If it's true your gut reaction is usually best, we'll soon find out who's got the best gut. Last week we asked Star Tribune readers and staffers to fill out an NCAA tournament bracket the moment the picks were released Sunday evening. Writers and editors had five minutes. We gave readers an hour. Forty-seven brackets beat the bell. And now the games begin.
One thing is for sure: Heavy-favorite Kentucky ruled the evening. Seven of 10 Star Tribune staff brackets have the Wildcats cutting down the nets (The others: Wisconsin, Duke and ... NDSU).
Readers weren't quite as sold on Calipari and Co. But it's no surprise Kentucky led the way with 16 of 36 submissions going with the 'Cats.
Perhaps with a nod to Apple Valley's Tyus Jones, Duke was the next favorite among readers (5), with Wisconsin (4), Virginia (3) and Arizona (3) right behind. Gonzaga, Georgetown, Louisville, North Carolina and Iowa State each got one vote.
Upsets? Of course we think there will be upsets. The trendy 12-over-5 pick was abundant. Twenty-six readers and seven Star Tribune staffers picked at least one 12-5 upset. In the South region, Stephen F. Austin is a popular pick to topple No. 5 seed Utah. Also in the South, many believe 7-seed Iowa will fall to 10-seed Davidson and 13-seed East Washington will get by Georgetown.
You can view all of the #SpeedBracket submissions here. Or scroll down.
We'll have updates throughout the tournament on startribune.com
