Bracketology according to James Larson

James Larson was a standout center for a strong run of Nodaway Valley boys basketball squads in the mid 2000s. In his sophomore season, in 2005, the Wolverines were runners-up at state. His junior year they were state champions. His senior season they finished third.

Larson went on to play college basketball at Briar Cliff in Sioux City. He still has a great love for basketball to this day and is an assistant coach for the boys basketball program. He teaches sixth grade at NV Middle School in Fontanelle.

With good matchups galore, March and April are a basketball fan’s paradise, and Larson is not exempt from this. He filled out a bracket this year.

While he says his bracket fell apart after the first day, he was willing to share a few tips on what he goes off of when filling out his bracket.

“Villanova’s my only [Final Four team] left,” Larson said, adding that his Final Four at the beginning of the tournament were Villanova, North Carolina, Michigan State and Virginia.

When looking at the bracket and filling his out, Larson takes a more analytical approach to the game than some might. It likely comes from so much firsthand experience.

“I think it has a lot to do with matchups and size. Size is a big thing, especially in college,” Larson said. “The NBA is more shooting and spacing, but if you have some size in college that’s really going to help. I also look at coaching. I like Tom Izzo and want Michigan State to do well. They’ve got some size and I thought they’d be good, but I guess not. Then, whoever gets hot at the end are also good to pick.”