NCAA Upset Watch and a note to the WHL Awards Committee

Actually, let's do this in reverse order, because I'm about to throw some chairs around the room like Bobby Knight if I don't get this off my chest.

The Western Hockey League named their award recipients for the 2008-09 season. Drayson Bowman was a second team selection, which is understandable considering the firepower the Western Conference had this season.

But Dustin Tokarski joining him on that team because Chet Pickard was a first-team selection, is absolutely awful.

You don't have to be a genius to figure out who was the better netminder. Just take a look at the stats.

Save percentage: Tokarski 93.7% (led WHL), Pickard 92.1% (2nd)
Goals Against Average: Tokarski 1.97 (led WHL), Pickard 2.28 (5th)
Shutouts: Tokarski 7 (T-1st WHL), Pickard 6 (T-3rd, WHL)
Shootout Stats: Tokarski 4-2 (T-1st WHL, wins) 19 saves on 22 shots (1st among goalies facing at least 10 shots), Pickard 3-3 (T-5th WHL, wins) 16 saves on 21 shots (5th among goalies facing at least 10 shots)
Record: Tokarski 34-18 (5th in WHL), Pickard 35-12 (4th in WHL)
Record when team scores at least three goals: Tokarski 32-0, Pickard 30-3-2
Goaltender of the Week Nominations: Tokarski 4, Pickard 1

Oh, and Pickard played Tokarski's backup in the World Junior Tournament, when Canada won the Gold Medal. So what am I missing? Seriously, something is wrong there.

Now, on a much more pleasant note, the NCAA Tournament is less than 24 hours away. And in case you haven't filled out your bracket, I've got a few potential upsets for you to keep an eye on as the Dance plays out.

#13 Cleveland State over #4 Wake Forest

Of every first round game not involving the Akron Zips, this is the one I'm most looking forward to. Wake Forest stormed out of the gate before losing five of their last 12 games to close the season, including a loss to Maryland in the ACC Tournament. Meanwhile, Cleveland State won the Horizon League with a victory over Butler and have already defeated the Syracuse Orange this year. If any 13 is going to beat a 4 (yes, this includes Mississippi State) it's going to be the Vikings.

#13 Portland State over #4 Xavier

That cute transition sentence could be referring to this game as well, as the Portland State Vikings are another 13-seed facing an overrated 4-seed. Xavier has some quality wins this season, but also some bad losses (Duquesne, Charlotte). Portland State defeated Gonzaga (the third four seed in the tourney) and lost to the last remaining 4, Washington, by one point.

#14 North Dakota State over #3 Kansas

I couldn't pull the trigger on this game, but it was one of the last two on my board before I took the Jayhawks. I loved Kansas during the season, and was itching to choose the Bison unless they drew the Zags, but then they matched NDSU up with Kansas and I was lost. I'd have rather them drawn Michigan State and there would have been no hesitation. My concern with NDSU is their lack of defense. But Ben Woodside is a player and if he gets hot, this game could go either way.

#11 VCU over #6 UCLA

The way everybody is talking about this matchup, it shouldn't be an upset if the Rams win, but it's still an 11-6. The Bruins have to travel cross country and take on VCU in the City of Brotherly Love. VCU will have the fans in their corner, UCLA isn't that good, and Eric Maynor has a chance to be this season's Stephen Curry.

#11 Utah State over #6 Marquette

I actually have USU in the Sweet 16 because I hate Missouri and the first two rounds are in Boise. Marquette is scary, but missing Dominic James hurts and since the Aggies are each about 33 years old thanks to their Mormon missions, that veteran leadership should carry them through at least one round and possibly two. Are they this year's George Mason?

No. But only because they got stuck with Memphis instead of Michigan State.