Moon Stamp Madness 2024 – West Region (Jorden)

Welcome to the final regional preview of the Moon Stamp Madness series. I’ve already previewed the East, South, and Midwest. Now it’s time to round everything out with the West. This preview is going to bit a bit different, because I won’t go game-by-game, but round-by-round. This is mostly because I hampered myself by writing 3000 word’s on Kate Middleton’s disappearance, instead of focusing on sports. That’s the Moon Stamp difference.

I’m goign to try and post some solid analysis, but at this point expect some crazy picks. Like you can see below, I am choosing an 11 seed to go to the Elite 8. Maybe not fully crazy after last year, but maybe I’m far too Pitino-pilled for my own good. I’m very busy midmajormaxxing in my picks for the West region.

Below, I’ve highlighted what I think is important. Expect this to be relatively short compared to my other posts.

Round of 64

To start from the top, I chose Michigan St. to win fully because I would be a fool to bet against Tom Izzo in March. He will die on a court in March before he allows himself to stop coaching. Also, as I’ve said in previous posts, I have an agenda against the SEC and the number of bids is received. Therefore, I’m vibing, without an stats, all the way to a Michigan St. victory.

This paragraph will contain zero analysis. I like the GCU colors and the entire vibes. Especially because a guy got pegged on national television and Joel Osteen didn’t make a big deal of it (he may be the antichrist, survey is out). Saint Mary’s is just better, and GCU just can’t keep up.

The entire saga of New Mexico is going to look a little crazy. And to be fair, picking New Mexico to go to the Final Four is crazy, for a team that couldn’t even win the Mountain West. I do not expect them to win the National Championship, because I am only kind of crazy. But I am crazy enough to fall in love with a team that is actually terrible on my favorite metric, which is pace of play. An incredibly strong defense backed by explosive guard play. Clemson gets steamrolled.

Dayton and Nevada are pretty much down the middle for me in terms of who could win. Genuinely just feels like a coin toss kind of pick. Even though Dayton is worse defensively than Nevada, vibes are high and they play really slowly. That’s why Dayton moves on in the West.

Round of 32 – Westward Expansion

I made the featured picture for this blog before I actually wrote it. The more I think about it, the smarter it would be to go back and do an Oregon trail theme. I really wish Oregon was in this region. There are dreams that cannot be.

Speaking of dreams, do you think Roy Williams still dreams about basketball? Or does he have old man dreams now? Either way he will be dreaming onto the Sweet Sixteen, because this UNC team is just better than the Michigan St. starting 5. Also, I have a whole thing against the B1G, so they have to lose.

Saint Mary’s over Alabama because I also have some hate for the SEC and their number of bids. You’d think a conference known for its defense would play some in basketball. Does Alabama have one of the best offenses in the nation? Yes. Is that propped up by the fact that Alabama plays in the SEC against some defenses so holey a priest has to come bless them? Also yes. Saint Mary’s moves west.

Baylor should win this game by every metric I’ve put forth. They play way slower and their offense is elite. New Mexico plays really quickly and has a better defense, but is not as elite offensively. I’m feeling crazy and I’m Pitinomaxxing my bracket.

Arizona and Dayton I think is pretty self-explanatory.

Sweet Sixteen – Manifest Destiny

I don’t think UNC is that strong this year. The ACC is having a down year. I still contend Iowa St. should have been a one seed. Even with that I probably should give UNC more of a chance than I am. RJ Davis has proven to be elite. I hate Bacot though. I don’t know what it is, but I hate him.

Saint Mary’s is fantastic when it comes to rebounding, only behind Purdue. That’s going to give UNC problems. Coupled with the fact they play very slowly (358 out of 362) and with a top-20 defense. This is the team of the advanced metrics. Saint Mary’s all the way.

Jorden why is New Mexico beating Arizona? Nothing says they should. Down Arizona year and vibes. I want New Mexico in my West Elite Eight.

Elite 8 – How the West was Won

This is where the story of Richard Pitino comes to an end this year. Saint Mary’s literally just destroys every metric I have. They play so slowly and they have a stellar defense. This is nothing like New Mexico has faced all year. This is really all the analysis I have for this game. Saint Mary’s to the Final Four.

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