually. Uh, they're three and three in their last six, four and four in their last eight. Um, and two of those wins in their last eight are against Georgia Tech and Syracuse, two of the worst teams in the ACC. Um South Florida obviously played in a uh kind of a weaker conference, but still one of those higher end mid-major conferences in the American. Um, and they kind of cruised through their conference tournament. I think they only played two games though, because they had the the bracket where they basically advanced to the semifinal. But still, they ran through the regular season in that uh conference, and I like them a lot.

SPEAKER_01 8:04

I believe they only had one conference loss, if I remember right, in their regular season. So hats off to South Florida for for a great season. See what they can do against Louville, see if they can pull off the upset. What's the spread on that one, David? Do you know on that one?

SPEAKER_00 8:18

Yeah, that one is five and a half. Louisville favored by five and a half.

SPEAKER_01 8:23

I would take South Florida plus five and a half on that. I'm sorry. Yeah, I would I would take the take the points on that one. Headed in the next game, three seed versus fourteen seed, the three seed Michigan State against the North Dakota State Bison, 14 seed of the Summit League Conference Champs, the North Dakota State Bison. David, I'm a little I'm a little worried for the Spartans. I am pretty high on North Dakota State. I am pretty high on North Dakota State. Not gonna say they're gonna win, but I'm gonna say they have a great chance to pull off this upset. North Dakota State is a very fundamental team, they play great defense on the defense side of the ball. They're they're big enough to compete against Michigan State, in my opinion. You have to have a size to be able to compete against the Big Ten, and I believe they do with their size down low. I'm just saying, watch out for the bison. They could pull this one off.

SPEAKER_00 9:18

Their average height is 339th in the country, which is very, very low. So I disagree on that point. Yeah, that might be wrong, but but they probably have some corn fed boys, they probably have some corn fed boys, so they're gonna be tough down low either way. Um, yeah, I mean, I I think this could be a sneaky upset alert, but um Michigan State is just so much more talented than North Dakota State. The 16 and a half point spread on this one is very interesting. Um, I I like North Dakota State to keep it close for a while, and then Michigan State I think eventually just pulls away.

SPEAKER_01 9:54

I could see that happening, but I would take yeah, the plus 16 and a half on that one for sure. Heading into the next matchup, number seven seeded UCLA versus number 10 seeded UCF. I'm all over UCF on this one. I think UCF got their sneaky way into the tournament. They've kind of been peeling off and on at times. This team's just weird, but I think they're just gonna be able to flow offensively, and I don't think UCLA is that great, in my opinion.

SPEAKER_00 10:26

Uh yeah, I agree. UCLA seems to be playing better of late. Um, but UCF, this again, I think is uh a matchup I look at as UCF played in a tough conference, you know, the Big 12. I'm very high on the Big 12 this year going into the tournament. Um, I like them uh to pull the upset here. Uh this is six and a half point spread in favor of UCLA, so I love Central Florida plus the six and a half.

SPEAKER_01 10:54

Yeah, I do too. I do too. Like I said, uh uh I'm with you. I'm with you. The next game, David, is number two seeded UConn versus number 15 Furman. Do you see Furman even standing a chance? Because I don't.

SPEAKER_00 11:07

Uh the only thing is UConn, we've seen them, we have seen them play down a little bit to their opponent. Uh, I'm not gonna say they're gonna lose this, but recently they lost at home to Creighton and then at Marquette to finish the season. I like UConn to win this, but the spread is 20 and a half. I like Ferman plus 20 and a half all year, and we talked about this, I think, back in like January when Biggie's play was starting. Yukon wasn't blowing out the teams at the bottom end of the conference. They have struggled to pull away from opponents, no matter the caliber of the opponent. Other than they did beat St. John's by 32 in that one random game where St. Johns couldn't score. But yeah, I like Kermit to keep it close, but Yukon should be able to pull this out.

SPEAKER_01 11:53

Yeah, they should be able to definitely win that. On to the south side bracket, David. We have number one seeded Florida against the number 16 seeded to be determined Prairie View AM versus Lehigh. Do either of those two teams stand a chance against the wagon of the Florida Gators?

SPEAKER_00 12:11

Absolutely not, but let's not forget CJ McCollum and Lehigh pulling off the upset against Duke as a as a 15 seed back in the day.

SPEAKER_01 12:20

That was a great game. That was fun to watch. Shows the greatness of McCollum.

SPEAKER_00 12:23

Also, used to live in Lehigh Valley where Lehigh's at, so I'm rooting from a Mountain Hawks.

SPEAKER_01 12:28

There you go. I love it. I love it. On to the next seeded game. We have eight-seeded Clemson versus nine-seeded Iowa, David. This one's a little tougher for me, in my opinion. I lean Iowa just because I'm biased for the Big Ten, but Clemson's not a bad team. But I'll take uh number nine, Iowa, and their head coach. Uh love their head coach. I'm drawing a blank right now, but best friends with McBen McCollum. Ben McCollum, that's right. Mr. McCollum, best of friends with Grant McCassin, been high on them. He was at Drake before Iowa. But yes, I'm very high on Mr. McCollum, so I expect him to have a great game plan and actually pull off the win against eight state Clemson Tigers, but I bet you have Clemson in this one.

SPEAKER_00 13:12

I do not. Uh Clemson has failed to beat the best teams on their schedule all year. Um, they've kind of made their resume out of beating uh the lower end of the ACC and even in their uh non-conference play, they beat Cincinnati, they beat Georgia. Those are two Cincinnati, obviously. Outside the tournament, Georgia is, I think, in another eight-nine game. So they haven't really beaten anybody that high caliber this year. Um, so I I do like Iowa to pull this one off.

SPEAKER_01 13:43

Yes, we are uh both on the same side. That's a little dangerous at times. Next game, David, we have the fifth-seeded Vanderbilt Commodore versus the 12th-seeded McNeese. Does McNeese pull out another win in March Madness without Will Wade?

SPEAKER_00 14:04

I hate to say no, but I don't think so.

SPEAKER_01 14:24

Can you go against him? Like, I don't know, man.

SPEAKER_00 14:27

Yeah, fuck that guy. I'll go against him all day. No, no, get out of here. Get out of here.

SPEAKER_01 14:33

I don't know, man. Something I mean, I gotta take Vandy because I agree with you. I think if you obviously beat Florida, you're you definitely have to be a great team, or even a good team of that, higher good team. So I don't know what you would call that above average, but I just I don't know. This one's tough. What is the spread on this game?

SPEAKER_00 14:55

11 and a half.

SPEAKER_01 14:57

Oh, so they think Vandy's gonna just whack them. Wow. I mean, I can't I can see that too.

SPEAKER_00 15:04

But think about it this way. Think about it this way 512 games are usually about a 10-point spread. Yeah, and we see these upsets every single year. So, yeah, I mean, Vandy's obviously more talented, but uh you catch McNeese on the wrong day, you might you might lose.

SPEAKER_01 15:23

I know it's true, it's true. I'll take the I'll take the points. That's what I'm gonna say on that one. I'll take the points. I'll take the points on that one. But I could also see Vandy just whacking them. I don't know. That one's hard for me. Number four seeded Nebraska Cornhuskers versus number 13 seeded Troy. Troy out of the Sun Belt and Nebraska out of the Big Ten, David. Nebraska's kind of cooled off a little bit. Do you think Troy knocks them off?

SPEAKER_00 15:54

No.

SPEAKER_01 15:55

No. Um Nebraska.

SPEAKER_00 15:58

I'm very high on Nebraska. Also, I don't think they've cooled off at all. They went four and one in their last five of the regular season. Uh, I think people just haven't really been paying attention to them because they haven't played any big games lately because their schedule was kind of front-loaded in the Big Ten. Yeah. Uh down the stretch. You know, their last big game uh was that Purdue game back in February where they were down big, it went to overtime, and they ended up losing. And then they obviously they lost to Purdue in the Big Ten tournament as well. But uh Nebraska, they're gonna they're gonna pull off their first ever NCAA tournament victory in this one. Uh, I don't think Troy can keep this close.

SPEAKER_01 16:36

First one, wow.

SPEAKER_00 16:38

They've never won a game.

SPEAKER_01 16:39

I know that's insane. Let them make it happen. We'll see. Anything can happen in March. You know what though?

SPEAKER_00 16:45

Yeah, it'd be a real shame. It would be a real shame if they lost this one.

SPEAKER_01 16:53

It would be.

SPEAKER_00 16:54

As 13 and a half point favorites, it would be a real shame if they lost this one.

SPEAKER_01 17:00

That's a lot of points. Man, jeez. On to the next one on the on the south bracket, number 60 in North Carolina versus 11 VCU Commodores. I'm all over, I'm all over VCU in this one. Mr. Wilson's out for North Carolina. They've they've struggled and skidded along their way without him. I just don't see how a steaming VCU team doesn't be an ACC team that is struggling without their best player and one of the best players in the nation.

SPEAKER_00 17:32

Yeah, North Carolina five and three since Kayla Wilson got injured. Um, but VCU is is probably better than their 11 seed shows. Uh if you look at the metrics, they're they're way higher than like a Miami, Ohio, who's also an 11th seed. Um they're also more like right in line with the 10 or the nine seeds. Um yeah, I like VCU a lot here. This spread is very interesting. Uh, it's only two and a half, which is the closest spread of any 11, 6, or you know, larger gap between seeds. Uh, so two and a half. I like VCU plus the two and a half.

SPEAKER_01 18:11

Yes, I I agree with you. I I definitely agree with you. I I think that game will be great. I just don't see how VCU doesn't win that. On to the next one, David. We have number three seeded Illinois versus number 14 Penn, the Penn Quakers, right? Is their mascot? The Quakers? Oh, yeah, oh yeah, and Fred uh McCaffrey, right? Fran, but yeah, Fran, Fran McCaffrey. I pulled a Bruce Pearl there. I think he called him Fred. Uh, but yes, talk about it. Just saying, that dude is struggling on national TV. Don't know how much longer he'll last. I don't pearl, though. But man, he's been struggling. But, anyways, do the Quakers even have a chance in this one?

SPEAKER_00 19:00

No. No, they don't.

SPEAKER_01 19:03

No.

SPEAKER_00 19:04

Illinois legit.

SPEAKER_01 19:05

Yeah, I I agree with you. I think Illinois is very legit. I think Illinois waxed them, waxed them pretty good. On to the next one, we have number seven seeded St. Mary's versus number 10 Texas AM Aggies. This one's really tough, David. For me, Texas AM is kind of mediocre from the games that I've watched them in St. Mary's. Have they beaten anyone that's even good besides people that are in their conference? Like, I don't really know much about St. Mary's at all, if I'm being honest with you. I lean towards the Power Four conference team, so I'm gonna roll with the Aggies in this one, and I think Buckyball is gonna do his thing in the first win for the Aggies and tournament play for Buckyball.

SPEAKER_00 19:52

I love St. Mary's here. Agreed, they haven't really beat anybody this year. Their best wins in non-conference are against Virginia Tech and actually Northern Iowa, which is an interesting one to look at. Um, but St. Mary's in your predictive metrics, such as Ken Palm, are that they're the highest ranked, rated seven or or lower seeds. So I think based on their schedule, they're in the correct seating uh at a seven, just because they don't have any big wins other than in conference, they did beat Santa Clara and Gonzaga in conference as well. Uh, but I agree with you. Um, no, I don't agree with you. You you have the other team. Uh, I disagree with you, St. Mary's on to the next round.

SPEAKER_01 20:35

I might be a little biased because McKenzie, my wife, went to AM. So 100%, but AM AM, you want to talk about fraudulent.

SPEAKER_00 20:43

That could be. I'm just saying I'm a little biased. They were number one in the SEC through like eight or ten games because they hadn't played anybody good in the SEC.

SPEAKER_01 20:54

That is true.

SPEAKER_00 20:55

It's almost like it's kind of like their football team, actually.

SPEAKER_01 20:58

Oh, geez, we're not going down that. We're not going down that trail. Anyways, on to the next game. A number two seeded Houston versus 15, Idaho. I see Houston all over that one. Don't see much talking about it. Do you think Idaho has a chance? I'll give you the option here, David.

SPEAKER_00 21:12

I don't think you do, but uh Idaho has no chance. Uh 24 and a half point spread on that one.

SPEAKER_01 21:20

I would take Houston on that. Yep. Yeah, okay. Glad we're on the same side. On the west side of the bracket, we have Arizona, number one seed Arizona versus 16, Long Island University, all over the Wildcats. Are you all over the Wildcats, David?

SPEAKER_00 21:34

I am, but fans up for the sharks.

SPEAKER_01 21:37

Yep. Pretty cool, pretty cool thing. They're not from New York, by the way. Yeah. On to the next one, we have eight seeded Villanova versus nine seeded Utah State. I'm all over Utah State Aggies in this one. I know their best player got dinged up in the conference tournament championship with his leg. Something had to do with his calf, I believe. I I'm not really exactly sure what happened on that play. I was still trying to understand it and why he was grimacing, but he played most of the second half on it, so really not too concerned. But I think Utah State will pull this one out. Or do you do you have do you have Villanova, David?

SPEAKER_00 22:17

No, Villanova's also fraudulent. Yeah, very they don't have any like major bad losses other than the Georgetown and the biggest.

SPEAKER_01 22:26

I think it could get ugly.

SPEAKER_00 22:27

Utah State minus two and a half. I think I could get uglier than that. I agree. I like Utah State big.

SPEAKER_01 22:34

Yeah, I like Utah State big on that one too. On the next one out of the West Bracket, we have number five seeded Wisconsin versus number 12 High Point. This is a one I circled again. I circled with these five and twelves. I think high point is very, very good for a mid-major. I just think Wisconsin is such a wagon right now. I've been we've been both really high on Wisconsin. I can't go against the Badgers now. I'm rolling with them.

SPEAKER_00 22:59

Yeah, I agree. I love Wisconsin. Uh they've been hot. They beat Michigan this year, which they're one of only three teams to do so. They played them really tight in the Big Ten tournament as well. Uh, they're a really, really good three-point shooting team, which I think is going to matter uh in March. High point is, I agree, one of the better mid-major teams in this tournament. Um, where'd they go this year? They went 30 and 4. That's impressive to do no matter the conference you're in. I mean, that's impressive. But yeah, I like Wisconsin here. I think this is another one that'll be close. You know, Wisconsin. We might be looking up at the under eight in the second half and be like, oh, Wisconsin's up 63 to 59.

SPEAKER_01 23:38

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 23:39

Tune in, but I think Wisconsin pulls away in the end.

SPEAKER_01 23:42

I agree with you. I think that's how it's gonna go. But usually when we agree, it doesn't happen like that. So I don't know. Anything can happen. Uh, number four seeded Arkansas versus number 13, Hawaii. I've been we've both been very high on the Razorbacks and Acuff, and I think Acuff, this is his time to shine in the first round game. I could almost see them going up by a lot and then resting Acuff for the next game, but I think Acuff is gonna have a huge game. 30 plus points and like five five rebounds, eight assists. I think he's gonna have a game.

SPEAKER_00 24:17

Yeah, I mean, he has a game every time they play, right?

SPEAKER_01 24:21

True.

SPEAKER_00 24:22

Um, yeah, I like Arkansas here, but we'll see what happens. Uh I think there are times where you almost don't want to win your conference tournament because you're playing what they play three games in three days, yeah. They have an OT game in there against Ole Miss, and then they got to come back Thursday. You know, that's a it's a four-day turnaround, but they got to travel to wherever they're playing. There could be some rest issues here. I mean, Hawaii also they have to travel, and yeah, I was about to say they played they played last night, uh, so it's not that big of a difference. But if you see some tired legs coming out in the second half for Arkansas, I would not be surprised.

SPEAKER_01 25:08

Yeah, I I agree with you. I agree with you. Six seeded BYU versus 11 seed Texas or NC State, the winner of that. Does Texas or NC State stand a chance against this BYU team in De Bonzo?

SPEAKER_00 25:25

No, uh, we're gonna talk about playing games when we're done with this first round, but the both of those teams stink. Yeah, the Bonza is going to absolutely torch them. I love BYU in this. I think the bonus care what the spread is, give me BYU.

SPEAKER_01 25:38

I think the Bonza's gonna have 40.

SPEAKER_00 25:40

Yeah, this is his time to shine. We we we talked about it the other night. Big 12 tournament. He showed up and he showed out. And I think he's gonna do it again.

SPEAKER_01 25:49

Both those teams don't play any any defense at all.

SPEAKER_00 25:53

Or yeah, BYU doesn't either, though.

SPEAKER_01 25:55

That's true.

SPEAKER_00 25:56

It might be a high scoring game.

SPEAKER_01 25:58

I think it'll be very high scoring. On to the next one, we have three-seeded Gonzaga versus 14-seeded Kennesaw State. I'm all over the Zags here in this first round game. I don't really see them losing this one at all. I expect Gonzaga maybe to even put some points on the board and make them remember that they're playing Gonzaga.

SPEAKER_00 26:21

Agreed. Yep, good Zaga.

SPEAKER_01 26:24

So, yeah. On to the next one, we have seven-seeded Miami versus ten-seeded Missouri. This one's this one's a little tougher for me, uh, in my opinion, on my brain and how I'm working. But I want to take my heart says to take Miami, my mind says to take Missouri, and I'm very, very split on this game, but I have I'm going to ride with Miami on this one and Malik Renew. You're betting on that guy, or I'm betting on that guy, putting putting some dollars on that guy. Actually, I probably won't bet this game, but yeah.

SPEAKER_00 27:03

Uh, I love I love Missouri. I think Miami uh is a is kind of a cute story. They have a lot of wins. Uh, we talked about this previously. They apparently got to play the entire ACC schedule and not play the number one team in the country, which is insane. So we haven't really seen them prove it against anybody at the top level of the sport. Not that Missouri is at the top level of the sport, but I would say Missouri's in a better conference, a little, probably a little bit more battle-tested. Uh, so I like Missouri to pull that one out.

SPEAKER_01 27:36

Split on that. We are split on that one. Number two seeded Purdue versus 15 Queens, David. I expect the Boilermakers to roll on that one.

SPEAKER_00 27:44

Easily the Boilermakers, yeah. Purdue. I have one question on this region before we move on to the next one.

SPEAKER_01 27:50

Yes.

SPEAKER_00 27:50

BYU getting a six seed. Thoughts.

SPEAKER_01 27:55

It's hard to argue it without Richie Saunders. That's my point.

SPEAKER_00 28:01

Yeah. Yeah. If you look at their to the totality of their their team, their schedule, their resume. Yeah, I mean, it's probably a sixth seed, but after they lost Reggie Saunders, they or Reggie Saunders. Richie. Richie Saunders. Uh, they lost three games in a row to UCF, West Virginia, Cincinnati. Not great. And they do have 11 losses, which uh I that's gotta be like the highest for any sixth seed, right?

SPEAKER_01 28:32

Probably, I'm assuming. I would be shocked if we're Louisville has 10, Tennessee has 11.

SPEAKER_00 28:38

So I guess they're they're all kind of in that range, but yeah, I think BYU feels like more of a seven or an eight seed based on uh how they've played since Saunders went down. So thought that was interesting.

SPEAKER_01 28:49

Yeah, I agree with you. I think it's hard when I think it's hard when the committee just doesn't know what to do when a key team loses a player. I think that's been kind of a trend, in my opinion. For sure.

SPEAKER_00 29:01

Teams are seeded without their best players or one of their best players, because I think the bonds is better than Saunders, but anyways, I think he's probably a little bit different story than like Toppin at Texas Tech, because yeah, Saunders wasn't the guy, yeah, whereas Toppin was the guy.

SPEAKER_01 29:16

I mean, Toppin's probably number two best player in the country, right?

SPEAKER_00 29:19

But Texas Tech also kind of proved that they were still legit after they lost him, whereas BYU faltered down the stretch. That's why I think it's an interesting conversation.

SPEAKER_01 29:28

It is an interesting conversation. Out of the Midwest bracket, David, we have number seated Michigan versus number 16 seated, yet to be named UMBC or Howard. Michigan rolls in that one.

SPEAKER_00 29:42

Could UMBC do it again?

SPEAKER_01 29:45

I had a thought. It did cross my mind, but I was like, no. I think they I think they'll beat Howard. We'll talk about it later, but I do think they'll beat Howard pretty easily.

SPEAKER_00 29:56

I agree with you, but yeah, they stand no chance against Michigan.

SPEAKER_01 29:59

Yeah. On to the next one, eight-seeded Georgia versus nine-seeded St. Louis. I can't take a weak SEC team. I'm all over St. Louis in this one, even though they they're on the struggle bus, but I just feel like Josh Sturge is gonna get together after signing that long-term contract. The team's gonna rally around him. He's staying put. I just don't see how St. Louis loses this game after they have so much to prove.

SPEAKER_00 30:26

Yeah, I'm afraid St. Louis might be bad, so I'm gonna take Georgia here.

SPEAKER_01 30:30

Man, putting that in my brain already.

SPEAKER_00 30:32

It was a great story. It was a great story when they were 24 and 1, and then down the stretch, they have just not played very well.

SPEAKER_01 30:38

No, they haven't. They haven't. I just I need them to rally, I need them to rally. On to the next game, David. We had the fifth-seeded Texas Tech Red Raiders out of the Lubbock, Texas area versus number 12 seeded Akron. This is probably the worst draw Texas Tech could have ever gotten. I think Akron's very good of a team. I don't even want to know what the spread in this game is. For those for those of you that don't know, I live in the Lubbock, Texas area. I have season tickets to Red Raider basketball, men's basketball. It's very hard for me to go against them. I'm gonna roll with them here just because of biased. I and I believe in Christian Anderson having that big moment in this game. I think it's gonna be very, very close. But I think Anderson with a layup to win the game, is gonna it's gonna happen that way.

SPEAKER_00 31:26

I think this is my upset pick for the 12-5. Akron. Akron is that good. People were talking about Miami out of the Mac all year because Miami was undefeated. Well, Akron went 17-1 in the Mac. And in the non-conference, they had some losses that weren't great. One of them was to Purdue. Um, but overall, they still went 29-5. That is a legit mid-major team. And Texas Tech has been playing fine without Topping, like we just talked about. But you get into a tight game in the NCAA tournament without your leader in Topping, without the guy that you can just give him the ball and you know he's gonna go get your bucket. And I love Christian Anderson. You know I love Christian Anderson. I know you do. But he tweaked something last week at the Big 12 tournament. They say he's gonna be fine to play, and and I believe he's gonna be fine to play, but even if he's only 90 percent, I think that is a big knock against Texas Tech. I like Akron in this one.

SPEAKER_01 32:34

It's hard to it's hard to argue that. I mean, I agree with you. I agree with what you're saying. Number on to the next one, David. We have four-seeded Alabama versus 13-seeded Hofstra. I really don't know too much about both teams, be being honest and transparent with the listeners and viewers. But I'm gonna roll with the Crimson Tide and NATO's NATO just doesn't lose in the opening round in March, so I'm rolling with that point of view.

SPEAKER_00 33:00

Hofstra, not really sure what happened, but at one point, uh in the middle of conference season, they lost five games in a row in the coastal conference. Well, I don't know. We're five games in a row since then, though. They are 11-1. They are hot right now. They ran through the uh coastal tournament. I do love Bama here, but I think this is another one that should be close for most of the game. I don't see Alabama running away with it by any means. Do you know the spread on this one, real quick? This one is 13 and a half.

SPEAKER_01 33:38

That could go either way. That could go either way.

SPEAKER_00 33:42

Also, interesting on this one. I know Bama scored a lot of points. The over-under is 161 and a half, but Hofstra has the number 317th lowest or slowest tempo in NCAA. I think if they can slow it down and play at their pace, keep it to a low possession game, they're gonna keep it close. And I like the under here.

SPEAKER_01 34:07

There you go, folks. Take the under, take the under. On to the next game, David, with six seed of Tennessee versus the 11th seed winner of Miami, Ohio versus SMU playing. The Redhawks have been a great story, David. One of the best stories in college basketball in a long time. I have told you since the beginning a couple weeks ago that Tennessee is not very good. I'm not high on Tennessee. I don't know how they are a six seed. Maybe some bias in my opinion with the committee, giving them a six seed. I like the Red Hawks. I'm running with them. Running with the Red Hawks.

SPEAKER_00 34:47

You're crazy. Running with them. I love Tennessee here. Yeah, I don't really care who they play. I love Tennessee here.

SPEAKER_01 34:58

Okay.

SPEAKER_00 34:59

Better conference, way more talented than either one of these teams. Uh, I mean, I don't I don't want to bet against Boopy. I love Boopy Miller from SMU. Great name. All name team for sure.

SPEAKER_01 35:10

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 35:11

But yeah, I mean, Miami, great story. I would love to see them win this game. I'd love to see them win their first four game in this game. Tennessee's got two legit guys, Innate Aymant and Jacoby Gillespie.

SPEAKER_01 35:25

Can't argue that, Kenny. Right there. Let's go, Red Hawks, baby. Bring it home. Bring it home. Number three seeded West Virginia versus 14-seeded right state. Virginia is a hot street.

SPEAKER_00 35:36

Whoa, whoa, whoa. West Virginia. I said I said right state. I said West Virginia.

SPEAKER_01 35:42

Okay, number three seeded, number three seeded Virginia versus 14-seeded right state. There you go. Not West Virginia. Not West Virginia. Virginia University Cavaliers. I don't see the I don't see Wright State standing one chance against the Cavaliers.

SPEAKER_00 36:01

So no, agreed. I love Virginia here. Even though interesting three seed. We'll see if they're yeah, they're legit in their second round game. But I agree with that. They should roll here.

SPEAKER_01 36:14

On to the next one, we have seven seed Kentucky versus number 10, Santa Clara. Santa Clara, another great story, David. Coming back to the tournament. I believe it's their first tournament period in like since Steve Nash. I want to say true. That's awesome. It's been a long time. I I don't really know the last time, but I want to say that was the last time because I think that's what I heard on CBS today. But either way, I'm rolling with the Wildcats. Kentucky's been very solid as of late. And I expect them to continue that. I think Pope is kind of fighting for the fans for the fans' approval back. So I expect him to show out.

SPEAKER_00 36:59

First off, you nailed it. 1996, 30 years since Santa Clara's been here. And they did it without having to win a fluky WCC tournament. Uh next year Gonzaga's going to be out of the WCC, so we might see more of Santa Clara in the tournament just uh just by means of being in a tournament, uh conference tournament that they have a better chance of winning. I love Santa Clara. Santa Clara here, though. I think I think they're a legit team. Um they they played a pretty decent schedule this year, uh, and they showed out pretty well. They lost to St. Louis at the buzzer earlier in the year. We talked about that a lot this year. Um they beat, or they didn't beat Gonzaga, but they were close Gonzaga every time, which Gonzaga's the beast of the WCC. So even competing with them is uh is uh you know respectable. Um I like I like them here.

SPEAKER_01 37:56

On to the last game out of the Midwest bracket on that bottom right side, number two seeded Iowa State versus 15 seeded Tennessee State. Tennessee state state, good story. Uh the cyclones roll here.

SPEAKER_00 38:12

Agreed. Cyclones roll. Great, great first year for Nolan Smith uh at Tennessee State. In Tennessee State, one of the best scoring mid-majors in the country and one of the fastest playing mid-majors in the country. So look out for the over.

SPEAKER_01 38:26

Yes, look at those numbers. Look at those numbers. Let's talk about playing games real quick, David. On the first four, happening on March 17th and March 18th. Out of the west side of the bracket, we have Texas versus NC State. I don't like both of these teams are terrible, in my opinion. They did play earlier in Maui this year, however. I believe what were the results of those games? Because I definitely forget.

SPEAKER_00 38:52

102.97, NC State won. High scoring affair in Maui.

SPEAKER_01 38:59

So no defense will be played. That's good to hear. I was leaning NC State, NC State only because Darren Williams and Will and Will Wade and other players that have been there in the NCAA tournament before.

SPEAKER_00 39:13

Yeah, honestly, man. I don't know who to pick here. All I know is I am glad that the committee realized that NC State is a first four caliber team and not a uh a clearly in team, like every bracketology seemed to have them. Everybody a week ago was acting like NC State was the lock of all locks. When if you look at their schedule, yeah, they had not been very impressive, including losing six of their last seven down the stretch, and then losing their second game in the uh ACC tournament as well. I'm gonna take Texas just because I've been wanting to uh shit talk NC State a little bit because they okay, that's fair. They just haven't met the expectations, and and part of that is you know, you set the expectations by betting on them at the beginning of the season because you're big Will Wade guy. Big Will Wade one time, Will Wade.

SPEAKER_01 40:09

Yeah. Hey, don't don't motivate them too much there, David. Don't motivate them too much.

SPEAKER_00 40:15

Hey, done pretty sure what I'm saying.

SPEAKER_01 40:18

Out of the Midwest bracket, 11 Miami, Ohio versus 11 SMU. David, this is going to be a very good game, in my opinion. I feel like you're gonna take SMU, but I'm all I'm all over with the Red Hawks and Steel. I'm running with them. Don't do this. You're gonna take SMU. I already know.

SPEAKER_00 40:43

I don't want to take SMU. I love Miami. It's such a great story, but if they were undefeated right now, this would be a better story. They just lost to UMass. If you can't beat UMass, you probably can't beat SMU. And we've we've been flirting with disaster with Miami for the past month. They've had so many close games. They pulled one out a couple weeks ago against Western Michigan. Western Michigan's bad. Their coach just got fired. I'm gonna take Miami. And this is a crazy one because they're eight and a half point dogs. I'm gonna take Miami outright. I am but I would not be shocked if SMU won by 30.

SPEAKER_01 41:28

Agreed. I I will I will agree with you on that.

SPEAKER_00 41:30

Especially because the whole conversation around this has been that Miami's they just haven't played anybody, you know, literally nobody good. So this is the first time they're gonna be on a court with like legit power five D1 athletes, they could get shell-shocked early on and get blown out.

SPEAKER_01 41:48

Yeah, I I agree with you, but don't you think this is their moment? This is their reason to prove like, hey, we never had a chance to play a good team on a national stage. I just I don't see how it goes south.

SPEAKER_00 42:02

I just feel 100% motivation, and I love that the committee put them in the first four, make them prove it, you know. Not we're not gonna leave them out of the tournament entirely because even though we didn't play anybody, but we're gonna make them go to Dayton, which is I saw Travis Steele was like, This that's 90 minutes from our campus, we're gonna have a home game there. They probably are, and I love how that's gonna be an electric environment. I can't wait for that game.

SPEAKER_01 42:26

Same, same, can't wait to watch it. On the on the other uh 16-seated Midwest bracket, David, we have 16-seated UMBC, 16 seated Howard playing game. I'm rolling with UMBC here only because of my bias of when they upset Virginia. That's the only bias that I have. And in fact, I have I really don't know too much about either of these teams, but I'm rolling with UMBC.

SPEAKER_00 42:51

Yeah, I'll take Howard just to be on the other side of it because don't know anything about either one of these teams.

SPEAKER_01 42:56

Yeah, it'll be very interesting. And another one on the south side of South Bracket, uh, we have 16 seated prairie view AM playing game versus 16 seated Lehigh playing game. And I believe we're probably both on Lehigh, only because they're our bias with CJ McCollum.

SPEAKER_00 43:16

Yeah, I'm on Lehigh, but they're bad, they're like really a bad, a bad basketball team. I mean, wow, are they bad? They got lucky by having Navy lose in the semis of that uh what kind of Patriot League? Patriot League, that's what they're in. The Patriot League, of course. Uh, they got lucky by having Navy lose. Um, I'll take Lehigh just because yeah, it's easy McCollum, and I used to live there, so I'm rooting for him. But um, that that game's gonna be disgusting.

SPEAKER_01 43:48

Yeah.

unknown 43:49

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 43:50

It sounds like Miami, Ohio, and SMU is probably the highlight of the of all the playing games.

SPEAKER_00 43:54

100%. And they make us wait till Wednesday night for that one, of course. That is the very last game of These fours, but you know what? I'm still gonna watch all of them. Yeah, you can't stop me.

SPEAKER_01 44:05

It's March Madison, baby. You can't stop me. That's right. Guys, thank you for tuning in, listening, watching. Appreciate you guys. Oh, hold on. Yes, you are correct. Final four picks. Our final four picks. Thank you, David. I almost missed that. Our final four picks. My final four picks is Michigan, Houston. Michigan, Houston, Arkansas.

SPEAKER_00 44:32

Did you have Duke?

SPEAKER_01 44:34

Yes, Duke. I had Duke. Michigan, Houston, Arkansas, and Duke are my final four picks.

SPEAKER_00 44:43

And I have four different ones for you right here. I got St. John's, uh, five seed, which is that you know that's kind of crazy, and they'll have to beat Duke to get there. Uh, but you know, I've I've loved St. John's all year. I'm a big patino guy.

SPEAKER_01 44:58

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 44:58

Uh, I got Florida coming out of the south. Um, I have Arizona coming out of the West. I agree with you, Arkansas. The the winner of Arkansas, Wisconsin is going to give Arizona a run for their money. And I know you say Arizona's gonna choke because they always do early in the tournament.

SPEAKER_01 45:16

They just do. I was born in Tucson, guys. I was born in Tucson. I tracked the state.

SPEAKER_00 45:21

You got a lot of connections to teams in this tournament, man.

SPEAKER_01 45:23

Yeah, I do.

SPEAKER_00 45:25

But I actually think Arizona, Arizona's got probably hardest, uh, just you know, one through five seeds with Wisconsin, Arkansas, Gonzaga is a little bit underrated just because we don't know a lot about them, and then Purdue's really hot right now as their two seed. Uh, but I still like Arizona. They've just they've shown up every time this year than when they have to. Um, and then in the Midwest, I have Iowa State. Don't really have a great reason why, but I don't love any team in this bracket. I don't either. And Michigan, I like Michigan, but ever since they lost their backup point guard, hasn't quite looked the same. Uh, I think they might get knocked off at some point, so I like Iowa State.

SPEAKER_01 46:10

Pretty good reasons, all for your final four. But we'll see what happens.

SPEAKER_00 46:14

The great thing about this tournament is the one seeds are far and away better than every other team. I think we can agree on that.

SPEAKER_01 46:21

People say that's the final four.

SPEAKER_00 46:23

I and and I could see it happening, of course. I could, but under the one seeds, I think we have a lot of intrigue in in every one of these brackets this year, and I could see a lot of different variations of what happens.

SPEAKER_01 46:34

Agreed, should be fun.

SPEAKER_00 46:35

Let's hope for a Cinderella, too.

SPEAKER_01 46:37

We need some Cinderellas, we need some upsets, we need the magic of March back, not all the favorites. Sorry, favorite betters. It might be it might be a bad year for you, and I'm hoping it is. Sorry, not sorry, don't know what to say. But, anyways, appreciate your guys' support, watching, listening, tuning in, liking, subscribing. Go to our Instagram 5LF Podcast and TikTok 5LF Podcast and find us on YouTube, 5 Arms and Lucky Finn. Got some got some heater coming. Can't tell you all what it is, but if you go to past episodes, probably could find it. So tune in and we'll listen to those, maybe. Maybe. But give us a five star on give us a five star review on Spotify. Appreciate it. We'll see you in the next one. Peace. Five arms and lucky and