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The pool rules

Ten tips to filling out your NCAA tournament bracket

Posted: Monday March 12, 2007 2:21PM; Updated: Wednesday March 14, 2007 7:23PM
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Kevin Durant is one freshman who could lead his team on a deep tourney run. He averaged 25.6 points for the Longhorns.
Kevin Durant is one freshman who could lead his team on a deep tourney run. He averaged 25.6 points for the Longhorns.
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Attention all of you office-poolers out there who follow college basketball for one month out of the year (and then only because you threw $10 in with your bracket). I come to you today with some quick primers on how to fill out this year's entry.

For the hardcore hoopheads out there, Seth Davis and the rest of our star-studded college basketball gang will give you the Xs and Os analysis you need. This is for the masses who want to be a part of March Madness, but don't know the RPI from the NIT and have never heard of Billy Packer or Kevin Durant.

Here are 10 things to know for those of you who stopped following college basketball when George Mason made the Final Four last year and haven't taken an interest this year until the empty bracket hit your desk.

1. Don't automatically throw Duke into your Final Four.
The Blue Devils just aren't very good this year, at least not Final Four good. In fact, the most notable thing a Blue Devil player did this year was elbow a North Carolina player in the face and break his nose. Speaking of North Carolina ...

2. You can pencil North Carolina in for a deep run.
The Tar Heels are loaded this year. They won the national championship two years ago and could win it again. They are led by some stud freshmen, as are ...

3. Texas and Ohio State are freshman-based teams you can actually count on.
If you like to pick against freshmen-heavy teams, stay away from these two. But it needs to be noted these football schools have some out-of-this-world freshmen capable of winning the whole thing. You know, like Florida did last year. So how have the Gators been doing, you ask?

4. Florida is even better than it was last year.
You may remember the Gators smashing George Mason and UCLA in the Final Four last year (or you might not), and all five starters are back from that team. No question, the Gators are the team to beat, but before you write them in that "Champion" box, you must remember no team since 1992 has repeated. One other factoid to make you sound smart when you hand this sucker in: None of the four No. 1 seeds last year made the Final Four, and George Mason made it as a No. 11. So who could be this year's George Mason?

5. Winthrop is probably the most dangerous team you've never heard of.
Last year Winthrop lost in the first round to Tennessee at the buzzer as a No. 15 seed, and they are better this year. Winthrop faces Notre Dame in the first round in what is a very even matchup. VCU, Albany and Oral Roberts are also worth taking a second look at, but don't count on another tiny program crashing the Final Four. The big boys should return this year, and location may play a factor for ...

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