These seem to be the guidelines used by my six and three year old girls to pick basketball games:

1. In general, pick teams located in states where family lives. According to the six year old, “There are a lot of Carolina teams.”  With grandparents and extended family in Indiana and North Carolina, this means watch out for the Tar Heels, Irish, and Hoosiers in the tourney.
2. We like to go to the beach, so Long Beach State is going to the elite eight.  (Plus, Aunt Anne lives nearby.)
3. For the five year old, two of the “First Four” game winners will advance to the second weekend.
4. The three year old says “Cantucky” instead of “Kentucky.”  Because Cantucky is very fun to say, she’s got them winning the national title.

Girls' Basketball

My wife Megan deserves lots of credit. She clicked on the youngest’s picks and uncovered the nugget, “Cantucky.”

The youngest wanted to know, “What number am I on?”  Instead of, “What number is on my jersey?”