Obama's (Messy) NCAA Bracket Revealed

By: Brian Montopoli
Topics: In The News

(ESPN)

If you're looking for guidance in your NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament pool, you now have a new source to turn to for guidance: President Obama.

ESPN has posted the bracket filled out by Mr. Obama, who predicts that the North Carolina Tar Heels will win the tournament.

The president, who reportedly consulted with press secretary Robert Gibbs on his picks, broke down his picks for ESPN's Andy Katz on Tuesday in the White House map room.

He seemed to know his stuff: Among the president's observations was that "the Pac-10 has been looking pretty weak this year," that Pittsburgh's DeJaun Blair "is a man," and that Oklahoma, despite having player of the year Blake Griffin, only has about seven players who get playing time – and in that situation "you start getting worn down."

The president's bracket, in which teams are crossed out, reflects a lack of self-assurance familiar to anyone who has had to figure out who will make it to the final four. Here's his South region:

(ESPN)

Some upsets chosen by the president were No. 11 VCU over No. 6 UCLA and No. 11 Temple over No. 6 Arizona State; he said he took Duke into the elite eight because of personal aide Reggie Love, but he had them losing there to Pittsburgh – a city where he had "good luck" during the presidential campaign.

The president said he chose North Carolina because of their "experience and balance" – and that he was unconcerned about guard Ty Lawson's injured toe because "I've got to assume that he's coming to play."

He also offered a personal message to the team: "Now, for the Tar Heels who are watching, I picked you all last year -- you let me down. This year, don't embarrass me in front of the nation, all right? I'm counting on you. I still got those sneakers you guys gave me."

The president's full bracket is here. You can watch the games starting tomorrow on CBS and online at http://mmod.ncaa.com/. And it's not too late to fill out a bracket.

Brian Montopoli
Brian Montopoli is the senior political reporter at CBSNews.com.
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by rickyL00001 March 20, 2009 2:45 PM EDT: C'mon give Barack Obama a little time off...I mean it only takes 15 minutes to fill a bracket out....like it didnt take you a lil time to spare a few moments for something you have been doing for years NCAA BRACKETS... When was the last time you 'took five'??? He puts his pants on the same way I do, please step back a few....let him 'play'!; Reply to this comment


by mattcat25 March 19, 2009 9:13 AM EDT: watermelon ball
Posted by bumpedoff at 6:27 PM : Mar 18, 2009

Example of Conservative Principles?; Reply to this comment


by boosterprez1 March 19, 2009 8:12 AM EDT: Obama keeps saying our nation is in crisis.....

Then why does he have all this free time to fill out brackets and appear on Jay Leno?????

THE CAMPAIGN IS OVER, OBAMA!

He should be planted in Washington until his Treasury Dept is fully functioning, and at least ACTING like he's getting things done...instead he's out campaigning to try to get us to approve of his $3.6 trillion budget, and cracking jokes.

We should be in crisis mode, not comedy mode....; Reply to this comment


by cbs_bull March 19, 2009 5:32 AM EDT: IMPEACHABLE OFFENSE??????
--------------
Posted by airmanC141

Not sure. It depends on who you ask, for example, Rush L.??
But I like this president playing on NCAA pool than going hunting and shot his buddy in face ...; Reply to this comment


by krauq March 18, 2009 11:19 PM EDT: I wonder what would have happened if "Dubya" was in office and he filled out a bracket. I think the loony leftist liberals would have pounded him on gambling...; Reply to this comment


by krauq March 18, 2009 11:10 PM EDT: "If you?re looking for guidance in your NCAA Men?s Basketball Tournament pool, you now have a new source to turn to for guidance: President Obama."

Why is CBS reporting on Obama like he is an omnipotent being?; Reply to this comment


by endurorob March 18, 2009 6:21 PM EDT: Honestly, why is this the top political story? Why is this a story. Don't respond I will not be here long enough to read it.; Reply to this comment


by specialty8 March 18, 2009 5:43 PM EDT: Go Obungler, give every basketball player a million bucks of your stimulis money. Print, baby,print.; Reply to this comment