The nation’s attention turns to the college hoops scene for the next few weeks as the NCAA tournament kicks off later today.  I’m not in any pools this year, so most of these selections have no ultimate bearing on my life, aside from personal pride.  I do have the potential to purchase tickets for future rounds should a certain school from West Lafayette manage to get out of their own way and not embarrass themselves this weekend.  So, without further ado, let’s take a look at this year’s selections.

My selections here are mostly chalk, with a couple early upsets but with the top four seeds heading to the Sweet Sixteen.  Iowa State is my pick to advance to the Final Four.

Fun fact: the first men’s college basketball game I ever attended was Purdue versus Houston at Market Square Arena back in 1993.  Both teams are once again top seeds in this tournament.  I’m hoping Nebraska continues to pull off upsets against teams they have no business beating.  In the end, though, I have Marquette going on to Phoenix.

I’ve got New Mexico going on a run here, so hopefully they are up to the challenge.  At the end of the day, though, I’ve got North Carolina coming out of this bracket.

Purdue enters the tournament as a #1 seed for the fifth time overall and the second consecutive year.  As I detailed Tuesday, they are looking for redemption after becoming just the second #1 seed to fall in the opening round last year.  This is the best Purdue team I’ve ever seen, so hope, once again, springs eternal.