With March Madness in full swing, we asked a handful of Sacramento Republic FC players to share with us who they thought would win it all, in addition to their other thoughts on the tournament.
First things first, who are you rooting for?
Midfielder Matt LaGrassa: “I've decided to root for Oklahoma because they are fun to watch.”
Midfielder/Defender Alfonso Motagalvan: “UNC [Chapel Hill] all the way!”
Forward Cameron Iwasa: “I’m rooting for Cal because my uncle went there and he’s a huge fan.”
Defender Emrah Klimenta: “How about more than one? Duke, Cal and Michigan State for me.”
What team do you think is going to be the biggest surprise of the tournament?
LaGrassa: “I’m thinking that South Dakota State could make a run!”
Motagalvan: “I think the biggest surprise will be Dayton the last several years they been a decent side. This might be their breakout year.”
Iwasa: “Biggest surprise is that I think Duke will lose in first round.”
Klimenta: “I don’t know, that’s why it’s a surprise.”
What’s the best mascot of the tournament?
LaGrassa: “I’m going to have to go with Purdue, The Boilermakers.”
Motogalvan: “Tarheels.”
Iwasa: “Best mascot is definitely the Shockers – so Wichita State.”
Klimenta: “The Blue Devils.”
Pick a Cinderella team for the tournament.
LaGrassa: “Going to go with Iowa on this one!”
Motogalvan: “My Cinderella team of the tournament Stephen F. Austin.”
Iwasa: “Hawaii is the Cinderella team. I’ve got to root for the fellow Big West guys.”
Klimenta: “I’m going with Cal Berkley.”
What strategy do you have when filling out your bracket?
LaGrassa: “Go with what you feel, then change what you feel, then do some research, then you will still be wrong so have fun!”
Motagalvan: “My best strategy is to keep up with college basketball all year and go with my gut instinct.”
Iwasa: “My strategy is that I'm a genius and know everything.”
Klimenta: “My strategy is not filing one out because it gives me a headache.”
Most importantly, who do you have winning the tournament?
LaGrassa: “I like UNC [Chapel Hill]. They haven't won [the tournament] in a while, and they are a program with a lot of history.”
Motagalvan: “UNC [Chapel Hill] will win it all. They have been up and down the top 10 ranking all year.”
Iwasa: “Michigan State will win it because of the leadership of Izzo and Valentine.”
Klimenta: “Duke, that’s my college basketball team!”
With March Madness in full swing, we asked a handful of Sacramento Republic FC players to share with us who they thought would win it all, in addition to their other thoughts on the tournament.
First things first, who are you rooting for?
Midfielder Matt LaGrassa: “I’ve decided to root for Oklahoma because they are fun to watch.”
Midfielder/Defender Alfonso Motagalvan: “UNC [Chapel Hill] all the way!”
Forward Cameron Iwasa: “I’m rooting for Cal because my uncle went there and he’s a huge fan.”
Defender Emrah Klimenta: “How about more than one? Duke, Cal and Michigan State for me.”
What team do you think is going to be the biggest surprise of the tournament?
LaGrassa: “I’m thinking that South Dakota State could make a run!”
Motagalvan: “I think the biggest surprise will be Dayton the last several years they been a decent side. This might be their breakout year.”
Iwasa: “Biggest surprise is that I think Duke will lose in first round.”
Klimenta: “I don’t know, that’s why it’s a surprise.”
What’s the best mascot of the tournament?
LaGrassa: “I’m going to have to go with Purdue, The Boilermakers.”
Motogalvan: “Tarheels.”
Iwasa: “Best mascot is definitely the Shockers – so Wichita State.”
Klimenta: “The Blue Devils.”
Pick a Cinderella team for the tournament.
LaGrassa: “Going to go with Iowa on this one!”
Motogalvan: “My Cinderella team of the tournament Stephen F. Austin.”
Iwasa: “Hawaii is the Cinderella team. I’ve got to root for the fellow Big West guys.”
Klimenta: “I’m going with Cal Berkley.”
What strategy do you have when filling out your bracket?
LaGrassa: “Go with what you feel, then change what you feel, then do some research, then you will still be wrong so have fun!”
Motagalvan: “My best strategy is to keep up with college basketball all year and go with my gut instinct.”
Iwasa: “My strategy is that I’m a genius and know everything.”
Klimenta: “My strategy is not filing one out because it gives me a headache.”
Most importantly, who do you have winning the tournament?
LaGrassa: “I like UNC [Chapel Hill]. They haven’t won [the tournament] in a while, and they are a program with a lot of history.”
Motagalvan: “UNC [Chapel Hill] will win it all. They have been up and down the top 10 ranking all year.”
Iwasa: “Michigan State will win it because of the leadership of Izzo and Valentine.”
Klimenta: “Duke, that’s my college basketball team!”
