NCAA Tournament 2016: Picking the field by mascots
Sweet Sixteen
No. 4 Cal Golden Bears over No. 16 Austin Peay Governors
The Governors, even with the weapons that I think they have, finally meet their match here against the Golden Bear from Cal. Even with a weapon, fighting a bear in close quarters is a terrible matchup in any regard.
No. 2 Villanova Wildcats over No. 11 Vanderbilt Commodores
Though the human mascots—particularly the ones armed with some kinds of weapons—have largely received the upper hand in many of these matchups, the feral nature of a Wildcat comes into play here. A stuffy Commodore, no matter how trained, may well meet his match with the ferocity, speed, and strength of a Wildcat
No. 16 Holy Cross Crusaders over No. 4 Duke Blue Devils
What tale has been told more than a Crusader going on a mission to defeat a supernatural force, like a Blue Devil perhaps? The Crusaders end the Blue Devil’s run.
No. 11 Northern Iowa Panthers over No. 2 Oklahoma Sooners
The Sooners have had favorable matchups to this point, but a wild jungle cat like a Panther is where the road stops for Oklahoma as it’s just too much speed, power, and unbridled aggression.
No. 16 Farleigh Dickinson Knights over No. 13 Stony Brook Seawolves
Again, having armor proves to be the advantage here, even against a mythical and fierce sounding fictional creature in a Seawolf. Farleigh Dickinson is going to the Elite Eight.
No. 3 West Virginia Mountaineers over No. 2 Xavier Musketeers
The Musketeers may be much better trained, but I like the Mountaineer here because of his lack of training. The willingness to get a bit raw and dirty ultimately pushes West Virginia forward here.
No. 12 Arkansas-Little Rock Trojans over No. 16 Hampton Pirates
Though I like the willingness to not play by the rules in most fights, I don’t like it against a Trojan soldier with a Pirate coming at him. It’s too much armor and too much skill going against a Pirate in this scenario, leaving Arkansas Little-Rock to move on.
No. 2 Michigan State Spartans over No. 6 Seton Hall Pirates
If the Trojans are going to beat a Pirate, you best believe that the Spartans will be able to do the same as some of the most rigorously trained men in history.
Elite Eight
No. 4 Cal Golden Bears over No. 2 Villanova Wildcats
The Bear quite clearly has the advantage over the Wildcat in virtually every regard. 999 times out of 1000, Cal is going to advance in this matchup.
No. 16 Holy Cross Crusaders over No. 11 Northern Iowa Panthers
Once again, the Panther might have a bit of a physical and speed advantage here, but it’s ultimately the Crusaders with their armor and weapons that can come out on top in this duel.
No. 16 Farleigh Dickinson Knights over No. 3 West Virginia Mountaineers
While the Mountaineers advanced on the merit of their ability to get dirty in a fight in the Sweet Sixteen, that won’t be as effective against the defense of a Knight. Farleigh Dickinson is the second No. 16 seed to make it to the Final Four.
No. 2 Michigan State Spartans over No. 12 Arkansas-Little Rock Trojans
Pick your poison when it comes to soldiers, but my money is on the well-trained and highly dangerous Spartan in a battle against a Trojan. Just like what may happen when it comes to the actual basketball, Michigan State makes it to the Final Four.
Next: Final Four