I think I’ve won a bracket pool once. I’ve been in the money a few times and I’ve chased the money — even the winning money — other times. But I think just one win. And there were maybe 10 people in the pool. It was also the year George Mason did its thing and I actually had the Patriots winning a few games. Not four, but certainly enough to make a difference.

Anyhow, I’m usually mediocre and this year I hadn’t even filled out a bracket before this morning. I was thinking maybe I’d splurge on that refrigerated dog food at the food store. That way at least I’ll know the someone who will enjoy my $10.

But I rolled up my sleeves and tried to balance instinct and research. This is where I get into trouble. I read something and I learn something and then I read and learn some more and before long it’s all too much and I believe it all matters.

In my reasearch, I put WVU, eh, pretty far because of this.

School: No. 2 West Virginia
Location:Morgantown, West Virginia
First Round: March 19, 12:15 PM, No. 2 West Virginia vs. No. 15 Morgan State
Mascot: Mountaineers, which comes from the Mountain State nickname for West Virginia and the state motto, “Mountaineers are always free.”
Famous Alumni:It’s Jerry West, then everyone else, though the quartet of Antoine Fuqua, Cheryl Hines, Don Knotts, and Billy Mays certainly stands out in the dramatic arts.
Campus Note:WVU and Morgantown are served by Morgantown Personal Rapid Transit, an award-winning people mover developed in part by a WVU industrial engineering professor.
Standout Stat: Windex doesn’t clean the glass like the ‘Eers do: West Virginia ranks second in offensive rebound percentage to Old Dominion, and the Colonials didn’t compile their stats against the Big East.
Vegas Odds: 10-1

I knew about all the others. West, Knotts, MAYS. I even knew back at the Fiesta Bowl Mr. Fuqua went to school in Morgantown.

But Cheryl Hines? This better be true. Not only that, but I feel like this should have been brought to my attention long, long ago.