What We Learned from the Round of 64

Photo Courtesy of Scoopnest.org

After watching three teams set in the Elite Eight of my bracket go down like a fat kid on an unstable playground slide, the Round of 32 awaits what's left of my picks.

What's been so intriguing about this first (or second) round is that the theory of picking the 5-12 upset was replaced by a new and slightly disturbing trend. Seth Davis tweeted on Thursday that 14-3 is the new 12-5. Sure, it's good for the tournament and the marketing behind March Madness, but how do you live with knowing you were a 3-seed and your setback that sent you home now ultimately becomes part of that neverending "One Shining Moment" montage?

Photo Courtesy of ESPN.com

It's not a great feeling for those guys and I can completely understand that. But it's a feeling that, deep down, no member of a team listed as a defeated 3-seed wants to live with. Maybe my focus is off here though. Maybe there should be less blame on the 3-seed and more kudos to go to the 14's who fought desperately into the Round of 32.

With all the madness going on, tip your cap for all the top seeds for going in and handling business. There's nothing like continuing the streak of dominance over 16-seeds, but the road only gets hards...unless, of course, you're Kentucky...because you could probably beat the Sixers.

Meanwhile, does someone want to explain how an 11-seed got TWO home games in this tournament? Don't get me wrong. But outside of Kentucky being in Louisville, no other team had the benefit of playing in their home building in the men's tournament. I don't care how to slice it. That's an advantage for some team.

Photo Courtesy of FoxSports.com

Yes, it may have only gotten them through two games and into a third, but that's three more tournament home games that Dayton has on any other team in the tournament. I think the committee screwed up in that case. Dayton should have played in Jacksonville or some place not named Dayton. Granted, Dayton's not making the Sweet 16, but the idea of them being that close because they have a slight advantage should raise red flags.

Regardless, the Round of 64 is officially behind us. However, the drama is not. Expect at least two more upsets this round.

Here's to keeping your bracket intact...unless you're in the money pool I'm in.