By Request, QF's State Predictions

[Quite Frankly]

Girls

These are my bracket picks in advance of all games.  I might come back and pick again after each round based on results.  But right now, I'll go with these.

1st Round

Conway over Bentonville-  BHS lacks speed
Bryant over Haar-Ber-  HBHS has no business being in the tournament
Central over Springdale- Central will feel pretty good about themselves after playing another team that doesn't belong
Northside over Van Buren- NS too good to lose here

2nd Round

NLR over Conway-  Not close
Rogers over Bryant- Not close
Fayetteville over Central- Not close at all
Northside over Cabot- Very close

Semi's

Rogers over NLR- close
Fayetteville over NS- double digits

Finals
Fayetteville over Rogers- med close


Boys

First Round

Northside over Central-  very close
North Little Rock over SD-  All they have to is score against that terrible SD defense.  NLR by 10 or more.
Southside over Van Buren- close, close, close
Russellville over Har-ber- HB in a tailspin and RHS catches a win.

Second Round

Conway over Northside- Surprisingly close
Rogers over NLR- low scoring and close until late
Fayetteville over SS-  not close
Cabot over Russellville-  med close

Semi's

Conway over Rogers- very close
Fayetteville over Cabot- med close

Finals

Fayetteville over Conway- very close


I'm sure somewhere in there we'll have at least one surprise.

[Smithian]

Since I know everyone wants my opinion as well...

Smithian's Official State Boys Bracket

First Round
Northside over Central
Springdale over NLR
Southside over Van Buren
Har-Ber over Russellvill
Commentary - I really did not mean to pick all West teams on this. Pick most likely to go wrong is Springdale against NLR. Watch Northside screw up everything for me.

Second Round
Northside over Conway
Rogers over Springdale
Fayetteville over Southside
Cabot over Har-Ber
Commentary - Wow, Central, prove me wrong. Cabot is your only hope. Anyways, Northside is good. Northside is experienced. Northside is much better coached. I want to pick Rogers to lose to somebody, but I can't. If Russellville plays Rogers, Rogers will lose. It kills me to pick FHS over NHS, but I have to do it.

Semi's
Northside over Rogers
Fayetteville over Cabot
Commentary - Northside beats Rogers in a close one. Cabot simply won't beat FHS. I'll laugh very hard, however, if they do.

Finals
Northside over Fayetteville
Commentary - Congratulations, Northside! Cinderella! One Shining Moment! Tradition! Biggest party of the century downtown on Garrison Street! But, seriously, this pick was tough for me, but I predicted it from day one and... Well, I still am predicting it. Fayetteville probably wins it all, but who knows... I have to go with NHS.

[Ty]

Boys

1st Round
Northside over LR Central (Northside has the ability to go DEEP)
Springdale over NLR (Springdale peaking at right time)
Van Buren over Southside (Only Central win)
Har-Ber over Russellville (Har-Ber semi-returns to 3 weeks ago)

2nd Round
Conway over Northside (Very close ball game)
Rogers over Springdale (Close for a half)
Fayetteville over Southside (10+)
Cabot over Har-Ber (Very easy draw for Cabot)

Semi's
Rogers over Conway (2-3 match-up causes Conway fits)
Fayetteville over Cabot (Close for a half)

Finals
Fayetteville over Rogers (Haydar hits free throws at end to win it)

[farfromgroovins]

Good try....but this is the way it will pan out.
Here are my expert, non-biased picks.

Boys

1st Round
Central over Northside: Close
NLR over Springdale: Really depends if the "good" NLR team shows up.
Southside over VB: Sorry VB fans but I just wasn't impressed much with play in the central.
Har-Ber over Russellville: Har-Ber turns it around....for 1 game.

2nd Round
Conway over Central: Another close one because Central knows Conway.
Rogers over NLR: Too much D for NLR
Fayetteville over Southside: 15 point victory
Cabot over Har-Ber: Cabot starts slow but heats up in 2nd half.

Semis
Conway over Rogers: Close for 3 quarters then Conway pulls away in the fourth to win by 10.
Fayetteville over Cabot: Cabot is on fire but not enough against the Best from the West.

Finals
Conway over Fayetteville: Conway pushes the tempo only to find Fayetteville can run too so it stays close.

[themaskedbass]

face it fayetteville rolls over everyone in both brackets

[mack]

Since I know everyone wants my opinion as well...

Smithian's Official State Boys Bracket

First Round
Northside over Central
Springdale over NLR
Southside over Van Buren
Har-Ber over Russellvill
Commentary - I really did not mean to pick all West teams on this. Pick most likely to go wrong is Springdale against NLR. Watch Northside screw up everything for me.

Second Round
Northside over Conway
Rogers over Springdale
Fayetteville over Southside
Cabot over Har-Ber
Commentary - Wow, Central, prove me wrong. Cabot is your only hope. Anyways, Northside is good. Northside is experienced. Northside is much better coached. I want to pick Rogers to lose to somebody, but I can't. If Russellville plays Rogers, Rogers will lose. It kills me to pick FHS over NHS, but I have to do it.

Semi's
Northside over Rogers
Fayetteville over Cabot
Commentary - Northside beats Rogers in a close one. Cabot simply won't beat FHS. I'll laugh very hard, however, if they do.

Finals
Northside over Fayetteville
Commentary - Congratulations, Northside! Cinderella! One Shining Moment! Tradition! Biggest party of the century downtown on Garrison Street! But, seriously, this pick was tough for me, but I predicted it from day one and... Well, I still am predicting it. Fayetteville probably wins it all, but who knows... I have to go with NHS.

Your lack of 7Central picks is laughable.  When has that ever happened in basketball?

[Quite Frankly]

Now Mack, it has just as much right to be wrong as anyone else. 

[mack]

Now Mack, it has just as much right to be wrong as anyone else. 

Ha,,,I love it!  A reference to one of my favorite movies,,,  " it puts the lotion on it's skin"

[Smithian]

Now Mack, it has just as much right to be wrong as anyone else. 

Ok, Mrs. West.

[Smithian]

Your lack of 7Central picks is laughable.  When has that ever happened in basketball?

You call me out but look what is happening first round. Yeah, Central might start evening it up, but... Well. Maybe I know something?

[mack]

Your lack of 7Central picks is laughable.  When has that ever happened in basketball?

You call me out but look what is happening first round. Yeah, Central might start evening it up, but... Well. Maybe I know something?

You are a good guesser.  If not for a great 3, you are only 2-1.

[Quite Frankly]

3-0 in Boys certainly catches everyone by surprise.  It also already guarantees at least half the final four are West teams in boys action.

[farfromgroovins]

My bracket sux! 

I sure thought the Central would have won at least 1, but 0-3! Ouch!

[Quite Frankly]

Today might be different.

[woodpeckerfsm]

I don't know what is scarier -- people requesting QF predictions or the predictors actually making prognostications.

Please Remember, these are not for betting purposes.

[Smithian]

Your lack of 7Central picks is laughable.  When has that ever happened in basketball?

You call me out but look what is happening first round. Yeah, Central might start evening it up, but... Well. Maybe I know something?

You are a good guesser.  If not for a great 3, you are only 2-1.

Guesser? If you're going to call me out on my picks, don't act like a punk when I point out that so far my bracket is pretty dang good.

[mack]

Your lack of 7Central picks is laughable.  When has that ever happened in basketball?

You call me out but look what is happening first round. Yeah, Central might start evening it up, but... Well. Maybe I know something?

You are a good guesser.  If not for a great 3, you are only 2-1.

Guesser? If you're going to call me out on my picks, don't act like a punk when I point out that so far my bracket is pretty dang good.
[

Try not to lose your temper.  Name calling could get you in a bind.

[bbal4life]

My bracket sux! 

I sure thought the Central would have won at least 1, but 0-3! Ouch!

Central is getting beat - the slower more patient defense and offense is winning right now.  Conway - at least you all won, surprised to hear Delph foul out - he normally does not do that in a game. 

[RGP]

Guesser? If you're going to call me out on my picks, don't act like a punk when I point out that so far my bracket is pretty dang good.

Um, Northside? 

[Smithian]

Guesser? If you're going to call me out on my picks, don't act like a punk when I point out that so far my bracket is pretty dang good.

Um, Northside? 

Yet you made no bracket of your own?

Your lack of 7Central picks is laughable.  When has that ever happened in basketball?

You call me out but look what is happening first round. Yeah, Central might start evening it up, but... Well. Maybe I know something?

You are a good guesser.  If not for a great 3, you are only 2-1.

Guesser? If you're going to call me out on my picks, don't act like a punk when I point out that so far my bracket is pretty dang good.
[

Try not to lose your temper.  Name calling could get you in a bind.

[Quite Frankly]

Though not entirely accurate early, I do have the final four correct for both.

But so should most prognosticators.

[Ty]

Though not entirely accurate early, I do have the final four correct for both.

But so should most prognosticators.

Both 6 seeds from the West winning threw a wrench into a lot of people's plans.

[neoman77]

boys...

it is 50/50 Central vs West 

where is the wrench here?

These 4 were not hard to predict to be in the final 4.

A caveman could have done it.

[bballfan44]

Seemed one of them was in peril for quite awhile.

[Quite Frankly]

boys...

it is 50/50 Central vs West 

where is the wrench here?

These 4 were not hard to predict to be in the final 4.

A caveman could have done it.

Complete Western domination for the boys.  Lower seeds beating higher seeds.  Then a combined 26 point margin for the 2 top West Seeds over the top 2 central seeds.

Boys Recap:

W#6 over C#3
W#5 over C#4
W#4 over C#5
W#3 over C#6

C#1 over W#4
C#2 over W#3

W#2 over C#1
W#1 over C#2

Now an all W final.  Results speak.

How long before the central part of Arkansas realizes they are not the only place quality basketball is played?

[Smithian]

Well, QF, remember that Southside and Northside are moving soon. That will move a lot of the power base(Pretty much all Northside)to the Central. The Fort Smith schools will be a great equalizer.

[Quite Frankly]

Until it really happens, it hasn't happened.  Plus, SS is not relevant in basketball anyway. 

[Ty]

I would like to point out then when Fayetteville beats Rogers for the state title, the Van Buren-Southside game will be my only miss.

Top that.

[CACKY]

BY REQUEST,  let's please try to keep comments this week positive and upbeat about your team without sniping at their opponent.  All teams have a lot to be proud of.  All of the players and coaches deserve a big congratulations and good luck for making it to the finals.

[Baitshop]

Until it really happens, it hasn't happened.  Plus, SS is not relevant in basketball anyway. 

.......and Bentonville is??...??...??

[RGP]

I would like to point out then when Fayetteville beats Rogers for the state title, the Van Buren-Southside game will be my only miss.

I'm disappointed in you, TY.

Probably the most anticipated, hyped game of the tournament.... State Title included.

[RGP]

All of the players and coaches deserve a big congratulations and good luck for making it to the finals.

Congrats to coach Gulley.... or coach Brewer? Or coach Gulley Brewer??

[Quite Frankly]

Until it really happens, it hasn't happened.  Plus, SS is not relevant in basketball anyway. 

.......and Bentonville is??...??...??

Of course the difference is that I know that.

[Smithian]

Bentonville's only relevance in basketball is... Um. Uh. Barry Lunney?

[Quite Frankly]

I've certainly not been a big braggart about the Tigers.  If there's anything worse than the flavor of the year team and their silly fans, it's the fool that brags on a regular loser. 

[RGP]

I've certainly not been a big braggart about the Tigers.  If there's anything worse than the flavor of the year team and their silly fans, it's the fool that brags on a regular loser. 

Hey now.

I don't brag about FSS basketball, but we've made it to the second round two of the past three years.

Impressive for our standards, and we've haven't been a consistent loser in any of those years.

End of bragging.

[Quite Frankly]

After Bentonville football and the known fact the winner will come from the West in boys action, it might be time for you to update the West titles in all sports compared to the central since the 7A split came to be.

Counting indoor track, golf, cross country, wrestling and others will show an even stronger landslide.

[farfromgroovins]

Basketball Central now is not what it once was. I'm not saying it is horrible but when you get Russellville and VB in place of Hall and Parkview, it doesn't exactly make your basketball conference stronger (yes, their football is nothing to speak of.)

[Quite Frankly]

Exactly.

[Quite Frankly]

I don't know what is scarier -- people requesting QF predictions or the predictors actually making prognostications.

Please Remember, these are not for betting purposes.

Maybe they should have bet.

[Ty]

I don't know what is scarier -- people requesting QF predictions or the predictors actually making prognostications.

Please Remember, these are not for betting purposes.

Maybe they should have bet.

I should have bet on my bracket.

Only one miss.