There is no wager, no bragging rights up for grabs. In fact, I’m not even sure Governor Jay Nixon knows or even cares he’s competing against me, but I’m starting the first ever Sports Director vs. Governor Challenge.  I’ve seen the Governor at several Missouri basketball games and even spent a few minutes talking hoops with him at a recent game. He knows his stuff. So when I got an email from his office with his picks for the tournament, I got the idea of pitting my picks up against his just to see how well I could do.

Follow along here on Missourinet and our Facebook page and Twitter @Missourisports for updates throughout the tournament.

March Madness Bill Pollock vs. Governor Nixon

The first two days of this tournament could set the tone early. We have seven different picks in the first round. I do like how we both have Kansas getting knocked out by Georgetown, after what should be easy wins over Detroit and St. Mary’s by the Jayhawks.

Our East Regional picks are way off. Governor Nixon likes Kansas State and Florida State squaring off in an Elite Eight matchup with the Seminoles making it to the Final Four. I like the run Vandy has been making and I went the safe route and picked Ohio State.

We have North Carolina and Georgetown in the Midwest. Kentucky and Duke in the South and Mizzou in the West. I went with Michigan State and the Governor picked Louisville.

I’m hoping Mizzou gets a shot at Michigan State to prove that the Tigers ultimately did deserve the number one seed over the Spartans. While I went with the masses that Kentucky would end Mizzou’s run in the Final Four, our Governor went with the hometown team to not only upset Kentucky, but then beat Florida State for the National Championship.

I can’t call Governor Nixon a homer for choosing Missouri. We were both at the Big 12 Tournament and saw the Tigers put together an impressive three day run in Kansas City, and if Missouri continues to play that type of basketball anything is possible.  At this point, nothing Mizzou does will surprise me.

Who knows…maybe if I am lucky enough to out pick the Governor, I may mention it to him when I see him at Mizzou football Black and Gold Spring Game!