I’m not really a huge Basketball fan. I’m built for it, and my dad was a state champion in high school, but I was never any good at it. I tried playing in Junior High, but wasn’t any good. I tried again as a Sophomore in high school, but when the coach told us that during the season we were not allowed to go skiing, I quit. Nothing comes between me and launching myself off a cliff with two boards strapped to my feet.
But here I am, trying basketball again. Only this time, I’m trying it from the comfort of my office computer and living room couch. Ahhh, much better!
I went and joined two NCAA March Madness Basketball Bracket Challenges. One (with CBS Sportlines) is through Vince Antonucci’s blog and the winner gets a free, autographed copy of his book. The other (with Yahoo Sports) is through Passion 4 Planting which I also learned about through a post on Vince’s blog.
I approached both brackets very differently. With the Yahoo sports bracket, I got expert advice from a friend of mine who is a sports guru. I played against him in two fantasy football leagues this year, and he got first place in both leagues. So he told me who is going to win the various games, and that is how I filled out my bracket. Thanks Ross!
With the CBS Sportsline, I realized that I needed to get God involved, especially since “there is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end, it leads to death.” I know that Ross is an expert, but he’s only human. So with the CBS Sportline bracket, I let God do my picking. Armed with Proverbs 16:33 and flipping a penny, I filled out my bracket and learned that Oral Roberts University is going to win it all! This only made sense because God is, after all, on their side.
So, Calvinists and Arminians take note: The age-old debate about divine sovereignty vs. human reason/free will is about to be solved.
Or, maybe this will just turn out to be an illustration of personal folly.
Your system is just as good as any other. If you manage to do well with that one, though, you’ll force me to revisit my “God doesn’t care about touchdowns” hypothesis.
Bullet,
I’ll keep you posted!
Well,
So much for Oral Roberts. They lost today. So the penny flipping approach is not one I will use again.
However, in the Yahoo bracket, I am tied for the lead with 16/16 correct picks so far! Yay!
Well, I finished the first day 16/16 as well. Then yesterday I fell apart, only 9/16 for a total of 25/32 for the first round. Oh well. Maybe the second round will go better for me!
Rachel,
I’m about the same. I went 16/16 for the first day also. Then fell apart yesterday and ended at 26/32. Today, Duke LOST!!!!!!!!! which I had going all the way to the final four. Ouch.
Hey Jeremy, I wanted ORU to go all the way as well, I was expecting a miracle as the school promotes. Thats why I had them out in the 2nd rd, b/c the only miracle was getting out of the first, which they didn’t. Yet, I’ve done pretty well in the 2nd rd today, lol, got WV over Duke, only missing one game today.
Good picking strat with the Prov 16/flipping a coin approach, very close to mine which excludes Prov 16 and uses the drop the finger on the school name approach. So far thats worked well for me on the CBS bracket. Good to hear you’re doing well also! HA! See you Tues!
Big oops on Duke. I actually picked W. Virginia over Duke in that game, so I was pretty happy. 🙂 All my Final Four teams are still in it, but only BARELY thanks to UCLA almost losing tonight! Sheesh. Although, being a KU fan, I was still cheering for A&M (since they’re Big 12). But bracket-wise I’m glad UCLA won.
Now, if KU can finally get their championship, all will be well…