March Madness Factory of Sadness Tournament Championship

ROUND OF 32

EAST REGION

Ryan – Andrew Miller (1) v. Iman Shumpert (8): This is the typical one/eight matchup. In this case, Miller is too dominant for Shumpert to handle. Also, Miller’s beard trumps Shump’s hair. Pick: Miller (1)

Ryan – J.R. Smith (4) v. Jerome Baker (5): Baker is a great young player for OSU, but the Cavs do not win the title without Smith’s third-quarter in Game 7. Plus, the dude has a shirt of him not wearing a shirt – that is worth bonus points. Pick: Smith (4)

Ryan – Corey Kluber (3) v. Michael Brantley (6): Both are key players for the Indians, but Kluber has Brantley in two areas: awards (a Cy Young to no MVP for Brantley) and health. Klubot roles to the Sweet 16. Pick: Kluber (3)

Ryan – Sam Hubbard (2) v. Marc Loving (7): One of the biggest factors in the NCAA Tournament is experience – teams filled with seniors can be scary. In such a close matchup, the senior gets the nod. Pick: Loving (7)

Eric – Andrew Miller (1) v. Iman Shumpert (8): Despite Shumpert being in Cleveland longer than Miller, Miller takes the cake with this matchup. His dominance in the postseason is what sets him apart from Shump. Pick: Miller (1)

Eric – J.R. Smith (4) v. Jerome Baker (5): J.R. Smith is the obvious winner here. Baker still has to prove he can make plays on the field now that Raekwon McMillan has departed from Ohio State. Pick: Smith (4)

Eric – Corey Kluber (3) v. Michael Brantley (6): This is the toughest matchup in the East Region – a Cy Young winner and a potential MVP. Kluber advances because of the injuries Brantley has suffered in the past couple seasons. Pick: Kluber (3)

Eric – Sam Hubbard (2) v. Marc Loving (7): Both of these Buckeyes match up well. However, with the Buckeyes basketball team struggling mightily this season, the advantage goes to Sam Hubbard. Pick: Hubbard (2)

WEST REGION

Ryan – J.T. Barrett (1) v. Tate Martell (8): Martell reminds me a lot of Johnny Manziel, who I had a man-crush on. However, experience is huge in this matchup, as the vet staves off the young freshman. Pick: Barrett (1)

Ryan – Edwin Encarnacion (4) v. Kyle Korver (5): There is nothing behind this pick. If I only get one chance to do this, I am homering this pick badly. I love Kyle Korver. Pick: Korver (5)

Ryan – Danny Shelton (3) v. Jae’Sean Tate (6): As a person who screamed profanities at the television the night the Browns passed on DeVante Parker, I am so happy I was wrong. Shelton has developed into a force on the defensive line and is no match for Tate. Pick: Shelton (3)

Ryan – Kevin Love (2) v. Channing Frye (7): Such a tough matchup. Both are big men who can shoot. Both are fantastic off the floor – Lil’ Kev and Channing’s Snapchat game. However, Kev is a beautiful man, which gives him the nod. Pick: Love (2)

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Eric – J.T. Barrett (1) v. Tate Martell (8): As an incoming freshman, Martell has not really done anything for the state of Ohio. J.T. picks up the easy win. Pick: Barrett (1)

Eric- Edwin Encarnacion (4) v. Kyle Korver (5): Encarnacion has not played a game in Cleveland yet, and even though Korver’s time has been short lived, he has actually been in the Cleveland uniform. Pick: Korver (5)

Eric – Danny Shelton (3) v. Jae’Sean Tate (6): This is one of the first big upsets in the tournament. Tate is the leading scorer on a bad Buckeyes team, but the Browns are not much better. Shelton is still an unproved lineman. Pick: Tate (6)

Eric – Kevin Love (2) v. Channing Frye (7): As previously mentioned, K-Love has, for some reason, been wanted out of Cleveland for a long time for some fans. However, he has also become one of the most-loved Cavaliers. Pick: Love (2)

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MIDWEST REGION

Ryan – Joe Thomas (1) v. Jose Ramirez (8): Ramirez quickly became a fan favorite last year, but Thomas has not won ANYTHING in Cleveland. He advances to the Sweet 16 to end his misery. Pick: Thomas (1)

Ryan – Mike Weber (4) v. Christian Kirksey (5): Weber had a solid freshman year for the Buckeyes, but his performance against Clemson was poor. Kirksey, on the other hand, had a fantastic year for the Browns. Pick: Kirksey (5)

Ryan – Tristan Thompson (3) v. Richard Jefferson (6): Two words: Kardashian Curse. That hurts Tristan here, as Jefferson and his Snapchat make it to the Sweet 16. Pick: Jefferson (6)

Ryan – Francisco Lindor (2) v. Joel Bitonio (7): Nothing against Bitonio, but Frankie is just on a different level. The Gold Glover advances with ease, in what may kickstart a Final Four run. Pick: Lindor (2)

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Eric – Joe Thomas (1) v. Jose Ramirez (8): Ramirez is something special for the Indians, but Thomas is also special for the Browns. With everything Thomas has gone through, his service for the city of Cleveland puts him ahead of Ramirez. Pick: Thomas (1)

Eric – Mike Weber (4) v. Christian Kirksey (5) – Weber has been in the limelight for the Buckeyes for one year, but it was a disappointing year. Kirksey has been a leader on the Browns defense for the past couple years. Even though the defense is not very good, Kirksey advances in this one. Pick: Kirksey (5)

Eric – Tristan Thompson (3) v. Richard Jefferson (6): Both of these guys were key in winning a championship for the Cavs. One of them played a little more in the finals than the other, though, and for that reason, Thompson advances. Pick: Thompson (3)

Eric – Francisco Lindor (2) v. Joel Bitonio (7): Upsets are rare, but when they happen, it is exciting to see. Well, sorry to burst the bubble, but Lindor wins this round. Pick: Lindor (2)

SOUTH REGION

Ryan – Kyrie Irving (1) v. Isaiah Crowell (8): Like the Miller/Shumpert matchup, this is a typical one/eight outcome – Uncle Drew advances. Pick: Irving (1)

Ryan – Joe Haden (4) v. Cody Allen (5): Haden’s injuries have made him Mr. Unreliable the past few years, while all Allen has done has become Mr. Reliable. Availability is huge here. Pick: Allen (5)

Ryan – Nick Bosa (3) v. Myles Garrett (6): My first-overall-pick, Myles Garrett, plays the same position as Bosa. Right now, Garrett is the far better player. Pick: Garrett (6)

Ryan – Jamie Collins (2) v. Carlos Carrasco (7): Nothing against Cookie, but Collins is one of the best linebackers in the NFL. This is an unfortunate draw for the hard-throwing right-hander. Pick: Collins (2)

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Eric – Kyrie Irving (1) v. Isaiah Crowell (8): When you think of Cleveland basketball, the first thing you think of LeBron James. The next is Kyrie Irving, and he moves on. Pick: Irving (1)

Eric – Joe Haden (4) v. Cody Allen (5): Haden has been a liability on the field for the past couple of seasons. Allen may blow a couple of saves, but you can count on him to get the job done. Pick: Allen (5)

Eric – Nick Bosa (3) v. Myles Garrett (6): Garrett has proven to be the best overall player in the draft, but he has not helped the state of Ohio yet. Nick Bosa has been in Ohio for one year, but he has made a big impact with the Buckeyes. Pick: Bosa (3)

Eric – Jamie Collins (2) v. Carlos Carrasco (7): Collins just re-signed with the Browns for the next couple years, but Carrasco is a key pitcher for this Indians rotation. Carrasco pulls out the upset. Pick: Carrasco (7)