Celebrities Pick their March Madness Favorites

By Scott Matthews

March Madness, properly known as the NCAA Tournament, is officially upon us, and if you’ve given up all hope of picking the best bracket, why not do what everyone else seems to be doing these days, and that’s listen to what the celebrities have to say.

I don’t necessarily agree with that philosophy, but I’m willing to listen to what they have to say.

The Syracuse Orange, who are at 25-1 to win the NCAA Basketball Championship, have a lot of backers. When Sports Illustrated asked 19 celebrities who they think will win it all in the Big Dance, Heidi Klum, model and host of Project Runway, was just one of several celebs favoring the Orange.

“Syracuse! I think Orange is the hot color right now and I love Otto, their mascot,” Klum said.

Dallas Mavericks’ owner Mark Cuban, who should know how to pick a winner judging by how well his Mavs are doing in the NBA this season, is also a fan of the Orange.

“They played in the toughest conference and I think match up well with the other top seeds and the rest of their bracket,” Cuban said.

For what it’s worth (quite possibly nothing) Kara DioGuardi, the singer/songwriter who was an American Idol Judge and now serves as executive vice president of talent development at Warner Bros. Records, likes Syracuse, as well.

And that’s not all, as far as Orange backers (do these people actually watch College Basketball?). Model Brooklyn Decker (wife of tennis star Andy Roddick) also has Syracuse making it to the Final Four.

Then there’s Patrick Dempsey, the actor known for his role as neurosurgeon Dr. Derek Shepherd (“McDreamy”) on the medical drama Grey’s Anatomy, and for film roles in Sweet Home Alabama, Enchanted and Made of Honor.

“I’m picking Georgia Tech,” said Dempsey, currently the co-owner of IndyCar Series team Vision Racing and Dempsey Racing, “because my Mazda Dempsey Racing teammate Joe Foster went there!”

Ok, right.

Actually, forget the celebrities. Didn’t you take the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on St. Patrick’s Day, after all, that was as good a reason as any.

Scott Matthews is a highly respected handicapper with more than 20 years experience picking winners in College Basketball. Check out his free daily picks at www.smpicks.com or by calling toll-free at 1-888-777-5104.