Some kind of party

I've been to my fair share of birthday parties, bar and bat mitzvahs, weddings and even a bachelor's party here and there, but I've never been to a Sweet 16.\nI'm told they're a good time. A bunch of squealing teenage girls going crazy over the latest R. Kelly jam and lining up for the limbo does sound like a blast. Personally, I'd hold out for the electric slide and some of Richard Marx's "Hold on to the Night." \nIn the most non-creepy way as possible, I imagine myself at one of these galas. \nThe chicken fingers and shirley temples have been served, and it's time to open up the presents. \nOooh, I'm so excited. \nDo you think little Caroline will get that new Prada bag she asked grandma and grandpa for, or will it be heartbreak city, as she'll have to settle for a knock-off Coach?\nAll the presents are opened and to be honest, little Caroline doesn't look nearly as ecstatic as I would be if I had just gotten the complete Reese Witherspoon DVD collection. \nWe all know what present she's waiting for -- what every 16-year-old waits for. \nDaddy stands up, grabs the mike and strolls toward his shining star. The DJ, Hot Carl, brings up the spotlight and plays some soft Enya in the background. The music fades out as Daddy nears the birthday girl, he reaches in to his pocket, grabs a set of keys and gives Caroline the keys to her brand new Kia Rio. \nWait. Someone's tapping me on the shoulder and shaking their head. \n"Wrong Sweet Sixteen," I'm told. \nOf course, how could I have forgotten?\nI'll tell you how, the women's NCAA Tournament has taken over both ESPN and ESPN2 the past three days, and I've been forced to watch "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" and "Average Joe: Adam Returns." \nI'll admit, Kyan's techniques for applying product have made my skin silky smooth and Carson's use of old ties as belts saved me some cash, but I need my sports -- I need my March Madness back!\nSo tonight my prayers are answered and the games are back on.\nThe field of 65 has been whittled down to 16. We've had some shocking upsets, top seeds falling and all the greatness that comes with the NCAA Tournament. \nCinderella stories will continue through the weekend as Nevada will upset Georgia Tech and UAB will be able to outrun the Jayhawks from Kansas. The Blazers were able to speed up the game tempo and use their depth to upset top-seed Kentucky, and Kansas has much of the same problems -- depth -- and its stars Wayne Simien and Keith Langford are a little knicked up.\nEven though I was impressed with Xavier's beating of Mississippi State, I still have Texas prevailing to meet the Fighting Illini in the Elite Eight. I don't need to remind you guys Duke has some recent history losing in the Sweet Sixteen to fifth-seeded teams from the Big Ten (i.e. IU in 2001). \nIn the Billy Packer special, Phil Martelli and the Hawks of St. Joseph's will have the last laugh, eliminating Packer's alma mater Wake Forest. I've been a doubter of St. Joseph's, and I would love for it to prove me wrong, but the Hawks' run will go no further than the Elite Eight, as the winner of the marquee Sweet Sixteen matchup awaits them. \nPittsburgh beat a good Wisconsin team in Milwaukee -- but looked bad doing so -- shooting a poor two of 10 from behind the arc. Oklahoma State looked dominant in its second round victory over Memphis, and Eddie Sutton will have his team playing close to home in a week at San Antonio after wins over Pitt and St. Joe's. \nThe easiest game to pick in this year's Sweet Sixteen is the UConn-Vanderbilt matchup. The Commodores have had a great run and upset a good N.C. State team, but they just don't have the muscle to contend with Emeka Okafor in the paint. \nWe go from picking the easiest game to picking to the hardest. The Alabama-Syracuse game is a toss up, but the tournament experience of the Orangemen prevails here before it gets railed by UConn in the Outstanding Ocho. \nI took a lot of flack from some folks who think I'm too confident and cocky with my picks. Well, when you're right as often as I am, you can afford confidence. Have a good weekend, and stay tuned to that TV. We've got it back this weekend.