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A video screenshot shows Obama’s men’s NCAA basketball tournament bracket. (ESPN)
President Barack Obama stuck with his hometown underdog — at least in the first round — when filling out his men’s NCAA basketball tournament bracket on ESPN today.
While picking No. 1 seed Kansas to win it all, the president picked the No. 13-seed Hawaii to upset No. 4 California in the first round Friday.
“That is a homer pick,” the president acknowledged, “although, if they get hot hitting threes, that could be an upset.”
He has the Warriors losing to No. 5 Maryland in the next round. “I didn’t want to get carried away,” said Obama, who was born in Honolulu and spent most of his childhood here.
Besides Kansas, Obama picked Texas A&M, North Carolina and Michigan State to reach the Final Four.
Obama hasn’t correctly predicted the national champion since he picked North Carolina in his first year in office in 2009.
In the ESPN broadcast, Obama noted that both the men’s and women’s teams from Hawaii are going to the NCAA tournament. However, when picking the women’s bracket, he chose third-seeded UCLA to beat the No. 14-seed Wahine in the first round Saturday.
The president picked the University of Connecticut to beat Notre Dame in the women’s final, with South Carolina and Florida State rounding out the Final Four.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
I think he’ll four putt on UCLA beating the Wahines–like in stocks, past performance doesn’t count in the tournaments!! Let’s show ’em!!
How very presidential !
Michigan State likely takes it all. Not sure the Warriors get beyond Cal though. Their weak schedule and insignificant conference have not really prepared them for the big time. But I wish them well of course.
Not enough talent.
I don’t believe you when you say “But I wish them well of course”. I guess that’s your way of toning down your words, but you’re typically so negative and critical of Hawaii teams.
“The Associated Press contributed to this report.” LOL needs to be the other way around: “The Evening-Star contributed to this report”.
Best way is to pick Chalk.
He didn’t get “carried away” by putting a presidential library on that rinky-dink island in the middle of the Pacific either.
Michelle would have scolded him and even divorced him, if he placed his Presidential Library in Kakaako and have all the homeless make “shishi” on the side of his building.
Face it guys Obama is just a tourist who comes here for vacation and nothing more.
However he deposits $777,777,777.77 into our economy everytime he visits, so in a sense it’s okay. Have u seen the story on the 89-year old Queen Elizabeth II ? The Queen went back home using the least expensive mode of travel (something like $70), while Princess Kate, rode home on a posh helicopter, costing the British Government $5,000 for the same trip. Well soon King Obama will be off the throne, so alls well that ends well. In a sense we are proud of him, however you will be prouder when I am inaugurated in 2025.
POTUS should stay out of politics and stick to prognosticating basketball brackets – (which he maybe slightly better at). lucky we only have 2-term limits on the white house occupant. now if we could only have the same laws here in Hawaii for our legislators!!!
Check out Jay Bilas’ bracket on ESPN. He has consistently picked correctly, more than less over the years. Chalk is okay, mostly for the women’s tournament though. For the men, we need an expert’s eyes, those that can do detailed analysis and Jay is one of the best, if not THE best.
Warriors need to get over not only trying to beat Cal but overcoming the O curse. GL Warriors!
The most interesting statement made during this video is what President Obama said at the end. After the host said that Obama’s picks next year would be as a civilian, President Obama said if he (the host) was willing to fly to Hawaii next March, he (Obama) would do the picks again. Does that mean President Obama is headed to Hawaii to live after his presidency is over? It hasn’t been announced where he and Mrs. Obama would be living, Hawaii or Chicago (or anywhere else for that matter). But his slip up does indicate where he wants to retire to. Or maybe not? I don’t know.
He doesn’t have a clue what’s going to happen after he is out of the white house. He has to check with ValJar and Mooch….you know, the ones who actually wear the pants in the family.
That’s the kiss of death.
That guy has no idea what he’s doing with the brackets. for the past 7 years that we’ve had to watch him make his picks.
The O curse. Overall what has he done in the last 7 years of his so called job!? lol