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Unfortunately, I haven’t had time to write my 1000 word opus on why a 1.65 multiplier is a bad idea.  I am sure this will spark huge debate at the Kohl and in the establishments around it this week.  My solution?  Two words.  Dynasty rule. Here is a brief rundown of the rest of the weekend.

Things I'm Looking Forward To:

Point Guards.  I’m a sucker for a good point guard. Particularly the match-up between Adam Pohlman and Aaron Nixon on Friday night should be a match-up of two great ones.

Milwaukee King. I also love watching a Jim Gosz coached King team go to work. I mentioned on twitter a few weeks back that a King win should never be considered an upset as long as Jim Gosz is there, but many will view them as the big underdog on Friday night.

Brillion.  I fully expect Dominican to squash for a title but if there is anyone that can maybe give them a run it might be Brillion.  A few years back, Brillion won a D3 state title while being the only champ and the only team in the D3 field that didn’t have a scholarship basketball player on their roster. While this team doesn’t have the record of that championship team, they are solid and Coach Kittel will put in a solid game plan.  

The Big Recruits.  Speaking of Diamond Stone, he and Henry Ellison will be watched closely by every college recruiting fan in the state. 

Madison Tips:

Once again, I urge you that unless you are absolutely terrified to drive in downtown Madison that there are better options than the Alliant Energy Center shuttle. They actually raised the prices this year, to park at the Alliant Energy Center will cost $6.50.  The shuttle itself costs $5 per person.  So if you have a family of four you’re looking at $26.50 to park far away and have to wait for a bus to take you to and from the game.  In comparison the majority of lots downtown will be $8 . If you are coming after 5 there are some lots and a bunch of street parking on the south side of Regent street that would be free and you can shuttle from the Red Zone.

Speaking of the Red Zone Madison (1212 Regent Street), in the former Regent Street Retreat building, the Red Zone Madison is a little bit of new and old.  It is run by a lot of the folks that used to provide great state tournament experience to folks over at the Stadium Sports Eatery (which is now being turned into condos or apartments) across from Camp Randall.  The Red Zone crew completely redesigned the place with over 30 televisions and a brand new menu (with a lot of favorites that used to be available at the Stadium).

During the tournament they will be open early for breakfast and will have $6 basket specials.  With shuttles running all day you can jump on one, grab lunch or dinner and head back to the Kohl. If you feel like walking it’s only .6 miles from the Kohl Center.  There is even a good chance you might see a WSN staffer there. With capacity for over 300 you should be able to beat the crowds that will all be heading towards University and State street.

Speaking of beating the crowds, if you want something in the fast food category, on the way to the Red Zone there are several options on Regent Street.  On the corner of Regent & Park is Qdoba (.4 miles away, actually closer than the State Street location) along with Capriotti’s sandwich shop.  A little further down the way is a McDonalds, Rocky’s and Wingstop.

To get towards Regent you just walk towards Dayton, hang a left on Park and then a right on Regent. You can also cut by the LeBahn, head under the walking tunnel to get directly to Regent Street, I feel like this way is shorter but Google Maps told me it was indifferent.

My Picks:
Before the first tip-off of the tournament I picked the following:

D1: Brookfield Central over Neenah, Germantown, Madison Memorial (2/4)
D2: Seymour over Rice Lake; Mount Horeb, New Berlin Eisenhower (1/4)
D3: Lodi over Roncalli, Brown Deer, Aquinas (3/4)
D4: Dominican over Mineral Point; Fall Creek, Brillion (2/4)
D5: Cassville over NEW Lutheran, Owen-Withee, Catholic Central (1/4)

New picks now that the field is set:
D1: Milwaukee King over Neenah
D2: Wisconsin Lutheran over Rice Lake
D3: Lodi over Roncalli
D4: Domincan over Blair-Talor
D5: NEW Lutheran over Thorp

See you at the Kohl!  (follow me on twitter for my take throughout the weekend