I felt a lot of pressure trying to make my picks after last year. Last year, for the first time, I managed to pick all four of the Final Four teams (Florida, UCLA, Ohio State & Georgetown.) Unfortunately, I picked the two finalists incorrectly (I picked Georgetown over UCLA), but still, I was pretty proud of picking all four. My overall picks were 49 of 64 correct, I believe. So, I’m shooting for at least 76% again this year.

Also, in 2004, I picked three of the final four (UConn, Duke, Georgia Tech) as well as the final game correctly (UConn over Georgia Tech). So at least a couple of times in recent years, I’ve not done too bad picking the final weekend.

But it is with little confidence that I post my rushed picks this year. My lack of time has caused me to pick many games with less information than I’d like, so I don’t feel very comfortable about many of my picks. Nevertheless, here they are.

My final four picks are:

• East: Louisville - because I simply could not bring myself to pick UNC
• MidWest: Kansas - because I don’t think anyone there can beat them
• South: Texas - because Memphis’ bricks at the line will bring them down
• West: UCLA - because next year is Duke’s year

My championship game has UCLA beating Kansas. I said earlier this year that if UCLA returns to the Final Four for a third straight year, they will win it. Of course, the trick is going to be getting there again. UConn could prove to be difficult if that game happens, but I don’t think anyone out of the bottom - Duke, Xavier or anyone else - can take them out. So, I’m sticking with UCLA.

You can see my full bracket of picks here (pdf).

Tip-off is about two hours away.

Let the madness begin.

And, I almost forgot . . . #2