We've heard from Bobby Knight, Dick Vitale, local columnists, statisticians and every other yahoo about who they picked to win the NCAA Tournament. But what about the candidates for President? Sure, we know their views on the war and health care but do they think you need strong guard play or a dominant big man? Give us something we can use, people! Barack Obama stepped into that void this morning by telling the radio station 850 The Buzz that he likes North Carolina to take home the crown. Obama's basketball prowess has been well reported and North Carolina is a popular, if chalky, choice but there are some grains of salt to take from Obama's selection. 850 The Buzz is located in the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill triangle so his selection could be seen as a way of currying favor with voters who will go to the polls on May 6 in the North Carolina primary. There's also the chance to curry favor with John Edwards, who hasn't endorsed anyone but does have a court emblazoned with the Tar Heel logo on his property.
To his credit, though, he didn't throw a bone to the voters of Pennsylvania by picking Pittsburgh or one of the Big Five schools. He's got Kansas, UCLA and Stanford rounding out his final four. Republican nominee/pool runner John McCain will reveal his bracket on his web site before today's first game and Hillary Clinton took a pass on naming her last team standing.
(H/T The Big Lead)
Latest College Basketball Photos
Head Coach Bruce Pearl speaks to his team and Tennessee fans after watching the NCAA selections at Thompson Boling Arena on Sunday, March 16, 2008 in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Lisa Norman-Hudson)
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Bruce Pearl discusses NCAA selections with assistant coach Jason Shay during the NCAA selections at Thompson Boling Arena on Sunday, March 16, 2008 in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Lisa Norman-Hudson)
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Bruce Pearl and his daughter Leah watch the NCAA selections at Thompson Boling Arena, along with Tennessee team members and Athletic Director Mike Hamilton, left, Sunday, March 16, 2008 in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Lisa Norman-Hudson)
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Tom O'Connor, chair of the NCAA Division 1 men's basketball tournament committee, addresses the media in a teleconference call following the bracket announcements in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 16, 2008. (AP Photo/Tom Strickland)
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Tom O'Connor, chair of the NCAA Division 1 men's basketball tournament committee, addresses the media in a teleconference call following the bracket announcements in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 16, 2008. (AP Photo/Tom Strickland)
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Tom O'Connor, chair of the NCAA Division 1 men's basketball tournament committee, addresses the media in a teleconference call following the bracket announcements in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 16, 2008. (AP Photo/Tom Strickland)
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South Alabama basketball players Daon Merritt, leaping on left, Brandon Davis, center, and DeAndre Coleman celebrate after being awarded an at-large bid to the NCAA Mens National Basketball Tournament on Sunday March 16, 2008 at the South Alabama Student Center. South Alabama will played Butler in the first round in Birmingham on Friday. (AP Photo/Press-Register, Chip English)
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Members of the Georgia basketball team react when their NCAA tournament bracket position is announced following their 66-57 win over Arkansas in the 2008 Southeastern Conference basketball tournament championship game at Alexander Memorial Coliseum on the campus of Georgia Tech in Atlanta on Sunday, March 16, 2008. Georgia will face Xavier. (AP Photo/Phil Coale)
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Drake University players Adam Emmenecker, left, and Bill Eaddy react as they watch the NCAA basketball tournament selection show, Sunday, March 16, 2008, in Des Moines, Iowa. Drake, the Missouri Valley Conference champions, will play Western Kentucky in the West Region on Friday in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
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Georgia guard Sundiata Gaines (2) holds up the MVP trophy after defeating Arkansas 66-57 for the Southeastern Conference basketball Championship at Alexander Memorial Coliseum on the campus of Georgia Tech in Atlanta, Sunday, March 16, 2008. Gaines, was named MVP of the tournament. (AP Photo/Phil Coale)
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Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 7)
1. Very strange he didn't pick an all black team to win it.
Posted at 12:46PM on Mar 20th 2008 by Mr.G
2. Since when did the average decency of Fanhouse commentors fall to the depths of Youtube commentors?
Posted at 2:00PM on Mar 20th 2008 by August West
3. of course barak picked n.c. he won in that state. why would he be honest and pick a real team. GO UCONN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted at 2:11PM on Mar 20th 2008 by Kym
4. Kym,
FYI....NC hasn't had their election yet.
Posted at 2:22PM on Mar 20th 2008 by kmws2
5. UCONN wrote, " of course barak picked n.c. he won in that state". Ignorant statement inasmuch NC does NOT have a primary until MAY. UNC is for real ... have you Mr/Ms UCONN looked at the Top 25 polls for the ENTIRE basketball season? Guess not!
Posted at 2:32PM on Mar 20th 2008 by Doug Cooke
6. So now we are having presidential candidates pick sports team winners? Sounds like Obama-backing AOL is just trying to create a news headline for the faltering candidate. Sadly, picking a sports team winner is about the only substance Obama seems to have. NOBAMA!
Posted at 2:37PM on Mar 20th 2008 by Greg
7. Give me a break, you guys are ignorant......please tell me which team is exactly ALL black?
As for McCain, it seems like he is beginning to suffer from dementia!
Posted at 2:39PM on Mar 20th 2008 by lashonda
8. Don't hate the player hate the game...If its not some old white man in the White House (imagine that) then theirs a problem, Obama's to good for this country...You haters nothing but bigots....the Archie Bunkers of the 2000"s
Posted at 2:43PM on Mar 20th 2008 by Robin
9. The saddest thing about this blog/comment is the degree of racisim Obama pick was a fun answer to a question asked of all politican.
Posted at 2:44PM on Mar 20th 2008 by neil
10. Now Barack needs to figure how to pick a Minister, funny thing I never saw him near a US Flag or wearing one on his lapel, which he still refuses to do,until he was trying to explain himself out of his current racial mess, count em' 8 flags at his last attempt to explain himself.
Posted at 2:49PM on Mar 20th 2008 by george
11. I totally agree with the other emailer that stated that you all are nothing more than a bunch of haters and racist. If Obama was WHITE we wouldn't even be having these conversations. But, because he is BLACK it seems to be an issue. Get over it people!! We have a had a white man in office FOREVER and look what it has give us "NOTHING"" I repeat "NOTHING" its time for a CHANGE. And for the NC Racist supporting John MCCain, I hope you have plenty of money because you are going to need it if he wins office. I am sure hoping he doesn't!!! OBAMA 08 all the way!!! I support CHANGE not the fact that he is BLACK!!!!
Posted at 2:51PM on Mar 20th 2008 by Greg Johnson
12. why does it have to be Black or White? Why does everyone want to love Obama even though has he NO POLITICAL EXPERIENCE!!! Dumb....typical of people. Ignore the obvious choice
Posted at 2:52PM on Mar 20th 2008 by Double T
13. Strange that Obama should pick UNC to go all the way? The dude knows his hoops. It ain't about race.
Posted at 2:55PM on Mar 20th 2008 by Bill
14. Oh, come on bigots! Let's see some REAL racism. Dig deep into those things you call hearts and tell some watermelon jokes. Stinkin' ignorant idiots. Robin is so right. You don't deserve Obama. You should all be forced to live under Bush and Dick for the rest of your lives.
Posted at 2:56PM on Mar 20th 2008 by Michael
15. True is Obama were White he would not be considered for President. His length of service, Age, and experience would not put him ahead of anyone
Posted at 2:58PM on Mar 20th 2008 by c33704@aol.com
16. Hmm did he pick the team/ state he wants next?
Indeed he needs that Edwards endorsement as well.
I find it irinnic that the states Obama has been getting are the RED states hmm I wonder why Hillary didnt win WY,MS, ? Does anyone know where Halley Barbaer and Dick Chaney come from?
Posted at 2:58PM on Mar 20th 2008 by c33704@aol.com
17. I hope Obama is Wright with his selection-it might take him 20 years to get another chance.
Posted at 2:59PM on Mar 20th 2008 by bob chi town
18. Obama has more experience in public service then Clinton but you believe her because she served tea in the white house for 8 years. He's pushed through over 90 bills during those 20 years. Clinton ... 23. Look into the FACTS.
Posted at 3:00PM on Mar 20th 2008 by Michael
19. Well....maybe he's a better handicapper than presidential candidate.
Posted at 3:00PM on Mar 20th 2008 by Robert Wayne
20. Lighten up folks, All aol did was ask afun question of some pretty impressive people giving them an oportunity to "lighten up" for a while at a time for them that is otherwise rather intense. Shouldn't we all get a chance to have a human side. Don't we want to have someone leading our country who has a bit of humanity within them.
Posted at 3:00PM on Mar 20th 2008 by Pam