Obama Ready For ‘Barack-etology’
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President Obama and British Prime Minister David Cameron
By DERON SNYDER
No matter what the NCAA says about its “First Four,” held on Tuesday and Wednesday, those games aren’t the first round of the men’s basketball tournament. They’re play-in games to qualify for the field of 64. The real action gets under way Thursday and Friday, when 60 teams play their first game.
Like millions of other Americans, President Obama has filled out his bracket for the men’s tournament. (His picks for the women’s tournament will be revealed on Friday.) Seeing how Obama is the First Fan and Baller-in-Chief, ESPN unveiled his picks during a live broadcast for the third consecutive year.
The NCAA tournament has spawned a new science — “bracketology” — in which experts and non-experts alike predict which 68 teams will be included in the field. But once the teams are announced on Selection Sunday, the focus turns to predicting winners in any number of office pools and online contests. The word “bracket” likely is uttered in March more times than the other 11 months combined.
Obama is definitely conservative when it comes to predicting winners. He correctly picked the University of North Carolina in 2009, when the Tar Heels were a No. 1 seed. He incorrectly picked Kansas University in 2010 and 2011, with the Jayhawks being a No. 1 seed both seasons. But he’s going with North Carolina again this year, with the Tar Heels — again — a No. 1 seed.
