Jeff Gilbert

Gilbert is the sports editor for The Roanoke Times

Recent columns

• Time needed for Virginia Tech's passing game
• Education has begun for young Tech team

Seth Greenberg's stumping for his youthful Virginia Tech team to be invited to the NCAA tournament re-enforced a couple ideas that presidential campaigns prove every four years: You can make anything political, and not everyone is good at concession speeches.

So with all the politicking these days from Seth's desire to increase spending by expanding NCAA tournament entitlements, to the grass roots and party-machine presidential campaigns we've been enduring in recent months, let's look at what gets teams elected to the field of 65 and some examples of what can guarantee victory.

1. Primary season.

It matters what you do from start to finish. Lose to Penn State, Richmond, ODU and N.C. State as the Hokies did, and the delegates just won't be there for you on Selection Sunday. Beat Pittsburgh, West Virginia and Connecticut as Villanova did and the super delegates will put you on the final ballot.

2. It takes money.

Being from a big-money state isn't a guarantee, but it sure helps. California has six NCAA delegates and Texas and Pennsylvania have four.

3. A grass-roots campaign still has a place.

Tennessee has five delegates. The Memphis Tigers and the Tennessee Volunteers have the financial resources to sustain a big-time program. However, Vanderbilt, Austin Peay and Belmont face long odds in this election season. Maybe strength in numbers can get at least one of these teams some extra votes.

4. The swing states.

Indiana with four delegates and North Carolina and Maryland with three apiece definitely have some tradition among their rank and file that could put someone on the final ballot.

5. Sleeper candidates.

There are plenty of these all over the map. But when you fill out your bracket be careful not to get too caught up in getting attached to the underdogs. Just remember when the Final Four convenes in San Antonio that those brave men who defended the Alamo put up a fight but lost in the end to the side with the most depth.

Notre Dame: Voting rights

George Mason was a founding father and, along with James Madison, is considered a co-father of the Bill of Rights. The Patriots have a right to be here after winning the CAA tournament, and they have name recognition with the voters after their run to the Final Four two years ago. But Notre Dame has more political clout these days.

Texas: Term limits

With a nickname like the Governors, you have to like Austin Peay's chances at the ballot box. He was a reform-minded governor of Tennessee in the 1920s, but that was another century. Texas is a seat of political power in this era, so the Governors won't be riding the coattails of their in-state brethren from Memphis and Knoxville to a second term over the weekend.

Wisconsin: Washington outsider

Georgetown, it would seem, has an inside track from inside the beltway. But these days there's an appetite for the fresh face, the unknown. Wisconsin is no stranger to the national scene, but name one of their players. The Badgers are clearly an outsider compared to the Hoyas -- and voters like that.

East: Home-grown candidate

Tobacco Road is always split along party lines, but the Tar Heels have a strong base in North Carolina and will carry the vote from Raleigh to Charlotte.

South: Electoral battleground

The states represented here are always among the most watched on election night. Pittsburgh and Michigan State look like teams who could make a run, so it might take a recount to decide this race.

Midwest: Primary upset

Southern Cal has the glitz and a big name in O.J. Mayo, but Kansas State has an even more powerful figure in Michael Beasley. Most of the polls favor the Trojans, but the silent majority in the heartland will show up in record numbers and sway the vote to the Wildcats.

West: Popular vote fails

Drake bears the name of former Iowa governor Francis Marion Drake, whose resume also includes Union general in the Civil War and railroad magnate. The Bulldogs are certainly a candidate for the always popular 12-vs.-5 upset. But the Northeast machine from UConn has the electoral advantage over this Midwestern grass-roots campaign's popular vote.

UCLA: The shoo-in

The campaign coffers have been overflowing in California since the Wooden administration. And the tradition-rich Bruins are the party in power once again.